A newcomer to Dungeons & Dragons shares their experience of being accused of metagaming by their initial group simply for attempting to familiarize themselves with the game’s rules.
A fresh Dungeons & Dragons player has shared their peculiar experience of being expelled from their inaugural campaign for the seemingly bizarre reason of actually learning the game’s rules.
In a post shared on the Dungeons & Dragons Subreddit, a user recounts their experience of diligently studying the rule books and familiarizing themselves with the unique mechanics of the tabletop role-playing game. They expressed their enthusiasm for exploring a game that differed from their childhood experiences. Surprisingly, the other players and the Dungeon Master misinterpreted their dedication as metagaming and promptly removed them from the party.
I am getting punished for meta gaming and I am confused.
byu/threefingerhug inDnD
Upon reading the initial post, members of the Subreddit sought clarification regarding the specific rule books the player had been studying and whether the campaign was a homebrew creation or an official module such as Curse of Strahd. In response to the inquiries, the original poster provided an update. It clarified that they had solely focused on gathering information related to their D&D equipment, abilities, and fundamental rules, including concepts like “short rests.” They also mentioned that, to their knowledge, it was a custom campaign. With this additional information, many commentators swiftly came to the defense of the OP. One commenter speculated that the group may have been searching for any excuse to exclude the new player, while another expressed relief, suggesting that the player had skillfully evaded an unfavorable gaming environment.
DnD Players Have Negative Experiences With DMs
Not only new Dungeons & Dragons players but also experienced ones have encountered negative experiences in the TTRPG community due to unrealistic expectations. Another player recently shared a peculiar encounter on the Subreddit, recounting an unusual incident where the Dungeon Master penalized them for rolling a Natural 20 on an ability check. Instead of achieving success, the player’s character fumbled and accidentally dropped the item they were handling. The Dungeon Master justified this outcome by claiming that there was a “window of success,” suggesting that rolling too high or too low would lead to failure. The post garnered attention and sparked discussions about the game’s fairness and interpretation of rules.
Dungeons & Dragons Controversial One D&D and OGL Plans
Certainly, as with any new edition of Dungeons & Dragons, players can expect to familiarize themselves with new rules when the upcoming edition, codenamed One D&D, is released next year. One of the significant updates in the system will focus on enhancing the combat potential of the Ranger class, addressing long-standing concerns. Additionally, players can anticipate significant changes to the Druid class, particularly with regard to the Wild Shape ability, which has been a source of frustration for many players. These reworks aim to improve gameplay and provide a fresh and engaging experience for D&D enthusiasts.
Despite the ongoing discussions surrounding the Open Gaming License, Kobold Press has taken a stand to support the current edition of Dungeons & Dragons, D&D 5e, through its Project Black Flag. This ambitious initiative aims to update, streamline, and publish a core fantasy RPG based on the existing D&D 5e system. As part of Project Black Flag, Kobold Press has launched a Kickstarter campaign for The Vineyard RPG, a queer-inclusive setting that serves as the first entry in this endeavor. The campaign seeks backers to bring this exciting project to life and ensure its successful realization.
