With the introduction of Dungeons & Dragons 5th edition in 2014, several rules were either streamlined or abandoned altogether. It's that kind of streamlined approach which has made the tabletop RPG more popular than ever, but there are still some D&D 5e rules that players and Dungeon Masters can ignore.
Ignoring rules is a completely subjective aspect of D&D, since DM preferences heavily affect how games are run. However, despite being officially included for 5e, some long-standing rules are already widely ignored by players and DMs alike. Ultimately, it's up to the DM whether or not to include certain rules, and Dungeons & Dragons allows for plenty of flexibility with its ruleset. The important part is making sure all players and the DM can agree on these rules before setting off on an adventure, ensuring everyone can have an enjoyable D&D session that lasts.
Whether the 5e D&D rules feel outdated or they just provide too much of a headache to players, there are plenty of reasons to ignore certain parts of Dungeons & Dragons' core rules. Most of the rules players choose to ignore are focused around micromanaging - they require too many pauses that can break up gameplay and disrupt an immersive experience. However, it's important to that the biggest rule in D&D is to have fun, so as long as everyone can agree on , players are fairly free to experiment with which rules work best for their group.
D&D Rules Players (& DMs) Can Ignore
Stopping to rest can be an important way to regain health and restore spell slots, but rationing and eating can be a big headache. Players and DMs typically don't want to keep track of how much food everyone has, or when their last meal time was. Unless survival is an important part of the D&D campaign's location or story, eating food can be streamlined in a simple way: whenever players rest, they automatically eat.
A similar method can be used for spellcasters who may not want to micromanage their spells, especially those with material components. Does the party really want to stop every few paces while the wizard searches for some useful wing of bat? And does the DM really want to frequently choose random ingredients for a player to find? Casting spells in D&D can be streamlined in a number of ways. Either the player can just tell the DM what they're looking for, and the DM can decide if they find it or not. Or, the group can just pretend the spellcaster always has the needed materials on-hand.
The D&D rule that is arguably most often ignored is encumbrance. It's a headache for both players and DMs to keep track of how much every single item weighs. Players don't want to spend a lot of time choosing which hard-earned items to abandon and which ones to keep, and it can interrupt an otherwise great D&D session. For this reason, it's best to just ignore how many items adventurers are carrying.
Of course, as the new Tasha's Cauldron of Everything shows, D&D rules are always changing and adapting. It's really up to the DM and players to decide which Dungeons & Dragons 5e rules work for their campaign - and which ones are best left out.
