I know we have "Rules Lawyers", but what
- Thread starter Treebore
- Start date
jdrakeh
Front Range Warlock
I see that you have met the "Bait and Switch Game Master" -- this is the guy who says "Make characters for Game X!" but who fails to mention that you're not really playing Game X, but playing his own, personal, house-ruled variant of said game. This is, in point of fact, why I have The GameWiki, a place where I can upload hous rules, character sheets, and othe rplayer resources prior to an actual game. I don't want to be the Bait and Switch Game Master 
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Treebore
First Post
Some more clarification. Are you a rules lawyer if, because you didn't know the DM had "different rules", you tell them how the rules say to handle the situation because how he is doing it is wrong?
Also, would someone be justified to be upset about being called a rules lawyer in such a situation? In front of the whole group? Or is he justified to do something like that because the DM was called on this unknown rule in front of said group?
Thanks. I just want to know if I am being irrational.
Also, would someone be justified to be upset about being called a rules lawyer in such a situation? In front of the whole group? Or is he justified to do something like that because the DM was called on this unknown rule in front of said group?
Thanks. I just want to know if I am being irrational.
Sound of Azure
Contemplative Soul
Not a name I'd speak in polite company, that's for sure. 
It's "good form" to let players know when you have deviated from the usual expectations of the game you are playing. This DM evidently did not do this, so you're justifed (IMO) in being a bit put out by it.
As to your later question, my answer would depend on the language and manner used on both sides of the conversation. It's not rules lawyering to remind a DM about a rule if they've overlooked something, as long as it's done politely. If you were like "You did that wrong! With wrong sauce!!!!", that's probably a bit rude.
Again though, your expectations of playing a standard game were incorrect, but it sounds like you had no reason to know that. Calling you out as a rules lawyer was a bit much, in my opinion. Perhaps he should have just said that it was working differently in his game and left it at that. Obviously that's not what happened, so all you can do is take a deep breath and get on with things.
I'd suggest asking the DM to outline (through a house rule page, booklet, or even a text file) what house rules are being used that are pertinent to the players. That way you have a common ground, and you can be comfortable with playing and all the players can be on the same page. It's important to know the rules you're playing under in any game that humans play. Otherwise it all just ends up being Calvinball (which is fun in its own way, I guess
).
Good luck with your situation.
It's "good form" to let players know when you have deviated from the usual expectations of the game you are playing. This DM evidently did not do this, so you're justifed (IMO) in being a bit put out by it.
As to your later question, my answer would depend on the language and manner used on both sides of the conversation. It's not rules lawyering to remind a DM about a rule if they've overlooked something, as long as it's done politely. If you were like "You did that wrong! With wrong sauce!!!!", that's probably a bit rude.
Again though, your expectations of playing a standard game were incorrect, but it sounds like you had no reason to know that. Calling you out as a rules lawyer was a bit much, in my opinion. Perhaps he should have just said that it was working differently in his game and left it at that. Obviously that's not what happened, so all you can do is take a deep breath and get on with things.
I'd suggest asking the DM to outline (through a house rule page, booklet, or even a text file) what house rules are being used that are pertinent to the players. That way you have a common ground, and you can be comfortable with playing and all the players can be on the same page. It's important to know the rules you're playing under in any game that humans play. Otherwise it all just ends up being Calvinball (which is fun in its own way, I guess
).Good luck with your situation.
Treebore
First Post
Well, I don't think I want to go straight to idiot. Overall his game is fun, and that is my "main goal" when playing or DMing. However I am majorly irritated over this. So before I risk writing a "rant" e-mail to him, I wanted some outside opinions. Plus give me time to be less irritated.
Its taking a lot longer than I would have guessed.
Thanks for thinking I am so, um, rational. I try, so I am glad I have convinced someone!
Its taking a lot longer than I would have guessed.
Thanks for thinking I am so, um, rational. I try, so I am glad I have convinced someone!
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