Tuesday 3 July 2018

Why 'Lost Mine of Phandelver' sucks

Inspired by common recommendations to use it as a GM's first 5e adventure, I have to say I disagree.

The problems start with the very first encounter, and what it says about the world.

Why are 4 goblins ambushing a well armed party of 4-6 larger and likely tougher looking travellers - the PCs?  Answer: To give PCs a starting encounter. From goblin perspective it makes no sense. They would let such go past & wait for easier prey.

Why do the goblins use such sub-optimal tactics, with 2 charging into melee to get slaughtered? Answer: So the PCs can win. Because if the goblins were to use sniping tactics from cover, combined with their racial ability to hide, disengage etc, they might well actually win.

This is a terrible first encounter which sends the message that the world exist for the benefit of the PCs. It would work much better to (for instance) have four drunken goblins lounging around the wagon Paizo-style, a wine butt spilling the last dregs onto the ground - ie the PCs got lucky. Then the goblins can even react in confused & suboptimal manner without straining plausibility.

But don't set up an ambush that is suicidal from the POV of the ambushers.

Edit: Discussion here

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