Some questions for you guys

So I want to make sure everyone has a good time playing in this campaign so I have some questions that if you want you could answer. What do you like and dislike most from rpg campaigns you have been in before? What percentage of time do you like to be combat versus other activities like exploring, role-playing, investigating, etc? Do you prefer magic heavy or magic lite campaigns? Any other comments you want to let me know.

1) good questions. I really like a good story. I like getting wrapped up in the plot. Dislike grind-fests 2) I actually like a good balance between combat and "non-combat". 50/50 I guess. I like to roleplay my characters. I don't do voices because I'm bad at it, but I do like the chance to bring out my character's personality. 3) I've been in both magic heavy and magic lite games. Like both. 4) no other comments.

1: i don't really like fighting at low levels because it is mostly boring, for example the typical goblin fight that everyone does in their campaigns lol it just bores me. i also don't like being playing in weenie hut general. basically don't baby us, don't throw magical items at us, don't throw gold at us and don't gives us fights you know we can win, i want to have consequences for poor decision. 2: i like an even amount of combat to roleplaying and exploring etc.. 3: by "magic heavy" i am assuming magical items? if so, then i want them to be there. but i don't want them to be obvious to obtain. and when we do obtain them they don't come with a manual; and please remember not all magical items are good. toss in a few cursed items. 4: all in all; i would like a campaign that is hard. i want to leave encounters with low hp and low potions i want to be in a cavern with no clear sight of the exit and to be afraid if the next door i open will have a group of *insert tough monster here* in it.

1. One important thing that I like to see is for every player/character to have a chance to shine and be useful. Give the rogue something to steal, give the fighter something heavy to lift, give the cleric some holy stuff to figure out. Same for roleplaying. As for dislikes, i usually dislike when one players style doesnt mesh with a group (Either taking things too seriously, or being too "jokey", can really take me out of the experience) 2. About 50/50, maybe 60/40 leaning towards RP in 5e, combat is much simpler. 3. Either is fine as long as it doesn't limit player options either way. (magic being too op, or magic being useless) 4. Looking forward to playing!

So far I haven't seen too much homebrews, but I do like the Tyranny of dragons line that I have seen. I've been in 1 campaign where I jumped in around 7 or 8 campaigns in. I like maybe a bit more combat than RP, if just a tad. Or at least when there is combat if its rarer, to be more challenging than not. I like magic in general, it's part of the reason I do enjoy D&D. If there's certain places that are for/against magic, i really enjoy that sort of thing. Looking forward to playing, and as much as I do like loot, i hope there isn't too much OP-ness when it comes to +1 armor etc. Also, I do rather enjoy the critical hit/fail table stuff. It makes combat way more interesting to me :) Later gents

1. I dislike campaigns that are too easy and don't challenge the players enough. Now I'm not saying make it overly difficult to the point where it's unplayable, just hard enough so that it feels rewarding when we actually complete encounters. I also like to have a persistent over-arching story that ties everything together and gives everything we do a sense of purpose. 2. I like to have an even mix of combat of role-playing so it feels like we're actually making progress. 3. Magic heavy 4. No other comments.

1. Players have been the most important thing since I started playing. They need to have an idea on how to play their player characters, understand the rules, and most importantly, role play. The next thing would be having a DM that can write up good stories with a fun imagination. Basically a DM who is willing to spend time to make an excellent experience. 2. The way I look at it is that combat should still be a part of role playing. I hate fighting where it goes something like this: Swings longsword, casts spell, heals target, etc. That makes fighting extremely boring and I do understand excessive role playing can cause fights to last a long time. This is why a good balance is important during combat. Exploration is less important to me, I do like a new journey, but I think it's equally important to establish a home and feel like a part of the world. 3. I don't like either, I like a campaign with a balanced amount of magic in the campaign. I want magic items to have history or some kind. Basically, they need to make sense in the world. Why would a scroll of fireball be in a cave of goblins, or where did this ring of defense come from? 4. Reliability with the DM and players is my biggest concern. I want to be with a group who always shows up on time and is willing to play for hours and have fun. Games that last close to 6 hours are the most fun for me.

Silverchrist said: 1. Players have been the most important thing since I started playing. They need to have an idea on how to play their player characters, understand the rules, and most importantly, role play. The next thing would be having a DM that can write up good stories with a fun imagination. Basically a DM who is willing to spend time to make an excellent experience. 2. The way I look at it is that combat should still be a part of role playing. I hate fighting where it goes something like this: Swings longsword, casts spell, heals target, etc. That makes fighting extremely boring and I do understand excessive role playing can cause fights to last a long time. This is why a good balance is important during combat. Exploration is less important to me, I do like a new journey, but I think it's equally important to establish a home and feel like a part of the world. 3. I don't like either, I like a campaign with a balanced amount of magic in the campaign. I want magic items to have history or some kind. Basically, they need to make sense in the world. Why would a scroll of fireball be in a cave of goblins, or where did this ring of defense come from? 4. Reliability with the DM and players is my biggest concern. I want to be with a group who always shows up on time and is willing to play for hours and have fun. Games that last close to 6 hours are the most fun for me. Thanks for chiming in Silverchrist. I think you have some great insight here. I have some comments to your points. 1. Agree 100% on needing both good players and a good DM. I don't know if Hoard of the Dragon Queen is all that great of an adventure but I am working hard to make it interesting. I think it does get better the further in you get. 2. I know I am still working on this aspect of the game. I want combat to be fun and interesting and not a grind. I thought the cave was a bit too much of a grind. So be patient as I work on tweaking the fights a bit to get a good feel for what you guys can do. 3. I think items are important and add to the game when you find something cool. However like you said it needs to make sense. I NEVER roll random treasure. This is one area I think HotDQ lacks a lot in is the loot department. According to the adventure the group should still to this point not found a single magic item. Zero. Which is crazy. You have a fair amount of money but I expect it to be used in interesting ways later. 4. Boy I have to agree here. I think we have a pretty solid group right now and I really appreciate you guys showing up on time. In 11 sessions I had to miss one for a trip. I hope to still have this Thursday's session but everything depends on what we find out at the doctors. I am always open to suggestions and tips on how to make the game better so feel free to let me know at any time. I know I am not the perfect DM soI will take any advice people wish to give. Thanks, Nick

Sorry, I'm just so EXCITED !! 1. Cant comment much since it's been 13 yrs since I last played but I would like to hopefully join 1 that I can actually start from the beginning and hopefully should there be 1 be able to finish. The games I joined back then pretty much had the same issue of people not showing up when needed most. So I can honestly say this so far is my first overall real campaign and I am really enjoying! 2. I would say it depends on how long we plan on being around to play to be honest. Love a mixture of everything could always add combat to the exploration/investigating for some flare. As for the Role-playing i'm still trying to get it all together and from what i'm told to polite about waiting for others to finish what they are doing/saying. So like I said before I can not really comment much but I am really enjoying the campaign but feel so lost as far as the "Tyranny of Dragons" goes. Though I could just be lost in general o.O. 3. Not sure on Heavy/lite but. I do not mind either as long as it's within the limits of the campaign. Such as a boss fight that mainly does serious magic like a Beholder, Mind Flayer or Caster then I would expect Heavy or adjusted to light should minions be helping, instead of fighting a fighter/barbarian type healing himself heavy and not have any spells. Should it come down to it TPK should be set in mind of everyone when it comes to the Heave/Lite magic because the roll of the dice could always alter the game play. If this was about magic items then I would make it balanced accordingly to the campaign/homebrew and I say this do to some items that may be missed along the way. 4. I'm going to have to agree with some of the comments from the lists above. The #4 for Silverchrist, #4 Poosey B. - to the point where we say "we gota take a long rest" and protect ourselves while doing it. I'm just excited to play and learning in the process. think i'll shut up now until I think of more thing's to come up with. Randomness is awesome tho!

Elliot M. said: Looking forward to playing, and as much as I do like loot, i hope there isn't too much OP-ness when it comes to +1 armor etc. Also, I do rather enjoy the critical hit/fail table stuff. It makes combat way more interesting to me :) Later gents I also enjoy the critical hit/fail table stuff.