The light at the end of the tunnel is Day 30 of the RPGaDAY 2025 Challenge and we have another topic that I don’t know what I’m going to blog about until I start putting my fingers to the keyboard. What can I say about “Experience” in roleplaying games? The obvious ones are popping up like how to distribute experience points, what should players get experience points for, etc. But I won’t want to take that road just yet. But now that I see those titles on the screen, I’m starting to wonder if they could be a future blog post?
I have read a few blog and social media posts within this challenge after I already had my topic posted (I try to type these in advance to keep this as fun and not a chore) and I wished that I had taken their idea. My post for “Challenge” could have been about how much I had enjoyed Challenge Magazine. This was a publication from GDW that covered other systems like FASA Star Trek, WEG D6 Star Wars and more. Something you don’t often see from a house magazine.
I guess that is part of my experience with running a geek and RPG blog. I was suddenly reminded of this quote.
“Wisdom comes from experience. Experience is often a result of lack of wisdom.” — Terry Pratchett
As I’m writing more, I’m learning more. As I’m reading more, I’m thinking more. As I’m playing more, I’m planning more (and having fun). Playing with friends and strangers has led me to understanding how different things are viewed. All of this new wisdom is coming from experience. On my personal character sheet, as I gain more Experience Points, I’ve upped my scores in Wisdom, Intelligence and more. Sure my Dexterity and Strength might be a little bit lower, but that was the trade off that I knew was coming.
Feedback from Phil Hatfield on MeWe re: “Tactic“: Are you referring to “tactics in the operation of the game mechanics” or are you referring to tactics the players come up with, within the game, to gain ridiculously advantageous benefit against game foes? The FASA Star Trek system accentuated the nature of tactics, with its “action points” and action lists. I didn’t run games that way, nor did the GM when I was a player in college. The game Twilight 2000 was all about using tactics, and there were varying levels of tactics used by the players. If you’re not talking about “in game” tactics but instead about tactics to take advantage of a game system, I couldn’t tell you as I don’t tend to play games the “mechanically crunchy” way that allow the mechanics to be front and center and therefore the focus of thought to circumvent or manipulate.
I responded back to him (in probably a clear as mud way as I was typing on my phone): When I play a TTRPG system I want to see how it works in the simulation style. Does the random generator (dice, cards or ???) fit the type (tactical, narrative, combo, etc.) There have been some games with really good world building, but the random generator sucks badly. If I find myself thinking “I can see what they are doing and it works”, that is when my “tactical” mind engages.
Thinking about it again (20/20 hindsight) I don’t think I properly answered his question. Lately I’m more worried about texture not trivia. I want everyone at the table to have fun, but keep within the spirit of the game. The Gates of Krystalia game used playing cards, I could see where the cards gave us random results. I haven’t played it enough to get a sample size of “this works”, “this needs improvement” or “I’m not having fun at all” but my mind was starting to click with the patterns and my mind slips into “tactical mode”. I start thinking “OK, I need to do this and this in order to have my character perform the task I want him to perform.” I don’t think that’s taking “advantage of the rules” but more of “I’m working within the rules as presented”. If a player is taking advantage of the rules, a good GM can (and should) make a table ruling to keep the fun within the spirit of the game IMHO. (Am I still clear as mud? I know you are just reading standard words on the screen and not hearing the inflection in my voice)
What ways have you gained experience in RPGs, or even just real life? Tell me about it. This article is open for discussion on the TardisCaptain dot Com Discord server. You can also email me at Carl (at) TardisCaptain.com with any comments.