That's been true for multiple d&d editions too, especially 3/3.5 and 2e (argurably this is what killed TSR). 5e/ODD should have learned from these lessons, but shareholders jsut want to see the line go up, I guess.
TheGreatDarkness
I would go further, this isi an issue with EVERY game, not just D&D
Yes, this baffles me as well.
I tried to push for more practical approach to playing without a single player, but both in my D&D and in my Blades in the Dark groups, players just feel...uncomfortable with the idea and don't want to play if all players aren't there. I once proposed a system where we could play in smaller groups to accomodate one player's schedule not matching others...and upon realizing they wouldn't be playing in full squad in this sytem, that player just quit the campaign.
Fun fact, MCDM's Flee Mortals! book has its own stand-in for Tarrasque - Goxomoc. Fool's Gold: Into the Bellowing Wilds also has Dire Tarrasque
This is because WotC designs for mass appeal, so their monsters need to be fair challenge even for an underoptimized group. Which makes them pathetically weak if you're playing with anyone else.
Also, because playtesters at Wizards don't use any magic items for some reason
Yes, it was in Acts of Vengeance, where Loki gathered various supervillains and suggested they switch their enemies in a grand alliance to destroy heroes. Loki assumed they're all evil so they'll get along...and then had a surprised pikachu when Magneto used portals, that Loki set between villain bases and their meeting hall, to go to Red Skull's base, wreck it and kidnapp the guy.
Angela is a great example of a Paladin.
It's not ai, I remember seeing this art years before ai art theft was a thing.
happy birthday
Always gotta love when the villains fight smart and dirty
A lot of rpgs I see made this way go long way from 5e clone.