D&D General The Monsters Know What They're Doing ... Are Unsure on 5e24

[mamba]

Question: Based on the situation above, should the DM allow for the tabaxi?

A simple yes or no. That is all that is needed.

Depends on how much of a need the below is

I need everyone to stick to the PHB species from the 2014 rules.

Assuming it is an actual need, then no

 

[AlViking]

All right, how about we try anew to see where everyone is at.

Let's all close our eyes and pretend...

You meet someone at a game store.
Guy says: "Hey, I am new here. I play D&D."
Girl says: "Oh, cool. You know, we are starting a new campaign and need a player."
Guy says: "That's sounds awesome. What are you guys playing?"
Girl says: "We play D&D. We haven't switched to the new ruleset, so we still use 2014. Are you interested?"
Guy says: "Sure."
Girl says: "Sweet. We meet every Friday night at my friend's house."
Guy says: "Sounds cool. Is it close? Is your friend the DM?"
Girl says: "It is a few blocks away. And no, he doesn't DM. I do. Are you still interested?"
Guy says: Absolutely. I have been dying to play an in-person game since I moved here a year ago."

Fast forward 1 week for session zero.
Host says: "Welcome to my house. Whatever drink you see in the fridge is yours. And just to let you know, this is a laid-back table. We do some roleplaying in character, but most of the time it's just us describing what our character does. But we get along. We try to keep the fun in the forefront."
Guy says: "That sounds exactly like the game I came from. It sounds excellent. Thanks for inviting me. It really means a lot."
Girl says: "All right everyone. I can't wait to start a new campaign with everyone. I started on this a few months ago, and I am really proud of how it's coming about. Do you guys want a little background before making characters? I have some limitations."
Players, Host, and Guy: Nods yes
Girl says: "Well, I need everyone to stick to the PHB species from the 2014 rules. You can use Tasha's and Xanathar's and Sword Coast Adventures for extra spells, classes, species, etc. But that is it. I don't want Eberron or anything from a third-party source. Cool?"
Host says: "Sounds good."
Players say: "Sounds good. Just one question: Are you allowing the ASI from Tasha's."
Girl says: "Yup."
Guy says: "Can I play a tabaxi? I know they are not in those books, but I like cat-people and envision my character a cat."

Question: Based on the situation above, should the DM allow for the tabaxi?

A simple yes or no. That is all that is needed. It is not a trap, nor is it a gotchya. It is just to see where people are in this thread.

It would depend on why the species are limited and it's not wrong to ask. But the DM is well within their rights to say no. Personally I also wouldn't wait for the session 0 before stating my restrictions.

 

[Remathilis]

Question: Based on the situation above, should the DM allow for the tabaxi?

Honestly, if the player is already IN THE HOUSE when he drops the world-specific restrictions on the player, then yes. It was a total failure on the DM's part to not give the player the full info in the WEEK between pitch and first game. The player was expecting bog-standard 2014 D&D with the standard options on the table. The DM dropped the ball. Either accommodate the the player or give them some money for wasted gas getting there if they leave.

In a more general POV, I would hope that unless this is an ultra-tighty themed setting (which this game doesn't appear too be, since PHB + Tasha + Xanathar can result in a party of a samurai fighter, a phantom rogue, an astral monk, and a aberrant mind sorcerer) the DM could find room for a small amount of extra species outside the PHB. Tabaxi (or cat-people in general) are such a common fantasy archetype they are right there with orcs and maybe more than dragonborn. And anthropomorphic species like lizardfolk, gnolls, minotaurs, kobolds, aarakroca and merfolk are all iconic monsters (and PCs). If your world can fit hynea men (or hynea demons) they can fit cat people in some remote corner.

 

[Pedantic]

All right, how about we try anew to see where everyone is at.

Let's all close our eyes and pretend...

You meet someone at a game store.
Guy says: "Hey, I am new here. I play D&D."
Girl says: "Oh, cool. You know, we are starting a new campaign and need a player."
Guy says: "That's sounds awesome. What are you guys playing?"
Girl says: "We play D&D. We haven't switched to the new ruleset, so we still use 2014. Are you interested?"
Guy says: "Sure."
Girl says: "Sweet. We meet every Friday night at my friend's house."
Guy says: "Sounds cool. Is it close? Is your friend the DM?"
Girl says: "It is a few blocks away. And no, he doesn't DM. I do. Are you still interested?"
Guy says: Absolutely. I have been dying to play an in-person game since I moved here a year ago."

Fast forward 1 week for session zero.
Host says: "Welcome to my house. Whatever drink you see in the fridge is yours. And just to let you know, this is a laid-back table. We do some roleplaying in character, but most of the time it's just us describing what our character does. But we get along. We try to keep the fun in the forefront."
Guy says: "That sounds exactly like the game I came from. It sounds excellent. Thanks for inviting me. It really means a lot."
Girl says: "All right everyone. I can't wait to start a new campaign with everyone. I started on this a few months ago, and I am really proud of how it's coming about. Do you guys want a little background before making characters? I have some limitations."
Players, Host, and Guy: Nods yes
Girl says: "Well, I need everyone to stick to the PHB species from the 2014 rules. You can use Tasha's and Xanathar's and Sword Coast Adventures for extra spells, classes, species, etc. But that is it. I don't want Eberron or anything from a third-party source. Cool?"
Host says: "Sounds good."
Players say: "Sounds good. Just one question: Are you allowing the ASI from Tasha's."
Girl says: "Yup."
Guy says: "Can I play a tabaxi? I know they are not in those books, but I like cat-people and envision my character a cat."

Question: Based on the situation above, should the DM allow for the tabaxi?

A simple yes or no. That is all that is needed. It is not a trap, nor is it a gotchya. It is just to see where people are in this thread.

I don't see a compelling reason this needs to go either way. Your case here doesn't suggest the GM has actually done any world building, and if that's the case, I don't know why she would say no (I wouldn't in her shoes at this point). On the other hand, I don't think this would be a huge imposition if she did want to set some limitations, and those did include tabaxi based on some world building prep she's done, but given no other information about the PCs that seems unlikely (and unwise).

It looks like no one has actually built characters yet and I can't imagine they're getting deep into play at this point, so I sort of expect everyone's position to be loosely held right now.

 

[Zardnaar]

Honestly, if the player is already IN THE HOUSE when he drops the world-specific restrictions on the player, then yes. It was a total failure on the DM's part to not give the player the full info in the WEEK between pitch and first game. The player was expecting bog-standard 2014 D&D with the standard options on the table. The DM dropped the ball. Either accommodate the the player or give them some money for wasted gas getting there if they leave.

In a more general POV, I would hope that unless this is an ultra-tighty themed setting (which this game doesn't appear too be, since PHB + Tasha + Xanathar can result in a party of a samurai fighter, a phantom rogue, an astral monk, and a aberrant mind sorcerer) the DM could find room for a small amount of extra species outside the PHB. Tabaxi (or cat-people in general) are such a common fantasy archetype they are right there with orcs and maybe more than dragonborn. And anthropomorphic species like lizardfolk, gnolls, minotaurs, kobolds, aarakroca and merfolk are all iconic monsters (and PCs). If your world can fit hynea men (or hynea demons) they can fit cat people in some remote corner.

If youre playing something specific heads up before you get to session 0 is way to do it.

I'll bounce ideas off every player 2 weeks before session 0.

Specific these days is also opt in. I'll restrict Darksun for example but only run it with place buy in. And they know it's restricted.

Its really only potential players as well that would get hit with restrictions. They'll get told about it before dice are ever rolled. Its opt in at that point.

 

[Mournblade94]

All right, how about we try anew to see where everyone is at.

Let's all close our eyes and pretend...

You meet someone at a game store.
Guy says: "Hey, I am new here. I play D&D."
Girl says: "Oh, cool. You know, we are starting a new campaign and need a player."
Guy says: "That's sounds awesome. What are you guys playing?"
Girl says: "We play D&D. We haven't switched to the new ruleset, so we still use 2014. Are you interested?"
Guy says: "Sure."
Girl says: "Sweet. We meet every Friday night at my friend's house."
Guy says: "Sounds cool. Is it close? Is your friend the DM?"
Girl says: "It is a few blocks away. And no, he doesn't DM. I do. Are you still interested?"
Guy says: Absolutely. I have been dying to play an in-person game since I moved here a year ago."

Fast forward 1 week for session zero.
Host says: "Welcome to my house. Whatever drink you see in the fridge is yours. And just to let you know, this is a laid-back table. We do some roleplaying in character, but most of the time it's just us describing what our character does. But we get along. We try to keep the fun in the forefront."
Guy says: "That sounds exactly like the game I came from. It sounds excellent. Thanks for inviting me. It really means a lot."
Girl says: "All right everyone. I can't wait to start a new campaign with everyone. I started on this a few months ago, and I am really proud of how it's coming about. Do you guys want a little background before making characters? I have some limitations."
Players, Host, and Guy: Nods yes
Girl says: "Well, I need everyone to stick to the PHB species from the 2014 rules. You can use Tasha's and Xanathar's and Sword Coast Adventures for extra spells, classes, species, etc. But that is it. I don't want Eberron or anything from a third-party source. Cool?"
Host says: "Sounds good."
Players say: "Sounds good. Just one question: Are you allowing the ASI from Tasha's."
Girl says: "Yup."
Guy says: "Can I play a tabaxi? I know they are not in those books, but I like cat-people and envision my character a cat."

Question: Based on the situation above, should the DM allow for the tabaxi?

A simple yes or no. That is all that is needed. It is not a trap, nor is it a gotchya. It is just to see where people are in this thread.

The DM has the right to restrict the game in any way they want. If a player can't adjust (Which realistically has never been the case) then that is a failure on the players part. If the DM can't get anyone to agree to the restrictions than nobody is interested in the world they were building so its time to adjust. One player leaving because they can't adjust to restrictions is a reasonable price. Your not customer service you don't have to accommodate everyone. If nobody likes what your doing then you need to turn the reigns over to someone else or agree to the world. I am a forever DM for decades. I run 5e with Alignment rules and lots of ancestry restrictions. I am convinced that the unreasonable player that can't adjust to a DM restriction is a myth. The players that show up play. I vet players pretty carefully though before I invite them to play. Except when I am DMing as a public service for a game store or Adventure league, then I let players do whatever they want because I'm not invested and prep is usually easy.

 

[Zardnaar]

Play my game or not lol





I've thought forums are out of touch with the real world for decades now lol.

 

[tetrasodium]

All right, how about we try anew to see where everyone is at.

Let's all close our eyes and pretend...

You meet someone at a game store.
Guy says: "Hey, I am new here. I play D&D."
Girl says: "Oh, cool. You know, we are starting a new campaign and need a player."
Guy says: "That's sounds awesome. What are you guys playing?"
Girl says: "We play D&D. We haven't switched to the new ruleset, so we still use 2014. Are you interested?"
Guy says: "Sure."
Girl says: "Sweet. We meet every Friday night at my friend's house."
Guy says: "Sounds cool. Is it close? Is your friend the DM?"
Girl says: "It is a few blocks away. And no, he doesn't DM. I do. Are you still interested?"
Guy says: Absolutely. I have been dying to play an in-person game since I moved here a year ago."

Fast forward 1 week for session zero.
Host says: "Welcome to my house. Whatever drink you see in the fridge is yours. And just to let you know, this is a laid-back table. We do some roleplaying in character, but most of the time it's just us describing what our character does. But we get along. We try to keep the fun in the forefront."
Guy says: "That sounds exactly like the game I came from. It sounds excellent. Thanks for inviting me. It really means a lot."
Girl says: "All right everyone. I can't wait to start a new campaign with everyone. I started on this a few months ago, and I am really proud of how it's coming about. Do you guys want a little background before making characters? I have some limitations."
Players, Host, and Guy: Nods yes
Girl says: "Well, I need everyone to stick to the PHB species from the 2014 rules. You can use Tasha's and Xanathar's and Sword Coast Adventures for extra spells, classes, species, etc. But that is it. I don't want Eberron or anything from a third-party source. Cool?"
Host says: "Sounds good."
Players say: "Sounds good. Just one question: Are you allowing the ASI from Tasha's."
Girl says: "Yup."
Guy says: "Can I play a tabaxi? I know they are not in those books, but I like cat-people and envision my character a cat."

Question: Based on the situation above, should the DM allow for the tabaxi?

A simple yes or no. That is all that is needed. It is not a trap, nor is it a gotchya. It is just to see where people are in this thread.

I had to Google which books had tabaxi(volos apparently). It sounds like the answer is no tabaxi and not enough info in the scenario to discuss further.

With that said, am I the only one who reguly runs open AL games at a flgs who accepts walk ins? Something about the meetup sounds bizarre unless it's modeled after a player responding to an old school flgs corkboard posting. Does your flgs not have an AL night or similar where newbies can (usually) join a game with one of the Gm's running stuff that night or next week and play something where almost all of the discussion could be done mid/post game when the newbie is batter known?
Edit:strike because 2940 clarified

 

[EzekielRaiden]

Play my game or get stuView attachment 426950ck on one option.

Ive thought forums are out of touch with the real world for decades now lol.

Not sure what's up with that attachment.

I still stand by the core points of what I've said:

• Player enthusiasm is the single most precious resource GMs have, and the smart GM does everything they can to preserve it, build it, intensify it.
• GMs do not deserve trust solely for having chosen to GM. They knew what they were getting into. GMs have to actually earn the trust, respect, and compliance of their players. Players need to give GMs time to earn that--but not infinite time.
• It's frankly petty as hell, some of the things I hear folks describing as "ruining" ALL of the fun they could possibly have in a game.
• Everyone should be part of the "give" side in give-and-take, at least some of the time.
• If GMs think they merit special power and privilege as a result of sitting behind the screen, they'd gosh darned better act like it--and that means putting others' interests before their own some of the time.

 

[Zardnaar]

Not sure what's up with that attachment.

I still stand by the core points of what I've said:

• Player enthusiasm is the single most precious resource GMs have, and the smart GM does everything they can to preserve it.
• It's frankly petty as hell, some of the things I hear folks describing as "ruining" ALL of the fun they could possibly have in a game.
• Everyone should be part of the "give" side in give-and-take, at least some of the time.
• If GMs think they merit special power and privilege as a result of sitting behind the screen, they'd gosh darned better act like it--and that means putting others' interests before their own some of the time.

I'm turning people away in my games groups full. I could fill another group easily enough.

One player is afk until May so I've got 5.

Right now the hard lines are flyers and twilight clerics things like that.

I'm not going to have anyone refuse to okay because I've banned those things. If they would refuse I dont want them.

Compromise on Twilight domain is 3pp moon doman. Flyers are Aasimar.

Just had 4 people drop $50 each to play and looks like I'm invited to another game (assuming it happens).

I told you a long time ago to train your DM. You didnt want to do that. Your choice.

Two of my players are dipping their toes in DM pool. A 3rd has DMed previously.

I'm turning players away atm and of got 5 regulars and a 6th currently in Japan (via Malaysia).

We've got connections over 3 or 4 stores only way in is via grandfather clause. That being if a previous player we liked comes out of the woodwork. Friend of a friend wont get you in.

Grandfather clause has been relevant twice in recent years.

I've also got enough connections built up I get game invites. I've inherited entire groups when they've self destructed (not involving me).

That game I'm potentially playing in was self destructed. DM quit, second one is leaving and my players stepping in for new game.

This is why we're not worried about recruitment. Join our groups you can be in it for years. Word gets around. I'll probably get you to level 9-13 which is usually higher than every other group.

ENworlds always nitpicking about stupid crap. D&Ds primarily a social game. Best edition is what you can find players for. Best games and campaigns are best DMs and players combined.

Out in the wild players dont generally care if a DM restricts stuff. Restricting PHB might but I had little issue running OSR games which nukes half the pbh option in modern D&D.