Keldryn
Adventurer
Rules lawyers have a tendency (in my experience) to argue about my interpretation or application of the rules in the moment, grinding the game to a halt. It's difficult enough to actually schedule a game session when all of the players can make it; interrupting the game and making everyone wait while they argue about something that is inconsequential 90% of the time is just disrespectful of everyone's time.
My general policy as DM is that if I don't know the rule for something, I'll make a quick judgement and then look it up/discuss it later. If a PC's life is in the balance, I'll usually take a moment to look it up if it won't take more than about a minute.
In the past, I've engaged with rules lawyer types during the game and watched as the other players tuned out, one at a time. Usually, the RL is the only person who cares, and it just becomes another instance of hogging the spotlight.
These days, I'm always upfront about how I will generally make a ruling then discuss the rule after the game. IMO the greatest sin in DMing is to waste everybody's time.
My general policy as DM is that if I don't know the rule for something, I'll make a quick judgement and then look it up/discuss it later. If a PC's life is in the balance, I'll usually take a moment to look it up if it won't take more than about a minute.
In the past, I've engaged with rules lawyer types during the game and watched as the other players tuned out, one at a time. Usually, the RL is the only person who cares, and it just becomes another instance of hogging the spotlight.
These days, I'm always upfront about how I will generally make a ruling then discuss the rule after the game. IMO the greatest sin in DMing is to waste everybody's time.