The D20 engine didn’t change roleplaying for the worse. If anything, having a universal system opened TTRPG to people who might have otherwise avoided giving it a shot.
If you’re a DM and you let players steamroll you by demanding rolls for everything, that’s on you. If YOU are calling for rolls for everything from (in the author’s example) tying knots to (in mine) kissing your partner, that’s on you. Assuming that you NEED rolls for everything is the issue, not the system.
Mechanics have always been meant to resolve critical conflict, add tension to situations. A commoner should be able to untie a basic knot without issue… but can they do it quickly while a pack of angry gnolls are bearing down on them?
The D20 engine didn’t change roleplaying for the worse. If anything, having a universal system opened TTRPG to people who might have otherwise avoided giving it a shot.
If you’re a DM and you let players steamroll you by demanding rolls for everything, that’s on you. If YOU are calling for rolls for everything from (in the author’s example) tying knots to (in mine) kissing your partner, that’s on you. Assuming that you NEED rolls for everything is the issue, not the system.
Mechanics have always been meant to resolve critical conflict, add tension to situations. A commoner should be able to untie a basic knot without issue… but can they do it quickly while a pack of angry gnolls are bearing down on them?
THAT is where DC checks are handy.