# Logic that is obvious to gamers **URL:** \ **Category:** The Game Room\ **Created:** [November 10, 2012, 11:25am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/logic-that-is-obvious-to-gamers/640568 "2012-11-10T11:25:37Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 2
**Author:** ![Regallag\_The\_Axe](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/regallag_the_axe/32/445_2.png) [@Regallag\_The\_Axe](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Regallag_The_Axe)\ **Post date:** [November 10, 2012, 10:35pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/logic-that-is-obvious-to-gamers/640568/21 "2012-11-10T22:35:10Z")
If there is a big scary bad guy that you defeat and then the castle/fort/cave/whatever collapses on him, he WILL be back later. Bronze things are ALWAYS inferior to iron things which are ALWAYS inferior to steel things. ---
**Author:** ![Ethilrist](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/ethilrist/32/4604_2.png) [@Ethilrist](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ethilrist)\ **Post date:** [November 10, 2012, 11:29pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/logic-that-is-obvious-to-gamers/640568/22 "2012-11-10T23:29:22Z")
Just because my character runs around stealing everything that isn’t nailed down, killing things for no reason (or for profit), doesn’t mean he’s a bad person. ---
**Author:** ![drewtwo99](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/d07c76/32.png) [@drewtwo99](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/drewtwo99)\ **Post date:** [November 11, 2012, 12:27am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/logic-that-is-obvious-to-gamers/640568/23 "2012-11-11T00:27:40Z")
Running diagonally is almost always faster than running straight ahead. Discoloration = secret. I am Error. ---
**Author:** ![Chronos](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/chronos/32/134_2.png) [@Chronos](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Chronos)\ **Post date:** [November 11, 2012, 12:45am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/logic-that-is-obvious-to-gamers/640568/24 "2012-11-11T00:45:52Z")
> [@](#): > > Running diagonally is almost always faster than running straight ahead. Not necessarily. If the game engine uses a metric of “longer plus half shorter” (AKA “diagonals cost 1.5”), as many do, then running diagonally will be slightly slower than straight ahead. ---
**Author:** ![Dave\_Hartwick](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/7feea3/32.png) [@Dave\_Hartwick](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Dave_Hartwick)\ **Post date:** [November 11, 2012, 1:23am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/logic-that-is-obvious-to-gamers/640568/25 "2012-11-11T01:23:13Z")
> [@Danger\_Man](#): > > - When you are told something is urgent, unless you can see a timer, it’s usually not. In fact, being told to hurry up and do something actually means you should avoid that objective because doing it means that you may move out of your current area (possibly missing out on valuable loot and experience), and you’ll be unable to return until much later. ---
**Author:** ![Der\_Trihs](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/der_trihs/32/233_2.png) [@Der\_Trihs](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Der_Trihs)\ **Post date:** [November 11, 2012, 2:06am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/logic-that-is-obvious-to-gamers/640568/26 "2012-11-11T02:06:06Z")
Crouching equals stealthy. ---
**Author:** ![Shamozzle](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/9f8e36/32.png) [@Shamozzle](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Shamozzle)\ **Post date:** [November 11, 2012, 3:04am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/logic-that-is-obvious-to-gamers/640568/27 "2012-11-11T03:04:37Z")
In MMOs, key binding is vastly superior to clicking. _grabs popcorn_ ---
**Author:** ![Regallag\_The\_Axe](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/regallag_the_axe/32/445_2.png) [@Regallag\_The\_Axe](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Regallag_The_Axe)\ **Post date:** [November 11, 2012, 3:06am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/logic-that-is-obvious-to-gamers/640568/28 "2012-11-11T03:06:31Z")
If an enemy looks harmless one of two things will happen: 1.) It will utterly destroy you. Run if you can. 2.) It will sit there and do nothing as your attacks bounce off harmlessly. Eventually it will get bored and leave and you did nothing but waste time. ---
**Author:** ![panamajack](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/47e85d/32.png) [@panamajack](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/panamajack)\ **Post date:** [November 11, 2012, 3:07am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/logic-that-is-obvious-to-gamers/640568/29 "2012-11-11T03:07:04Z")
When you enter a new area (usually signalled by a dramatic change in the way the world looks) early in the game, a new mechanic will be required, and probably heavily used in that section. Likewise, availability of a new weapon likely indicates that a foe you have either just met or are just about to meet is particularly vulnerable to it. ---
**Author:** ![Ethilrist](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/ethilrist/32/4604_2.png) [@Ethilrist](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ethilrist)\ **Post date:** [November 11, 2012, 3:44am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/logic-that-is-obvious-to-gamers/640568/30 "2012-11-11T03:44:56Z")
Gold is usually weightless, but armor and weapons are not. However, you can usually carry several dozen swords & aces and such, without the advent of a packhorse, wheelbarrow or other contrivances. And, you can usually run full speed up a flight of stairs whilst so encumbered. ---
**Author:** ![Arrogance\_Ex\_Machina](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/arrogance_ex_machina/32/192_2.png) [@Arrogance\_Ex\_Machina](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Arrogance_Ex_Machina)\ **Post date:** [November 11, 2012, 3:50am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/logic-that-is-obvious-to-gamers/640568/31 "2012-11-11T03:50:15Z")
> [@Dave\_Hartwick](#): > > In fact, being told to hurry up and do something actually means you should avoid that objective because doing it means that you may move out of your current area (possibly missing out on valuable loot and experience), and you’ll be unable to return until much later. My favorite version of this was being told “we have no time to do anything except this right away, hurry before it is too late!” and then noticing the next part required several hours of grinding first to reach high enough level for it. ---
**Author:** ![Rysto](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/ecccb3/32.png) [@Rysto](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Rysto)\ **Post date:** [November 11, 2012, 4:33am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/logic-that-is-obvious-to-gamers/640568/32 "2012-11-11T04:33:15Z")
If you can make it move, it’s important. Useless things are welded to the floor so strongly that you couldn’t move it with high explosive. ---
**Author:** ![Nava](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/n/da6949/32.png) [@Nava](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Nava)\ **Post date:** [November 11, 2012, 5:06am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/logic-that-is-obvious-to-gamers/640568/33 "2012-11-11T05:06:05Z")
You ain’t seen real one size fits all design until you see a gnome grab a fallen giant’s plate hauberk and wear it straight away. Then again, talk about stain-repellant… ---
**Author:** ![Ethilrist](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/ethilrist/32/4604_2.png) [@Ethilrist](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ethilrist)\ **Post date:** [November 11, 2012, 5:07am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/logic-that-is-obvious-to-gamers/640568/34 "2012-11-11T05:07:39Z")
> [@Rysto](#): > > If you can make it move, it’s important. Useless things are welded to the floor so strongly that you couldn’t move it with high explosive. I see you didn’t play, or don’t remember, Morrowind. I envy you. ---
**Author:** ![Dr.Strangelove](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/dr.strangelove/32/6613_2.png) [@Dr.Strangelove](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Dr.Strangelove)\ **Post date:** [November 11, 2012, 5:22am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/logic-that-is-obvious-to-gamers/640568/35 "2012-11-11T05:22:43Z")
You can carry approximately double your weight in inventory with no penalty; however, going above this limit by one ounce will make you virtually immobile–aside from jumping, which you can do normally. ---
**Author:** ![Roland\_Orzabal](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/c2a13f/32.png) [@Roland\_Orzabal](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Roland_Orzabal)\ **Post date:** [November 11, 2012, 6:30am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/logic-that-is-obvious-to-gamers/640568/36 "2012-11-11T06:30:44Z")
When you meet someone, if the first thing out of their mouth isn’t directly applicable to whatever you’re currently doing, there’s no point in continuing to talk to them. If something above you is just out of reach, and you don’t have a chair, crate, or barrel to stand on, heavy ordnance detonations make for a handy stepladder. In life, there comes a time when everything you’ve worked for will be forcibly taken from you, up to and including the clothes you’re wearing at the time. There’s a better than even chance that you’ll see this coming a mile away, but inevitably, you’ll walk straight into it anyway. Take heart, though — you might have to murder a few guys with your bare fists, but once you do, you’ll find everything you wanted is just a few short steps away…literally. ---
**Author:** ![MichaelEmouse](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/michaelemouse/32/101_2.png) [@MichaelEmouse](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/MichaelEmouse)\ **Post date:** [November 11, 2012, 7:28am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/logic-that-is-obvious-to-gamers/640568/37 "2012-11-11T07:28:36Z")
If it glows red, shoot it. Don’t become a bard. The magic/mysterious technology user might start off weaker than the tough guy who uses brute force but he’ll be a demigod by the last third of the game. Do you see a crate made of brown wooden planks? Break it with a melee weapon for equipment and supplies. Can you see the bottom of that body of water? If not, it’s extremely risky to even touch the water. Yes, the shotgun is a good weapon (if you shoot within 10 feet). Of all the foes you see, can one of them raise the dead? KILL HIM!!! ---
**Author:** ![Kobal2](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/kobal2/32/20_2.png) [@Kobal2](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Kobal2)\ **Post date:** [November 11, 2012, 8:17am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/logic-that-is-obvious-to-gamers/640568/38 "2012-11-11T08:17:02Z")
> [@Uber\_the\_Goober](#): > > If there are two paths to choose, and one obviously leads to your destination, go the OTHER way. There’s goodies down there. Heh, that’s what I came here to post. Inquire, explore and otherwise investigate what the next step is. Then go everywhere _else_. In other items: - old legends, rumors spread by tavern drunks and musty prophecies are always 100% accurate. - convenient healing shrine, ammo dump & savepoint combos means imminent pain. - talk to everybody until dialog loops. - Store everything. EVERYTHING. Unless there are weight and/or inventory space considerations, never ever sell your loot - if you need cash, kill moar stuff for pennies. Whatever “it” is, it’s going to be used later for alchemy/conversion/mech building/melting it for components/plot coupons. In a pinch, it can also be thrown at enemies (e.g. breaking final fantasy VI in half by breaking magic staves). This goes double for obviously useless items like broken swords (I’m looking at you, _Dark Souls_), and triple for your starting equipment (you listening to this, _Shin Megami Tensei:Nocturne_ ?). - personal property is a wholly relative concept. Desire implies ownership. For example, if it’s in your inventory or home, it’s yours. If it’s in someone else’s barrels, cupboards, shelves, pots or home it’s \*also \*yours. If it’s in someone else’s locked chest, the key of which requires a lot of effort to get, it’s even more yours. NPCs generally know this, except in deviant games like \*Fallout \*or the _Elder Scrolls_ series, where for some reason the townsfolk will call the guards whenever you pick up what’s self-evidently yours. - you’ll never use that rare potion/limited use item. It’s simply too useful to afford to waste. Then it’s just not useful enough to bother with. - Chicks fight better in skimpier bikinis. Dudes fight better the moar cumbersome oversized chunks of metal they strap to their bodies. - Fingers, schmingers: you can only wear two rings. And a more meta one: if there is a boss, and that boss is a specifically unwinnable fight for story purposes: someone, somewhere has grinded long enough or gotten unbelievably good enough at the game or found a glitch to beat it anyway. And posted the video on YouTube. ---
**Author:** ![Gorsnak](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/gorsnak/32/7587_2.png) [@Gorsnak](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Gorsnak)\ **Post date:** [November 11, 2012, 8:56am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/logic-that-is-obvious-to-gamers/640568/39 "2012-11-11T08:56:49Z")
No matter how badass and heavily armed a soldier you are, if you see a scientist in an orange suit with a crowbar coming towards you, _run away!_ ---
**Author:** ![furryman](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/furryman/32/99_2.png) [@furryman](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/furryman)\ **Post date:** [November 11, 2012, 9:16am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/logic-that-is-obvious-to-gamers/640568/40 "2012-11-11T09:16:23Z")
> [@Der\_Trihs](#): > > Melee weapons typically do more damage than ranged weapons. > > When you are seeking an object or trying to reach an exit, there’s probably going to be a much more powerful boss enemy waiting for you. > > You might want to make a point of doing everything that can be done in a town or city before fighting the “big boss” of a region or taking any transport you don’t control; the odds are good you either can’t return, or that the city will be destroyed or totally changed if you do. > > Creatures, attacks and defenses can often be grouped according to “elements”, and their effectiveness will often defend on which element is being used against which. Such elements are also often arranged as paired opposites. There was a video game I was playing where the city that sold the best items vanished after a certain event. Man that was annoying. I can rarely ever use red barrels effectively. You’ll be fighting that mid-boss at least three times. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/logic-that-is-obvious-to-gamers/640568.md?page=1) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/logic-that-is-obvious-to-gamers/640568.md?page=3)