Isn't it kind of cheating to post here?

[Thornir Alekeg]

My character may be a tactical expert - I am not.
My character may know every nuance of the spells he can cast - I do not.
My party may understand how to work their strengths and compensate for their weaknesses - my group may not.

If by drawing on the collective intelligence and wisdom present on these boards we end up with a fun, exciting game in which we learn more about what works well and what to avoid, is it cheating? I don't think so.

If we know the specifics of an upcoming fight and then stop or the night, I will have time to contemplate what can be done that my characters do not. If I take time to read through a bunch of spells, think of some tactics over a week or more that my character only has a few moments to think about, is it any different, simply because it is only my thoughts?

The only time I think it is cheating is in the case of a riddle and you find somone who has run into the same one and gives you the answer, or if you are running in a pre-written adventure and someone who has already gone through it tells you where to find the best loot, avoid traps etc. Of course for me that would also be spoiling the fun.

Remember, there are no future facts. Discussing tactics for a combat might increase your odds, but one bad assumption or misinterpretation of the situation, or one bad roll can blow all that discussion away.

I guess to me it all comes down to asking questions about something static - a riddle, where something is hidden, the underlying mystery - would be "cheating" in that it would be runing the challenge and the fun for everyone. Asking questions about a dynamic situation such as how to fight a certain type of creature is just another way of preparing. And don't forget, as we are seeing with Morrus's group: what is good for the goose is good for the gander.

 

[Harmon]

I am so guilty of this. Its not cheating, it’s a point of “I have no idea where to go, and I need a nudge from people with similar experience.”

Characters are there and they see exactly what needs to happen, others out there (on EN) might see what the GM was trying to put across, where in I did not. They are also experts in things that I can only dream about (obviously).

(I so want to respond here, because of my view on this, but I fear creating waves within my group with regards to my view (because it will be taken wrong), so I bite my tongue.)

 

[Evilhalfling]

Yes, we can all accept exceptions.

I cant and I take exception to your acceptance of exceptions.

 

[Mark]

I am so guilty of this. Its not cheating, it’s a point of “I have no idea where to go, and I need a nudge from people with similar experience.”

Characters are there and they see exactly what needs to happen, others out there (on EN) might see what the GM was trying to put across, where in I did not. They are also experts in things that I can only dream about (obviously).

(I so want to respond here, because of my view on this, but I fear creating waves within my group with regards to my view (because it will be taken wrong), so I bite my tongue.)

Well, sometimes the DM desn't give a group enough to go on, but I think it is best for the game if the players let the DM know that and for the DM to give the nudge or more clues. Just my own opinion, of course...

 

[Harmon]

Well, sometimes the DM desn't give a group enough to go on, but I think it is best for the game if the players let the DM know that and for the DM to give the nudge or more clues. Just my own opinion, of course...

Sometimes it's the Players and sometimes it's the GM.

Asking for help should not be penalized, no matter where the request is from or to. I tend to run campaigns that are simplistic to my Players (they are smarter then I am) and they tend to not need the help. Me- I need help tying my shoes.

 

[Gez]

I'm afraid eventually, exception will be a new acception of acception.

 

[jonesy]

When both the DM and the players are armed to the teeth with knowledge they've gained by asking around to learn of better tactics etc. the group as a whole will have a lot more fun than they would if they were still relative newbies to the game. When I, as the DM, get side winded by the players in a creative and/or surprising manner I don't think "damn cheaters". I think "wow, that was neat". When I, as a player, manage to stump the DMs plans in a way he would never have thought of I don't think "haha, fooled him". I think "wow, I can't believe that actually worked". The best games I've ever had were full of surprising incidents that resulted from the DMs and the players plans flanking each other (sometimes in the very same moment) in ways that no one could have predicted. Resulting in much laughter and head shaking.

Oh, and compare:
http://www.enworld.org/forums/showthread.php?t=123968
http://www.enworld.org/forums/showthread.php?t=124073

 

[Ravellion]

I cant and I take exception to your acceptance of exceptions.

All right, we will then all have to accept that you're the exception who can't accept exceptions.

Rav

 

[Darmanicus]

My character may be a tactical expert - I am not.
My character may know every nuance of the spells he can cast - I do not.
My party may understand how to work their strengths and compensate for their weaknesses - my group may not.

I totally agree.

I've never posted to ask help solve a riddle or anything like that but I have posted I think twice now with regards to strategy and tactics against some REALLY adverse odds.

Anyways, I always give you a bit of a story, (all of two times!!! ).

 

[hong]

I see this quite a bit here. People post looking for advice on how to design a BBEG in their game or to create a puzzle. I understand if a player is looking for ways to spice up his game and keep his DM on their toes, but when DMs are asking for advice on how to design an encounter, it seems like cheating. And the weird thing is that I see so many people give them advice on how to "beat" their players.

Hmmm.