by Ignipes
Reading through many threads on this forum it is noticeable that many players have problems with accepting mechanics in Descent (e.g. Line of Sight system, moving Large Monsters and others).Here is how I look at this.
Let's take rules as they are, and let's not add what we think it should be (thematically).
It will be better to explain this on examples.
Line of Sight
This is only system of checking (for game purposes) if two figures have each other in a line of sight .
Don't take it as something thematic.
"It is impossible that target blot out it self."
Yes it is impossible. And it is not. This is only a system - squares, lines, and some assumptions.
Rulebook tells us what this assumptions are and that's it. If we meet this assumptions checking LoS than figures see each other.
Moving Large Monsters
"Shadow Dragon have speed 3 and on the board can reach 5 spaces from where it started."
Yes. And this is intended. Rule exist to give Overlord some maneuverability when moving those big clumsy Monsters (to fit them on board between obstacles). So what that arithmetics don't corroborate? Do you really think that Shadow Dragon should have the same mobility as Dwarf(?)
"It is so stupid that Large Monster shrinks to move.
Well, it is not. I know the rulebook uses this word but it is in quotes and only to explain procedure.
Again, 'shrinking' is only (for game purposes) to check where 'you' can go. It doesn't happen for real.
"Heroes are standing in its way so it SHALL NOT PASS."
C'mon. "These poor people are standing in my way, I cannot pas because something might happen to them."
These are only rules so we can play.
Cave Spider Poison and Jain's Heroic Ability
Big discussion about this one recently. This is the hardest to explain.
"She doesn't get wounded (dodges hits) and becomes poisoned".
And what makes you think that she wasn't wounded? Oh, she doesn't get wound tokens? It doesn't mean that she wasn't scratched and got poisoned but at the same time she wasn't wounded seriously so we don't mark it.
Oh damn. I explained that last thematically.
Well, it is always possible, but not necessary, if we just won't be to serious in paraphrasing rules. These are just rules and this is just a game not real circumstances. There has to be some assumptions.
If you have hard time accepting these (and others) mechanics I have a question for you.
Why are you accepting that when it is your move, everybody else is standing still(?)
I hope this will help someone.
Maybe next time when something will be unthematic for you, you will say "It's just a rule, so I can play" and maybe then you will even find a story behind it.
Enjoy the game.