Dms, dont you wish

[S'mon]

Less rules... hm, the basic d20 rules-set seems ok (leaving out problems w magic system) for PCs; there's a problem w NPCs though, as evidenced by the "Imp w +4 bluff" thread recently. I find therules-bound nature of the game makes GMing more work & less fun for story-based, world-simulation or narrativist approaches. It can make combat as a skirmish minis game more exciting, but within very tight parameters of what is an 'acceptable' combat, eg the "no more than 12 enemies" rule, which gets ridiculous w high-level PCs.

 

[Liquidsabre]

Less rules... hm, the basic d20 rules-set seems ok (leaving out problems w magic system) for PCs; there's a problem w NPCs though, as evidenced by the "Imp w +4 bluff" thread recently.

Ah, a perfect example. The orignal poster obviously wasn't familiar with the effects of the spell Disguise Self, which provides a +10 to Disguise checks. The same effect would apply to the Imp's special ability, so simply a disguise check would be opposed by the PCs sense motive checks to see through the Imp's ruse.

Not to get off topic or anything, but a relevant illustration I believe.

 

[DragonLancer]

I sometimes wish that the comabt system was more rules-lite. It should be more freeform, and less bogged down in 5' steps and squares. Feats already cover fancy combat moves and attacks, so just drop it to attack roll + damage.

 

[Aust Diamondew]

I like the rules, I like D&D combat system it's fun, it's startegic. I don't want it to be made 'lite', I don't like systems where it's just attack, attack, attack during combat. I like 5ft steps, AoO, partial/full defence actions, trip attacks, disarm attacks, sundering, grapling, bullrushing, power attacks, a myriad of spells, cleaving and whirlwind attacks.

I expect my players to understand how combat works in general and how specific things about their character work. I try to have a general knowledge about how all of their character's special ablilities work in combat. If there is a disagreement about a paticular thing I just make a ruling and we wait till the next break or the game session is over to figure out the actual rule (if it's a problem that will come up again.

 

[Cor Azer]

I'm quite firmly in the "I like all the rules" camp. If, for a particular scene to work quicker than normal, I need a rules-lite solution, I can whip it up on the spot. But having all the rules as a whole together, makes things more consistent, and that means that players can start to plan things out in certain situations, even if they've never directly encoutnered that situation before.

 

[CalicoDave]

I'll have to go with liking all the rules also. Since we've started playing 3rd Edition my group has had many less "interpretation" type arguments. Almost all questions that have come up could be resolved with a look in the PHB or DMG. These leads to more actual game play time, then taking time out to have discussions about how something should work.

I actually view 3rd Edition as a rules-lite game!

 

[Vaxalon]

There are LOTS of games out there that are MUCH more rules-light.

DnD isn't the only RPG, in spite of what WotC would like you to think.

Here's a whole pile of them: Free Indie Games

 

[Henry]

Nah.

Loving my "this-monster-can-hold-up-to-6-medium-sized-creatures-in-its-belly" rules just fine.

 

[hong]

Dont you wish(No funny remarks about a Wish spell are to be in this thread ) that there were not so much rules. And that more could just be left up to judgement calls, that your players did not argue about you with. I ahve never played any other edition but 3.0. But I wish there was a Rules-lite version of D&D. It is more like my players run the game than I do.

D00d. Your problem is not with the rules, whether rules-heavy, rules-light, or something in between. Your problems are with your relationship with your players, eg how your older brother is running roughshod over you; and with your relative lack of experience in running games. If anything I'd say that the rules are probably helping you, by keeping you from completely screwing up.

 

[Tinker Gnome]

Hmmm, maybe I should have more so said that like DragonLancer. I want Combat rules to be more lite. My players are obseesive about AOOs and when the mage wants to cast fireball it is all about counting squares which takes up time, or him taking forever to decide what to do. Not to say he has not made good use of some spells though. I am fine with all the skills checks and stuff. it is hard to explain but I just do not like the sheer amount of rules there is. I must some form of chaotic.