The rule of Rule 0

[LokiDR]

This is the rule forum, but the rules say the rules can be changed. Rule 0. So how/why do people use it? What is your primary reason for using Rule 0. I don't want to know every house rule in existance, more of how do change the rules in a general sense, why, and when.

 

[kreynolds]

None of the above. I use it to cover areas the rules don't cover. Oh, and a nod to dcollins, to make magic items.

 

[spunky_mutters]

Speed up play. If a rule can't be found within a reasonable time, or is still in doubt, you have to Rule 0 just to get on with it.

 

[LokiDR]

Speed up play. If a rule can't be found within a reasonable time, or is still in doubt, you have to Rule 0 just to get on with it.

Do you let those rulings stand, or do you look it up later? If you can't figure out some grappling something, and just say "roll a grapple check". Latter, if you look it up and find it says [long and complicated rule with lots of rolls] do you let your simple rule stand or use the more complex rules?

 

[LokiDR]

None of the above. I use it to cover areas the rules don't cover. Oh, and a nod to dcollins, to make magic items.

Wouldn't that be a clarification, giving rules where none exsisted before?

 

[Arc]

I'd be scared to death of using 'Realism' as an excuse for any ruling. It just opens up too many options for powergaming

"...but the actual force exerted on him should be __, therefor I do an extra 52 points of damage!"

 

[kreynolds]

Wouldn't that be a clarification, giving rules where none exsisted before?

No. A clarification covers a current rule that needs clarifying. I only use rule 0 when a rule doesn't exhist. You'll find both types in the FAQ, and they are completely different from one another.

 

[LokiDR]

I'd be scared to death of using 'Realism' as an excuse for any ruling. It just opens up too many options for powergaming

"...but the actual force exerted on him should be __, therefor I do an extra 52 points of damage!"

I have seen "realism" as a reasoning many times. Examples like "the fireball burns all your equipment". It is fire, it burns stuff. Realism. (I hate that ruling, but that was the logic he gave)

 

[Ankh-Morpork Guard]

I do it mostly for flavor reasons...mostly with spells that just don't fit the idea of my campaign all that well.

 

[Pax]

5. I've always hated WOTC for using the FAQ as an errata source.