Eh, I stick to “video game rules” for the most part in my campaigns. This lets the party focus on the more game-y aspects of DnD instead of the simulation-like elements. Otherwise, it devolves into a game of “simon says”.
You didn’t mention anything about putting your armor back on before breakfast. You’ve been ambushed, you’re in your pajamas, and you’re not getting to those eggs before they get cold. Roll initiative.
I usually assume PCs did their mundane tasks that they should be used to, without needing the players to explicitly say so.
Unless the player says otherwise, they take the armor off to sleep (because the game poses a penalty if they sleep in armor) and they put it back again in the morning, in the same manner I’m assuming they drink water, stop to eat when they are traveling, and take care of their needs, without the players saying so.
This. Role-playing shouldn’t include the boring necessary activities unless they’re no longer boring.
If I wanted to run an ambush like that I’d have the players roll a generous save DC to see if they put their armor on already. Basically a DC 5, just to make it possible and maybe catch one party member for laughs. But not enough to be a serious barrier.
Exactly. I was asked by my players at campaign start what the rules were for food, encumbrance, etc. I basically said that as long as nothing was going on that was out of whack with reality, we’re not bothering with any of that. The only exception would be to avoid being game-breaking. Like traversing a desert on foot, I’d shift gears to track food and water. Or if they find a dragon’s treasure horde, we’re absolutely tracking encumbrance.
Eh, I stick to “video game rules” for the most part in my campaigns. This lets the party focus on the more game-y aspects of DnD instead of the simulation-like elements. Otherwise, it devolves into a game of “simon says”.
I usually assume PCs did their mundane tasks that they should be used to, without needing the players to explicitly say so.
Unless the player says otherwise, they take the armor off to sleep (because the game poses a penalty if they sleep in armor) and they put it back again in the morning, in the same manner I’m assuming they drink water, stop to eat when they are traveling, and take care of their needs, without the players saying so.
That’s just not the focus of the game
This. Role-playing shouldn’t include the boring necessary activities unless they’re no longer boring.
If I wanted to run an ambush like that I’d have the players roll a generous save DC to see if they put their armor on already. Basically a DC 5, just to make it possible and maybe catch one party member for laughs. But not enough to be a serious barrier.
Exactly. I was asked by my players at campaign start what the rules were for food, encumbrance, etc. I basically said that as long as nothing was going on that was out of whack with reality, we’re not bothering with any of that. The only exception would be to avoid being game-breaking. Like traversing a desert on foot, I’d shift gears to track food and water. Or if they find a dragon’s treasure horde, we’re absolutely tracking encumbrance.
MFW one of my players starts taking boards and wheel parts out of their bag of holding…
That’s a smart player. You wouldn’t believe what a parking space costs in Waterdeep.
It’s me, I’m that player