1. you also have the problem of DM being unable to save you, and if they do it feels pointless when the DM does get those hellish rolls, where he doesnt want a TPK, but open rolling means the dice fall where they may.Hieronymous Rex wrote:Two minor points:
First, while rules can never prevent GM dickery outright, they can in some cases reduce it. For example, open rolling doesn't let the GM declare whatever number he wants and certain abilities (such as Divination, No Save attacks, and very high numbers) are harder for the GM to ignore without being called out, as opposed to spells granting saves (the monsters might just all "roll well").
Second, I don't understand the advice given by fectin (and others, other times and boards) that if a rule cannot be found immediately, the matter should be resolved after the session. Assuming that it is known that a relevant rule exists, why wait? Is the system you're using so byzantine that it takes more than a minute or two to resolve any given issue?
2. a DMs job is to keep the game going. trough 3.0 the DMG said the DM should try to not break the game for ANYTHING unless really needed, such as rea life type things, as breaking the game for rules look up can often lose the pace or the situation and be hard to get back into that groove once the thing is looked up.
it is always good to discuss the game afterwards to handle any ideas and thoughts about it anyway.
-refresher beforehand to get people back in the mood
-the game itself
-then summary of events and discussion.
no need to have the discussion in all 3 parts.
also if someone REALLY needs to look it up, then an inactive player can do so during if it will be needed again soon.
the may thing to do is for the session keep consistent. again looking it up after, means you dont have to retcon something if you switch mid-stream of the game.
but yes, people should be familiar with where things are and what they are for their own character, so looking up a rule during game shouldnt be done often. know your character well enough to play it.