(Poll, please read 1st post) What does the DM have the right to restrict?

[Calithena]

Hi all -

I'm wondering what you, as a player of D&D3, expect to be available for character creation when you sit down at a table for a new game. What rules, etc. do you have a right to expect being in play when you're sitting down at the table with a new group and you haven't made any special agreements in advance?

(Obviously, con games, RPGA/Living Greyhawk games, or new games planned out with a steady group in advance will use whatever the organization/league/individual group had already agreed on.)

 

[Calithena]

As a follow up: if you picked the 3rd or lower option, what would you do if you came into a game where there were restrictions in play? Just leave? Argue? Try it out and see how the group was before making a final decision?

Also note, this is NOT about adding homebrewed rules, etc. - assume everything in play is BtB. It's just a question about DMs who cut down on some of the available material in their games and how you regard that as a player.

 

[TarionzCousin]

I may attempt to negotiate, or give the DM some options, but my feeling is it's his/her game. By letting me play in it, I am giving tacit approval to the DM's choices.

In the games I DM, I let nearly everything in, including player suggestions, third party books, and online stuff.

 

[Akrasia]

Hmmm ... this looks familiar.

(Argh! Back to work ...)

 

[Whizbang Dustyboots]

I routinely don't sign up for pbp games here at ENWorld because I don't like the rules the DM is using. That's his right, and mine.

 

[crazy_monkey1956]

I DM pretty much exclusively. My rule is "If I don't own it, you can't play it." If I were to play, I voted for the top option. Being a DM is fun, but it can be a bit of work and I wouldn't expect a DM to allow anything that doesn't fit with their game.

 

[Calithena]

I DM pretty much exclusively. My rule is "If I don't own it, you can't play it."

I knew one guy who had this rule who accumulated a frightening number of products because his players took to buying two copies and giving one to him so that they could use the stuff that was in them.

I think for me it wouldn't be worth it in the end, but there's a temptation...

 

[Whizbang Dustyboots]

I knew one guy who had this rule who accumulated a frightening number of products because his players took to buying two copies and giving one to him so that they could use the stuff that was in them.

It worked on me the one time a player did it.

 

[Angel Tarragon]

See Rule 0.

 

[Morrus]

"Rights"? There's no such things as rights. It's about a group of people getting together to play an agreed game for all their mutual enjoyment. Whatever works socially and lets everyone have fun.

Most reasonable people will agree a baseline which works for the DM and for the players. Kinda like any other social gathering.