Reply to thread

Message: <blockquote data-quote="grickherder" data-source="post: 4428829" data-attributes="member: 68043">The idea that a given DM might want a given ability to be limited to the NPCs is hard to understand?  That these same DMs might prefer to see their likes and dislikes reflected in the rules themselves rather than being houserules?I imagine it is similar to the notion that some people have that magic items belong in the DMG rather than the PHB.  Having things available in the PHB as something you can just buy, or do, creates the expectation that such will be available in the game.  Then if a DM wants to not include those elements in the game, the DM has to then houserule against possible player expectations.Imagine, for example, that all the monster races in the back of the MM were in the PHB's races chapter.  Orcs, Dopplegangers, Minotaurs, the lot.  That would create an expectation among the players that those races are available to be played as a default.  Similarly, a ritual to create teleport circles (or make undead like zombies) creates the expectation that such an action is available to be played out.Some DMs, rather than having to redefine player expectations after the fact (often things might go unclarified until it comes up), prefer to not have such options implicitly available.Does that make sense?</blockquote>