Metagaming is bad.

[Rykion]

To follow the RAW, DMs have to "metagame." They're supposed to have the party run into appropriate CR encounters, and give out treasure within the guidelines. Even with the CR system, a DM sometimes has to adjust encounters to make them appropriate for the party's PCs. Using the rules to create NPCs specifically to challenge the PCs is a big part of the game. It's not really metagaming as it's the DM's job to consider how the rules, setting, and players interact in a way to create an enjoyable game.

 

[takyris]

I also try to make adventures that, you know, LET people use their cool stuff. In d20 Modern, for example, I might make sure that every adventure had:

- Fire damage, because the party has a Tough Hero with Fire Resistance
- Traps, because the Smart Hero has Search and Disable Device
- Some area-effect damage, because the Fast Hero has Evasion

And so on.

Because the ticked-off look on my face when the PC smugly says, "Hit for 5? I think you mean 'Hit for 1'. Fire Resistance 4, thank you," is really just for the player's benefit. The player is jazzed that his talent came in handy, and I'm jazzed that the player is feeling like his PC is cool.

So yeah, metagaming. But not, I think, in a bad way.

 

[Nifft]

So yeah, metagaming. But not, I think, in a bad way.

That is metagaming in an excellent way, IMHO. I try to do the same thing for my PCs, hopefully with some success.

Cheers, -- N

 

[Mark CMG]

It's not really metagaming as it's the DM's job to consider how the rules, setting, and players interact in a way to create an enjoyable game.

That sums it up nicely.

 

[Terath Ninir]

The question is not whether the DM is metagaming or whether metagaming is good or not. The question is: is the DM doing a good job so that everyone is enjoying themselves? If everyone is having fun, then it doesn't matter if the DM is metagaming or outright pulling things out of his butt.

 

[Psion]

It's possible to use your metagaming for good.

But absolute metagaming corrupts absolutely.

 

[JRRNeiklot]

Who says it has to be metagaming? A party pisses off a merchant. He hires wizards to spy on them, finds out there weaknesses. Hires, trains, and equips mercenaries to do away with them. These mercs BETTER be prepared to prey on the parties weaknesses. That's how you become a retired mercenary.