Why I hate being a DM

Defiant · Post by **Defiant** » 2004-05-01 05:57pm

So we're playing last weekend, and I have my group fighting a group of gnomes wearing fucked up armor. The armor basically makes the gnome medium sized and gives him ridiculous protection.

Anyway, the gnome general comes on the scene. He uses two swords, and they're both enchanted to have a chance to remove a limb on a crit hit. Basically, he has the potential to whip ass.

So what does the group do? The illusionist casts phantasmal killer on the general. And what's my combined total for both my saves? 3. Yep, I rolled a 2 and a 1 on my saves. So this kick-ass boss gets smacked by one spell.

I hate D&D!

Rogue 9 · Post by **Rogue 9** » 2004-05-01 06:23pm

*Shrug* Them's the breaks. Did you apply the gnome's save bonus vs. illusions?

SirNitram · Post by **SirNitram** » 2004-05-01 06:28pm

This is why some form of screen is useful. Fudging major villain dice rolls.

Superman · Post by **Superman** » 2004-05-01 06:56pm

Isn't the DM like the D&D supreme god? Just say an exact replica of this gnome appears...

Defiant · Post by **Defiant** » 2004-05-01 07:01pm

Rogue 9 wrote:*Shrug* Them's the breaks. Did you apply the gnome's save bonus vs. illusions?

Yep. I couldn't in good conscience fudge the roll. But it still pissed me off...

Rogue 9 · Post by **Rogue 9** » 2004-05-01 07:04pm

Superman wrote:Isn't the DM like the D&D supreme god?

No. The DM runs the NPCs and such; in a PC game the computer fills his function. Technically the DM could make an exact replica appear, but that's a very good way to piss off your players. Deux ex machina is among the very worst DMing techniques, right up there with railroading.

Enforcer Talen · Post by **Enforcer Talen** » 2004-05-01 07:05pm

-hides behind the dm screen-

-makes up at least half of his numbers-

-halo-

Slartibartfast · Post by **Slartibartfast** » 2004-05-01 07:45pm

Here's a good rule: if the outcome makes the game suck, change it.

In fact, you should have ruled in advance that the spell wasn't going to work and just roll the dice for looks.

Defiant · Post by **Defiant** » 2004-05-01 10:08pm

Slartibartfast wrote:Here's a good rule: if the outcome makes the game suck, change it.

In fact, you should have ruled in advance that the spell wasn't going to work and just roll the dice for looks.

I've done that in the past, but I rolled a freakn 1 and 2. I deserved to lose, but it was just annoying to have it go down like that.

But the players liked it, and happy players make for a happy DM