Dirty Tricks

Creative players will constantly invent new combat tricks – for
instance, throwing sand in the enemy’s face to blind him. This presents
a problem for the GM. On the one hand, creativity should be encour-
aged; it makes the game more interesting. On the other hand, tricks
only work when they’re new and original. If sand in the face worked
every time, barbarian warriors would leave their swords at home and
carry bags of sand instead!
The best solution is to let “tricks” work once – maybe twice – and
then assume that word has gotten around. If you, as the GM, think that
the players’ clever idea is a good one, you should give it a fair chance to
work. But remember that elaborate tricks can fail elaborately . . . and
word gets around. The first Trojan horse was a great success. It hasn’t
worked since then.