D&D General Should the DM roll in the open?

[Seramus]

I tend to roll in the open, but I have no strong feelings one way or the other. It's just sometime fun to be theatrical and drum up drama with an open roll for a big moment.

 

[Reynard]

The question posed is 'Should the DM roll out in the open'... in other words is this something all DMs are meant to be doing? Thus my answer is an easy 'No'-- there is no 'Should' in this instance. Some DMs can do so... while some DMs can choose not to. But there should not be a requirement either way. Doing one or the other exclusively does not make for a better game at every table.

Why is it that some folks absolutely must argue the "should" when it is obvious by context that no attempt to set down a universal doctrine is being made?

Are there valid reasons to do so? Absolutely. Are there valid reasons not to do so? Also absolutely. There is no singular answer that applies to every table and every game across the entire gamut of D&D players, and thus the question to me has an easy response.

The poster is asking you what you do. Why not just answer the question that is asked?

For my part: i am a "all combat rolls in the open" type GM, and most other rolls. I will use players rolling in the tower (ie they are rolling hut they don't know what they got) when using a VTT that has that capability, but at the table I usually have them roll things like perception in the open (but not necessarily against a revealed DC).

 

[jasper]

Yes and supporting the OP. My players sit close to me so at least 2 can see my rolls.

 

[Crimson Longinus]

I don't really care. I tend to roll in the open in a sense that I don't hide my rolls, but due how we are usually seated, I don't think players really see my rolls.

Why would this matter?

 

[DEFCON 1]

Why is it that some folks absolutely must argue the "should" when it is obvious by context that no attempt to set down a universal doctrine is being made?

The poster is asking you what you do. Why not just answer the question that is asked?

They used the word 'Should' and did not state the question was meant to be personal to the respondent. If a person does that-- if they choose NOT to put the context actually in place with their question-- then neither they nor anyone else can get mad that other people choose not to follow the unmentioned so-called "context" but instead answered the actual question being asked. And if they do get mad anyway... think that the person who answered the question should give a rat's ass that they are mad.

In other words... I don't care that I didn't respond to the unmentioned so-called "context"... nor care that you are upset that I didn't do that either. I answered the question, not the "context".

If a person wants the "right interpretation" to their question... then write the question correctly.

But then again... @Skyscraper has not seemingly had any issue with my response as of yet, which means I care even less that you didn't like it.

 

[BookTenTiger]

I voted Yes, but just based on my own preferences.

As a DM I haven't used a DM Screen in years and years. I love how rolling in the open holds me to the results. It kind of shifts the authority of storytelling from me to the dice, which I enjoy. I'm usually really open with the players. I like it that they see the ogre rolling a 20 rather than me just saying so, or I'll say something like "If I roll a 15 or higher, the shop has the rare item you're looking for."

As a player, I like to see rolls in the open because it increases the tension for me. Knowing that the DM isn't going to change the results based on what they want out of the story, but instead things are going to be dictated by good old fashioned fate... That's the kind of game I enjoy.

 

[GMMichael]

A DM can roll in the open and still fudge the roll - the PCs don't know what bonuses the NPC gets on each roll.

An opposed in-the-open roll gives PCs a good reason to hold their breath, waiting to see if they'll win the roll.

That being said, mystery is more powerful in an RPG than being candid. It's about the story, not the dice. The answer is no.

 

[Gecko85]

Depends. Combat doesn't really matter, so especially if it's a crucial moment in the combat, I'll roll in the open. But for things like deception? Absolutely not.

 

[overgeeked]

Yes, as often as possible. Promotes honesty and prevents cheating.

 

[Xamnam]

Whatever best suits the players, the game, or the need of the situation at hand, there's no inherent or objective superiority to either method.