Reply to thread

Message

<blockquote data-quote="Lanefan" data-source="post: 9249502" data-attributes="member: 29398">That explains some things.For me, the rules of an RPG are there merely to a) reflect the fiction and maybe give a bit of playable structure to it and b) abstract those parts of the fiction that can't be done at the table.But the fiction comes first; and if a rule says something works in manner X but common sense says no, this time it works in manner Y, then it's the rules that give way; either by being ignored for that one instance or - if it's an ongoing issue - being changed by houserule to allow the fiction to make sense.Falling damage in D&amp;D (all editions) is one such instance: the rules make a rude gesture at common sense once characters reach even low-moderate level.&nbsp; Some tables don't care; many others have houseruled falling damage somehow to bring it more in line with reality.The bolded is IMO always the most important question: given the conceits of the setting, the fiction, and the situation, does this make sense?&nbsp; It is even the least bit plausible?Whether it's interesting, or whether the PCs can fail or not, or whether there's relevant consequences on either success or failure, is in my view irrelevant if it doesn't first make any sense.Which is fine until and unless the GM simply can't make it make sense to either her own satisfaction or that of the players; and then what?</blockquote>

[QUOTE="Lanefan, post: 9249502, member: 29398"] That explains some things. For me, the rules of an RPG are there merely to a) reflect the fiction and maybe give a bit of playable structure to it and b) abstract those parts of the fiction that can't be done at the table. But the fiction comes first; and if a rule says something works in manner X but common sense says no, this time it works in manner Y, then it's the rules that give way; either by being ignored for that one instance or - if it's an ongoing issue - being changed by houserule to allow the fiction to make sense. Falling damage in D&D (all editions) is one such instance: the rules make a rude gesture at common sense once characters reach even low-moderate level. Some tables don't care; many others have houseruled falling damage somehow to bring it more in line with reality. The bolded is IMO always the most important question: given the conceits of the setting, the fiction, and the situation, [I]does this make sense[/I]? It is even the least bit plausible? Whether it's interesting, or whether the PCs can fail or not, or whether there's relevant consequences on either success or failure, is in my view irrelevant if it doesn't first make any sense. Which is fine until and unless the GM simply can't make it make sense to either her own satisfaction or that of the players; and then what? [/QUOTE]

Verification