Viewing Player Macros as a GM

I apologize if this has been asked, but couldn't find an answer anywhere on Wiki or forum. I was wondering if there is a way for the GM to view the player's macros to check the math being used?

If you are the GM of the game, you have access to the journal sheets and you should also have access to the global macros in your setting tab. You can also hover over the roll (if it is inline) and get the individual rolls that way also.

Pat S. said: If you are the GM of the game, you have access to the journal sheets and you should also have access to the global macros in your setting tab. You can also hover over the roll (if it is inline) and get the individual rolls that way also. Yeah, I thought I should in the "journal" under their character sheet and if they make them in there I can see them. However if they make personal macros I don't seem to have access to that information. I have not made any macros as the GM so that's why none show up on "my settings" tab, right? I guess I'll just have to stick with looking while hovering, but that still limits my access to see all of them. Thanks for the response.

It appears they are cutting and pasting the macros for a separate file (text maybe) if you do not have them listed anywhere in the game itself. As a GM you have complete access to everything in the game (except for the players art library and stuff that is keyed to their accounts) so that would be the most logical reason I can think of why you can't see the macros but the results.

The GM cannot see players' macros, only characters' abilities and your own macros.

hmmm. new one on me. Thanks for the info Brian.

This seems to be a weak point, I have had a player fiddle around with my macro and break it. Most of my players think that the macros are magic. they really do not seem to understand how they work. I guess I would know they were writing macros by the sound of clicking and cursing. I believe the Gm should have access to everything running in his game. It is not a trust issue for reasons of dishonesty, it is more an issue of accuracy.

Brian said: The GM cannot see players' macros, only characters' abilities and your own macros. Ah, thanks for the info. That seems odd to me.

It's worth pointing out that the GM can create a macro and make it visible to the players. So, you could write the macro yourself and let your players use it; I've done this a number of times with API scripts, rather than trying to explain what scripts are available.

Brian said: It's worth pointing out that the GM can create a macro and make it visible to the players. So, you could write the macro yourself and let your players use it; I've done this a number of times with API scripts, rather than trying to explain what scripts are available. Yeah, I realize that. Some of my players like to put a lot of flair and role play into their macros, which is fine to me. I'm asking them to use the section in the character sheet (D&D 5th Ed) under Class tab / "Class Actions/Macros". That way I can read and proofread them. However if they still want to keep them on their end I think I'm just going to ask them to copy/paste their macros into a txt file so I can proofread them that way. Thanks for all the responses. I think the issue is solved for now. I may post something in the suggestions section about this as well.

I'd agree with a Suggestion of such, GM being able to review macros created by Players on the Player's screen. I can understand disallowing the GM from directly editing the Player-created macros (GM should communicate with the player if changes are requested on something the Player wrote), but at least to read the text/code would be useful. There are times when this would help, whatever the reason -- to proofread, to fix something, to help the Player, or asking them to tweak something. Dvengr I hope you make a Suggestion that covers this and come back to share the Suggestion link here please.

That type of suggestion I would fully step behind and back.

I think someone already mentioned it, but macros can't hide the math they use. Just mouse over any rolls and you'll see the full equation along with the original rolls, even if they use inline rolling. Check the math and if it's wrong you can have them correct it. Having access to player macros might be wonky on implementation...would you have access when they join? What if your GM accidentally deleted your macros? I guess they could appear as they are saved in the campaign. The only use I can think of for this is checking to see if someone has "scouting" macros that whisper NPC stats (/w me AC:[[@{target|AC}) which can be annoying if you want to keep meta knowledge down. Of course, if someone wants to "cheat" they can always look up stats online, but there's only so much you can do.

Jacquesne J. said: I think someone already mentioned it, but macros can't hide the math they use. Just mouse over any rolls and you'll see the full equation along with the original rolls, even if they use inline rolling. Check the math and if it's wrong you can have them correct it. Of course, if someone wants to "cheat" they can always look up stats online, but there's only so much you can do. Yeah. I mentioned earlier I'd hover if necessary. I think they could add to the "Attributes & Abilities" tab or just make a new "Macros" tab if they implemented. I just want to be clear I only want to check the math for my characters because D&D 5th Ed is a new edition. I have a few players who never played before and some veterans who tend to mix up rules from previous editions into the new one. I'm not faulting anyone for mistakes made on their macros as it may just be ignorance or assumptions made about the rules. Some mistakes give too high of a bonus on attack rolls or roll too much damage and some mistakes don't give a high enough bonus to attack or roll enough damage so it works both ways. I can live with hovering, but the main reason why I think it would be beneficial to see them is simply to save time. If we only have about 4 hours to play each week and when I notice something doesn't look right it takes time to calculate it on the fly and look up said rule if necessary (I'm still learning 5e as a DM as well). Not to mention if the values weren't separated by appropriate math symbols. In otherwords, I'd rather be prepared ahead of time than have to waste time in session to correct math formulas.

Gold said: There are times when this would help, whatever the reason -- to proofread, to fix something, to help the Player, or asking them to tweak something. Dvengr I hope you make a Suggestion that covers this and come back to share the Suggestion link here please. Well, I posted to Suggestions. Guess we will see what happens. <a href="https://app.roll20.net/forum/post/1459963/allow-gm" rel="nofollow">https://app.roll20.net/forum/post/1459963/allow-gm</a>...

Tell them to not use macros created under their settings tab and to instead put their macros on their character sheet.

HoneyBadger said: Tell them to not use macros created under their settings tab and to instead put their macros on their character sheet. Dvergr76 said: I'm asking them to use the section in the character sheet (D&D 5th Ed) under Class tab / "Class Actions/Macros". That way I can read and proofread them.