Friday, April 8, 2016

Discussion: How Do You Want To Do This?

A famous part of Matt Mercer's GMing on Critical Role is summed up in that catch phrase. "How do you want to do this?" It's an offer he makes to players when they get the last hit in a big combat. With it, he lets the players take control of the game for a little bit and narrate their own cutscene with how they want to end the fight.

There are some rules. For example, you have to describe it where the attack happens with the weapon you used - at least as a significant part of the strike - but beyond that he's fine with people going into full on special effects. Some PCs, particularly magic users, like to embellish with special effects for their character - like seeming to burst into flames while channeling a racial ability - but other than that it's just a way for the player to put a bit of their own style and flair into the last attack.

My question for you today is is this something you would like, or dislike in your game? I'm curious both as a player and a GM. Obviously the GM can say no to particularly outrageous things (i.e. you can't narrate taking a dump on the guy or whatever) but beyond that, your thoughts?

It's something I'm intrigued by. It makes the DM have to be more open to PC flair, but for just how a fight ends is there really any harm?

2 comments:

  1. I use to do that a lot. But after a long time of playing D&D and hearing the grand majority of responses being decapitations w/ rolling heads, it got boring pretty fast.

    Now I really only ask new players to help bring them into the game, and players who recently received a bump in power or a new ability.

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    1. I'm thinking of incorporating it into games, but I think I'll save it for key things. Like big boss fights, particularly epic moments, and for both it still has to be the last hit of the fight. So if you kill the big boss, but he still has a mook? No cutscene for you. If you kill the big boss right before his turn where he's about to end the fight on his terms? Add some style to it.

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