When GM’ing a Dungeons and Dragons or RPG Game session nothing can bog down a campaign or the evening more than when a player who knows the rules to the letter better than the DM keeps trying to force the system and point out any errors the DM may make. One of the best things about a D20 system is its flexibility and a DM should vary from the rules to keep the game interesting and entertaining as long as the decisions made are fair and can be reproduced by everyone (players and DM alike).

When a DM varies from a rule in the player’s handbook or other guide, they DM should ask the player’s not to interrupt the campaign and argue about it, but all issues or concerns can be shelved for after the game. The DM can choose to permanently use the new rule or option that he introduced or if he agrees with the player, maybe some experience can be awarded for being so actively interested in keeping alignment with the structure of the rules.

When I used to DM I had a rules lawyer constantly challenge my variations early on, I made it clear that although my gaming was based on Dungeons and Dragons 3.5 Edition at the time, that I had taken the liberty of adapting some custom rules for my campaign. I had a clear published list of the various rules, and differences in my campaign, such as how I handled the healing and herbalism skills were very different than the core rulebook handles them.

I also did not hesitate to fudge a few die rolls for the effect of a story line, mostly these were in a players favor, I didn’t want a player killed by the enemy rolling a critical hit on the first round of combat, or I told a player that a saving throw was successful when the player really would have been a toasted marshmallow from the enemy wizards fireball.

All of this is to keep the game entertaining, interesting and keep your players coming back for more. In the end, the rules aren’t as important as keeping players and the game master happy and entertained for the few hours per week that they meet to game.

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