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Message: <blockquote data-quote="kennew142" data-source="post: 4022338" data-attributes="member: 18490">I guess I've always been lucky in that my players would never try to look up something they were fighting in the middle of an encounter. I sometimes have a player look up problematic rules, but these are usually in the PHB. Since more than half of the group I play with are GMs in their own right, it would not be possible for them to eschew the MM and DMG. I also don't think that a GM has the power to prevent players from reading whatever books they want. I've always been of the opinion that any game is more fun when everyone has a basic understanding of the rules.My players often take out a MM or a DMG at the table. When they do, I trust that they are looking up things pertinent to their characters. Sometimes it is a magic item they own. Sometimes it is a monster they are summoning. Sometimes it is an obscure rule governing some action that they are considering so that they can understand the full implications of their character's actions.I've been lucky in that I've never had to resort to some of the high-handed tactics I've heard in this thread. If any GM ever started penalizing my character xp for my actions, or handing out random damage, or in any way attempting to punish me like a child, it would be the last time we ever gamed together. It would likely be the last time we ever spoke to one another. I've never bought into the idea that the GM is GOD. The absolute authority over the story, the campaign and the rules disputes - certainly. GOD, not so much. IMO, that way lies abuse.Furthermore, I always reserve the right to dispute rules. A bad ruling from a GM can result in character death, or a really bad time for everyone. Once a GM has listened and given a ruling, the dispute must stop. Agree or disagree, the GM has the final say. The idea that a player has no interest in seeing that the game is fair seems ridiculous to me.Just my 2 cp.</blockquote>

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