Do you go in RAW 100%?

[Dannyalcatraz]

In all probability, the very first game of AD&D in 1977- my gateway to the hobby- was probably run RAW. But I have no way of knowing. Since I started DMing, I’ve probably never run a campaign in any edition that was RAW.

Most game systems I’m running for the first time, I probably run RAW or damn nearly so, because that’s the easiest way to learn the system. Whether I HR anything after that is highly dependent on how my players & I feel about the system.

AFAIK, I’ve never run a session of HERO any way except RAW.

 

[...m...]

In all probability, the very first game of AD&D in 1977- my gateway to the hobby- was probably run RAW. But I have no way of knowing.

...if your first game was in '77, it was either OD+D or holmes basic, so the ruleset was ambiguous and strictly RAW gameplay wasn't technically feasible nor even really comprehensible...

 

[sevenbastard]

Usually I start cheating as soon as possible, so nope.

 

[Dannyalcatraz]

...if your first game was in '77, it was either OD+D or holmes basic, so the ruleset was ambiguous and strictly RAW gameplay wasn't technically feasible nor even really comprehensible...

Well, sorta. AD&D’s MM was first released in 1977, and the PHB in ‘78.

So I’m probably misremembering the date, because I had both when we started.

 

[MNblockhead]

Start crunchy raw but mix things up over time.

I try to run the game rules as written as much as I can, at least until I feel I, and the players, have a solid understanding of them. Inevitably, for crunchy rule sets and long campaigns, I'll start changing to alternative rules, third-party changes/additions, and home brew.

I like long campaigns and when you want to go the distance, you've gotta keep things fresh in the bgameroom.

 

[stonehead]

It's worth pointing out that if you leave the realm of DnD-likes, a lot of games out there are much easier to run 100% RAW, because the rules are written less intrusively.

Apocalypse world, Cypher, Fate/Fudge, etc. A lot of game systems are character creation, resolution mechanic, damage tracking, end of rules. You could house-rule these if you tried, but there's never going to be a "I don't like the rules for ______, I'll house-rule it" because there are no rules for _______. There are only the basic rules.