D&D General A glimpse at WoTC's current view of Rule 0

[Micah Sweet]

So anyway, Session 0 is important, but the job isn't done there. It's best to keep checking in with plyers to make sure they're still having a good time, things still work for them, and you still have buy-in for what you think you have buy-in for.

And when an issue arises, it should be talked out and hopefully a compromise is reached. Neither side is required to just capitulate to the other.

 

[Lanefan]

And when an issue arises, it should be talked out and hopefully a compromise is reached. Neither side is required to just capitulate to the other.

Problem is, often by the time an issue arises (to the point where anyone neutral notices) it's already too late to talk it out rationally as the people for whom it's an issue have got wound up and maybe emotional over it.

 

[Vaalingrade]

Problem is, often by the time an issue arises (to the point where anyone neutral notices) it's already too late to talk it out rationally as the people for whom it's an issue have got wound up and maybe emotional over it.

And that's when you keep talking it out.

In fact, that's WHY you keep talking it out.

 

[Autumnal]

Exactly. Checking on how everyone is doing should be part of the routine, so that folks have the opportunity to say “Mom’s not doing so well and I’m extra worried while waiting” or “the new kitten is the cutest thing on four legs ever in our apartment and laughing so much has me more mellow” or “counseling is great but we are working on hard stuff and I’m going to be kind of fragile the next few sessions” or whatever. Small news as well as big to keep it from sounding like a dreadful all-dumping time, just being aware of each other as people whose lives shape how gaming may go.

 

[Umbran]

Problem is, often by the time an issue arises (to the point where anyone neutral notices) it's already too late to talk it out rationally as the people for whom it's an issue have got wound up and maybe emotional over it.

Yes, that's a problem.
The solution is a bit of empathy and some more talking.