A DM who wants to be a PC [Archive] - Wizards Community

A DM who wants to be a PC [Archive] - Wizards Community

Post/Author/DateTime Post
Xavorin
02-01-07, 08:54 PM So...
I've been DMing a group for a fair while, and I've been enjoying it. However, I would like to try my hand at being a PC. The problem I'm faced with is that no one wants to DM more than two rooms.

Is it common for PCs to not want to try DMing? Or is my group just different like that? :P

Any suggestions as to what I should do?

--Xavorin
fatal error
02-01-07, 08:56 PM No, it is pretty common for people to not like the idea of DMing. Then again, it is also all too common for people to like the idea of DMing and turn out to have absolutely no judgment required for the job.

Other than getting one of your players to DM, you could try joining another gaming group (online?) as a player to supplement your current group.
ElHiggz
02-01-07, 09:01 PM Not alot of people enjoy DMing. We had only one DM for the longest time, until I thought up a neat idea and thought I'd give it a try (I get rather frustrated at keeping a single persona going, it gets boring), and I told them I'd run one single adventure for one afternoon only. That was probably 4 months ago now, and I still DM the "adventure" I was running for them that one time.

Most players are happy being simply players, it takes a different sort of person to want to DM. Myself, I prefer to DM now. Much more fun playing NPCs and dungeon creator than running around as a player, in my opinion.
Blackskullgreymon
02-01-07, 09:38 PM Boy, I am in the same boat.
While I have just recently started playing, I don't think anyone I play with even imagines being DM.
While the games we do aren't too complicated, I think everyone else is more into accomplishing things themselves than setting up and watching their set-up fall-down.
Knight9910
02-01-07, 10:24 PM Simply put, it takes a certain kind of person to like DMing. It's definately not for everyone.

As for myself, I'm usually happiest when I'm the one running things, but I also like to play a character myself and I often get bored during the lag time between battles when the players want to roleplay their characters. (Not that there's anything wrong with RPing, it's just not particularly fun for the DM who can only sit there and watch.)

It's especially bad when you have players who absolutely refuse to let you take a turn as a PC. This is why I swear by the idea of DMPCs. Yes, yes, I know DMPCs are the mark of the devil and by even bringing them up I've probably instigated the next great flame war. But it's true: a DMPC, run well, can be a very good thing and a godsend for those who deperately want to run a PC but whose players are unwilling to DM.

All you have to do is keep one thing in mind: your DMPC is not actually a PC. He's just an NPC that sticks around a little longer. He can fight alongside the PCs and he can join them in RP time, but when it comes into the dungeons the PCs should be the ones who get most of the glory and accomplish all of the difficult tasks.

I would actually go so far as to tell you that if your players get upset by you trying to run a DMPC here then you should leave the game. If they're unwilling to let you take a turn as a PC or even to let you run an NPC with the party then it's obvious they're just selfish and don't care wether or not you have any fun. They can either find someone else to DM or just not play the game anymore.
johnhansen
02-01-07, 11:04 PM Only one player was not also a DM in my old 2nd/3rd addition group, and there were seven people in the group. One player only DM once and one other player/DM says that was his funnest game ever. We each had different DM styles ranging from hacknslash to deep role playing from magic to the extreme to low magic. forgotten realms, gray hawk, almost all and three home brews.

If you want to play but no one else will DM, I agree with the above play a NPC long term and have fun just never make a magic item especially for it.
mike_beavers
02-01-07, 11:05 PM I get to rp all the time. I can play the canterous old barkeep, the foppish merchant or the brillant or stupid minons of the bbeg as well as the overly clever bbeg. It really depends on your style of game as to how much rping a DM can do.
Xavorin
02-02-07, 04:26 PM Whoa... lots of replies. Thanks so much, guys!

I love the idea of an online game, but I don't know of any. Could you all give me some links?

I also like the idea of a DMPC, and I agree that they have to give me that much leverage at least if I can't be a full player. The problem is that I couldn't really leave, since I wouldn't have another group to play with.
fatal error
02-02-07, 04:44 PM WotC has two boards, one for D&D and one for D20 Modern/Future for Play-by-Post gaming. They're under the .community from the main forum menu.
dungeonmasterblog
02-02-07, 05:09 PM I've always been the DM out of default. It's something you pick over time. Playing a character while DMing is tough though. You do know what's going ot happen so you have an immediate advantage. I usually like to create PC quality NPCs and have them floating around in the campaign, ready for when I need them.

Dungeon Master
http://www.dungeonsdragonsblog.com
Uninverted
02-02-07, 05:10 PM http://www.myth-weavers.com/forumhome.php
Mythweavers is a great place, build in dice roller, lots of generators, online character sheets, lots of active members, the list goes on.
Xavorin
02-03-07, 10:00 AM Thanks for the links, all. They're really helpful.

Thanks for all the ideas that were given, too. I just made up a DMPC for me to use last night, and I have some fun ways to incorporate him into the campaign. (Think him bretraying them, but them finding him again:D.)

Thanks all!
Milak
02-03-07, 04:08 PM Yea it's pretty common. As other have already said it takes a certain type of person to be able to DM. There are several people in my group that if they were to DM I wouldn't play, but I also have 1 other that DM's as well. The secret that they don't realize is that it's alot of fun to be the DM. You get to play all the npcs and you get to try out all the monsters you through at them. DM npc's may be the devil but I use one occasionally when needed, it also helps when a player takes leadership and I have the cohort to run.
Xavorin
02-03-07, 09:05 PM I just made a DMPC and just incorporated it into the game: The DMPC is a 4th level Hexblade. I always wanted to play a Hexblade since I saw the class on Wizards, so that's cool. And the players are all 4th level too, so they're not jealous. I did give my guy a magic weapon, but the rest of the PCs all have a magic weapon of some sort too, so yeah. The players aren't mad, since I made it all balanced. Yay :D.

I also found a fun way to get him in: The players walked into a room and found this guy fighting two NPCs. The cleric cast Detect Evil to make sure that the hexblade wasn't evil, and when he found that he wasn't the party welcomed the hexblade in.

Thanks again for all the advice!
agletam
02-03-07, 09:45 PM i'm in a similiar situation myself.... i'm in a very small group there's only four of us including me... i'm the only one who can tell a story and think on my feet quick enough to answer questions so i never get to play.... i used to get bummed about this but then i realized that i get to roleplay hundreds of characters in one campaign and they only get to roleplay one... when you think about it like that it's not so bad...
Templetroll
02-03-07, 09:52 PM Have a DMing class with your group. Ask them what world they would like to DM in, then look over free scenarios available online and let each one select three and you choose one of them and let the new DM run it. Only you should know what they chose and by making it one of three you keep others from choosing the same one or knowing that someone is going to run it. Another option is having them work up a scenario for a series of encounters for new characters.

One or two might get the DMing bug and want to run a game. At least they will get a bit of understanding about how difficult it is to run for your group!
bholdr_mage
02-03-07, 10:24 PM This is definitely a problem. Some good advice, but i'd like to extend one bit.

While the PC played by a DM is on the back burner right now by WOTC; and moderators may just be watching this thread to lock it at the first sign of aggression; it's always been something of a touchy subject with many here on these boards.

I like the idea if it's done right. What I won't do is tell you how to do it right in detail, but just make sure you don't outshine the players. Playing DnD by yourself is silly.

What I will do is provide a seed; an idea of sorts that lets the DM "play" many different classes in the same game...without stepping on anyone's shoes.

Players tend to need guides when venturing into the unknown. Here's your chance to play a scout, ranger, rogue, or druid. Like the character? Make the journey a bit more complicated so your new NPC can stick around for a while. Give him tactics, give him personality, make him predictable or un-predictable...make it just like any other NPC that isn't all-knowledgeable. Then, he goes away. Don't run an NPC with the party for a couple of sessions. He can always come back when he needs a favor (Hello plot twist!), and if the characers ever happen to be in that terrain again, look who's back to guide them once more.

A mage or sorcerer, monk, or psion at a school? Perhaps they are look ing for an artifact. Looks like a good chance that you get to play a spellcaster for a few sessions. Have them tag along. Wizards are always difficult, since you already know the challenges ahead. Your best bet is to let your PLAYERS pick the spells per day (or spells or powers known), and you cast them when you feel the character needs to. Heck, you could let the players "roll" for the character after you decide what he's doing. Role-play so that you have something to say during social encounters. Try to remain neutral and not aggressive with information or a disrupting moron. Speak only when spoken to, to help guide a decision, or the like. It is completely acceptable for an NPC to agree with a fellow CG character that has an ingenious idea that you as DM would like to see played out. Just don't make the decisions for the PCs and don't force them into submission with your NPCs actions...or they will be unlikely to work with any NPC of your creation in the future willingly.
Xavorin
02-04-07, 11:43 AM I agree that you would get to roleplay a lot usually, but this campaign is almost all fighting. I can't find a way to get roleplaying in. I guess I'm just not that type of DM.

The choosing three scenarios thing is cool. Right now the Favored Soul is gonna try DMing two rooms, and maybe he'll catch the bug :D.

The seed thing is cool too, but the problem is that they're in a dungeon and I couldn't think of a way for a guide to come into the storyline, nor could I think of a way for a Magish person to come in. I just got this guy in, but he'll go in and out of the storyline.

Post/Author/DateTime	Post
Xavorin 02-01-07, 08:54 PM	So... I've been DMing a group for a fair while, and I've been enjoying it. However, I would like to try my hand at being a PC. The problem I'm faced with is that no one wants to DM more than two rooms. Is it common for PCs to not want to try DMing? Or is my group just different like that? :P Any suggestions as to what I should do? --Xavorin
fatal error 02-01-07, 08:56 PM	No, it is pretty common for people to not like the idea of DMing. Then again, it is also all too common for people to like the idea of DMing and turn out to have absolutely no judgment required for the job. Other than getting one of your players to DM, you could try joining another gaming group (online?) as a player to supplement your current group.
ElHiggz 02-01-07, 09:01 PM	Not alot of people enjoy DMing. We had only one DM for the longest time, until I thought up a neat idea and thought I'd give it a try (I get rather frustrated at keeping a single persona going, it gets boring), and I told them I'd run one single adventure for one afternoon only. That was probably 4 months ago now, and I still DM the "adventure" I was running for them that one time. Most players are happy being simply players, it takes a different sort of person to want to DM. Myself, I prefer to DM now. Much more fun playing NPCs and dungeon creator than running around as a player, in my opinion.
Blackskullgreymon 02-01-07, 09:38 PM	Boy, I am in the same boat. While I have just recently started playing, I don't think anyone I play with even imagines being DM. While the games we do aren't too complicated, I think everyone else is more into accomplishing things themselves than setting up and watching their set-up fall-down.
Knight9910 02-01-07, 10:24 PM	Simply put, it takes a certain kind of person to like DMing. It's definately not for everyone. As for myself, I'm usually happiest when I'm the one running things, but I also like to play a character myself and I often get bored during the lag time between battles when the players want to roleplay their characters. (Not that there's anything wrong with RPing, it's just not particularly fun for the DM who can only sit there and watch.) It's especially bad when you have players who absolutely refuse to let you take a turn as a PC. This is why I swear by the idea of DMPCs. Yes, yes, I know DMPCs are the mark of the devil and by even bringing them up I've probably instigated the next great flame war. But it's true: a DMPC, run well, can be a very good thing and a godsend for those who deperately want to run a PC but whose players are unwilling to DM. All you have to do is keep one thing in mind: your DMPC is not actually a PC. He's just an NPC that sticks around a little longer. He can fight alongside the PCs and he can join them in RP time, but when it comes into the dungeons the PCs should be the ones who get most of the glory and accomplish all of the difficult tasks. I would actually go so far as to tell you that if your players get upset by you trying to run a DMPC here then you should leave the game. If they're unwilling to let you take a turn as a PC or even to let you run an NPC with the party then it's obvious they're just selfish and don't care wether or not you have any fun. They can either find someone else to DM or just not play the game anymore.
johnhansen 02-01-07, 11:04 PM	Only one player was not also a DM in my old 2nd/3rd addition group, and there were seven people in the group. One player only DM once and one other player/DM says that was his funnest game ever. We each had different DM styles ranging from hacknslash to deep role playing from magic to the extreme to low magic. forgotten realms, gray hawk, almost all and three home brews. If you want to play but no one else will DM, I agree with the above play a NPC long term and have fun just never make a magic item especially for it.
mike_beavers 02-01-07, 11:05 PM	I get to rp all the time. I can play the canterous old barkeep, the foppish merchant or the brillant or stupid minons of the bbeg as well as the overly clever bbeg. It really depends on your style of game as to how much rping a DM can do.
Xavorin 02-02-07, 04:26 PM	Whoa... lots of replies. Thanks so much, guys! I love the idea of an online game, but I don't know of any. Could you all give me some links? I also like the idea of a DMPC, and I agree that they have to give me that much leverage at least if I can't be a full player. The problem is that I couldn't really leave, since I wouldn't have another group to play with.
fatal error 02-02-07, 04:44 PM	WotC has two boards, one for D&D and one for D20 Modern/Future for Play-by-Post gaming. They're under the .community from the main forum menu.
dungeonmasterblog 02-02-07, 05:09 PM	I've always been the DM out of default. It's something you pick over time. Playing a character while DMing is tough though. You do know what's going ot happen so you have an immediate advantage. I usually like to create PC quality NPCs and have them floating around in the campaign, ready for when I need them. Dungeon Master http://www.dungeonsdragonsblog.com
Uninverted 02-02-07, 05:10 PM	http://www.myth-weavers.com/forumhome.php Mythweavers is a great place, build in dice roller, lots of generators, online character sheets, lots of active members, the list goes on.
Xavorin 02-03-07, 10:00 AM	Thanks for the links, all. They're really helpful. Thanks for all the ideas that were given, too. I just made up a DMPC for me to use last night, and I have some fun ways to incorporate him into the campaign. (Think him bretraying them, but them finding him again:D.) Thanks all!
Milak 02-03-07, 04:08 PM	Yea it's pretty common. As other have already said it takes a certain type of person to be able to DM. There are several people in my group that if they were to DM I wouldn't play, but I also have 1 other that DM's as well. The secret that they don't realize is that it's alot of fun to be the DM. You get to play all the npcs and you get to try out all the monsters you through at them. DM npc's may be the devil but I use one occasionally when needed, it also helps when a player takes leadership and I have the cohort to run.
Xavorin 02-03-07, 09:05 PM	I just made a DMPC and just incorporated it into the game: The DMPC is a 4th level Hexblade. I always wanted to play a Hexblade since I saw the class on Wizards, so that's cool. And the players are all 4th level too, so they're not jealous. I did give my guy a magic weapon, but the rest of the PCs all have a magic weapon of some sort too, so yeah. The players aren't mad, since I made it all balanced. Yay :D. I also found a fun way to get him in: The players walked into a room and found this guy fighting two NPCs. The cleric cast Detect Evil to make sure that the hexblade wasn't evil, and when he found that he wasn't the party welcomed the hexblade in. Thanks again for all the advice!
agletam 02-03-07, 09:45 PM	i'm in a similiar situation myself.... i'm in a very small group there's only four of us including me... i'm the only one who can tell a story and think on my feet quick enough to answer questions so i never get to play.... i used to get bummed about this but then i realized that i get to roleplay hundreds of characters in one campaign and they only get to roleplay one... when you think about it like that it's not so bad...
Templetroll 02-03-07, 09:52 PM	Have a DMing class with your group. Ask them what world they would like to DM in, then look over free scenarios available online and let each one select three and you choose one of them and let the new DM run it. Only you should know what they chose and by making it one of three you keep others from choosing the same one or knowing that someone is going to run it. Another option is having them work up a scenario for a series of encounters for new characters. One or two might get the DMing bug and want to run a game. At least they will get a bit of understanding about how difficult it is to run for your group!
bholdr_mage 02-03-07, 10:24 PM	This is definitely a problem. Some good advice, but i'd like to extend one bit. While the PC played by a DM is on the back burner right now by WOTC; and moderators may just be watching this thread to lock it at the first sign of aggression; it's always been something of a touchy subject with many here on these boards. I like the idea if it's done right. What I won't do is tell you how to do it right in detail, but just make sure you don't outshine the players. Playing DnD by yourself is silly. What I will do is provide a seed; an idea of sorts that lets the DM "play" many different classes in the same game...without stepping on anyone's shoes. Players tend to need guides when venturing into the unknown. Here's your chance to play a scout, ranger, rogue, or druid. Like the character? Make the journey a bit more complicated so your new NPC can stick around for a while. Give him tactics, give him personality, make him predictable or un-predictable...make it just like any other NPC that isn't all-knowledgeable. Then, he goes away. Don't run an NPC with the party for a couple of sessions. He can always come back when he needs a favor (Hello plot twist!), and if the characers ever happen to be in that terrain again, look who's back to guide them once more. A mage or sorcerer, monk, or psion at a school? Perhaps they are look ing for an artifact. Looks like a good chance that you get to play a spellcaster for a few sessions. Have them tag along. Wizards are always difficult, since you already know the challenges ahead. Your best bet is to let your PLAYERS pick the spells per day (or spells or powers known), and you cast them when you feel the character needs to. Heck, you could let the players "roll" for the character after you decide what he's doing. Role-play so that you have something to say during social encounters. Try to remain neutral and not aggressive with information or a disrupting moron. Speak only when spoken to, to help guide a decision, or the like. It is completely acceptable for an NPC to agree with a fellow CG character that has an ingenious idea that you as DM would like to see played out. Just don't make the decisions for the PCs and don't force them into submission with your NPCs actions...or they will be unlikely to work with any NPC of your creation in the future willingly.
Xavorin 02-04-07, 11:43 AM	I agree that you would get to roleplay a lot usually, but this campaign is almost all fighting. I can't find a way to get roleplaying in. I guess I'm just not that type of DM. The choosing three scenarios thing is cool. Right now the Favored Soul is gonna try DMing two rooms, and maybe he'll catch the bug :D. The seed thing is cool too, but the problem is that they're in a dungeon and I couldn't think of a way for a guide to come into the storyline, nor could I think of a way for a Magish person to come in. I just got this guy in, but he'll go in and out of the storyline.