Metagaming: The Workaround

Have you ever been tempted to metagame? To use out-of-character knowledge in an in-character situation?

"Metagamer" is one of the worst titles a player can be labeled, alongside "munchkin" and "rules lawyer." Metagaming breaks our suspension of disbelief, that wonderful concept that allows us to be pulled into the fantasy world and forget we're sitting around a table playing a game.

So why do people metagame? Generally, it's to gain an in-game advantage. Maybe you've read the Monster Manual and know that the Chillborn Zombie you're fighting will explode and damage everyone nearby when it dies, and tell your friends to fall back as you pull out your bow to finish it off. But your character has never seen a Chillborn Zombie before--so how would he know this?

Fortunately, there are workarounds--ways to gain the advantages of metagaming, without actually metagaming.

Let's take the case of our zombie friend. Your character may not have previously encountered a Chillborn Zombie, but he may have learned of them. Roll a Knowledge check. A Knowledge check allows you to not only identify a creature and learn its lore, but, as per page 180 of the Player's Handbook, also allows you to learn its keywords, powers, resistances and vulnerabilities.

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