When Players point out rules or circumstances

[Quasqueton]

In the discussion of the most recent OotS strip, some folks mention how they would throw dice or otherwise “attack” a fellow Player who pointed out something like the party shouldn’t have horses because they left them elsewhere.

I have a table rule for any game I DM/GM:

I have no problem with Players pointing out correct rules if I forget or misapply them. Actually, I expect the Players to let me know if I forget or miss something. In the same vein, I want Players to police themselves and each other with regard to rules. Players should not take offense or get angered at another Player when someone points out a rule.

Although, this specifically mentions “rules”, it also applies to other things like remembering you don’t have horses anymore.

For instance if Player 1 rolls and hits exactly what he needs because he’s including the bard’s song bonus, and Player 2 points out that the bard’s song has expired, I expect no complaint or anger from Player 1. I’d also expect Player 2 to remind Player 1 to add in the bard’s song bonus if he forgot in his first calculation.

This is a friendly game we’re playing. Just as if we were playing Monopoly, and someone moved one space too many on the board, someone should point out the mistake without fear of pissing off the other player.

Do you, your group, or anyone in your group, get angry with another Player if they mention/point out something (a rule, a circumstance, etc.) that hinders the party as a whole or another Player in particular?

Quasqueton

 

[Thanee]

I consider that pretty normal, really.

Bye
Thanee

 

[Piratecat]

We call this "pulling a Jody," after one of KidCthulhu's and my players who inevitably points out the rules mistakes made by the DM. I think she's amused by the title.

 

[delericho]

We poke a bit of good-natured fun at the DM's incompetence (that would be me, and I join in), correct the issue, and move on.

Note that we don't re-do anything that has gone before except in the most extreme cases (such as when I almost cause a TPK by using stats for the wrong type of giant).

 

[hong]

We call this "pulling a Jody," after one of KidCthulhu's and my players who inevitably points out the rules mistakes made by the DM. I think she's amused by the title.

As am I, because by sheer coincidence I happen to be pulling a Jody RIGHT NOW, etcetera, you know the drill.

 

[Jaws]

I sometimes keep my mouth shut if things are looking bleak for us (the players).

I do get upset sometimes if the rule called out is incorrect.


Peace and smiles

j.

 

[jodyjohnson]

"pulling a Jody,"

Ouch.

We say, "pulling a Kevin"

 

[resscane]

I have a player in my group who never misses a chance tp point out any rules mistake or oversight by the DM that adversely effects the PC's. There have been a few snide remarks, but we are all adults at the table. To be fair, he does it to his own PC's detriment, so what can you say. He is a attorney by trade and knows the rules of the game very well. We have tossed around the thought of allowing him to co-DM at times, because he seems suited to it.

 

[Piratecat]

We say, "pulling a Kevin"

Stop that, you!

Actually, in one of Sagiro's games recently I pointed out a rule that came within a hairs-breadth of killing my PC. As it turns out, the innocous question "I failed one save. Does the poison have secondary effects a minute later" gets trickier when the poison causes constitution damage. Yikes!

"I'm fine, I'm fine, I'm fine, I'm vomiting on the carpet and frothing green foam."

 

[el-remmen]

Ocassional snide remarks in my group, but only in good humor - everyone expects everyone else to help "police" the table.

In fact, if what a player points out really screws their own character I might reward them with an action die (our version of action points) for their honesty.