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How to get better at describing actions, not rolls
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<blockquote data-quote="iserith" data-source="post: 7045134" data-attributes="member: 97077"><p>Based on my observation of many games, including some very popular podcasts, I think the approach of the DM describing the character's actions when he or she should (according to the basic conversation of the game) only be narrating the results goes far beyond "offering examples" to the players. It's an approach all its own. I stop short of calling it "steamrolling" because that can imply a bad intent on the part of the DM when I'm sure most DMs who do this aren't thinking about it in that way. They just sort of fell into doing it for various reasons.</p><p></p><p>Given that I believe players are capable of articulating at least a basic goal and approach from a very young age, I don't think describing their actions for them is doing them any favors. My recommendation is to simply ask them to be more clear about what they want to achieve and how they go about it without reference to game mechanics. The game mechanics in D&D 5e are for the DM to use to resolve uncertainty. Asking to use them in lieu of describing a goal and approach not only forces others to assume the actual things the character is doing in the game world (and you know what they say about assumptions), but it's not even very smart play in my view, given this is a game where the DM decides on success or failure. As I see it, rolling is tantamount to failure. <em>I</em> certainly would not want to ask to make a check because it's asking for a chance to fail. I judge my own success as a player by how often I avoid rolling (among other metrics).</p><p></p><p>In my experience, when I have explained that to people, it changes their habits almost immediately.</p></blockquote><p></p>
[QUOTE="iserith, post: 7045134, member: 97077"] Based on my observation of many games, including some very popular podcasts, I think the approach of the DM describing the character's actions when he or she should (according to the basic conversation of the game) only be narrating the results goes far beyond "offering examples" to the players. It's an approach all its own. I stop short of calling it "steamrolling" because that can imply a bad intent on the part of the DM when I'm sure most DMs who do this aren't thinking about it in that way. They just sort of fell into doing it for various reasons. Given that I believe players are capable of articulating at least a basic goal and approach from a very young age, I don't think describing their actions for them is doing them any favors. My recommendation is to simply ask them to be more clear about what they want to achieve and how they go about it without reference to game mechanics. The game mechanics in D&D 5e are for the DM to use to resolve uncertainty. Asking to use them in lieu of describing a goal and approach not only forces others to assume the actual things the character is doing in the game world (and you know what they say about assumptions), but it's not even very smart play in my view, given this is a game where the DM decides on success or failure. As I see it, rolling is tantamount to failure. [I]I[/I] certainly would not want to ask to make a check because it's asking for a chance to fail. I judge my own success as a player by how often I avoid rolling (among other metrics). In my experience, when I have explained that to people, it changes their habits almost immediately. [/QUOTE]
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