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Message: <blockquote data-quote="Oofta" data-source="post: 8442010" data-attributes="member: 6801845">There are many situations where I don't need anything explicit.  I mean, I do care but I know that Sly will always attack with their short sword and if the first attack doesn't hit they'll decide whether to attack with their dagger unless they've specified otherwise.  We use minis so if Sly is indicating movement and moves into position that they can only attack 1 creature, that also does not need to be stated.  Even if there are multiple targets, if the target they attacked last time is the creature is still around I'll assume that's the target.So even with option D, you would still have them go through the motions of checking for a trap even though there is none?As for the rest - maybe I'm just having flashbacks to the DM who would say something along the line of "Aha!  You touched it!  Make a constitution saving throw because you didn't look for contact poison first!"  It became a game of player description versus DM gotcha.  Now, I'm not saying that you would do that.  However it's not my preference because it stresses player's skillful description over PC capability.  I want PC proficiencies and how the player built their character to matter outside of combat.  If someone wants to min-max their PC so that their fighter has maxed out strength and con while ignoring every out-of-combat skill, I think it should matter.As far as stating specific goals and whatnot, for me it would just be superfluous most of the time.  Obviously they're checking the chest for traps because they want to open the chest.  Why else would they?  I'm going to assume the rogue has thieves tools, just like I'm going to assume that Sly is going to use their short sword in melee combat and is not try to kick the goblin in the knee.  I don't need to police my character's possessions and I assume that if they have the tool for the job they're going to use them.  Why would they not?There are exceptions to all things of course.  If the monk is trying to pick the lock because the rogue is not available I'll verify that they have the tools and are proficient.  There are times when I have to clarify exactly which creature the PC is targeting in combat or what they are trying to achieve.  But 90% of the time or more, what they want to achieve and how they're doing it is going to be clear.I think a big part of why I choose to focus on PC skill and not player skill is twofold.  First, focusing on player skill rewards experienced players, particularly players who have been playing with a specific DM for a long time.  Second, some people would find it very difficult to describe that kind of interaction either because they don't have the imagination, can't easily put it into words, have no clue what you want or just don't have the kind of personality that lends itself to that style.  Last, but not least, I fully acknowledge that I'm not the right DM for everyone.  No DM can be.  Most players seem to enjoy my DMing.</blockquote>

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