Dan Phipps was talking about interesting swords on some discord or other, and I was talking about it in the AFD discord, and I thought the boring and interesting swords problem is worth posting about.

Trick choices

If you give me a choice is between a cheap, weak sword, and an expensive, good sword, in a game where money goes up I don’t actually have a choice. You’ve given me a ladder, and if I don’t climb it, I’m not playing the game.

Meaningful choices

If you give me a choice between a bone sword, that is weaker but is super light, aor a glass sword that is more harmful but might break, or a magical sword, that is super harmful but it invites being hunted by the local constabulary, I actually have a choice. You’re giving me three different paths, that take me to three different situations.

All things in your game

This can apply to everything in your game. It shouldn’t apply to everything, but if you’re adding something to make the game more interesting, it’s better to make it an interesting choice.

Fewer ladders, more paths. Fewer trick choices, more meaningful choices. No boring swords.

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