Lol. This just is not true in the slightest for earlier D&D. Sure, 5E is mostly focused on narrative, and everyone ignores food, water, etc. This was not always the case though. It was a role playing game, but the role was that of a person who had real needs and desires. It was mostly about dungeon crawling, and often even competitive-ish. Players would frequently try to get one up on each other, like sneaking off to steal all the loot from a dungeon before anyone else got there. There was also almost nothing done in cities and stuff. You’d purchase your equipment and move on to the next encounter.
I agree this isn’t what the game has become, and it also isn’t the way it “should” be. To pretend like resource management and survival aspect were never part of the game though is ignoring a lot of history.
Just because it has resources to manage doesn’t mean it is a resource managing game.
D&D is a narrative game first, a strategic boardgame second. (That is why it is an Role-Playing first, Game second)
The point is to create awesome stories and memories with friends at the table. If this involves spending resources on frivolous shit, then so be it.
I’d bet you will remember stupid shit that Wizard got you in longer than when you tactically defeated a boss.
Lol. This just is not true in the slightest for earlier D&D. Sure, 5E is mostly focused on narrative, and everyone ignores food, water, etc. This was not always the case though. It was a role playing game, but the role was that of a person who had real needs and desires. It was mostly about dungeon crawling, and often even competitive-ish. Players would frequently try to get one up on each other, like sneaking off to steal all the loot from a dungeon before anyone else got there. There was also almost nothing done in cities and stuff. You’d purchase your equipment and move on to the next encounter.
I agree this isn’t what the game has become, and it also isn’t the way it “should” be. To pretend like resource management and survival aspect were never part of the game though is ignoring a lot of history.