Rules Enforcement Poll

[fusangite]

After reading the 182 posts about my campaign in the armour rules thread, I thought I would ask a general question about how people approach rules implementation.

Edit: I should make it clear that I'm only referring to 3E in this poll. I'm not a rules fiend in rules-light systems.

 

[Robbert Raets]

Rules should never get in the way of fun or good roleplaying.

I've stopped going through the books whenever something is unclear. i'm even thinking Rewards need to be less rigid.

 

[Bendris Noulg]

Other: I used the SRD as an outline to produce my own rules, enforcing those without hesitation, ignoring the Core Rulebooks.

 

[Ankh-Morpork Guard]

Other: I just use the rules as a guideline, and play with them as I see fit. But when I do, I stick to them...not really houseruling as much as interpreting.

 

[Ravellion]

I usually enforce them by the letter, but every now and then I cna't be arsed to use one of the more complicated ones by the book (in non critical situations, such as Jump checks) or to speed up play. I have some housde rules as well, but I hardly ever come up with them on the fly.

 

[Ron]

I usually enforces the rules. However, I don't even worry about them when I need plot devices. Also, although I clearly state house rules in the begining, I often have to make some new ruling during actual play, when needed. Once the new ruling is applied, it is good for both sides -- at least until a new ruling is called forth.

 

[Olgar Shiverstone]

Number 2.

Core rules as written, unless we establish a house rule. Usually that's in advance and published; if it comes up at the table I try to write it up later and ensure that I comply from then on.

 

[Scarbonac]

Other; life's too bloody short as it is to waste it looking up every niggling little smegtastic rule for for every bleeding aspect of the frelling game.

 

[Umbran]

I generally enforce rules, and I enforce them equally to PCs and NPCs, but there's at least one caveat:

I don't necessarily enforce them exactly. For example, I know that it takes time to put on armor, but I have not memorized the details of that particular rule. If it comes up, it's probably in a tense moment, and I will probably not stop and look it up. I will instead make a ruling that seems to make sense, and continue forward.

I will not always seek precision if doing so would sacrifice drama. If I do seek precision, it will generally be to make sure that I'm not erring against the players. I don't usually care much if my NPCs die because of a rules-glitch. I do care if I kill a PC because I screwed up a rule.

 

[Hypersmurf]

Other; life's too bloody short as it is to waste it looking up every niggling little smegtastic rule for for every bleeding aspect of the frelling game.

Waste?

Looking up every niggling little smegtastic rule for for every bleeding aspect of the frelling game is the fun part

Actually playing has its moments as well, I guess...

-Hyp.