Save my Game: Do the Right Thing.

[catsclaw227]

The Save My Game article is up on DDI (Dungeon).

I find it interesting that he basically implies that all the rule-grinding and how people being hyper-needy to interpret the RAW perfectly is bull-hoockey. Let things make sense, and create instances of fun.

 

[UngainlyTitan]

The Save My Game article is up on DDI (Dungeon).

I find it interesting that he basically implies that all the rule-grinding and how people being hyper-needy to interpret the RAW perfectly is bull-hoockey. Let things make sense, and create instances of fun.

He is dead right, I have never run stuff by the raw, there is nearly always something I forget. WHFRP and D&D 4 might be the exceptions for me, WHFRP because the RAW was pretty simple and D&D4 because it mostly works the way I expect it.

 

[Mathew_Freeman]

The Save My Game article is up on DDI (Dungeon).

I find it interesting that he basically implies that all the rule-grinding and how people being hyper-needy to interpret the RAW perfectly is bull-hoockey. Let things make sense, and create instances of fun.

I think it's fantastic that WotC have produced this article. It hammers home the point that the rules serve the shared fun experience, not the other way around. For me, that is absolutely how I want to play the game. I'm very happy to bend rules a little for my players when I'm DMing if I think it serves as making things memorable. I may be a slightly softer DM for it, and it may mean that they get out of bad situations a little easier, but only if they're creative.

However, I appreciate that for some groups sticking to the rules rigidly IS the fun of the game, so this article really isn't for them.

 

[ExploderWizard]

I can't view the article but I agree that the rules should not get in the way of a good time.

That said, if the rules are getting in the way often enough to publish an article that explains why they should be ignored then perhaps the rules should be reconsidered.

Whats the purpose of having a large rules structure if having fun requires ignoring large portions of it?

 

[firesnakearies]

I find it interesting that he basically implies that all the rule-grinding and how people being hyper-needy to interpret the RAW perfectly is bull-hoockey. Let things make sense, and create instances of fun.

Yeah, I loved this. It made me happy. I actually run a pretty darn by-the-book game, generally, but I am fairly repulsed by RAW-cultists. People who start preaching about "The RAW" like its an ancient sacred text make me cringe.

"Spirit of the rules" is a phrase I like much, much more.

 

[Brown Jenkin]

Whats the purpose of having a large rules structure if having fun requires ignoring large portions of it?

Agreed.

 

[Hussar]

Well, this is hardly a new message really. I mean, you'll find pretty much the exact same message in the introduction to the Basic rules as well. Play the way you all enjoy, rather than the way we tell you to has been a basic mantra all the way along.

 

[Dausuul]

I can't view the article but I agree that the rules should not get in the way of a good time.

That said, if the rules are getting in the way often enough to publish an article that explains why they should be ignored then perhaps the rules should be reconsidered.

Whats the purpose of having a large rules structure if having fun requires ignoring large portions of it?

Well, as soon as someone comes up with an RPG ruleset that does not have to be ignored from time to time, let me know, because you've found the Holy Grail of gaming. Until then, we all make do.

 

[Tigerbunny]

It's not exactly made explicit in the article, but it seems that the key (for me) distinction is understood. When the rules basically work 75+% of the time without a problem, but 25% of the time I want to make some minor tweak or ruling to increase the fun level, that's great.

What I have too often found (pre-4E) is that basically, the rules don't work 80% of the time, or have gaping holes in places where I need to go with regularity, or are actively anti-fun. THAT is the suck.

Going beyond the rules in small ways, to increase fun: Good, necessary, basic RPG-craft.

Having to have a whole layer of "meta-rules" just to play the dang game: Sucky.

 

[Wisdom Penalty]

Superb article.

Seems to be very much in line with the "new theme" going around WotC.

I will say this, however: This new theme of "say yes" and "have fun" has not been without its issues at my gaming table. We (myself and my players) are still pulling ourselves out of a RAW mindset. I remember when we started the previous edition in 2000, we were in a 1E mindset - and we had a number of hurdles to overcome before changing (the DM in particular).

Same thing is happening again - though in the different direction. And that's a good thing.

WP