Downtime

[Iceking]

Do you use downtime (not the short or long rest kind) in your adventures?

What are the pos and neg sides of the downtime?

[hymer]

Do you use downtime (not the short or long rest kind) in your adventures?

What are the pos and neg sides of the downtime?

I use downtime, albeit a modified version (http://nanmehtar.wikispaces.com/Downtime). I'm not sure there is a downside to using downtime.

One pro of downtime is that it prevents PCs from going from 1 to 20 in about a year of campaign time. That's way too fast, but entirely possible.
It helps flesh out the characters, telling stories about who they are when they aren't killing monsters or jousting with nobles, or whatever the main theme of the campaign is. It also fleshes out the campaign world, giving it a sense of scope.
And it gives the PCs something, hopefully worthwhile, to do with their gold.

[WereRabbitz]

I find that you can get campaign work done if you can distract the PC's with side projects.

[MrStabby]

Downtime is great for character development.

Combat is too much about survival, social stuff is done with an aim in mind (usually). Putting players in a situation where they can express what their character actually wants to do or their preferred way of doing things rather than what they have to do and the opportunities they see open to them can help build a game.

Also it's a great way to get them to spend money.