Material allowed ingame by a DM

[N'raac]

I allow PHB, the first four Completes (Adv, Arc, Div, War) and BoED. Anything else is to be run by me first. I reserve the right to reject material for any and all reason and to retroactively ban. I also consider it a professional(?) courtesy to be given a heads up about what feats/classes you're planning to take. Especially for classes that have special requirements. I like to have time to work that in.

To me, that's good planning as a player. Finding out when you hand over your L8 character sheet that the PrC you have been building to, and now qualify to take your first level in, isn't going to be allowed makes a lot of work for everyone.
[MENTION=6669384]Greenfield[/MENTION] - I'd say you were fortunate the one player simply left.

 

[Ahnehnois]

Any time I've heard of a DM who allows all sources, what I hear are the complaints from the DM.

I allow all sources. No complaints here.

 

[Grogg of the North]

To me, that's good planning as a player. Finding out when you hand over your L8 character sheet that the PrC you have been building to, and now qualify to take your first level in, isn't going to be allowed makes a lot of work for everyone.

Well as a player it just seems ... polite. ""Mr(s) DM, I would like to take X. Is that okay?"

 

[the Jester]

Any time I've heard of a DM who allows all sources, what I hear are the complaints from the DM.

Not from me! I generally allow anything, though I will exclude broken or flavor-inappropriate material on a case-by-case basis. Haven't had a real problem since 2e.

 

[Tequila Sunrise]

Wanting to color outside the lines of the rules seems like a rare trait with gamers I know. I think that's because we play much, much less often than the alleged weekly norm, so we don't get burned out on normal rules.

Yes, this goes quite a ways to explain things.

Actually, power differences between "buildy" and non-buildy PC's are more noticeable in the 4e game. As I said to another "non-buildy" player, I stick with the feats that give you a +1 under most circumstances, not the crazy stacking stuff where it's +20 if you're fighting a red-headed gnome who's bloodied and you've already cast "breakdancer's mark" on him and are within 3 burst of somebody who's cast "obscure dailies".

I think your 'buildy' player may be less so than you think, or possibly just not very good at it, because I believe optimizing in 4e involves doing what you do: finding the biggest consistent bonuses you can. I'm not a CharOp regular though, so I could be wrong.

 

[Tequila Sunrise]

I've had five players come to my table in recent months. To each of them I said the same things: "PHB 1 and 2, DMG 1 and 2, the Completes, MM1, and the three environment books. 32 point build. Spells and items from other sources (such as Spell Compendium and Magic Item Compendium) are allowed on a case by case basis."

How exactly do you phrase these restrictions? I'm curious because IME even power gamers will accept restrictions if presented firmly (but not aggressively) as such. Sometimes a player will sigh and briefly bemoan not being able to use their pet class or race, but being a player is after all much less work and responsibility than being a DM, which most players realize.

Maybe you just have really bad luck in this regard...or maybe I have very good luck.

 

[Ahnehnois]

Wanting to color outside the lines of the rules seems like a rare trait with gamers I know. I think that's because we play much, much less often than the alleged weekly norm, so we don't get burned out on normal rules.

Personally, I find that the longer I go without playing, the more I turn to writing houserules as a gaming "fix".

 

[Deset Gled]

My preferred rule is to allow all splatbooks by default, but all characters must be made using material from only one splatbook of their choice (plus core material). Something from a second splatbook may be used only by specific request. I find this cuts off almost all of the cheesy powergaming combos, which require cherry-picking minor rules from multiple sources to get ridiculous synergies, but still allows an open environment that encourages creativity in character builds.

Or course, there are exceptions. Items from multiple splatbooks can still be gifted/looted when given out by the DM, but should be hard to find in shops. And some books that build on each other may be allowed in combination. But it's a good starting point, and sets a good foundation for what kind of things should be expected between players and DMs.

 

[jasper]

I guess I not hardcore. I only allowed Core Rules only starting with 3E. I got tired of WTF moments when during 2E some bring something overpowered or just strange enough to get flaky.

 

[haakon1]

Personally, I find that the longer I go without playing, the more I turn to writing houserules as a gaming "fix".

Ah, for me, it's writing and re-writing more setting materials (noble houses, history, economics, etc.), reading modules I'll never actually run, and planning out the next session.