Looking up rules during an RPG session can be tricky. It can also be a huge waste of time, so you have to keep in mind the balance of rules and fun at the table.
Never Look Up Rules at the Table?
“Never look up rules at the table” is common dungeon master and game master advice that you can find online. It’s garbage advice. Yup, I said it. It’s garbage.
GMs can’t look up rules, but they are expected to run everything correctly. Plus, players can look up rules at the table. Why can’t DMs and GMs?
Most of this advice comes from looking up rules being tricky, as I mentioned at the beginning. It’s tricky, but that doesn’t mean you should never do it.
Here are some quick principles for looking up rules at the gaming table:
1) Only at Key Times
A good rule of thumb is to only get out the rulebook at key times. When there is a large and weighty situation that requires getting the rules exactly right, look in the rulebook. Will the session or campaign be derailed? Will a character die? Is there something that involves lasting ramifications for characters? Look in a rulebook.
If you keep this in mind, you can always keep it to a minimum. Nobody wants to sit for half an hour while the GM flips through a rulebook unless the life of their character hangs in the balance or botching the rule ruins the campaign.
2) Make a Summary Ruling on the Spot
You can also just make a summary ruling on the spot. You can say, “Hey, I don’t know this rule right now, but we’re just going to go with this.” Then make up a rule and move on. Stick with your judgment as long as it makes sense for the situation.
But also keep in mind that you do not have to keep that summary ruling in place all the time. You can use it in one session, so that session moves smoothly. But then before the next session, you may look up the rule in the book and find out how it actually works. Just move on and use the correct rule from then on.
3) If You are Wrong, Apologize and Move Forward
If you make a poor decision on the spot, just apologize and move forward. After all, you’re the one who’s willing to GM, especially if no one else is willing to GM.
None of us are perfect. None of us have a photographic memory of the rules. What does it matter if you make mistakes here and there as long as you’re having fun with the session?
4) Use Your Players as a Resource
Never be afraid to use your players as a resource. Some players have read the rulebook a million times and know most of the rules. Don’t be too proud to ask them if they know the rule. If they say they know the rule and it seems to make sense, go with it.
5) Have a Player Look it Up
Dungeon masters are busy. Tracking combat. Thinking of what the NPCs say. And a million other things. So ask a player to look up the rule. While it is not a player’s turn, ask them to look up a rule. The next time it is their turn, ask them what the rule is and go with it.
BONUS: By Agreement
If the game master and the players are all learning a new RPG, then they may agree to look up rules as necessary. I hate hearing that people won’t play a new game because they don’t know the rules. Just dive in and figure it out, you’ll probably have a blast.
Looking Up DnD Rules
When you are running a D&D or other RPG session keep these simple tips in mind. Plus always remember you are doing it right if you and your players are having fun.