How do you interpret rules?

[Family]

With the advent of a new edition of D&D, comes a large wave of grey areas the DMs end up arbitrating. Misspelling of "keywords", "uber" combinations, interactions with the unspecified physics of the gameworld, exploitable rules, grey (gray?) areas etc.

How do you bring down the hammer?

 

[TimeOut]

Common Sense(tm) and the intent of the rule in question.

 

[Mouseferatu]

I voted "what I feel would work," but that's not entirely accurate.

I try to take into account both the RAW and what I believe design intent was. At the end of the day, though, what I feel works best for the game at the time trumps either of those, if and when there's a conflict.

 

[Simon Marks]

Where is "In discussion with the other members of the group", which is how I interpret all rules to all games.

 

[Family]

If it's possible judge what the Groupthink ends up leaning toward.
Otherwise I rule that it is under "other".

 

[Simon Marks]

Which is what I voted. See me, all on my own there (at the moment anyway).

 

[Family]

I bow. (Also on a second reading it occurs to me that my post may have come across snarky, it was meant with good intent).

 

[LowSpine]

I voted "what I feel would work," but that's not entirely accurate.

I try to take into account both the RAW and what I believe design intent was. At the end of the day, though, what I feel works best for the game at the time trumps either of those, if and when there's a conflict.

You said it first. The only way that makes sense when you take away personality damage - Example = "The rules are the rules - it doesn't matter if it doesn't work or make sense."

 

[Dracollich]

I voted for "what I feel would work" but its more of "what I feel would make for an enjoyable experience for the players"

 

[D'karr]

With the advent of a new edition of D&D, comes a large wave of grey areas the DMs end up arbitrating. Misspelling of "keywords", "uber" combinations, interactions with the unspecified physics of the gameworld, exploitable rules, grey (gray?) areas etc.

How do you bring down the hammer?

Actually I usually try no interpretation, english is my first language so it should require no interpretation. In that case, a strict do what it says is easier. However, there are some gray areas that I'll grant are sketchy. So on those occasions I usually rule using the spirit of the rule rather than the letter.