when players get too creative...

[Krystoffer]

Hi, first post here

I was wondering how you handle situations where players just get too inventive.

For example, assume they use their business skill in order to check what their character knows about some corporation and how it works.

A GM without any experience/knowledge of corporations might have to improvise something that has no resemblance whatsoever to how corporations work, in fact things might get downright contradictory.

A player with more experience/knowledge could easily spot this. Even though things are bound to work differently in the SW universe, corporations can still not be at cross-purposes with themselves.

I mention this just as an example. You probably know the situations I am speaking of, the subject matter could be anything.

[Naaman]

This comes up for me in combat. As you say, troops from a different galaxy will have different tactics, but some stuff is pretty basic.

As the player, I wont argue with the GM about it. If asked, Ill give some input out of character. Otherwise, I just let the GM run with what he decides.

As the GM, Id probably try to wing it, honestly. Later on I might do some research on the issue, or Id just try to keep the content limited to what is relevant to the story/gameplay.

Alternatively, I might press "pause" on the game, ask the most knowledgable person and then come up with something that makes sense, then resume play.

You'll see that there are several areas of play where the regulars here discuss what is "realistic" and what is phoney, as we bring our professional experience to an interpretation of the rules.

Even still, the most expert opinion is not always the one that people "like" for their style of play, which is ultimately the most important factor above realism.

[cheshire]

[Kytross]

I concur. I have known more about Star Wars and combat than most of my GMs. I usually sit quietly when they make a faux pas and roll with it. Like Chesire I consider the Game universe to be a separate reality of the GM's creation.

When something comes up, like if we can't agree on something, we go to OOC and discuss things. We come to an agreement on how to proceed and then get back into OOC.

The thing to keep in mind is that it we're playing a game. We're here to have fun.

[garhkal]

Often in situations like that, i might pause game and ask for input for what their 'end game' is..
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[Krystoffer]

Thanks all for the feedback

And I wholly agree, the point is to have fun and not get bogged down in details.

The question "is there something specific you are thinking about" and then limiting the answer to what is relevant to the game is what I ususally do.

I was just wondering what techniques others had. Keeping the players immersed and feeling that the world is actually living is something we all strive for as GMs.

With regards to names of characters/planets and technology I have a paper full of jibberish. I just combine words from it like "ione" and "relay" to make up terms if needed.

[garhkal]

There is also times i look at the stats OF the character. Like say in an ADND game someone who's character has ave int and ave wis, trying to come up with an engineering device more apt to be something a genius would come up with. i would quiz them how they feel their character would KNOW of that..
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[Naaman]

The question about what a player is looking for is a good way to go.

It always cracks me up when players try to keep their plans a secret until that ultimate cinematic moment when the "reveal" will shock everyone and demonstrate their sherlock/bruce wayne strategic intellect... like they were leading the gm by the nose all along...

[garhkal]

Last Origins, one of the players on my table, when 'prepping' for a raid into a prison for a break, actually asked me (the gm) to leave the table so they could 'plan in secret, so i would not be aware of what they were up to, and counter it'.

First time that has ever happened to me.
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[Naaman]

Yup.. exactly what I'm talking about!

[Merrick]

If its a "what would my character know" question and they make a decent roll I would keep the information they glean to what is likely publicly available. Also keep it pretty generic, the more unexpected... the more generic.

At a certain point just cap the information they have available for such skills.

One example of such skills that might often be abused or unexpected is Investigations. Its description makes it a catch all for giving away the story line or at least handing over critical information the PC's should work for.

Keep in mind you can always just limit what a skill is able to give. They might be the best investigators in the galaxy and sometimes there is simply no information or clues to be gathered at their current location.

The flip side is don't make the skill useless... give them some juicy tidbits once and a while. Even if you think of something a little further into the adventure after you have had time to process. You can use such times to influence the direction of the session in a way that is convenient to you as well.

And sometimes... give them the reward. I have had to end adventures early in some cases and gave out extra character points to boot. Once and a while they just have a darned good idea. I try to have a second adventure lined up before every session.

A lot of this comes down to experienced players as someone mentioned earlier and a balance between effort and reward. At this point in our middle age my friends and I all have kids and are pressed for time. We just want to have a good time on the limited game days we have. We all tend to just go with the flow and enjoy the character interaction and Roleplaying more than anything.

[garhkal]

Also allow varied results using different skills.

IE say they are trying to gleen info on how imperials took out a rebel base on a world they just got to.
Investigation rolls at diff 17 bring info XYZ
Street wise rolls at diff 21 get info ZTQ
Persuasion rolls at 19 get info QYB..
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Confucious sayeth, don't wash cat while drunk!

[Whill]

[Krystoffer]

[Cap'nCodskale]

Welcome, Krystoffer!