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[–] 30 points 2 years ago (4 children)

I more or less do this for stealth or deception checks. I get the players to tell me their modifier, and then roll behind the screen. And then I'll give them a description like "try as you might, you can't seem to make your armor stop squeaking" or "to the best of your knowledge, you are quiet and unseen" or whatever. But I don't actually tell them what they rolled, and let the scenario play out.

My players seem to actually prefer this, since it allows them to blissfully ignore the metagaming elements.

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  • [–] 13 points 2 years ago (1 child)

    My favorite response is a consistent "you believe you are hidden" for every stealth check.

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  • [–] 5 points 2 years ago

    Gotta work on your poker face with that one, as DM. Sometimes I can't help but laugh, so I deliver...

    (They roll a 2) you believe you are hidden but are in fact betraying your position -- you're the equivalent of clown shoes sticking out from under the barrel. How would you describe this?

    A good roleplayer leans into this and hijinx abound.

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  • [–] 5 points 2 years ago (1 child)

    I honestly love when our DM makes a roll and just says "... okay". Especially when it happens in response to a seemingly innocuous action.

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  • [–] 3 points 2 years ago*

    I know critical failures aren't a thing outside attack rolls, but when someone rolls a 1 I just can't help but adding flavor.

    Player rolls 1 perception looking into an empty room with a cat in it:

    You see a dragon

    Actually funnier when they DO see their roll. Gotta put in the work roleplaying 🤣

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