D&D General Ignoring the rules!

[MichaelSomething]

Let's talk about ignoring rules and how great it is! Don't like a rule? Just ignore it. Great DMs have been ignoring rules for decades!

Think gold for EXP is dumb? Don't do it!
Hate level limits for races? Gone!
Is a high level spell breaking your game? If you never cast it, does it exist?
Is a subsystem subpar? Slice it out of your game!

What rules have you kicked out of your game???

 

[Reynard]

I don't know if it qualifies, but I can't remember the last time that we cared about non-expensive material components. And 5E alignment doesn't have any associated mechanics, so i don't know if we can call it a "rule" but we have certainly been ignoring it all edition.

 

[Gorck]

I’m sure I’m not alone in ignoring carrying capacity/encumbrance

 

[payn]

Experience points….gone and never coming back.

 

[Seramus]

The rule I break the most is... the attack rules for monsters. Say a gorgon charges you and hits. If it's a mini boss, I'm probably going to ask for a strength save, or you get shoved back and smashed against the wall. Or something similarly spicy.

Or a horde of imps grappling you even though they are all size tiny. Or a dragon's tail swipe sends you toppling back. Things like that.

 

[Horwath]

hands and spell components/focus juggling.
If you can free a hand for a second you can cast a spell.
being grappled or being restrained prevents using S/M components.
Or being in manacles or similar binding. or needing to hold something with both hands non stop, i.e. carrying a barrel.

EXP for encounters or roleplay. it's milestone

encumbrance is not checked until someone says he has half a village in a backpack.

 

[Vaalingrade]

So... we can have rules instead of rulings back in the rulebooks, right? Because you can just ignore them?

 

[SpellObjectEnthusiast]

I've removed passive perception.

 

[Reynard]

Experience points….gone and never coming back.

XP is useful for specific sorts of campaigns.

 

[Lanefan]

XP is useful for specific sorts of campaigns.

Yes, as in nearly all of them.

The list of rules I've ignored or tossed out is long. Some of them (e.g. training cost determination) have been replaced by other rules, some (e.g. weapon vs armour type) have not.