11
\$\begingroup\$

A new user left this answer to the Can Heighten Spell benefit a [Reserve] feat?:

Legal and working as intended.

I found this question (and answer) when looking through the review queue, and there was already the standard "Don't give a one line answer" boilerplate on the given answer.

I was about to comment saying "hey, welcome, can you elaborate on this answer?" when I realized that with questions that boil down to "here's a situation, am I understanding the rules/etc correctly?" all the answers are going to boil down to either "no, and here's where you went wrong" - which is fine - and "yeah, you got it right"... But in the latter case, how do you elaborate on that?

How do we back up affirmative answers to "Am I understanding this correctly"-style questions?

\$\endgroup\$
1

1 Answer 1

Reset to default
22
\$\begingroup\$

Support why they are correct

Add the full rule context and explain the rule to the best of your ability. Usually these kind of questions come from a misunderstanding or lack of comprehension of the rules. You should try to clear up their confusion as well as directly answer the question.

If possible draw parallels to other rules from the system that use the same mechanic, or contrast with one that works differently.

Use emphasis or bold on the specific parts of the rules that mean it works the way it does.

If the question is somewhat subjective. Remember to follow the guidelines of Good Subjective, Bad Subjective. Support your answer with experience of how you have applied this ruling at the table and how it worked out.

A one-line unsupported answer is not useful to anyone. Anybody can just say "yeah that works". SE answers need to prove that it works.

\$\endgroup\$
4
  • \$\begingroup\$ What if the question has already done all of this? \$\endgroup\$
    – Stop Being Evil
    Commented May 4, 2019 at 4:52
  • 4
    \$\begingroup\$ Doesn't matter. You need to support your answer, otherwise it is just noise. \$\endgroup\$
    – linksassin Mod
    Commented May 4, 2019 at 4:53
  • 6
    \$\begingroup\$ @sevenbrokenbricks That particular question is difficult to answer well without repeating parts of the question yes. However there are 3 visible answers and 2 deleted ones that support their views. So it is possible to do better than leave a one line answer. \$\endgroup\$
    – linksassin Mod
    Commented May 4, 2019 at 4:57
  • 4
    \$\begingroup\$ I was about to say that the accepted answer doesn't do a whole lot more, but then I saw the answer that said "yes, this works, but no, it's not the overpowered cheese you think it is" and realized that this was the "misunderstanding or lack of comprehension" by the querent that you cited. Makes a lot more sense now, thank you! \$\endgroup\$
    – Stop Being Evil
    Commented May 4, 2019 at 15:07

You must log in to answer this question.

Not the answer you're looking for? Browse other questions tagged .