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Message: <blockquote data-quote="Bill Zebub" data-source="post: 8748944" data-attributes="member: 7031982">JFC is this still going on? No, this is not DM setting the rules this is DM following the rules, which is that the DM first determines whether the attempt is automatically successful or a failure, and if neither might set a DC and ask for a roll. Note that it’s not determining whether it’s “impossible” but whether success or failure is automatic. Those are two different things and the distinction is important: the task does not have to be impossible for the DM to rule it an automatic failure.Example (with the caveat that in practice I tell players the odds and give them a chance to change their minds):Rogue: “I will try to sneak across the room just as the guard turns his back.”DM: “That’s gonna be tough. Give me a dexterity(stealth) roll. DC 30.”Rogue: “I’m +11, so….30!”Paladin: “I’ll try, too.”DM: “The guard sees you.”Paladin: “Hey, wait! Don’t I get to roll?”DM: “Nope.”Paladin: “But I have a 1 in 20 chance of succeeding!”DM: “One in four hundred, actually. IF I asked for a roll. Which I’m not.”Now, who knows why the DM didn’t ask for a roll. Maybe the situation/environment has changed in a way the players don’t realize. Maybe the guard is some kind of fey that can’t see elves. Maybe the guard did see the rogue but is under orders to let just one person through. Maybe the DM is mad at Larry for taking the last Mountain Dew. Maybe he hates gnome paladins. Maybe he hates the new rule. IT DOESN’T MATTER.This is not DM fiat overriding the rules. It is literally what the book says to do.EDIT: And I’ll add that if you are correct, and the player has some kind of “right” to roll, it means the DM would have to justify the ruling, potentially giving away information the players aren’t supposed to have.</blockquote>

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