|
I've really just started playing in PFS and have enjoyed the chance to play an rpg again, since I'm new to my area. I've played a few sessions and have enjoyed it but have noticed some play styles that are, let's just say, not as pure as mine. I like over-coming the challenges put in front of us without bending any rules and if it means I die with my code, so be it. I don't expect everyone to have such an idealistic approach to the game but find it troubling when these little "white lies" are the reason for our success. I have not seen anything that warrants a formal complaint, but a few things were missed by the GM or a player was trying to get away with something that significantly altered the outcome of the encounter. So as a player of PFS do I point out that the spell caster just cast while being threatened and did not get an AoO against him/her? Do I bring notice to the fact that the charge someone made was not legal because they had to go up stairs and that would require moving through difficult terrain and shorten their overall distance traveled? I know a GM can't catch everything, Lord knows I don't when I GM! But I come from groups that liked to make sure everything was legit and if one of us saw something at the table that didn't add up we said something and the GM usually appreciated it. But this is different, I don't know these people, they are not my close rpg buddies and, as I said, I am new to the area. I don't want to alienate myself from the players or worse make them angry and I do not want to appear as a know it all to the GM. Also I understand that the main point is to have fun and everything else follows. I have decide to let it all ride and just enjoy playing, but part of me feels cheapened that our victory is debatable. I'm just curious what others think on this topic and would love some feedback on my ridiculousness, how to handle/ignore this at the table or what not. Thanks in advance!
No one likes a rules lawyer at the table...
If you're not having fun because you're not being provided the gaming experience you signed up for, the first thing to do is privately talk to the GM and express your concerns. The next option is find a new game.
Even in PFS, people are there to have fun. Constantly pointing out, "no, you can't charge!" or "that spell has 35 foot range and you're 40 feet away!" is not enhancing anyone's fun, it's spoiling it. If there's a rule that the GM is consistently not enforcing, then speak up and remind them about the rule, but if you're just harping on every tiny issue that the GM has too many things on his plate to deal with, you should remember that although it is a game with rules, the number 1 rule is "HAVE FUN!"
edit: sorry for my tone, when I re-read your post (instead of just skimming it) I see you addressed these issues.
|
|
I agree having fun is #1. During or after play, I wasn't pointing out anything and don't like being a rules lawyer. I'm just used to players helping the GM in a productive manner for the fun of all and not cheapening our victories at the end of the day. I realized sitting there, that the play style I am accustomed to would be immediately misinterpreted as rules lawyering, making the GM feel as they were not doing a descent job, etc... So I said nothing and thought a post may give me some insight into other people's experiences and techniques for this slight problem. It is not ruining my gaming experience, only marring it, if you will, and I recognize it may be a product of a public gaming gathering. My intent for this post is to get some input on dealing with a more loosely played game than what I'm used to.
I guess I'll just keep quiet and hope I can find some like minded individuals to play in a private setting.....
|
I actually had this issue when I was trying to adjust to being a player in my home game after years of being the DM. It's hard to transition to the other side of the screen. In one game I "ruined" the plans of one of my mates a few times by pointing the rules to the DM.
I felt I was helping the DM, but the player felt I was trying to ruin his fun, and the DM admitted at the end that it made him feel more pressured. The player wasn't deliberately breaking rules, he honestly just doesn't know them overly well.
Now I've learned to bite my tongue unless asked. The DM now doesn't feel I stepping in on his territory, and the Players don't think I'm trying to rules lawyer their actions away. It was hard for me to step back, but I find the game is far more enjoyable now as I'm not inadvertantly causing tension at the table.
Cheers
PS. Since we're all good friends in my home games, this didn't cause anything worse than the DM saying "Meh, it sounds cool let him try" at one stage, and my other friend giving me a friendly flick on the ear when I ruined his plan for the third time. We laughed it off and I pulled my head in (hehe)
No one likes a rules lawyer at the table...
Rules lawyers do. :)