What is the most overlooked rule in dnd?

[lukelightning]

There is some ambiguity in this thread: Some of these overlooked rules are things that people have forgotten but would use if they remembered, and some are things that people know about but find troublesome for whatever reason so just purposely ignore 'em.

 

[dagger]

I never allow anything of the sort, although I see people in other DMs' campaigns do this all the time. I think it is ridiculous. As another poster already stated, clerics are powerful enough.

I think we are all in agreement that clerics need a hand free to cast. The most important question regarding the holy symbol, however, imho, is whether or not it must simply be worn and displayed prominently or actually held by the caster. If it must be held, then the cleric must have both hands free to cast most cleric spells. Try as I might though, I can't find any reference in the PH that states a divine caster must hold the focus in hand to cast.

"To cast a spell, you must be able to speak (if the spell has a verbal component), gesture (if it has a somatic component), and manipulate the material components or focus (if any). Additionally, you must concentrate to cast a spell—and it’s hard to concentrate in the
head of battle. (See below for details.) "

 

[Dragonbait]

My groups:

1) Encumbrance
2) 3.0 version of Detect Magic
3) Paladin/Monk multiclassing restrictions

 

[Shade]

Add me to the list of those who ingore encumbrance, rations/water, death from massive damage, favored classes/XP penalties, and paladin/monk multiclass restrictions.

I'd actually like to try to focus more on encumbrance and rations/water, but all the rest that I listed I skip on purpose.

 

[Particle_Man]

to further illustrate PSH's point (break out the big crayons for those keeping score at home), you require one hand free for somatic components (hand gestures). Take another look at those Divine spell descriptions. Now consider the ones that require a Divine Focus (holy symbol) AND Somatic components...

How do you hold a holy symbol, have a hand free for the somatic component, hold a morning star / mace / any weapon at all, AND a light/med/heavy/tower shield all at the same time?

Welcome to the land of cheese or constant butterfingers.

I think I just saw a motivation for Thri-Keen or Xill clerics.

 

[Zaruthustran]

The requirements for use of the Hide skill. Particularly this one:

If people are observing you, even casually, you can’t hide.

Too many times in an encounter I've seen players move their character into an Obscuring Mist or a shadowy area and then say "Okay, now I hide."

Doesn't work, buddy. You're observed. In addition to cover or concealment, you need to be unobserved. Once someone spots you, you have to get behind total cover or total concealment, or otherwise stop being observed. Or have the Hide in Plain Sight ability.

Sigh.

I've also seen a few people try to hide in shadows... when the potential observer has Darkvision. Doh!

-z

PS: and add me to the list of people annoyed by players of casters who try to cast with their hands full.

 

[Sejs]

"To cast a spell, you must be able to speak (if the spell has a verbal component), gesture (if it has a somatic component), and manipulate the material components or focus (if any). Additionally, you must concentrate to cast a spell—and it’s hard to concentrate in the
head of battle. (See below for details.) "

And yet the material component entries in the Magic chapter don't state you need a hand free to 'manipulate your focus'. *cough*


One almost wonders how that happens, then.

 

[Nyaricus]

The requirements for use of the Hide skill. Particularly this one:

Too many times in an encounter I've seen players move their character into an Obscuring Mist or a shadowy area and then say "Okay, now I hide."

Doesn't work, buddy. You're observed. In addition to cover or concealment, you need to be unobserved. Once someone spots you, you have to get behind total cover or total concealment, or otherwise stop being observed. Or have the Hide in Plain Sight ability.

Sigh.

I've also seen a few people try to hide in shadows... when the potential observer has Darkvision. Doh!

CRAP! Wish I'd known that one before I had to fight with a crappy player whom was apt to hide in shadows....

 

[Dragonhelm]

Actually, I think rules zero and yours both get used WAY TOO OFTEN by people too lazy to learn the mechanics that would rather hand-wave everything as DM fiat...but maybe that's just IME.

Not laziness, just different playing styles. I know the rules, but I don't let them govern me. Again, though, just different playing styles, and to what degree you want to implement the rules.

But that's another subject for another thread. Back to topic...

 

[Balgus]

- The ramifications of differnet movement rates among party members traveling long distance on foot.

I am sure the group and DM understands that even though you have a troll and a dwarf in the group, you will NEVER just walk off without him. The group will usually wait for teh slow ones or slow down to kepe the group together.

Or am i assuming too much?