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<blockquote data-quote="tylermalan" data-source="post: 5716547" data-attributes="member: 30929">This is an interesting question.&nbsp; I DM a lot (way more than I play), and I am of the opinion that the DM should understand how something works before allowing it into the game.&nbsp; It isn't a matter of memorizing the details of anything - it is a matter of understanding the framework of the rules system (usually found within the core rules) well enough to know whether or not something is going to cause a problem.&nbsp; If you don't understand it, don't have the time to learn it, or otherwise can't understand it for some reason, then the general idea is that you should not allow it in the game.I share the opinion of other posters that the DM should be the person who knows the most about the rule system.&nbsp; If this person is inherently not creative, then you could share the DMing responsibilities with another person who is.&nbsp; One person creates the content, while the person who knows the rules adjudicates the actual play of the game.&nbsp; Over time, the creative person will learn the rules to the point where he doesn't need assistance, and can DM by himself.The only exception to this that I can think of is if the DM can TOTALLY trust ALL of his players, including those that know the rules better than he does.&nbsp; I would say that, in the situation you put forth, this is not the case.But what I mentioned above about one DM adjudicating the game really highlights my thoughts on this topic.&nbsp; One of the DM's responsibilities is that of judge.&nbsp; Essentially, you cannot impartially adjudicate using the rules if you don't know them.</blockquote>

[QUOTE="tylermalan, post: 5716547, member: 30929"] This is an interesting question. I DM a lot (way more than I play), and I am of the opinion that the DM should understand how something works before allowing it into the game. It isn't a matter of memorizing the details of anything - it is a matter of understanding the framework of the rules system (usually found within the core rules) well enough to know whether or not something is going to cause a problem. If you don't understand it, don't have the time to learn it, or otherwise can't understand it for some reason, then the general idea is that you should not allow it in the game. I share the opinion of other posters that the DM should be the person who knows the most about the rule system. If this person is inherently not creative, then you could share the DMing responsibilities with another person who is. One person creates the content, while the person who knows the rules adjudicates the actual play of the game. Over time, the creative person will learn the rules to the point where he doesn't need assistance, and can DM by himself. The only exception to this that I can think of is if the DM can TOTALLY trust ALL of his players, including those that know the rules better than he does. I would say that, in the situation you put forth, this is not the case. But what I mentioned above about one DM adjudicating the game really highlights my thoughts on this topic. One of the DM's responsibilities is that of judge. Essentially, you cannot impartially adjudicate using the rules if you don't know them. [/QUOTE]

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