Diplomacy: A game-wrecker?

[ffanxii4ever]

As a DM, I too have run into this problem (granted out of my group of 6 players, 4 of them are first timers) but I don't like the idea of penalizing them for relying on the rolls and skills and what not, so I let them do that sort of thing. However, anyone "important" doesn't have those set DCs so no easy messing with the "important" NPCs, and I also reward the roleplaying. In less important cases, like improving the attitude of a merchant, if they roleplay it out very well, and I know how high their modifier is, I don't even ask them for a roll, they did it well enough and they succeed. Now for "important" NPCs, I will either give them an unknown bonus if they RP it, or with extremely good roleplaying, I'll even let them roll twice and take the better of the two. Sure it may make them a touch more powerful and whatnot with the extra roll, but I would rather them (and by extension me) have a good time and have things go their way, especially since it is their first PnP RPG experience

 

[Animal]

i just use circumstance modifiers to Diplomacy DCs. as a DM i have full right to do that.
for instance, if PC is very eloquent and makes very good points or just hits his opponent's weak spot i might lower the DC. if PC won't even try to roleplay the check, the DC increases. easy and efficient.