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Message: <blockquote data-quote="Mistwell" data-source="post: 2244250" data-attributes="member: 2525">I think most of this debate comes down to the experience level of the participants - with the game, and with each other.  1) If based on prior games I *KNOW* my DM  will maintain entertainment as the highest priority, and I *KNOW* they know what they are doing after years of experience dealing with vague or unwritten rule-creation on the fly, then I tend to find in those situations that Celbrim's method works best (of letting the DM make all decisions concerning the rules without discussion during the game).  The game flows better, the ability to engage in the fantasy experience without the distraction of rules works better, and overall I have found my role playing experience is best in these situations.  I'll call this the Benevolent Experienced Dictator situation ("BED").2) However, if I do not know my DM very well, or my DM does not have a great deal of DM'ing experience, I prefer the other method.  That being: RAW plus previously-agreed-on house rules, and immediate (though short) discussion from all interested participants if a new rule on the fly is required.  New rules on the fly should be agreed on by at least a majority of interested participants in such situations, not just the DM, however the DM should act as the arbitrator and mediator of the discussion, and break any ties.  I'll call this the Inexperienced Democratic Abitrator-Mediator ("IDAM").   Folks are lucky if they find themselves in the BED situation.  However, unfortunately, I am guessing that the second situation is more common than the first.  People switch off being DMs, gaming groups come apart and morph in who is playing and when, experience levels vary from person to person within the group, and some people who have a lot of experience still don't prioritize entertainment as the most important factor.  That's why, in a majority of situations, I think most players prefer the IDAM method.  It's better at protecting fairness in those kinds of situations.</blockquote>

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