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So how far do you consider reasonable to go back and fix a mistake?
Does it matter to you whether it was a player or GM mistake?
Does it matter if the mistake was to the benefit of the PCs or not?
For the case in question. I am running a game in a pbp setting.
During 1 round:
A. 3 PCs acted.
B. I updated the combat state had an enemy act.
C. 2 more PCs went.
At this time I was going to post an update with some more enemy actions, when I realized that one of the attacks that a PC in block A made that I declared as a hit should have missed because neither the player nor I took into account the cover modifier since the PC was attacking across the corner of a building.
My initial thought is that I should reverse the damage and declare the attack missed after all as that is what the dice indicated. I would have done the same if I made a mistake and forgot the cover modifier when attacking the PCs. I guess where I am second guessing myself is the knowledge that the damage makes a difference whether this enemy goes down or not and if the enemy gets another turn, its intended target could die if the enemy hits and rolls near max damage.
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So how far do you consider reasonable to go back and fix a mistake?
Does it matter to you whether it was a player or GM mistake?
Does it matter if the mistake was to the benefit of the PCs or not?For the case in question. I am running a game in a pbp setting.
During 1 round:
A. 3 PCs acted.
B. I updated the combat state had an enemy act.
C. 2 more PCs went.At this time I was going to post an update with some more enemy actions, when I realized that one of the attacks that a PC in block A made that I declared as a hit should have missed because neither the player nor I took into account the cover modifier since the PC was attacking across the corner of a building.
My initial thought is that I should reverse the damage and declare the attack missed after all as that is what the dice indicated. I would have done the same if I made a mistake and forgot the cover modifier when attacking the PCs. I guess where I am second guessing myself is the knowledge that the damage makes a difference whether this enemy goes down or not and if the enemy gets another turn, its intended target could die if the enemy hits and rolls near max damage.
Sounds like this is still within a turn, so I'd simply retcon the damage. It was an honest mistake, and given the speed of many Pbp games, doesn't take away from the "4-hour window" that table games are meant to run in. If it was 3-4 rounds ago and you realized the mistake, depending on how dibilitating the damage was, I'd probably wait until combat was over to tell the players that you made a mistake. These things happen, don't let it hold up the game, and make sure the players are having fun. That's your main job as the GM.
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Generally speaking when I run a game, if I realize I've made a mistake about something in favor of the PCs I always just let it go.
If I make an error against the PCs, it depends on the severity of the error. If it's just a little damage I'll just let it stand. If it's the difference between conscious/unconscious/dead I'll correct it. If it's some sort of significant save for an effect, I'll correct it.
Venture-Agent, Virginia—Hampton Roads
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I follow the "no go-back-sees" rule.
Once an player or enemies actions have been completed and another's actions have started there is no going back.
This of course is more relaxed with less experienced players at lower level tables.
I have to agree with Eric here. It keeps things simpler especially once higher level play starts as it can complicate things.
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The other option involves if the DM curtain is in effect. If they don't know how many hp the monster has left, you can simply take the damage from the attack off the tally and act as if nothing was wrong. The monster gets their full potential, and the combat/player experience isn't disrupted by the retconning.
Venture-Lieutenant, Netherlands—Leiden
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Generally speaking when I run a game, if I realize I've made a mistake about something in favor of the PCs I always just let it go.
If I make an error against the PCs, it depends on the severity of the error. If it's just a little damage I'll just let it stand. If it's the difference between conscious/unconscious/dead I'll correct it. If it's some sort of significant save for an effect, I'll correct it.
My take on this is about the same.
Errors happen, it's unavoidable in such a detailed system as PF. I'm not too bothered by that.
If noone else has really acted on the "new information" yet, it's easy to retract it. If it doesn't grossly change the situation it's also easy to retract.
And if a PC was seriously disadvantaged, I will also tend to retract. I don't want to kill PCs because I messed up. For example, a while back the barbarian got whammied with Evil Eye, Ill Omen and then Hold Person. He didn't make his save, but then the bard tried to help him out with Saving Finale. I though he'd have to take roll twice, keep worst on the re-save as well, but on later reflection I realized that was wrong. So the barbarian got to save again and broke the spell, right before three pig farmers could CdG him with scythes.
In that situation, I think it was absolutely the right call to retract.
So the barbarian beat down the peasants and moved into CdG reach of the much scarier scythe-wielding casters behind them, and got Held again next round. That tactical blunder was his own fault.
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I follow Eric's principle as well. Once things have moved on, it's too late to remember you didn't count the bless and so you would have hit. IF it's merely an extra damage point that wouldn't affect the outcome of that round, I may allow it, but otherwise it's too late. The only time I go back is when it is my mistake (as GM) and it is significant - like the time I started combat with the wrong subtier and went through a round and a half before realizing it. (In my defense, we had prepped high subtier and the party all changed last minute to accommodate a walk-up, and I grabbed the wrong cards.)
Venture-Lieutenant, Florida—Melbourne
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Generally speaking, how much effort I am willing to put into fixing a mistake (mine or theirs) is in direct proportion to how much fixing the mistake effects the player's success. PC died? A lot of effort. PC forgot about his +1 to hit from Bless after the monster and 3 other PCs have gone? Not so much.