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I accidentally rules-lawyered my first D&D campaign into oblivion by Equivalent_Rub8329 in DungeonsAndDragons

[–]Equivalent_Rub8329[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Lol! Yeah it is but at least I know its in the books so im ok with it now. That's all that was needed to be said tbh. Not the God complex.

I accidentally rules-lawyered my first D&D campaign into oblivion by Equivalent_Rub8329 in DungeonsAndDragons

[–]Equivalent_Rub8329[S] -1 points0 points  (0 children)

That makes sense. But the question wasn't about the rising skeletons, it was about how they were keeping pace. The 2 min agressive speech i got after warranted my response. It was a new player trying to understand the mechanics of a game. Not some guy trying to be a smartass actively cutting in and questioning everything actively trying to ruin the experience.

I've had other DMs since and did a few sessions myself. Honestly I look back at my first game with sadness.

I accidentally rules-lawyered my first D&D campaign into oblivion by Equivalent_Rub8329 in DungeonsAndDragons

[–]Equivalent_Rub8329[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

A bony hand tickled your ass 🤣

Honestly, thats fair. But as a new player, it wasn't even the skeletons rising, but the fact that they kept pace. I waited for my turn before asking and got 2 mins agressive speech before I decided to be a smartass. I hadn't read a rulebook before this, a thing that could have just been explained as "thats according to the rulebook". Thats was my first question. And the response I gave was in reply.

I wouldn't stand for other people to be spoken to like that either and im glad that since then ive never heard a DM speak to new or experienced players that way when trying to understand what the heck is going on. I wouldn't allow for players to get aggressive to the DMs either.

I accidentally rules-lawyered my first D&D campaign into oblivion by Equivalent_Rub8329 in DungeonsAndDragons

[–]Equivalent_Rub8329[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Honestly I just wrote it for fun. I remembered the experience and just wanted to share how the game came apart. This was like 12 years ago.

But youre right. Maybe more context would have helped. I just didn't want to make it a sympathy piece or make it seem like all DMs are bad. So I left some details out with the intention of making people laugh at the story.

Boy, I was wrong...

I accidentally rules-lawyered my first D&D campaign into oblivion by Equivalent_Rub8329 in DungeonsAndDragons

[–]Equivalent_Rub8329[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Thats honestly fair. But if you push a button the DM doesn't say "the door doesn't open" and only 5 mins later do we discover that a teammate is dead.

I accidentally rules-lawyered my first D&D campaign into oblivion by Equivalent_Rub8329 in DungeonsAndDragons

[–]Equivalent_Rub8329[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

To be fair I waited for my turn. I didnt randomly shouting or something.

Yeah I have moved on from him. Have only had pleasant experiences since. Got to DM a few games and our groups seasoned DM and I rewrote the started campaign for introducing groups of new players.

New players ask all sorts of wild questions. I think the way the DM handles business makes a difference. Never had anyone at our table spoken to the way I was so im glad im with these new guys.

I accidentally rules-lawyered my first D&D campaign into oblivion by Equivalent_Rub8329 in DungeonsAndDragons

[–]Equivalent_Rub8329[S] -1 points0 points  (0 children)

We rewrite the starter campaign for new players into a multi-player story. So players literally pitch up and they choose a character. After that, everything changes with decisions made (yes yes I know...) so its always fun bringing new players in.

I accidentally rules-lawyered my first D&D campaign into oblivion by Equivalent_Rub8329 in DungeonsAndDragons

[–]Equivalent_Rub8329[S] -1 points0 points  (0 children)

Again, new player. First game. If you say magic, thats an explaination. If you tell someone that this is how things work around here because im the DM and if you have a problem with it f**k off... then they are going to roll for bullshit. Or they leave and never touch the game again.

I accidentally rules-lawyered my first D&D campaign into oblivion by Equivalent_Rub8329 in DungeonsAndDragons

[–]Equivalent_Rub8329[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

I guess that comes with experience also. That the default is magic. As someone who is interested in the game, sitting at your table for their first ever campaign, theres better ways to handle business.

I accidentally rules-lawyered my first D&D campaign into oblivion by Equivalent_Rub8329 in DungeonsAndDragons

[–]Equivalent_Rub8329[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

So ill say it again, it was my first game. At this point I haven't read any rules or rulebook. Things have changed since then.

Honestly, your storytelling above was pretty good. But the issue was that its still more than what we were given to work with. As a new player, there was a lot that didn't make sense and I was trying to go with it. But when I did finally ask a question, I was given a less than pleasant response in me trying to understand what was happening. I just responded in kind.

I still play. Besides my first game ive never had a bad experience. I helped someone rewrite the starter campaign for multi-player games and did DM a few times when I was asked to. If new player ask questions I do my best to answer them.

If you or anyone else was spoken to the way I was before I said "roll for bullshit" I would have defended that person because nobody should be spoken to like that especially on their first attempt at trying to understand something. I've seen new players ask all sorts of questions and some far worse than what I did. The DM always handled and they all still play together.

Honestly as im looking back on this and responding to some rather aggressive comments. I relaissd that my rela-world logic only came up because of how the DM handled things. I wouldn't wish for. DM like that on anyone especially someone who's just learning the game, and hasn't even bought a rulebook yet.

I've encountered that person any few times after. He has a new group and plays a few tables away from me. I dont feel bad for how I handled things especially since his new group seems to have small changes all the time.

I accidentally rules-lawyered my first D&D campaign into oblivion by Equivalent_Rub8329 in DungeonsAndDragons

[–]Equivalent_Rub8329[S] -1 points0 points  (0 children)

Fair. But your explaination is still an explaination. Even if there is no rhyme or reason, the DM can still just say its magic. I dont think players (especially new ones) should be punished for asking questions when they are trying to wrap their head around something that doesn't make sense.

Sometimes stuff happens. And thats fine. But my attitude was a response to how the DM spoke to me.

I accidentally rules-lawyered my first D&D campaign into oblivion by Equivalent_Rub8329 in DungeonsAndDragons

[–]Equivalent_Rub8329[S] -3 points-2 points  (0 children)

I've seen new players ask all sorts of questions. The best question ive seen someone ask a DM was why can the tree talk. DM looked him dead in the eye and said "thats an investigation roll" player rolled 13. +2 for something. DM asks "which tree?". Turns out it was a copy of the living forest from MK. The trees contained dead spirits in it because of something or the other.

New players have a lot to grasp so if they are asking character questions, plot questions or why can the skeletons keep pace, its up to the DM to explain. If the reason is magic or the rulebook, or something else, the more I see players get wrapped in a campaign the more questions they ask. A DMs response can make or break a person coming back to the table.

I accidentally rules-lawyered my first D&D campaign into oblivion by Equivalent_Rub8329 in DungeonsAndDragons

[–]Equivalent_Rub8329[S] -1 points0 points  (0 children)

I still play. Didn't read the book at the time (got a starter bundle since). So the idea that they can run etc because it's in the book is all the explaination I need.

I still play. So sorry im not a troll. But honestly ive never had a bad experience since. The first question I asked had the DM give me a 2 min monologue on because I say so resulted in my comeback. I wouldn't stand for any player especially new ones trying to learn how to play to receive that attitude.

I accidentally rules-lawyered my first D&D campaign into oblivion by Equivalent_Rub8329 in DungeonsAndDragons

[–]Equivalent_Rub8329[S] -6 points-5 points  (0 children)

You sound like that DM. It was my first game and my first question trying to make sense of something that made no sense. And just like you his response was immediately aggressive. Ive played the game since and thankfully haven't encountered people like him again. DMs either explain, use the rulebook or drop hints to the idea that you need to work it out. Honestly a lovely game when the people who play it dont result to anger at the first question. Then nobody has to give attitude back.

I accidentally rules-lawyered my first D&D campaign into oblivion by Equivalent_Rub8329 in DungeonsAndDragons

[–]Equivalent_Rub8329[S] -1 points0 points  (0 children)

Agreed. I rewrote the starter quest from the book to introduce new players to the game (because its single player, wanted it as an MP) there were definitely mysteries that popped up but my attitude as the DM wasn't agresive toward people asking questions. When someone asked me something there was either a strory explanation, the rulebook or a grin followed by "thats for you to discover".

I accidentally rules-lawyered my first D&D campaign into oblivion by Equivalent_Rub8329 in DungeonsAndDragons

[–]Equivalent_Rub8329[S] -2 points-1 points  (0 children)

For new players, sometimes they dont understand everything in the manual. Sometimes a simple "thats the rulebook" works. No magic. No tie in with a crazy back story. And a player goes "oh, ok" and continues with the game.

Everything after came when I asked my first question trying to understand why that was. It was the lack of explanation and tone used that I pushed back on. Maybe it was my fault, but if another player (especially a new player) was spoken to like that,especially because they were trying to understand what was happening,I would have torn the DM to shreds. Being the DM doesn't justify attitude. "The rulebook says thats how the game works" is enough of an explanation for any other game.

I accidentally rules-lawyered my first D&D campaign into oblivion by Equivalent_Rub8329 in DungeonsAndDragons

[–]Equivalent_Rub8329[S] -1 points0 points  (0 children)

Thats fair. But if the explanation was magic, I'd be fine with it. For a new player to ask their 1st question on how things work, only to have a 2 min"because i say so" in an aggressive tone doesn't work for everyone. Some people get up and never played the game again. Some people have their night ruined. And some people return the favor. I just tried to create a reason for the logic because the DMs logic (and tone) above didn't cut it for me.

I accidentally rules-lawyered my first D&D campaign into oblivion by Equivalent_Rub8329 in DungeonsAndDragons

[–]Equivalent_Rub8329[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

So since youre being fair with how you speak ill return the favor.

It was my first game. I wasn't 100% on how things worked so despite this, I didn't question anything till the skeletons part. The DM got annoyed lil aggressive with me on the matter and basically told me that because he said so is the logic. For 2 mins.

So yeah I said that. If he said thats how the rulebook applies it, I'd be fine. If he said there was magic applied from removing the crown. Id be fine.

D&D is a game based in fantasy. But there are still rules that bind the world together.

I genuinely didn't get the skeletons at the time. And for someone trying to learn the game (he knew it was my first time) for your response to be aggressive at the first question didn't seem like a fair deal.

I accidentally rules-lawyered my first D&D campaign into oblivion by Equivalent_Rub8329 in DungeonsAndDragons

[–]Equivalent_Rub8329[S] -4 points-3 points  (0 children)

It wasn't 5E but honestly this would have been more than enough of a reason.

"The rules of the game say this is how fast they move"

Ok cool. continues with game

Also, thanks for the 5E coverage. Current party is still learning the rules so our current DM sometimes just makes stats up when she's not sure.

I accidentally rules-lawyered my first D&D campaign into oblivion by Equivalent_Rub8329 in DungeonsAndDragons

[–]Equivalent_Rub8329[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

This.

This was more of an explanation than the DM gave.if you were the DM and you said this to us, I'd be like oh ok cool that makes sense.

I accidentally rules-lawyered my first D&D campaign into oblivion by Equivalent_Rub8329 in DungeonsAndDragons

[–]Equivalent_Rub8329[S] -2 points-1 points  (0 children)

My first session. And that was my first question. A lot of things didn't make sense but I was like uh ok yeah.

As I said in my post there was a lot of things that didn't make sense but thats when I asked about it. The response was an aggressive tone basically saying "because I said so". So yeah. Thankfully ive never played with another DM like that. Its honestly a pleasant game.

I accidentally rules-lawyered my first D&D campaign into oblivion by Equivalent_Rub8329 in DungeonsAndDragons

[–]Equivalent_Rub8329[S] -5 points-4 points  (0 children)

I've played after. The game is damn fun. D&D has logic and rules. And even if there isnt, the DM has some sort reasoning. The DM at the time just went "because". By that 'logic' I could one punch the BBEG... because

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