MonsterEnvy
Legend
They can look when we are not playing. It's near impossible to remember everything anyway. But during a game I would not let players look up what they are fighting in the monster manual.
D&D 5E (2014) Is looking in the books O.K
- Thread starter titan_warrior101
- Start date
S
Sunseeker
Guest
I wouldn't let my players read the MM while at the table, no.
However, many of my players are also DMs, so I can't stop them and I'm not going to try, from reading the books on their own time. If during the course of play one of my players makes an in-character comment that the group should do X, Y or Z because this monster is a Whatever and is vulnerable to Weaktonium, I'll have them make a "monster lore" check, with a DC based on what they just said and if they fail, then that thing they just said gets un-said. Sort of like a jury being told to disregard something.
Alternatively, if they fail the DC, sometimes I just remove the weakness!
However, many of my players are also DMs, so I can't stop them and I'm not going to try, from reading the books on their own time. If during the course of play one of my players makes an in-character comment that the group should do X, Y or Z because this monster is a Whatever and is vulnerable to Weaktonium, I'll have them make a "monster lore" check, with a DC based on what they just said and if they fail, then that thing they just said gets un-said. Sort of like a jury being told to disregard something.
Alternatively, if they fail the DC, sometimes I just remove the weakness!
Mishihari Lord
First Post
This is going to vary table to table.
For me, there is no looking up monsters or magic items during play, and I ask the players not to do so out of play. It removes some discovery elements of play and makes the game significantly less fun. Can I enforce it? Of course not. But after having a conversation about it I have almost never have had a problem with players not following this guideline.
At tables with multiple DMs, this just isn't going to work. I find the best way to handle the issue then, is to significantly alter monsters and magic items from the books. It's less work than making up new material wholesale, but it still keeps things fresh.
For me, there is no looking up monsters or magic items during play, and I ask the players not to do so out of play. It removes some discovery elements of play and makes the game significantly less fun. Can I enforce it? Of course not. But after having a conversation about it I have almost never have had a problem with players not following this guideline.
At tables with multiple DMs, this just isn't going to work. I find the best way to handle the issue then, is to significantly alter monsters and magic items from the books. It's less work than making up new material wholesale, but it still keeps things fresh.
pdzoch
Explorer
I have a few players who enjoy reading the monster manual. I let them outside the game. Hey, monsters are cool and that is one of the reasons we play the game. But no reading during the game. Or metagaming. (Oh! I kmow what this monster does! )
However, I do encourage interest and have a Monster Request policy - Players requests monsters to encounter during game and I work them into the story.
Sent via magic sending while journeying on a quest.
However, I do encourage interest and have a Monster Request policy - Players requests monsters to encounter during game and I work them into the story.
Sent via magic sending while journeying on a quest.
Dorian_Grey
First Post
I'm with the not at the table group. I do allow survival, arcana, and other relevant checks to "remember" things if it makes sense.
Sent from my SM-G930V using EN World mobile app
Sent from my SM-G930V using EN World mobile app
Pfft, acid trip Roper? Is that the best you got!
It can cast Bigby's Intrusive Hentacles.
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