Thinking Critically: A D&D Discussion

Fudging


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This episode is (unfortunately?) not about the delicious sugary treat, but instead the DM tool of "fudging dice"; changing the outcome of a roll behind the screen. For this discussion, I'm joined by Bart Wynants, a.k.a @critographer, author, historian, and all-round inspiration machine. Off the back of Bart's extensive, seven-part Twitter thread, we discuss the finer points of this particular incarnation of DM fiat, and how it's a bit of an iceberg of unseen issues. Firstly, it's not limited to just altering the result of a dice roll in secret, and it's pervasiveness can take many forms: dice tables, magic items, difficulty DCs, etc. I go through my personal realisation of how public rolling completely changed the game for the better, with no drawbacks! We come to the conclusion that fudging is less a DM tool, and actually a symptom of a deeper problem - seen as an exceptional occurrence. Through the use of the "five-whys" methodology we can get to the bottom of why the need for fudging has manifested, and fix it at the root, which is easier than you might expect!

  • 02:32 - Transparent rolling: the silver bullet?
  • 09:19 - Improvising/fudging DCs
  • 18:46 - Single points of failure and the 'rule-of-three' cure
  • 26:20 - Finding peace in the absolution of responsibility
  • 32:13 - Fudging dice table results - why bother & how to remain flexible
  • 38:04 - Tier 1 life support - a failing of the framework?
  • 43:48 - Miscellaneous fudge
  • 53:26 - The Five Whys - how to get to the root of your fudging habit
  • Follow Bart (@critographer) on:

    • Twitter: https://twitter.com/critographer
    • He’s done some recent work for:

      • Raging Swan Press: https://www.ragingswanpress.com/
      • Hansor Publishing - The Gaia Complex: https://thegaiacomplex.com/hansor
      • Nightfall Games - The Terminator RPG: https://nightfall.games/terminator
      • Follow me on:

        • Website: https://www.thinkingcritically.co.uk
        • Twitter: https://twitter.com/Danilo_DnD
        • Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thinking_critically_dnd/
        • Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ThinkingCriticallyDnD
        • References:

          • Bart's "THOU SHALT NOT FUDGE" Twitter thread: Part 1, part 2, part 3, part 4, part 5, part 6, part 7
          • Gloomhaven
          • The Alexandrian
          • Agency episode of Thinking Critically
          • Intro Music: 'Local Forecast' by Kevin MacLeod

            Intermission Music: 'Chill' by Kevin MacLeod
            Outro Music: 'Local Forecast - Elevator' by Kevin MacLeod

            ...more
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            Thinking Critically: A D&D DiscussionBy Danilo Vujevic

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