D&D 5E The Gloves Are Off?

[Celebrim]

I would say that if this is a likely kind of thing to happen in the game... where gear loadout is required to be this specific... then that needs to be communicated to the players, and they need to document every item they have, or otherwise have some means of tracking this stuff.

Leaving aside that I almost certainly will have told the players that if it isn't on the character sheet it doesn't exist in a D&D style game, if the player is claiming specific elements of the fiction like whether gloves are worn effect the resolution, he's claiming we are in the style of game where they need to document every item they have or otherwise have means of tracking this stuff. The player isn't contesting that we are in that sort of game, they are insisting on it.

Conversely, game systems that don't track every little item the player is carrying also don't care about every little item the player is carrying and use fortune tests that don't depend on fiddly aspects of the fiction. And in those games in any event, it's EXPLICITLY the duty of the player to make any calls on aspects of the character (including gear) that might affect my fiction before the fiction for the scene is tested. It's not incumbent on the GM to make a call of whether I'm A Surgeon or I Have Magic Gloves or I'm a Master of Woodcraft apply to the player intent and are being used in scene resolution. And even then, those game systems won't use the process of play the player in the example is likely hoping for, as "I have magic gloves" would only alter the odds you aren't affected by the trap, and not provide immunity through verisimilitude ("poison won't be absorbed by a non-absorbent glove").

 

[Baldurs_Underdark]

My response would be:
"For this time, I will rule we will play it as follows: You move on, not knowing of the poison that you have on your gloves. About 6 seconds later, it seeps through the seams of the gloves and touches your skin. Make a constitution saving throw."

"Also, out of character, when there is an effect through touch, it does not matter what you wear. Healers can heal through their gloves and you can get poisoned through your gloves. That is my ruling as DM. Let's move on."

 

[Lanefan]

Unbeknownst to an unarmored character and despite the DM's sufficient telegraphing, they touched a chest that has been smeared with a dangerous contact poison. The DM describes the greasy feel of the poison and asks for a Constitution saving throw.

"Wait just a minute!" exclaims the player. "I imagine my character is wearing gloves. They have traveler's clothes on."

The DM considers this. There is nothing in the rules that says any clothing set comes with gloves, nor any armor for that matter except scale mail, chain mail, or plate which come with gauntlets at least (none of which the PC is wearing). There are no gloves in the equipment section to purchase, and the character has no magical gloves.

The bolded is problem number 1, and is the root of what follows.

The equipment list really ought to be considerably more comprehensive.

Is it reasonable that the player believed the clothing set they have comes with gloves that they are wearing even though it's not specifically listed on their character sheet?

In your specific situation, perhaps. Had gloves been on the equipment list, that's different: if it's not on your sheet, you don't have it.

Does the timing of establishing this fact - after touching contact poison - matter to resolving this issue? Do you as DM side with the player's seemingly good faith belief that the character is wearing gloves or are they making that saving throw?

In short, how does this get resolved at your table?

In a situation like this I'd probably put it to a die roll - did the character happen to pick up gloves at some point or not.

I'd also then spend some time during the week and greatly expand the equipment list, then at the start of the next session allow purchases from it. After that, if it's not on your sheet you ain't got it, hard line, end of story.

 

[Celebrim]

You can also always do the verbal feint to throw off the actual reason for the question.

"The mechanisms look pretty intricate and small. Before I determine possible disadvantage here, are you wearing gloves as you are fiddling with it? Are they thick gloves or gauntlets that could interfere with manipulating the small parts?"

Verbally feinting to recover from your own mistake is probably the best recovery possible, but of course if you didn't think to verbally feint before the attempted retcon then it's already too late. But at least a verbal feint leaves the player guessing how to metagame and hopefully teaches the lesson to not metagame and just go with your honest response.

 

[iserith]

The bolded is problem number 1, and is the root of what follows.

The equipment list really ought to be considerably more comprehensive.

In your specific situation, perhaps. Had gloves been on the equipment list, that's different: if it's not on your sheet, you don't have it.

In a situation like this I'd probably put it to a die roll - did the character happen to pick up gloves at some point or not.

I'd also then spend some time during the week and greatly expand the equipment list, then at the start of the next session allow purchases from it. After that, if it's not on your sheet you ain't got it, hard line, end of story.

Do the editions of the game you play have gloves as something you can buy on their equipment lists? I only have books going back to D&D 3e.

 

[Reynard]

Do the editions of the game you play have gloves as something you can buy on their equipment lists? I only have books going back to D&D 3e.

Interestingly, the explorers website for the 3.5 SRD specifically lists gloves. Goods And Services :: d20srd.org

 

[Stalker0]

This thread is asking the wrong question. Its not "does X kit come with gloves" its "do gloves stop contact poison?"

The raw answer is no, if you touch contact poison you get poisoned, doesn't matter where you get touched. No I think its perfectly reasonable to use that in flavor if you passed teh save (you pull your hand back as you seen your glove tip turn black. You pull the glove off and dose your finger in some salve to prevent any poison from getting there....it appears safe).

 

[iserith]

Interestingly, the explorers website for the 3.5 SRD specifically lists gloves. Goods And Services :: d20srd.org

Except cold weather outfits don't have gloves. Which is weird!

 

[hawkeyefan]

Leaving aside that I almost certainly will have told the players that if it isn't on the character sheet it doesn't exist in a D&D style game, if the player is claiming specific elements of the fiction like whether gloves are worn effect the resolution, he's claiming we are in the style of game where they need to document every item they have or otherwise have means of tracking this stuff. The player isn't contesting that we are in that sort of game, they are insisting on it.

Conversely, game systems that don't track every little item the player is carrying also don't care about every little item the player is carrying and use fortune tests that don't depend on fiddly aspects of the fiction. And in those games in any event, it's EXPLICITLY the duty of the player to make any calls on aspects of the character (including gear) that might affect my fiction before the fiction for the scene is tested. It's not incumbent on the GM to make a call of whether I'm A Surgeon or I Have Magic Gloves or I'm a Master of Woodcraft apply to the player intent and are being used in scene resolution. And even then, those game systems won't use the process of play the player in the example is likely hoping for, as "I have magic gloves" would only alter the odds you aren't affected by the trap, and not provide immunity through verisimilitude ("poison won't be absorbed by a non-absorbent glove").

Again, the type of game should be established up front. If not, then I'd use the contact poison as an opportunity to make it clear to everyone.

Generally speaking, I think 5e is ill suited for this kind of thing. I wouldn't bother with challenges like contact poison in 5e.

 

[Reynard]

This thread is asking the wrong question. Its not "does X kit come with gloves" its "do gloves stop contact poison?"

The raw answer is no, if you touch contact poison you get poisoned, doesn't matter where you get touched.

Well, the rules say you have to touch it with exposed skin and it's just as convoluted trying to explain how the character in full leather armor and gloves got it on themself.