[PnP] pnp Digest, Vol 134, Issue 3

[David Sanders]

Well, you can't really stop them from reading the material.  So, they are going to know.

You have to change the descriptions a bit to make it hard to tell, to obscure the identity of the critter.  Players like me read and re-read the creature descriptions and if the GM uses similar words, it jogs the memory.

Also, if the critters are intelligent, then they will take steps to cover their weaknesses.  

For instance, if a creature takes double damage from fire, what can he do physically or magically to prevent being burned?  

Also, they need to attack intelligently.  If a creature has a weakness, it needs to attack so as not to expose it, or at least get the first licks in...perhaps by ambush...or trickery...or magic.  But how would the creature fight so as not to expose that one area of his chest that the magic arrow wants to hit so badly.  But it has to be balanced with not allowing the creatures to be invulnerable.

Dave

Sent from my iPad

> On Dec 11, 2016, at 3:00 AM, pnp-request at list.powersandperils.org wrote:
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> Today's Topics:
> 
>   1. Cheating Players.. (Scott Adams)
>   2. Re: Cheating Players.. (Matthew Lynn)
> 
> 
> ----------------------------------------------------------------------
> 
> Message: 1
> Date: Sat, 10 Dec 2016 22:22:42 -0500
> From: Scott Adams <longshotgm at comcast.net>
> To: pnp at list.powersandperils.org
> Subject: [PnP] Cheating Players..
> Message-ID: <mailman.2.1481454001.32713.pnp at list.powersandperils.org>
> Content-Type: text/plain; charset="us-ascii"; format=flowed
> 
> To get some yaky yak here...
> 
> We've all seen the cheaters.  The Players who own the rules.  THe 
> players who know every monster.
> Know how to hit the stomach not the chest to kill it.
> Know that one elusive rule t ruin your evil GM plans.
> 
> I've always hated that.  No fun.  I like challenge.  Playing a game 
> where the monster is just a green slime!  Charge!
> Taking the risk.
> That is the true adventure.
> 
> I've been in boring table games where players know the monsters so 
> well its just dice rolling and taking hits at their weak spots.
> Boring.
> 
> I tend to try at least allow folks to know beasts if they've handled 
> them before.  Obviously.
> If not then maybe a Int to see if based on description of them you 
> heard a rumor or  a story of that black cloud called a Soul DAiva.
> Yet now players rush to the monster file and scan for the 
> descriptons.  Ahh..so its a X and easy...just need to avoid its 
> poison claws.  No problem.
> 
> This is where new critters come in not based in rules.  But even that 
> is ;lacking.
> 
> So all ye GMs.  How do you balance the cheating with IC and OOC gaming?
> Curious on your 2 Brass Bits.
> 
> 
> 
> 
> 
> 
> 
> ------------------------------
> 
> Message: 2
> Date: Sat, 10 Dec 2016 23:25:53 -0500
> From: Matthew Lynn <lynnm at spliteyeprod.com>
> To: The Powers and Perils Mailing List <pnp at list.powersandperils.org>
> Subject: Re: [PnP] Cheating Players..
> Message-ID: <F9A372BD-B52F-45CA-9885-7CB6E430AED7 at spliteyeprod.com>
> Content-Type: text/plain;    charset=us-ascii
> 
> When they go to try for that weak spot the first time...
> 
> I ask how their PC knows that information...
> 
> Most of the time, that reminder, with similar encouragement from the other players as well, is usually enough to get them to stop it.
> 
> Just my two bits,
> Matt Lynn
> 
> Sent from my iPhone
> 
>> On Dec 10, 2016, at 22:22, Scott Adams <longshotgm at comcast.net> wrote:
>> 
>> To get some yaky yak here...
>> 
>> We've all seen the cheaters.  The Players who own the rules.  THe players who know every monster.
>> Know how to hit the stomach not the chest to kill it.
>> Know that one elusive rule t ruin your evil GM plans.
>> 
>> I've always hated that.  No fun.  I like challenge.  Playing a game where the monster is just a green slime!  Charge!
>> Taking the risk.
>> That is the true adventure.
>> 
>> I've been in boring table games where players know the monsters so well its just dice rolling and taking hits at their weak spots.
>> Boring.
>> 
>> I tend to try at least allow folks to know beasts if they've handled them before.  Obviously.
>> If not then maybe a Int to see if based on description of them you heard a rumor or  a story of that black cloud called a Soul DAiva.
>> Yet now players rush to the monster file and scan for the descriptons.  Ahh..so its a X and easy...just need to avoid its poison claws.  No problem.
>> 
>> This is where new critters come in not based in rules.  But even that is ;lacking.
>> 
>> So all ye GMs.  How do you balance the cheating with IC and OOC gaming?
>> Curious on your 2 Brass Bits.
>> 
>> 
>> 
>> 
>> 
>> _______________________________________________
>> pnp mailing list
>> pnp at list.powersandperils.org
>> http://www.powersandperils.org/cgi-bin/mailman/listinfo/pnp
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> 
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> End of pnp Digest, Vol 134, Issue 3
> ***********************************