Is there a DM Obligation for PC Abilities?

[generic]

I voted for option four, but I would probably vote for a mix between 1 and 4 if such an option was available. I'm under no obligation to aid the players, but I, at my table, remind them about their abilities occasionally, though not often.

 

[Oofta]

Since I helped instigate this just thought I'd clarify a bit. I have a player who is using a battle master fighter with the great weapon fighting style that is currently 5th level. I have never seen him use an action surge, a maneuver or reroll damage a 1 or 2 on his damage dice.

I don't know if he just doesn't think of it or is saving them for a later combat that never happens. I reminded him a couple of times, but it's not my job to run his PC.

 

[Nebulous]

I said a DM has no obligation, but for what it's worth, I really don't know player abilities as well as they do. I have enough on my plate keep up with monsters, but micromanaging their stuff is too much. It only bothers me when I find out they've been doing it WRONG (which usually means unbalanced/unfair) and I failed to notice it.

 

[Nebulous]

Since I helped instigate this just thought I'd clarify a bit. I have a player who is using a battle master fighter with the great weapon fighting style that is currently 5th level. I have never seen him use an action surge, a maneuver or reroll damage a 1 or 2 on his damage dice.

I don't know if he just doesn't think of it or is saving them for a later combat that never happens. I reminded him a couple of times, but it's not my job to run his PC.

Do the other players mention anything? If he's missing a good chunk of his class shtick, that would be impairing his fighting capacity, and that would impact the group as a whole.

 

[cmad1977]

#1, but for a limited time. After reminding one of my long term players over and over to add modifiers and use sneak attack and cunning action, eventually I just stopped. That went on for more than a year. I’d have more sympathy if he bothered to open his PHB once between sessions to learn and remind himself what his class abilities were.

This is what I’d do. The GMs obligation isn’t to the player, it’s to the game.

 

[Flexor the Mighty!]

Do the other players mention anything? If he's missing a good chunk of his class shtick, that would be impairing his fighting capacity, and that would impact the group as a whole.

Yeah, IMG the other players half the time are exasperatedly telling the one player to remember his abilities, if not pretty much running his PC for him. But when they go, "Well 3 rounds ago Joe's PC, who unlike Joe has to be paying attention, would have remembered to add in his bonus damage so can we just factor that.." Which always gets a chuckle out of me.

 

[Oofta]

Do the other players mention anything? If he's missing a good chunk of his class shtick, that would be impairing his fighting capacity, and that would impact the group as a whole.

Yeah, I know. I kind of forgot he was a battle master, until I looked up his PC I didn't know he had great weapon style. Maybe I'll mention to my wife - as a fellow player maybe she can nudge him a bit as well.

Don't get me wrong, I like the guy and he's a fun addition to the group. In addition I don't get too caught up in minutiae on how people run their PCs unless I think they're doing something wrong.

As far as contribution to the team, I generally adjust challenge to the party. I find that some groups are just more effective than others for a variety of reasons. But ignoring the whole reason for the subclass is pushing it.

 

[abirdcall]

I put 'DM has no obligation' but before level 5 I try to make suggestions when I can.

Both for their abilities and in regards to interacting with how I've described a scene. We start at level 3 and I look at levels 3 & 4 as a learning period.

After that I stop paying attention to what they can do. I just do my thing and they do their thing. Now, if I think about something I might bring it up between sessions but I don't have an obligation to.

 

[Stalker0]

I think obligation is too strong. As a DM I’ll throw in the occasional reminder but I don’t feel like I’m failing if someone forgot to use ability X.

im also much more forgiving of those passives that come up only so often. I mean if it’s your main ability (like action surge)...sorry at some point you just got to suck it up and learn a few rules

 

[Blue]

Like many answers, "It varies".

Everyone starting new characters? Sure.
Teaching new (-to-D&D) players? Absolutely.
Players just leveled and forgetting something new and shiny they just got? Maybe once or twice.
That player who just doesn't get the math and what adds in every time, what adds in once, and what doesn't add in? Check if they are sure. ("You can add in hunter's mark each time, it's Colosses Slayer that's only once a turn.")
Long running characters? Probably not.
Long running characters with an rather situational ability that you as DM haven't given them a chance to showcase for a few levels? I'd hint strongly at it.

Except when teaching the game, I don't think the DM has an obligation as DM. But rules of courtesy will suggest it at other times as well.