D&D 5E What houserules do we assume is common in the community?

[LordEntrails]

I dislike this one but I think it is common if not universal.

Not universal. Never had it come up at any table of mine except the very first one where we actually switch from 3.5 to 5E.

 

[Uni-the-Unicorn!]

Not according to the rules on spellcasting for spells with somatic components.
"...the caster must have free use of at least one hand to perform these gestures."

If you have a shield equipped and are holding a weapon you do not have a free hand.

I think the point was @Stalker0 often sees the house rule that allows them to cast with sword and shield in hand

 

[Clint_L]

I would also like to ask:

How would you, as a DM, feel if a player was upset that you weren't using a certain common houserule?

And how would you feel as a player if a DM doesn't use a houserule that you were used to?

1. I would think it was weird that the player was upset, because we would have had a conversation and I would have made a decision. I wouldn't have ruled arbitrarily; the player would have been heard. So if the player has had their say and we still disagree: them's the breaks. Get over it. The player is welcome to rule the other way when they DM, taking us to...

2. I'd be 100% fine, as long as I felt listened to. Although I probably wouldn't even bring it up, except maybe to clarify. DM's table, DM's rules. Honestly, the game is too fun to quibble over rules; if a DM was constantly ruling in ways that made no sense or aggravated me, then I just wouldn't be a good fit for their campaign. But that has never happened.

I enjoy arguing about D&D on the forums. But not IRL when I could be playing it instead.

 

[iserith]

I have a No Assumptions Policy. I lay out whatever variants or houserules I'm employing in a game (which vary from game to game as needed to support the theme), and ask DMs whose games I join for the same information. Having no expectations except one of open communication means I'm rarely having a mismatch in other expectations.

 

[Parmandur]

Honestly, I wouldn't assume any houserules are all thwt common or universal. Lokez handwavinf ammo or carrying capacity...? That's not how I've ever seen D&D played.

 

[Umbran]

If you have a shield equipped and are holding a weapon you do not have a free hand.

The logic I have seen is as follows - the typical shield has a strap of the forearm, and a handle for the hand, and that hand can also grasp (but not wield) the sword at need. You use your free interaction with an object to shift the weapon to that shield hand.

Neither the sword or shield are useful for that round, mind you. When your next turn comes around, you use that free interaction to take the sword back into your weapon hand.

 

[Stalker0]

Honestly, I wouldn't assume any houserules are all thwt common or universal. Lokez handwavinf ammo or carrying capacity...? That's not how I've ever seen D&D played.

Its guaranteed that no houserule is universal....just random statistics will get you there. The question is common, and of course "how common".

What you could do is take a few houserules from this thread and make a poll to see if most of Enworld actually does use those houserules, to see just how common it is. Obviously that will not reflect the greater community but its a starting point.

 

[Oofta]

The logic I have seen is as follows - the typical shield has a strap of the forearm, and a handle for the hand, and that hand can also grasp (but not wield) the sword at need. You use your free interaction with an object to shift the weapon to that shield hand.

Neither the sword or shield are useful for that round, mind you. When your next turn comes around, you use that free interaction to take the sword back into your weapon hand.

Depends on who you ask, and what type of shield you envision for that matter. According to the rules you hold the shield in one hand, which is true of many types of shield. In addition, it means you can't have your paladin do things like cast a bonus action spell and then attack.

Like I said, I ignore it personally and assume the somatic component is completed with the weapon. I've never had another DM enforce it. YMMV of course.

 

[Atomoctba]

Like I said, I ignore it personally and assume the somatic component is completed with the weapon. I've never had another DM enforce it. YMMV of course.

My DM enforces it... The houserule is you need BOTH hands free like 2e. So, in an all-human PCs game, no caster wants to hold the torch in a dungeon

 

[Oofta]

My DM enforces it... The houserule is you need BOTH hands free like 2e. So, in an all-human PCs game, no caster wants to hold the torch in a dungeon

People actually use torches and not the light cantrip?