DM's: You player just had a great idea...

[Plane Sailing]

It is not unknown for me to take the players suggestions and make that into the resolution because it becomes clear that they're never going to "get" the original which I'd got planned, and it makes the game all the more organic and less stilted.

Plus, it can mean good fun for all of us. It is IMO one of the big distinguishing factors between RPG and computer based RPGs; I've been so frustrated in the past where I didn't have the right widget for the gumboil and so couldn't progress in the game because that was the way it was programmed. At least with a real DM there is room for modifications to be made so that the game can continue!

Cheers

 

[Plane Sailing]

I wouldn't use the idea, though I would give the player a lot of crap for giving me a good idea (make him sweat it until the next game hehe). Basically it's players against DM.

I couldn't disagree more with this attitude. Aren't you all friends?

 

[Arcadio]

We refer to this as "Rule One."

Rule One: never give the DM any ideas.

My highschool calculus teacher had this rule, except he called it, "since you asked."

"Do we have homework today?" "Since you asked."
"Do we have a test today?" "Since you asked."
"Do we have to know ____ for tomorrow's test?" "Since you asked."

And there was no way of knowing if he already had a surprise test for today, or if he just made one up on the spot because of someone's question. Some people never learned.