ghostwolf29
First Post
:\ :\ How do i put a end to player that is all ways quoting rules to me?
like this you can do that because it says in the PH this and that.
like this you can do that because it says in the PH this and that.
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player over riding dm!
- Thread starter ghostwolf29
- Start date
BSF
Explorer
That is an overly broad, and a simplistic question all at once. It might also be better suited for the General Discussion area since it deals with more than just rules.
The easy answer is that the DM is the final say on any rule. It doesn't matter what any given rule in the books says. Politely tell the player that your decision stands. If they continue to be a problem, you can uninvite the player from future sessions.
However, that is not an answer that might work for you.
The rules are in the books to provide a common baseline for each gaming group. These are the rules that are easily accessible to each player and they will generally expect that these rules will apply. If you are changing rules, then you should give the players a heads up on the house rules beforehand so you can avoid conflicts like this. If the player disagrees with your interpretation of a given rule, then the group needs to reach a consensus on how it will be handled at the game table to be fair, but not break the flow of the game.
I will generally allow a counter arguement to a judgement call, then I will judge that and any further discussion happens after the game session. There are very few situations where trying to get a rule 100% right is more important than keeping the game moving forward and fun for everyone playing.
If you could provide more information on the situation, we can probably give you a bit better feedback on how it might occur and how you might deal with it.
The easy answer is that the DM is the final say on any rule. It doesn't matter what any given rule in the books says. Politely tell the player that your decision stands. If they continue to be a problem, you can uninvite the player from future sessions.
However, that is not an answer that might work for you.
The rules are in the books to provide a common baseline for each gaming group. These are the rules that are easily accessible to each player and they will generally expect that these rules will apply. If you are changing rules, then you should give the players a heads up on the house rules beforehand so you can avoid conflicts like this. If the player disagrees with your interpretation of a given rule, then the group needs to reach a consensus on how it will be handled at the game table to be fair, but not break the flow of the game.
I will generally allow a counter arguement to a judgement call, then I will judge that and any further discussion happens after the game session. There are very few situations where trying to get a rule 100% right is more important than keeping the game moving forward and fun for everyone playing.
If you could provide more information on the situation, we can probably give you a bit better feedback on how it might occur and how you might deal with it.
Maybe follow the rules, so he has nothing to complain about? Make a specific list of houserules, and be consistent.
Rodrigo Istalindir
Explorer
ghostwolf29 said:
If you want to keep them as a player, explain to them that they are disrupting the flow of the game, and that if they have any questions or disputes, to save them until the session is over.
If you don't care if you keep them as a player, explain to them that the DM is always right, and that you are tired of their rules-lawyering, and that they can shut up or leave.
Ranes
Adventurer
Depends on your ranks in Diplomacy, Intimidate and Bluff.
Seriously, talk to the player outside the the game. Suggest to him that his rule calling would be better appreciated if he could restrain himself until the end of a session. If a ruling goes against him (or the party) during a game, and he points it out to you afterwards, tell him that you will redress any disadvantage caused to the party during the next session - and do that.
When you DM, try to be aware of all the rules that are likely to come up in the next session. Doing so will reduce the number of opportunities he gets to call you on misrulings in the first place.
Invite him to be your DMing assistant.
Questions you might want to ask yourself are:
Does his rule calling only irritate you or do others also seem to mind?
Does he only ever point out the rules when they are advantageous to him or does he try to correct you even when so doing would be disadvantageous to the PCs?
He may be trying to help, so I'd be diplomatic. Good luck. Let us know how you get on.
Welcome to the boards.
Seriously, talk to the player outside the the game. Suggest to him that his rule calling would be better appreciated if he could restrain himself until the end of a session. If a ruling goes against him (or the party) during a game, and he points it out to you afterwards, tell him that you will redress any disadvantage caused to the party during the next session - and do that.
When you DM, try to be aware of all the rules that are likely to come up in the next session. Doing so will reduce the number of opportunities he gets to call you on misrulings in the first place.
Invite him to be your DMing assistant.
Questions you might want to ask yourself are:
Does his rule calling only irritate you or do others also seem to mind?
Does he only ever point out the rules when they are advantageous to him or does he try to correct you even when so doing would be disadvantageous to the PCs?
He may be trying to help, so I'd be diplomatic. Good luck. Let us know how you get on.
Welcome to the boards.
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You have three options:
- Accept that you don't know all the rules, and have to make on-the-spot rulings. If your knowledgeable player corrects you, make a ruling and move on, and look up the correct rule later. Be consistent in your house-rulings, at least. The reason your player is objecting to you not knowing the rules is because it's hard to get anything done, in game, if you have no idea how it will work, or if it will even be possible, depending on the mood of the DM.
- Know the rules better than your player (you have apparently not chosen this one).
- Use your player as a rules resource; have him look up rarely-used situational rules like grappling, tripping, etc, so you don't have to pause the game to do so.
- Accept that you don't know all the rules, and have to make on-the-spot rulings. If your knowledgeable player corrects you, make a ruling and move on, and look up the correct rule later. Be consistent in your house-rulings, at least. The reason your player is objecting to you not knowing the rules is because it's hard to get anything done, in game, if you have no idea how it will work, or if it will even be possible, depending on the mood of the DM.
- Know the rules better than your player (you have apparently not chosen this one).
- Use your player as a rules resource; have him look up rarely-used situational rules like grappling, tripping, etc, so you don't have to pause the game to do so.
Obfuscated
First Post
Whoa! DM Whoa!
Okay, I have to admit I totally misread the thread title when I first saw it.
Immediately images of a DM with a saddle sprang to mind.....but that's another style of Role-Playing altogether
The best pieces of advice you can get have already been mentioned.
1 - Know the rules as best you can, be able to make informed decisions/interpretations on the fly and stick to them until you have more time to research/verify.
2 - Players can be a good rules resource for uncommon situations during gametime, but make sure you don't let the game get bogged down by combing through all your books for an obscure or miniscule detail.
3 - You are the DM. That means you are in charge of the game. If your player doesn't understand that you hold the authority, perhaps he's not the right player for your game.
Okay, I have to admit I totally misread the thread title when I first saw it.
Immediately images of a DM with a saddle sprang to mind.....but that's another style of Role-Playing altogether
The best pieces of advice you can get have already been mentioned.
1 - Know the rules as best you can, be able to make informed decisions/interpretations on the fly and stick to them until you have more time to research/verify.
2 - Players can be a good rules resource for uncommon situations during gametime, but make sure you don't let the game get bogged down by combing through all your books for an obscure or miniscule detail.
3 - You are the DM. That means you are in charge of the game. If your player doesn't understand that you hold the authority, perhaps he's not the right player for your game.
Kill his character - blue lightning bolt from god. 
You have to pull him off to the side and tell him "This is my game, my way of playing, my world, my story and I do a few things for flow and fun." While the rules are part of the game they should not stop flow of play and during the game.
You have to pull him off to the side and tell him "This is my game, my way of playing, my world, my story and I do a few things for flow and fun." While the rules are part of the game they should not stop flow of play and during the game.
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