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

[Shadowslayer]

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?

I dunno, I always think of house rules as stuff that has been made up...spell point systems etc. If they are rules that have become traditional to your group, and they didn't come from a rulebook, then maybe you should write them down. I'd also write down which rule you're replacing.

However, your examples seem to be more about which rulebook options you favor. If you have new guys coming in, it may not be a bad idea to write them down. But most of these that you've used as an example seem to me the sort of stuff where you'd sit the guys down before the campaign and say "OK, point buy, roll em, or a standard array...how do you want to do it this time around?" with the DM making the final call. (tough job, but someone's got to do it)

Then I firmly believe everyone at the table, DM included, should get a say.

 

[Delta]

There are "Variants". Then there are "House Rules".

Yes, rules alterations that affect the moment of PC-creation should be written down and provided to the players. I don't think that's a requirement for details that the DM might reveal during the campaign, like some prestige classes, monster variants, new spells or magic items, etc.

"DM Adjudications" are none of those, being DM interpretations of rules mid-game. Every time a referee makes a call in a football game or tennis match, you don't go and add that decision to the rulebook as a new item.

 

[pawsplay]

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?

No. Adjudicating situations not covered explicitly by the existing rules system is still something that is expected of normal play. That is, when there is no particular case, the rule is still for the DM to come up with something. It wouldn't be a house rule unless you formalized what you came up with.

 

[Knight Otu]

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

Bye
Thanee

Playing strictly by the RAW would make a great house rule.

Every group has some set of rules that they play with that aren't house rules in most people's minds, but more like table rules. There is a ability generation method that is considered Core (4(-1)d6), and a number of variants. Using a variant would be a house rule. And basically, variants are nothing but pre-written house rules.

 

[Greg K]

Rules options including variants, unlike the rules in the PHB, are not something that players should assume will be used when they join a new group. Therefore, I do include the use of rules options and variants from the DMG and UA as house rules as players must be notified of such inclusions. Of course, the use of options from the DMG, UA and some select material from other sources is why my list of house rules are so large.

 

[Nonlethal Force]

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.

I disagree. I don't allow any of the Races of ____ books or the Environment books. Obviously, I'm not going to allow the stuff that's in them, and my players don't expect me to.

Now, if you want to modify the statement that not allowing a PrC (or feat, item, etc) that is in a published book for which the DM has included into the game .... then I would agree with that.

Back to the OP question. I agree with Corthian. If the rule comes in the form of a published source it is part of the rules. UA gives options (I prefer the term variants). House rules are used when there is no existing rule to cover a specific situation or if the DM disagrees with the printed rule and creates their own unpublished rule.

Thus, if I say that stat generation is done 3d6 organic, 4d6 place in whatever order you like, 5d6, 25 point buy, 32 point buy, or any other option included in the rules I am choosing among variants. If I create a new method that says "pick your own ability scores such that no score before racial ability mods are applied is less that 8, greater than 18 and the sum of the scores is 80" - that's a house rule.

 

[pawsplay]

I disagree. I don't allow any of the Races of ____ books or the Environment books. Obviously, I'm not going to allow the stuff that's in them, and my players don't expect me to.

I don't understand how you are disagreeing. Disallowing Races of Stone is not a house rule, either. It's just deciding not to use that supplemental material.

 

[Greg K]

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.

See, I disagree. I think it is reasonable for a new player to join a group and expect the rules of the PHB to be followed unless told otherwise. I don't think it is reasonable for the same player to assume that PrCs (or any other option/variant from the DMG) will be used just because his or her last group used them. I think the said player should by default expect PrCs not to be used as the decision to include them is at the DMs discretion making the decison to include PrCs a variant/house rule.

 

[pawsplay]

See, I disagree. I think it is reasonable for a new player to join a group and expect the rules of the PHB to be followed unless told otherwise. I don't think it is reasonable for the same player to assume that PrCs (or any other option/variant from the DMG) will be used just because his or her last group used them. I think the said player should by default expect PrCs not to be used as the decision to include them is at the DMs discretion making the decison to include PrCs a variant/house rule.

I said they exist, but are within the purview of the DM. That is, the DM can say no, no, and no. I did not say a player should assume PrCs will be used, just that there are provisions for them within the rules.

 

[Greg K]

I said they exist, but are within the purview of the DM. That is, the DM can say no, no, and no. I did not say a player should assume PrCs will be used, just that there are provisions for them within the rules.

Correct. I was just saying that the use of PrCs should be considered a house rule, because, unlike the rules in the PHB, the players should not assume their inclusion.