@JeremyECrawford Dear Mr. Crawford; I have recently witnessed a 10-year friendship end over a ruling on the Horizon Walker's 'Distant Strike' ability. Can a HW using Distant Strike without making an Attack, particularly while not in a combat situation? #BadReasonsToEndFriendships

— Gerald Von Kahr (@GVonKahr) October 15, 2018

Friendship is more important than a game's rules.

If you and a friend are having a disagreement about rules, please pause, go do something else, and remind yourselves why you love each other's company.

Human connection and love beat being correct any day. https://t.co/EzVfQ79kuX

— Jeremy Crawford (@JeremyECrawford) October 15, 2018

Been doing the game thing for 20 years and think I have an answer for the one skill that is indispensable:

Be the person who raises the energy level in the room. If you do that, people will love working with you and your projects will shine.

— Mike Mearls (@mikemearls) September 22, 2018

And to make this more than a vague exhortation – I've found that asking questions helps. Example: Writer proposes something I don't really like. Instead of just being negative, I take a moment to really understand my reaction and find a way to phrase as a question.

— Mike Mearls (@mikemearls) September 22, 2018

Let’s say someone proposes a grim dark fantasy thing, and I don’t like it because I think it’s cliche these days. I might ask, “What would you do to make this stand out from Warhammer or Game of Thrones? What’s makes it distinct?” The secret is that if I'm being honest with myself, and I realize my critique is dumb, idiosyncratic, or reflexive without real thought, I just drop it. Forces me to focus on conversations that drive us forward and actually matter.

— Mike Mearls (@mikemearls) September 22, 2018

Reverse is true, too – if you love a pitch, think about why and focus on questions that build on that. Funny thing I’ve noticed is that my questions kind of end up looking similar if I like or dislike a pitch. At the end of the day, writers, artists, and creators like solving problems, and questions engage that maker mentality that pushes people to do this stuff for a living. Questions are more valuable than answers, IMO.

— Mike Mearls (@mikemearls) September 22, 2018

this is also a really good DMing skill. You know, I probably learned it as part of going from being a crap DM to being one who knows enough to understand when I'm on point and when I'm floundering.

— Mike Mearls (@mikemearls) September 22, 2018

dude everything i ever do i learned from rpgs. business meetings, relationships, it’s all communication learned from sitting at a table for HOURS making sure conversations work properly and people contribute good stuff. This is why the 21st century needs RPGs! This is the century of communication.

— Mike Mearls (@mikemearls) September 22, 2018

Your DM runs the D&D game you're playing.

The rules don't run the game. My rulings don't run the game. Your DM does.

And that game is a co-op game, all about creating a mutually fun experience for the people at the table.

Work to bring smiles to one another's faces. #DnD

— Jeremy Crawford (@JeremyECrawford) August 17, 2018

Smiles are important but the other thing a great party gets on their face is pizza! Mmm, pizza.

— Jeremy Crawford (@JeremyECrawford) August 17, 2018

Why do we have rules then if they dont mean anything?

— Energy Predator (@forestsfailyou) August 17, 2018

Rules help make D&D a game, rather than pure improvisational storytelling. The DM is the person who runs that game and who oversees the use of the rules.

If you like total fidelity to the rules, I recommend choosing a DM who strives for that. #DnD https://t.co/8Z3aJG0SFu

— Jeremy Crawford (@JeremyECrawford) August 17, 2018

Our of curiosity, where’s the overlap between “your DM runs the game” and “D&D is a cooperative game”? What’s the design rationale for investing the DM with all rulings power, and not sharing it cooperatively among the table and social contract?

— Matt Hayles (@mathayles) August 17, 2018

The DM cooperates with the players to create a fun experience. And the players cooperate with each other. If there are disputes, the DM makes the final call. A co-op-minded DM makes a call that feels natural for the group and talks it through if they have questions. #DnD https://t.co/FqOk8hrfbA

— Jeremy Crawford (@JeremyECrawford) August 17, 2018

It’s only a co-op till the players start trying to murder each other

— Aidan Warnock (@Astr0Wolf) August 17, 2018

If the players are trying to murder each other, please call the police! 👮‍♀️👮‍♂️ https://t.co/80fedxHuYx

— Jeremy Crawford (@JeremyECrawford) August 17, 2018

In case you're haunted by a rule from another edition …

D&D has no rule for handedness, and the combat rules make no distinction between an attack with one hand or the other. #DnD

— Jeremy Crawford (@JeremyECrawford) August 1, 2018

One of the best lessons I was taught as a kid was that I could hunt down information and verify it myself. That's a powerful feeling, steering your own knowledge acquisition.

I love helping others have that feeling too. That's often why I point you to your D&D books. #DnD

— Jeremy Crawford (@JeremyECrawford) August 22, 2018

Along these lines, one of the best lessons I was taught as a kid was that if you unplug your cable box before the free HBO weekend ends, you get free HBO all year. Not sure that's useful with respect to D&D, but there it is. https://t.co/Y8HkpfQarO

— Mike Mearls (@mikemearls) August 22, 2018

Dungeons & Dragons is the reason I'm a writer. It empowered me to create characters and stories. It gave me confidence and a voice when I was young and scared.

Contributing to D&D, even just a bit, and bringing that experience to other people is a dream come true.

— Jim Zub (@JimZub) August 29, 2018

You like writing? Play D&D! But don't take it from me, take it from Master Zub. https://t.co/hR79jpAIXA

— 🎄🏕Adam Lee🎄🏔 (@adamofadventure) August 30, 2018

Thank you for sharing and for bringing your DnD stories to life!

— Dungeons & Dragons (@Wizards_DnD) August 30, 2018

The adventure Rick and Morty go on in issue #1 is "The Secret Of Bone Hill."

I looked through my old modules and found a classic with a title that cried out for low-brow jokes a reader would get even if they didn't know it was a real adventure from 1981. pic.twitter.com/QfWBRWSdPQ

— Jim Zub (@JimZub) August 30, 2018

If you're tempted to run in triumph to someone you're arguing with about this or another bit of rules minutia, remember this: rules in D&D exist to serve your group's story and fun. The DM has final say. Rules are a tool, not a weapon, and friendships matter more than rules. #DnD

— Jeremy Crawford (@JeremyECrawford) July 18, 2018

It's so important to remember how fragile life is. That every moment is precious. Play with friends who play like you. So many spend time in conflict. Look around. Support eachother in what makes your heart sing. Not every game is for everyone and that's ok. #Findyourhappytable

— DMSatine at #SDCC2018 #Humanist2018 (@satinephoenix) July 21, 2018