I do not usually roll infront of the players, I dislike to give away things like BAB and skill bonus modifiers any more than that I already do by telling them the result of the attack roll.
Sometimes I fudge rolls, usually to increase the fun by which I mean the players fun, not so much mine. As a GM I do not really need to roll if it involves the outcome of a storyline and I can imagine not giving the players a roll they would usually have gotten, though that would be a rare event. The game's mechanics take a backseat to the story.
I might get a high level npc killed by being stabbed in the back by a low level assassin, this serves a dual purpose of making the pcs feel more immersed and less confident in their massive ammount of hitpoints, I will still pretend to roll for it though..
So as a GM, do you roll in front or behind the screen and why? Also, do you think it makes a difference if it's a pathfinder society game as opposed to your regular campaign?
I roll behind a screen. It's not about fudging, it's about information / mystery. Then too if the dice are flying in large numbers I use a prerolled list of die results crossing them off as I use them. I also like to roll dice periodically whether I need to or not. That's just being mildly sadistic :) As for PFS, I'm not familiar with it.
I'm fair and pretty up front with my players; I don't think honesty in die rolling has ever been something they worried about.
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On the other hand, alot can be said for rolling behind the screen so that you can "fudge" the rolls if you don't want to kill off a character or you desire a specific outcome.
Why roll in the first place if you're just going to use DM fiat to determine what takes place?
That isn't intended as a snarky comment but a genuine query. Our group often complains good naturedly about getting box texted into stuff happening that you can't control. That Hezrou is going to get a surprise round not because it rolled well for stealth, but because the box text says so. By being clear about why it's happening, bruised egos and paranoia does tend to be mitigated somewhat.
So as a GM, do you roll in front or behind the screen and why?
I got rid of the DM screen soon after I started with 4th ed. Part of the problem was I couldn't say the table properly, another big part was the screen was so useless because of errata. I haven't bothered to purchase one for Pathfinder.
I roll in the open because if I kill someone's PC, I want it to be abundantly clear that it was because I actually did roll a natural 20. I don't want people to start thinking that I'm rolling natural 1s and claiming their crits. I'm also a strong proponent of in game actions have in game consequences. If you engage in combat, a possible consequence of that is you'll die (depending on how well you assessed the target's combat worthiness and how the dice roll). Random chance is a part of Pathfinder, so I figure why not accept it with open arms?
Also some of my players will blame the mod if combats are too busy because I rolling snake eyes on damage or 2s on attack rolls. It helps explain why the combat is going so well or so poorly and that it may not be the module's fault.
I also expect players to roll where I can see the dice. If I expect them to do that, then I think it would be hypocritical of me to not do the same.
This means that whenever someone rolls a perception check, I always roll a d20 or 5 to simulate stealth rolls (regardless of whether or not there is anything there to be stealthing). Same deal for sense motive checks (players who I don't often GM for start ignoring the outcomes when I keep rolling natural 20s, not realising that a quarter three quarters of the rolls were red herrings). It helps keep down the metagaming to a degree as while I admit I needlessly roll d20s all the time, players can never be 100% sure if this time was one of those times.
That said, as everyone here realises this can be quite leathal. Our group has come up with a house rule that we're all happy with that doesn't rely on fudging. If a PC goes from positive hit points to outright dead by a single attack, then they have 1 round in which to be stabilised before they die.
For secret rolls, someone recently told me about "passive" Perception rolls (in essence, all the PCs automatically Take 10 unless they call for a check at some point) -- I've been meaning to try that out. Does anyone have any experience with that?
It's a very handy rule from 4th ed (which causes some people to immediately dislike it). I would prefer it be used more often but some members of my group have made it clear they don't want it in their games (boy did one get annoyed when I asked if they had taken half their total HP in damage simply so I could better describe the crowd's reactions to the combat).
Without passive perception I've found the end consequence is everyone is assumed to be taking 1 on their rolls or even just treating them as if they had a perception of 1.
In our group, players expect to die. We know things happen to characters, and diving isn't safe. We mainly expect to die because we always seem to be really stong, and a little too smart, characters, and if the combat is "hard" by most standards it's a cake walk for us.
That said I REALLY want to try the "Players roll all dice option" and play another game using playing cards instead of d20.
There is a really good system based off of cards and d20 fusion set in the old west I know of. Skills are done by d20, while commbat is card based. It's called Deadlands, it is absolutly fantastic. My group and I didn't really ever use any physical combat area.
I don't understand the, "players roll the dice," thing. Functionally I see how it could work. I would get mad though, as rolling is about 10 percent of the fun for me lol.
I roll almost everything in front of my players except for checks they shouldn't see like Stealth, Disguise, Bluff, and the like.
I almost always roll behind a screen, unless there's not enough room at the table to put it up or if I forgot to bring it that day. I also pretty much never fudge dice.
Reading the posts here though, I'm starting to wonder if I'm the only one who uses fudging to hurt the PCs MORE- mainly when they're getting bored with easy fights, or just plain getting too cocky. :P
I almost always roll behind a screen, unless there's not enough room at the table to put it up or if I forgot to bring it that day. I also pretty much never fudge dice.
Reading the posts here though, I'm starting to wonder if I'm the only one who uses fudging to hurt the PCs MORE- mainly when they're getting bored with easy fights, or just plain getting too cocky. :P
In my experience I do not need to fudge dice for that, being too cocky is cause of death #1
I am more likely to fudge encounters a bit in advance so that they do not have it too easy, but rarely feel the need to fudge rolls in an encounter, strokes of bad luck and the risk of dying is what keeps the game fun. As long as they don't feel like they are sent into a no chance of victory situation by GM railroading, if they die because of the choices they made that is acceptable.
For secret rolls, someone recently told me about "passive" Perception rolls (in essence, all the PCs automatically Take 10 unless they call for a check at some point) -- I've been meaning to try that out. Does anyone have any experience with that?
I use that for Stealth and Perception with PCs for the critters. Works out quite well, bit of effort you can kinda work out when each group is aware of the other before hand.
Ok first of all the DM screen (especially Paizo's) is great for quick rule reference, other than that that's what i like:
(to give better content to the OP: i am mostly a player than a DM)
Roll behind a screen but be sure that most of your fudge happens when the probality rules decide to go out for dinner that afternoon/night for any one player (including the DM)I had forgotten about that but yes, the screens are full of chart and data goodness... the only thing I really miss from the charts is the spellcraft rolls...seems like we always have to look up that one chart as its used often enough to need but not often enough to memorize yet.
What do GMs that don't use screens do about module/AP/homebrew notes and maps being visible to the players? Do you all use a laptop instead or something?
Why not use a screen and a laptop for notes? My group's resident DM does that. Also no other player uses a laptop (except one) and we aren't allowed to roll behind our laptop if for some reason we did have a laptop in front of us and so none does (except that one player again).
Sure we have a couple of more laptops to sit around in standby in case a player needs to check to check a spell or something without interrupting the DM and having him use the laptop in front of him. Also we have the core book in hard cover sit around somewhere for reference if needed.
Behind the screen, for a lot of the same reasons others have posted. Currently though we are using maptools. So I use real dice on the desk (where they can't see) while my players use the built in die roller. It's not ideal for them though. I know they would all rather be able to roll real ones.
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So as a GM, do you roll in front or behind the screen and why?
My 2 cp...
Dice are more than a tool - they have a personality all their own. They are the player who takes up no seat, but no one will start a game without them. Either behind a screen or in front, they are your best friend and arch-nemesis, all in one.
Typically, I roll everything behind the screens. I agree with the previous posts in the screens are great for quick references. I even have my own charts taped in front of the printed charts, so I have everything I need. As for the dice rolls themselves, it depends on what the rolls are used for.
First off, even before the game begins, I have each player make 5 unmodified rolls in front of everyone, and I record them. There are times when I find this helps tell a story better. For example, when everyone is sneaking along and there is an obvious ambush setting, I use these rolls rather than alert the party. Also, a saving throw against an unseen hazard (gas, spell, etc...) is more fun when it really is unexpected. It also adds an element of unknown...
And here is the real reason I roll behind the screen - fear! Nothing motivates a distracted group around the table like fear! No, I'm not talking about fudging to make a TPK, I'm talking about the time when two of the players are in a distracting side discussion about the pizza toppings, or some such. I'm a pretty relaxed DM, but when it gets out of hand, I simply make a point of noting that the party is wasting time, and who knows what is around the next corner. That usually doesn't change anything... until I roll a few dice. The clatter of plastic on wood could signify any number of gruesome things; a wandering monster has just heard the party jabbering, or there is a trap nearby, or... "Hell I don't know so shut up and let the DM talk"! If you establish dice rolling behind a screen, the fear of the unknown works. If it's done up front, you know the dice type and number, and can make educated guesses. I prefer the fear of the unknown, and that's why I use the dice in this fashion.
It's suspense that keeps us coming back, week after week. Any video game can give you the satisfaction of 'leveling up', but only a social setting like an RPG table can give you the 'shifting in your seat' uncomfortable that come from a well orchestrated story, punctuated with dice-resolved conflicts. Enjoy the dice, play around with both and work what ever is comfortable for your own style. </ramble>