Rules Enforcement Poll

[Nifft]

I enforce the rules when they make sense, for PCs and NPCs alike. (Most of the time, most rules make sense.)

-- Nifft

 

[Valiantheart]

Other:

Improvisation and Flexibility are the most important aspect of being a good dm. Knowing when to enforce the rules with an iron hand, bend them, or even break them is critical to telling a good story and making sure all of your players are enjoying themselves.

 

[Valiantheart]

Factoring out "other," about 70% seem to share my vision of the D&D rules.

Hahaha....thats perfect. But wait you breaking the 'rules' of your own poll.

 

[nharwell]

Exactly what Umbran said....

 

[Darkness]

I always enforce the rules in the core rule books unless there is a specific house rule to replace them of which I have notified my players

I guess that's what I do, generally.

 

[Desdichado]

I absolutely refuse to look up rules during play, unless I'm on the side not doing anything. I also don't care to enforce details of rules -- I'll handwave DCs for skill checks based on what I think is reasonable, for instance.

But I never let up on rules just to make a player happy. I still believe the rules are the rules, I just don't want them to get in the way during play.

 

[Shallown]

I waive rules if do so makes sense and makes both myself and the players happy.

For example I think to do the apprentice rules and multiclass one of the classes must be the favored class for that race. I waived it so a player could be a Bard/fighter since he had an entire character concept in mind and weaved into his background to become a blade dancer. I couldn't think of a reason not to so I let him. He wasn't trying to get an advantage or anything so I had no problem with it. I have done the same sort of think all around. rules in D&D for me are more like Common guidelines. So most people are playing the same game but not neccessarily nor should they be confined by rules they are a tool to be used to make sure everyone is on the same page not to restrict the words you can write on that page.

later

 

[Hand of Evil]

As said by Robbert Raets above, while try to enforce my house rules and the book I don't let them interfer with fun. You sometimes see it in play, the zone, everyone having a wonderful time, there is a flow and if you stop for a rule, you see the game fall apart and it stops being fun.

 

[Numion]

Factoring out "other," about 70% seem to share my vision of the D&D rules. Even with "other," a solid majority seem to share my views.

This (being right in others eyes) is pretty important to you, isn't it?

Edited to less .. um. Yeah. Edited.

 

[Psion]

I went with "other". I generally follow option 2, but have sort of a "keep the game moving" house rule. To wit: If you can't find the answer to question quickly, make something up and move on with the game. After the game, learn the real rule (or make a house rule) so this situation doesn't slow us down next time.

I rarely if ever feel it necessary to "ignore the rules to make the plot of the game go the way I want it to." First, that sounds a bit like railroading. Second, I feel I owe the players a sense of consistency and the rules + my house rules are a stable body of world physics that they can rely upon. Third, as DM, I wield enough power as it is to manipulate the game; I don't need to rob the campaign of consistency in order to facilitate the fun of the game.

Finally, you can do a lot with the "DM's best friend."