RPG Superstar 2012 Top 32
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Hey all,
I was thinking recently about how there are certain topics/rules that are especially prone to table variation. Although it's fine to have table variation on some topics, it can be really nice for a player and GM to get "synched up" before a game. In particular, I know it's always jarring for me if, in-character, my PC is ready for a particular obstacle (especially if it's something he's encountered before), but because I didn't know out-of-character how my GM was going to run that obstacle, somehow my seasoned adventurer brought the wrong "solution", almost as though the laws of physics suddenly changed without him knowing.
That's annoying, and I bet players at tables I run would feel the same way.
So I had an idea:
What if when I GM, I hang a little note from my screen with quick-and-dirty explanations of how I run certain parts of the rules? Then players could see it, make decisions (what spells to prep, what consumables to buy, etc) before the game starts, and also ask me any additional questions.
So the point of this thread, then, is to gather suggestions of topics that would be handy to include on such a note.
What have you experienced variation with as a player?
What have your players asked you/disagreed with you about when you GM?
What have you heard about that might be weird?
My ideas to include so far:
• How I run deeper darkness and related effects
• How I run illusions
• Examples of common spells that protection from evil will/won't block
• Combat maneuvers on allies
• The second diagonal with reach weapons
• How cover works at my table
Other ideas? Thanks!
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cover bonus for target if friend or foe is between me and my target. if friend or foe closer to me than my target the cover bonus is negated.
I always forget that one... Though I can only find reference that this applies to low obstacles, not for soft cover provided by creatures. Am I looking in the wrong place?
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Animal companions, familiars, mounts, etc.
Their own initiatives or on their "master"'s Init?
Run by player or GM?
Iconics, when needed to make a legal table:
GM-ruin, or handed off to a responsible player?
Initiative tracking: handled by GM, handed off to player, combat pad, 3x5 cards, scratch sheet? Do you put someone into Delay if they take too long to give their actions? And how long is too long, in this case?
Maybe a reminder, if GMing at some place with a time limit, that that limit exists.
For commonly used but non-Core spells, maybe a reminder of limitations, like not healing Acid and Good damage with Infernal Healing...
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RPG Superstar 2012 Top 32
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Animal companions, familiars, mounts, etc.
Their own initiatives or on their "master"'s Init?
Run by player or GM?Iconics, when needed to make a legal table:
GM-ruin, or handed off to a responsible player?Initiative tracking: handled by GM, handed off to player, combat pad, 3x5 cards, scratch sheet? Do you put someone into Delay if they take too long to give their actions? And how long is too long, in this case?
Maybe a reminder, if GMing at some place with a time limit, that that limit exists.
For commonly used but non-Core spells, maybe a reminder of limitations, like not healing Acid and Good damage with Infernal Healing...
None of those strike me as "Man, wish I'd known you run X that way before we were halfway through the scenario" types of topics, but thanks for the input all the same. :)
RPG Superstar 2010 Top 16
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Maybe not, but we've had people on these boards promising that they would walk from a table if the GM tried to run their PCs' animal companions. So, depending on your position, that might be a good topic to bring up, while they still have a chance to jump to another table.
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Taking 10.
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Magic shirt / folio re-rolls.
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Spring-loaded wrist sheaths. (In Chicago, there's a group of players who use them as a free action that doesn't provoke AoO)
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RPG Superstar 2012 Top 32
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You could always come to one of our GM Happy Hours where we discuss these topics as a means to encourage universal rulings as a means to eliminate (try, at least) table variance.
You should stop by. Its a fun time. I'll schedule the next one soon. Maybe it will be holiday themed...
I've wanted to come, but it hasn't matched my schedule yet. Someday. :)
RPG Superstar Season 9 Top 8
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I'll second some of the items that are questions I've heard before:
- Animal companions / Familiars / Eidolons: do they roll their own initiative? If they win initiative, do they wait until their master's turn to act? Do you want players to roll twice (once for the PC and once for the pet) and take the lower?
- Wrist Sheaths: what can fit in these? Can I use a BOL scroll in one?
- Reach: How do you handle the diagonals with reach? Does that giant with his lance threaten this square?
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Jiggy,
you'll make your list of stuff available to us all on the GM Shared Drive, right? ;)
My primary suggestion would be to keep the list very concise. Maybe make it a list of "If you've never played at my table, you may want to know these:"... with handouts at the ready? I know your interpretation of darkness vs light powers are pretty thorough.
It has dawned on me that I've never played at one of your tables. That'll have to change soon.
And, I'll +1 Jon's idea about joining our GM Happy Hours. The first two were quite enlightening. I hope that I have learned as much at them as I believe I have. Besides, it is an excuse to hang out, chat with fellow GMs, and drink beer!
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RPG Superstar 2012 Top 32
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Jiggy,
you'll make your list of stuff available to us all on the GM Shared Drive, right? ;)
I can certainly share the list of topics, but what I actually end up using will be my own interpretations of some things that others may do differently, so I'm not sure how useful sharing my final document would actually be.
My primary suggestion would be to keep the list very concise. Maybe make it a list of "If you've never played at my table, you may want to know these:"... with handouts at the ready? I know your interpretation of darkness vs light powers are pretty thorough.
Yes, succinctness is a goal. The dark/light thing will probably be along the lines of "to beat deeper darkness, you need to have X available".
It has dawned on me that I've never played at one of your tables. That'll have to change soon.
Come to think of it, it's actually been a little while (longer than usual) since I've GM'd. I'm probably rusty; I'd better get back to it!
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Given that animal companions and eidolons have their own init modifier, it seems reasonable to think that they have separate initiative rolls. Even if you used the same *roll*, they'd usually end up on a different number. I only hand wave this under the direst of time circumstances. It's not fair to make Fluffy the raptor flat footed just because master has a crap init.
As for who runs what, I think the guidelines laid down in UCamp clear that up fairly well for most cases. The REAL question is summoned monsters from conjuration spell lines.
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I can certainly share the list of topics, but what I actually end up using will be my own interpretations of some things that others may do differently, so I'm not sure how useful sharing my final document would actually be.Jiggy,
you'll make your list of stuff available to us all on the GM Shared Drive, right? ;)
Still useful. And if enough people adopt the same interpretations, table variance is reduced.
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Still useful. And if enough people adopt the same interpretations, table variance is reduced.I can certainly share the list of topics, but what I actually end up using will be my own interpretations of some things that others may do differently, so I'm not sure how useful sharing my final document would actually be.Jiggy,
you'll make your list of stuff available to us all on the GM Shared Drive, right? ;)
Agreed.
Perhaps have 2 documents? One with the topics, and one that also has your interpretations?
I would agree, for sure, with redward... this could reduce table variation, especially if this becomes a group effort at some point. We could help you refine this locally, and then broadcast more generally.
Maybe a good thing to have ready for Con of the North?
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RPG Superstar 2012 Top 32
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Well if you're interested, here's the first draft of the Google doc. Doesn't have all the topics yet, but it seems like a good first page. :)
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Darkness should mention those solutions being used in order. Might need to be more specific.
Clear spindle ioun stone might be worth a mention re Protection From Evil, there's some confusion over the catch-all wording occasionally.
Description about clearly-strange illusions might need to be made more specific after you fail a save, including when a party member who made their save against an illusionary wall is observed going through it.
A couple more specific additions (not sure if you're after this kind of thing, but you've included the wrist sheathe):
- Whether the Fury's Fall / Agile Manuevers feats stack
- If, when using a Decoy Ring, can the withdraw action be made while not threatened (thus activating the ring)