Which Diplomacy Rule Do You Use (if any)?

[wingsandsword]

Core Rules/SRD, realizing that "Friendly" doesn't mean "Do whatever you want". It means "the NPC likes you and will try to listen to what you say favorably", mixed with a good dose of roleplaying.

We play it as first you roleplay what you're saying or asking, then roll a Diplomacy check to see how well it's received. Even a "Friendly" guard isn't going to do something blatantly not in their best interest or could get them deep in trouble without some big incentives or explaining. No matter how high you roll no shopkeeper is just going to give you merchandise (unless you allow things like the wacky Epic Diplomacy rules out of the ELH, which I don't)

Walking up to the King's Royal Guardsman you've never met and trying to talk him into doing something that would endanger the King or violate his duty isn't going to happen with just a diplomacy check, even for somebody they are "friendly" with they aren't going to do that, "friendly" might just mean they let it slide that you even asked for that and not arrest you or turn you in. If they're going to do something like that, you need not just a "friendly" result, but some good roleplaying to explain why he needs to or should do that.

 

[painandgreed]

I usually just role play any interactions and use what I consider common sence. If the player calls for a roll, we don't have time to roll play, or I am undecided how the NPC might act, I'll then resort to rolls. Still, friendly doesn't means slave or anything too out of the ordinary.

 

[hawkman]

I use the rules as written in the PHB. As others here have said, I always try to be conscious of the fact that a diplomacy check cannot change someone's basic nature, or their goals/motivations (perhaps over time, but not a single check).

I usually will offer some bonus for roleplaying if a PC wishes, but otherwise I just ask them to tell me what they are looking to accomplish with the interaction and narrate appropriately.

 

[TarionzCousin]

I usually will offer some bonus for roleplaying if a PC wishes <snip>..

Me, too, especially if the player is particularly clever, entertaining, or outshines the NPC(s) participating in the conversation.

But some of my players have just wanted to roll the dice sometimes--even the good orators do occasionally; they don't always want to talk it out.