Three opinions I always get yelled at about on the internet:
1. D&D is not perfect.
2. The GM rolling dice and ignoring the results is a violation of the social contract of RPGs
3. Marginalized people deserve to see themselves represented in games.Every damn time.
— adam koebel (@skinnyghost) April 8, 2019
1. Nothing is perfect. We need to keep learning, experimenting, and growing.
2. Yeah, why bother if you're just going to script the result. Skip the roll and pick.
3. I mean… yes. So very much yes. https://t.co/LMpgl53GFa— Dan Dillon (@Dan_Dillon_1) April 8, 2019
I generally agree with both your and Adam’s statements. That said, you’ve never fudged a roll? (I hope this doesn’t come across as yelling, I’m generally curious how other DMs handle it) I sure have. I don't prefer it anymore. I like for the dice to matter, otherwise I'm just making decisions about what will happen.
Which I do sometimes, but if I do that, I just do it. If I roll, I don't ignore the result if I don't like it. I don't fudge damage.
— Dan Dillon (@Dan_Dillon_1) April 8, 2019
Agreed. Perhaps it’s nitpicking but I’d say the GM’s social contract to players is to be fair, honor their voice/agency, and have fun. I definitely think fudging rolls can undermine the first two parts of that. That's the sort of thing that's quite subjective, of course. I think Adam was speaking to his own preferences when playing in a game. Can't really argue with that. 😛
— Dan Dillon (@Dan_Dillon_1) April 8, 2019
True. I hope I didn’t seem like I was trying to undermine that position. Limited characters, no tone of voice, etc., I always worry how it comes across. I appreciate all the GMs/game designers that are willing to put themselves out there. Nope, not at all, just clarity for anyone who might come along and read. 🙂
— Dan Dillon (@Dan_Dillon_1) April 8, 2019
1. Nothing is perfect. Nonstatement.
2. Of course. The DM is there to make the game enjoyable. A crazy set of rolls that ends in a party kill is fun for no one, especially groups that invest years into campaigns. Do you want a computer that spits out the answer regardless of gameplay or do you want a human that enhances the gameplay and ignores stupid dice rolls?
3. The game allows for the creation of anything your mind desires. How can anyone claim under representation in a medium created by their own imaginations?