# Rules as written

- Term: Tabletop term
- Canonical: https://www.lanternhall.org/lexicon/rules-as-written/

> Reading a rule strictly by its text (RAW), as opposed to what its designers meant (RAI, rules as intended). D&D designer Jeremy Crawford has written that ideally the two align, but the words on the page do not always communicate the designers' intent.

Reading a rule strictly by its text (RAW), as opposed to what its designers meant (RAI, rules as intended). D&D designer Jeremy Crawford has written that ideally the two align, but the words on the page do not always communicate the designers' intent.

## Quick answers

**What does "Rules as written" mean?**
Reading a rule strictly by its text (RAW), as opposed to what its designers meant (RAI, rules as intended). D&D designer Jeremy Crawford has written that ideally the two align, but the words on the page do not always communicate the designers' intent.

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From The Lantern Hall (https://www.lanternhall.org/), a museum of fantasy literature and roleplaying games.