D&D 5E Roleplaying in D&D 5E: It’s How You Play the Game

[Plaguescarred]

It might surprise some, but Dungeons and Dragons is a roleplaying game since it's debut in 1974!

It has always been throughout all its iterations and no edition was exception, even 4E, contrary to popular conspirations!

My name is Plague and i'm a D&Daholic.

 

[Hriston]

Unless the fiction already had me/us looking for something in particular, my answer to this would nearly always be "Nothing in particular, just seeing if there's anything that might be of interest".

And by that what I'm really saying as a player is "On a closer look is there anything noteworthy here that your initial narration didn't hit, or that was forgotten*, or that isn't obvious on a quick glance but becomes so on a longer look?"

* - and yes, forgetting to narrate something important happens to all of us now and then - don't deny it!

To which I would be very tempted to reply, “Okay. You see nothing in particular. Now would you like to engage with what I have described?”

 

[Hriston]

It's often the things that one wouldn't have thought need saying that most need saying.


In context 'as defined in the rules' references PHB 185, right? That you quote in your OP.

Yes, and PHB, p 6, which defines the players’ role in step 2 of the basic pattern of play.

What procedures then are you thinking of, that are not 'within the limits of the game' yet limit player 'ability to play the game'?

Procedures in which roleplaying decisions about the PCs are not made by the players which are adopted by some tables in favor of other priorities. These procedures would be within the limitations of the game as defined by that table, but would also limit roleplaying as defined by the rules of the game as written.

 

[Oofta]

In my games I'll usually give people options, some potentially gated behind an appropriate check. I don't want to get into a guessing game with the player trying to find the right thing to look for. The player can also follow up with other things.

So if I describe a wagon with horses already hitched and laden with goods, I may be thinking they'll attempt to hide in the wagon. They may think it's a good opportunity to cause a distraction. Or they may look around for something I didn't think of and I'll consider whether it would be there depending on my vision of the scene; sometimes the answer will be yes, sometimes no, sometimes "give me a ___ check".

I want to be flexible but I don't even try to explain every single detail, I don't know how you could. At the same time the player can't create something I don't think should be there. For me the key is that my world feels real and consistent, I give as much detail as I think is necessary without bogging down on minutiae. Occasionally that mean the player thinks they could climb a wall when they can't because I'm never going to be perfect.

 

[Oofta]

It might surprise some, but Dungeons and Dragons is a roleplaying game since it's debut in 1974!

It has always been throughout all its iterations and no edition was exception, even 4E, contrary to popular conspirations!

My name is Plague and i'm a D&Daholic.

Shhh! We have a narrow definition based on specific interpretation of general guidelines! You don't get to tell anyone they can't tell you you've been roleplaying wrong!

 

[clearstream]

Procedures in which roleplaying decisions about the PCs are not made by the players which are adopted by some tables in favor of other priorities. These procedures would be within the limitations of the game as defined by that table, but would also limit roleplaying as defined by the rules of the game as written.

Didn't we just agree that limits imposed by game rules are limits on roleplay?

Game rules are a limit on how a player can actuate their character. The suggestion spell is one example, and there are a plethora of others.

Why aren't we forced to conclude that each table working within the rules as they grasp them is limiting roleplay only in the way the game expects and requires?

 

[Plaguescarred]

Shhh! We have a narrow definition based on specific interpretation of general guidelines! You don't get to tell anyone they can't tell you you've been roleplaying wrong!

Where did i said that? Please don't put words in people's mouth, it's not appreciated.

 

[Oofta]

Where did i said that? Please don't put words in people's mouth, it's not appreciated.

It's kinda the theme of the thread that you aren't really role playing unless you do it a certain way. Sorry if I misunderstood.

 

[Plaguescarred]

It's kinda the theme of the thread that you aren't really role playing unless you do it a certain way. Sorry if I misunderstood.

All good then i think there's many ways of roleplaying so to each his own as long as there's fun!

 

[Swarmkeeper]