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Is my DM being fair?
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<blockquote data-quote="Waterbizkit" data-source="post: 7141013" data-attributes="member: 6802604"><p>It sounds like your DM doesn't understand how initiative or surprise work, at least narratively if not also mechanically. The first example given in their message is telling of this, so I'll stick with that for now.</p><p></p><p>If an NPC draws a weapon unexpectedly, let's say, to try and and attack a member of the party the first thing that happens is everyone rolls initiative. After initiative order is established the DM decides who's surprised and who isn't. Surprised individuals essentially "miss a turn", except for taking reactions after their turn in the order, and everyone else acts normally.</p><p></p><p>So let's say this happens and you beat the NPC on the initiative roll. You haven't had a hunch that he was going to do something... he already did it! He drew the weapon. That has nothing to do with initiative or surprise. Your character saw it happen but simply managed to act before the weapon could be used to make an attack because you're more... what's the word... alert!</p><p></p><p>So he's right, the alert feat doesn't make you a Jedi and doesn't give you divination-like powers, but it does give you a very good chance to react quickly to things that have already happened. Your DM just needs to better understand how all of these mechanics mesh with the narrative. If they're new it can be a learning process. </p><p></p><p>As to the greater point of the thread, is it fair or not, I personally think it's bad form to ask you to make changes after the fact. Setting up ground rules for what is or isn't allowed is at the DMs discretion, there's no argument there. However asking players to alter their characters on multiple occasions after the fact is a bit much because they can't rely on choices they make... say you swap out alert for some other feat, who's to say that won't suddenly be a problem down the road? Will you have to cha he it again? And again? Really this DM may want to consider having feats removed entirely if they're not comfortable with them yet. </p><p></p><p>Either way have a frank, but friendly, discussion about it is the best way forward, usually is. At the very least everyone will know where they stand and can decide how they want to best proceed, up to and including leaving the campaign... as unfortunate as that would be. Good luck with it and I hope it all get resolved amicably.</p></blockquote><p></p>
[QUOTE="Waterbizkit, post: 7141013, member: 6802604"] It sounds like your DM doesn't understand how initiative or surprise work, at least narratively if not also mechanically. The first example given in their message is telling of this, so I'll stick with that for now. If an NPC draws a weapon unexpectedly, let's say, to try and and attack a member of the party the first thing that happens is everyone rolls initiative. After initiative order is established the DM decides who's surprised and who isn't. Surprised individuals essentially "miss a turn", except for taking reactions after their turn in the order, and everyone else acts normally. So let's say this happens and you beat the NPC on the initiative roll. You haven't had a hunch that he was going to do something... he already did it! He drew the weapon. That has nothing to do with initiative or surprise. Your character saw it happen but simply managed to act before the weapon could be used to make an attack because you're more... what's the word... alert! So he's right, the alert feat doesn't make you a Jedi and doesn't give you divination-like powers, but it does give you a very good chance to react quickly to things that have already happened. Your DM just needs to better understand how all of these mechanics mesh with the narrative. If they're new it can be a learning process. As to the greater point of the thread, is it fair or not, I personally think it's bad form to ask you to make changes after the fact. Setting up ground rules for what is or isn't allowed is at the DMs discretion, there's no argument there. However asking players to alter their characters on multiple occasions after the fact is a bit much because they can't rely on choices they make... say you swap out alert for some other feat, who's to say that won't suddenly be a problem down the road? Will you have to cha he it again? And again? Really this DM may want to consider having feats removed entirely if they're not comfortable with them yet. Either way have a frank, but friendly, discussion about it is the best way forward, usually is. At the very least everyone will know where they stand and can decide how they want to best proceed, up to and including leaving the campaign... as unfortunate as that would be. Good luck with it and I hope it all get resolved amicably. [/QUOTE]
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