Magus_Jerel said:
pg 6 PHB
That text is there, partially in a legal capacity, but also as an explanation of "in what approach" the rules were written. This statement gives your "counterpoint" a fatal error. This is the caveat my players used to eliminate that text and assert their argument "for" this interpretation. This is tantamount to putting the following text into the glossary as a "defined game term".
you: your character
I find it impossible to read it as other than such.
Hmmm - well if your CHARACTERS can read a book so that the term "you" applies to them I'm impressed. I'm thinking that WotC didn't want people glancing at the book and think that they were advocating that the PLAYERS kill others and cast spells like all that crap that went on in the 80s. Like I said, you guys are reading the rules like a legal contract and making too much of stuff, and completely ignoring the intent of the rules. Seriously, if this is what playing with an actual lawyer is like - having them find loopholes in the use of the English language in a rule system so they can go against the spirit of the rules - I think I'll stick with my players from the IT industry.
So, if the "you" means "your character" then it doesn't change the fact that your character can't decide to take a partial action (although how a set of stats, skills and equipment can make a decision is beyond me) other than with a readied action. Wait, let me guess, your players are arguing that since this passage applies only to the characters, they can overrule it as it doesn't apply to the players. Boy, if you allow that train of thought then you're really asking for trouble. The players could state that since none of the rules in the PHB would apply to them they could override all the rules in the book.
And also, just because I made the statement that the DM is the final decision maker in the game isn't because I want to walk all over my players, or to suggest that's what a DM should do. If someone doesn't like a ruling I listen to his arguments and the opinions of his fellow players and then I try to be as fair as I can in my decision based on their opinions and the rules. The bottom line is we are playing a game for fun. If someone wants to debate a ruling for 2 hours I don't think we are playing the game anymore or having fun. I'd tell the player that I made my ruling and that we could discuss it after the game. That's what I mean by the DM has the final word - the DM's job is to create the world and to make quick decisions based on the rules so that the players can continue to explore that world and have fun. I'm not suggesting that you become the thought-police and ram rulings down their throats. My players are my friends as well. I work with them to make the gaming session a fun and enjoyable thing, not to run them through my Gauntlet of Death so I can laugh at their pitiful attempts at survival before I crush them with making unfair rulings.
Anyway, you are happy with your homebrewed system and your group. That's all anyone can ask for when they're gaming. Peace to you.
IceBear
