Is decision of method of ability score gen a house rule?

[Emirikol]

Just a technical argument we were having at the table last night. Doesn't EVERY table have house rules?

I mean, every DM has to house rule which ability score gen they're using, whether or not massive damage is used, if any DMG options are used, exactly how much gold to hand out per level (if it varies from the DMG listed amounts of wealth per level), which prestige classes are allowed/disallowed, what books are allowed, if any Unearthed Arcana is allowed, which "world rules" (e.g. Faerunian stuff) is allowed, etc.?

Doesn't EVERY table have house rules then? SHouldn't they be written down for the players or is it best to let the players guess at it?

jh

 

[Crothian]

No, rules that are in the book are not house rules. So if a rule like Attribute generation says pointbuy or dice then choosing what is not a house rule. But making a choice that is not an option like picking ones own attribut3es is a house rule.

If you want to get more technically, you can claim all house rules are actually rule 0 in action and not actually house rules.

 

[Emirikol]

So if it's pre-published it's not a house rule? What's UA then?

jh

 

[Numion]

Doesn't EVERY table have house rules then? SHouldn't they be written down for the players or is it best to let the players guess at it?

You can also resort to common sense; when the DM says 'no house rules', for example, you're pretty sure how the game is going to play.

 

[pawsplay]

It's a decision. Now, if you always use one method, I guess that's a house rule.

Allowing a particular PrC or not is not a house rule. Disallowing any would be a house rule. By default, they exist, but are in the DM's purview.

It is certainly possible to play without any house rules at all, if DM rulings on matters not covered by the FAQ are not placed in that category.

 

[Emirikol]

You can also resort to common sense;

I don't have a "common sense" section in my House Rules and it doesn't appear in the DMG/RAW, thus it has no place at my game

jh

 

[Emirikol]

It is certainly possible to play without any house rules at all, if DM rulings on matters not covered by the FAQ are not placed in that category.

I'm just bringing up this subject to push the issue and I think you hit on it right there: if a DM has to make any decision outside of the FAQ, then you have house rules right? So is it better if he writes them down for all the players or just have the players guessing and wondering what 'whim' he will use that day?

jh

 

[Thanee]

Doesn't EVERY table have house rules?

Yes. Everyone who tells otherwise is lying... to themselves mostly.

Bye
Thanee

 

[Crothian]

So if it's pre-published it's not a house rule? What's UA then?

jh

A collection of rule options. Although in asidebar or two it does talk about the author's own house rules.

 

[HeapThaumaturgist]

Heck ... house rules or just forgetting rules.

Last session there were at least four different rules that I was damn sure I remembered from the book ... went and looked them up after the game ... nope, weren't there.

Dunno where they came from.

I'm blaming the hummus and bagel chips. Chick peas play havok with my "game", yo.

--fje