GMing: What If We Say "Yes" To Everything?

[FrogReaver]

By the rules of the game in question.

So whatever the DM thinks is appropriate…

I’m questioning whether the ability to set high DCs can short circuit the say yes process.

 

[FrogReaver]

You are still playing a game, with whatever the game's action resolution rules are. What I am talking about is whenever there is a question a player asks OF THE GM, the Gm answers with "Yes." Not "autosucceed."

This also means the game in question may not give the GM the ability to say yes to everything. Some things the game might be saying no to and the dm just being the middle man in letting the player know this.

 

[BookTenTiger]

I think the challenging aspect of this premise is that "Yes" can mean different things, depending on the context.

In terms of character creation, saying "Yes" sets up the themes and characteristics of the setting. Can I play a half-giant? Are there firearms in this campaign? Can I start at 3rd Level? These questions and Yesses create a shared reality and expectations.

During gameplay, Yes might mean "Yes, you succeed" or "Yes you may attempt it."

As a player, having a DM who only says "Yes you succeed" would be pretty boring. I enjoy playing through challenges and coming up with creative solutions. If every solution works automatically, then it feels to me as if my choices don't actually matter. Can I jump over the pit? Can I chop the dragon's head off?

On the other hand, if the DM always says "Yes, you may attempt," I find that thrilling! Especially if the DM is consistent and logical in their consequences. Can I steal the king's crown? "Yes, you may attempt." Now I know that I might not succeed, but I can try! Am I willing to deal with the consequences?

 

[Reynard]

So whatever the DM thinks is appropriate…

I’m questioning whether the ability to set high DCs can short circuit the say yes process.

This also means the game in question may not give the GM the ability to say yes to everything. Some things the game might be saying no to and the dm just being the middle man in letting the player know this.

If we go with the rule common to most RPGs that the GM only calls for a roll if the outcome is uncertain, then in the vast majority of the cases no roll will be called for.

"Can I sneak past the guard and into the castle?"
Yes.

But, some questions aren't really things you direct at the GM. "Can I do 100 points of damage to the ogre?" is not a valid question for the GM. It is not a question at all. it is a system procedure. So or that, you still have to roll.

 

[Reynard]

As a player, having a DM who only says "Yes you succeed" would be pretty boring. I enjoy playing through challenges and coming up with creative solutions. If every solution works automatically, then it feels to me as if my choices don't actually matter.

I don't think this tracks. The GM can still certainly a complex, challenging scenario and say yes to all the actions the PC wants to take. But "Can I beat this puzzle" is not a valid question.

 

[FrogReaver]

If we go with the rule common to most RPGs that the GM only calls for a roll if the outcome is uncertain, then in the vast majority of the cases no roll will be called for.

Seems odd to me. One outcome that can be certain is failure. Is the GM saying yes in the instance of certain failure? If not, then I don’t see any difference in your proposal and normal play. If so, then I’m not seeing how the GM is only calling for a roll when the outcome is uncertain.

But, some questions aren't really things you direct at the GM. "Can I do 100 points of damage to the ogre?" is not a valid question for the GM. It is not a question at all. it is a system procedure. So or that, you still have to roll.

Right. But the whole notion of valid and invalid questions means that in practice you aren’t saying yes to everything. One also has to clearly define what is a valid and invalid question in this scenario and that isn’t ever an easy task.

 

[FrogReaver]

I don't think this tracks. The GM can still certainly a complex, challenging scenario and say yes to all the actions the PC wants to take. But "Can I beat this puzzle" is not a valid question.

How does the choice to try to solve the puzzle by doing A compare with the choice to try to solve the puzzle by doing B. Do they both have the same chance of success?

 

[Reynard]

How does the choice to try to solve the puzzle by doing A compare with the choice to try to solve the puzzle by doing B. Do they both have the same chance of success?

One presumes that the GM has a solution in mind. The player still has to say, "I rotate the outer ring to the bear symbol" to solve it.

 

[FrogReaver]

One presumes that the GM has a solution in mind. The player still has to say, "I rotate the outer ring to the bear symbol" to solve it.

So what happens when what the player says isn’t the solution that the GM has in mind? Is it failure or chance of success?

 

[Reynard]

Seems odd to me. One outcome that can be certain is failure. Is the GM saying yes in the instance of certain failure? If not, then I don’t see any difference in your proposal and normal play. If so, then I’m not seeing how the GM is only calling for a roll when the outcome is uncertain.



Right. But the whole notion of valid and invalid questions means that in practice you aren’t saying yes to everything. One also has to clearly define what is a valid and invalid question in this scenario and that isn’t ever an easy task.

I am honestly not sure where the disconnect is, which means I am not communicating myself well. I'll try again.

When a player asks if they can do something or have something in the world, the GM says yes.

"Can I play a Earth human transported here through a portal?"
Yes.

"Can I be the secret heir of the Kingdom?"
Yes.

"Can my magic be completely unique to me and no one else has ever seen it before."
Yes.

"Can I play an Illrigger?"
Yes.

"Can I convince the guard to leave his post for a few minutes by suggesting the girl he likes wants to talk to him?"
Yes.

"Can I wedge the door shut with one of the bones from those skeletons we fought?"
Yes.

Like that.