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<blockquote data-quote="Lanefan" data-source="post: 7168395" data-attributes="member: 29398">I think 3e proved to us all that no matter how hard you try to have a rule for everything, it just can't be done.And D&amp;D, unlike a videogame, doesn't have hard-coded limits that can't be crossed - which means once those limits do get crossed someone has to determine what happens, or what happens next...and that's what the DM is for.Interesting question; and I'd say that it should almost always be the DM because not only is the DM (usually) the storyteller, she's also often the setting designer and-or houserules author.&nbsp; All of those factors - story, setting (and thus hidden story) and houserules (and the rationales behind them) - may affect any given ruling, and only the DM has full knowledge of all three.Then you've had some less than stellar DMs, as part of what makes a DM any good is that her rules knowledge ideally should be the best in the room; or at least on a par with any player at the table, if for no other reason than to keep any rules lawyers in line.&nbsp; And note that knowledge of the rules isn't the same as enforcing them to the letter - a DM doesn't have to be a rules lawyer, just well-versed in them - and she may well choose (particularly in rulings-not-rules-based 5e) to let some things slide.Again, someone has to be the final word; and having it be the DM just makes sense.Lan-&quot;it's strange, but on thinking about it I think I'd have a much harder time ruling against myself as a player than as a DM&quot;-efan</blockquote>

[QUOTE="Lanefan, post: 7168395, member: 29398"] I think 3e proved to us all that no matter how hard you try to have a rule for everything, it just can't be done. And D&D, unlike a videogame, doesn't have hard-coded limits that can't be crossed - which means once those limits do get crossed someone has to determine what happens, or what happens next...and that's what the DM is for. Interesting question; and I'd say that it should almost always be the DM because not only is the DM (usually) the storyteller, she's also often the setting designer and-or houserules author. All of those factors - story, setting (and thus hidden story) and houserules (and the rationales behind them) - may affect any given ruling, and only the DM has full knowledge of all three. Then you've had some less than stellar DMs, as part of what makes a DM any good is that her rules knowledge ideally should be the best in the room; or at least on a par with any player at the table, if for no other reason than to keep any rules lawyers in line. And note that knowledge of the rules isn't the same as enforcing them to the letter - a DM doesn't have to be a rules lawyer, just well-versed in them - and she may well choose (particularly in rulings-not-rules-based 5e) to let some things slide. Again, someone has to be the final word; and having it be the DM just makes sense. Lan-"it's strange, but on thinking about it I think I'd have a much harder time ruling against myself as a player than as a DM"-efan [/QUOTE]

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