Issues with my DM... [Archive] - Wizards Community

Issues with my DM... [Archive] - Wizards Community

Post/Author/DateTime Post
stargate525
01-04-07, 11:42 AM Ok. I was just in a session yesterday. I was looking forward to it most of the week, since I don't get to play often, but I didn't have any fun at all during the session, and afterwards I was just glad it was over.

I've been wracking my brain to figure out why, and the only thing I can think of is that of the DM. I don't mind it when I DM, nor do I mind others DMing, it just seems to be this one that I'm having trouble with. But I'm not sure why. I don't know if it's just his style (which, honestly, none of the players can really stand) or if it's the fact that we always seem to be railroaded into things (He says we have a choice, but when it's either his way or the 3 dozen enemies, each of whom could kick our ass, I don't call that a choice).

Does anyone have any advice on how to deal with this DM, so I can actually start enjoying playing D&D again?
JasonOrlandoHawk
01-04-07, 12:01 PM The group can always make suicidal decisions b/c "That's what their characters would do." After 7 or 8 character roll ups, he might get the point.

Also, never underestimate the power of explosives to level the playing field. Especially when you use those explosives to drop a building on the offending 3 dozen foes...
jera
01-04-07, 12:09 PM If every other player hates the DM as well, Mutiny against him and ask another player to become DM.
stargate525
01-04-07, 12:13 PM The group can always make suicidal decisions b/c "That's what their characters would do." After 7 or 8 character roll ups, he might get the point.

Not a half bad idea. I could even roll up a dozen or so characters ahead of time...

jera, that's part of the problem; to all of the other players except two he is the primary DM. They don't see whats wrong with him apparently, even though I get more of a grudging 'well he's alright' then anything. I doubt that, other than me, anyone else in our group would DM.
J_Riley
01-04-07, 12:54 PM Take notes next time and have specific examples of what rubbed you the wrong way and why with his style of play.

Then, talk to the DM like the person that he is: A guy there to have fun, just like the players.

Is he a relatively new DM? Sometimes new DMs still have that "me vs the players" mentaility which can cause problems...
Solid_Saladin
01-04-07, 01:39 PM In general if you tell the DM and have support from a number of the other players you can get him/her to change the style. Giving specific examples of what he/she has done in the past is always good too. If he continues to cause the group to not have fun everyone else can just quit his/her campaign.
stargate525
01-04-07, 01:39 PM Is he a relatively new DM? Sometimes new DMs still have that "me vs the players" mentaility which can cause problems...
I think that's exactly it. In answer to your question, he isn't a new DM by any stretch of the imagination, but now that you mention it he does have a vs. mentality. I'm annoyed I didn't notice this right away, what honest DM pouts when his baddie is defeated?
Falln
01-04-07, 02:29 PM every DM has his own style. Some DM's like things to go the way they plan it to go. These are the DM's who make an adventure like this.

Players will fight NPC X => players will let NPC X live => NPC X will show the players a map => players will follow that map => players will enounter NPC Y => players will find key on NPC Y => players will enter dungeon with the key found => ...

if the players don't thrust the map because someone evil gve it to them, if the players try to pass NPC Y with stealth or an illusion, if the players kill X and "forget" to loot the body, ... then the DM has a problem.

I don't like these type of DM's and it's one of the few reasons why I would instantly leave a campaign. Players should allways think they have choices to make, the DM should try to hide forced choices as much as possible. If the DM made a dungeon crawl then the players are supposed to do that, the DM should make the adventure interesting enough for each playr to start it in the first place. It isn't because "DM" made a cave that a PC necromancer will enter it. But what if the necromancer knew that the area the cave was in, was the area where "King Kazmutt the 3rd" was burried. That King was known for his dark magic and his tomb has never been openend after his death. If this random cave could be the legendary cave, then the necromancer don't want to miss the chance to be there. Ofcourse this trick isn't needed all the time. For most parties doing good is what makes them do stuff.

The DM should allways give players choices. Sometimes these choices will test alignment. What if the players meet 2 people who accuse each other of having stolen some gold? the players need to make desisions at this point. This is what gives a bond with the character, the choices you make.

If the DM makes the choices for the players, then things are very boring and nothing more then some kind of board game where you meet X, then Y, then Z, ...
FntsyWlkr
01-04-07, 03:42 PM It's a lot harder to give advice than to be in the situation.

All in all, the first thing is to give it a shot. Try playing from their perspective. But give it an honest shot don't begrudge a "well, I'll try it."
- sometimes when you go all out, the DM realizes he needs to acclimate to a different playing style.

But in the end, you do have to stand up for yourself. If you are the only one who feels this way, leave. Jet. Find some other friends to pull into the magical world of ... dungeons and dragons ...

... mwah-ha-ha-ha-ha-ha!!
stargate525
01-04-07, 04:02 PM All in all, the first thing is to give it a shot. Try playing from their perspective. But give it an honest shot don't begrudge a "well, I'll try it."
- sometimes when you go all out, the DM realizes he needs to acclimate to a different playing style.
I've been dealing with this DM for almost a year, I think that was 'shot' enough.
*Grim_Reaper*
01-04-07, 04:20 PM My group had a similar situation a little over a year ago with a DM. He would present us with what appeared to be options similar to yours. You can choose to go this way or face epic level oppositions if you chose to do an opposite way then what I wanted type of thing. The players in the group got fed up with it after being sold in to slavery not once, but three times for figuring out an alternative route to the same goal. So, the last session we that he ran the group collectively decided to implode on it's self. This feat was pulled off when my 5 level half orc barbarian raged, killed the Cleric, and the other Fighter in the group only to be finally killed by the warlock in the group. The DM was so flustered that he refused to play with us after that. Since then we're all enjoyed gaming greatly.

Post/Author/DateTime	Post
stargate525 01-04-07, 11:42 AM	Ok. I was just in a session yesterday. I was looking forward to it most of the week, since I don't get to play often, but I didn't have any fun at all during the session, and afterwards I was just glad it was over. I've been wracking my brain to figure out why, and the only thing I can think of is that of the DM. I don't mind it when I DM, nor do I mind others DMing, it just seems to be this one that I'm having trouble with. But I'm not sure why. I don't know if it's just his style (which, honestly, none of the players can really stand) or if it's the fact that we always seem to be railroaded into things (He says we have a choice, but when it's either his way or the 3 dozen enemies, each of whom could kick our ass, I don't call that a choice). Does anyone have any advice on how to deal with this DM, so I can actually start enjoying playing D&D again?
JasonOrlandoHawk 01-04-07, 12:01 PM	The group can always make suicidal decisions b/c "That's what their characters would do." After 7 or 8 character roll ups, he might get the point. Also, never underestimate the power of explosives to level the playing field. Especially when you use those explosives to drop a building on the offending 3 dozen foes...
jera 01-04-07, 12:09 PM	If every other player hates the DM as well, Mutiny against him and ask another player to become DM.
stargate525 01-04-07, 12:13 PM	The group can always make suicidal decisions b/c "That's what their characters would do." After 7 or 8 character roll ups, he might get the point. Not a half bad idea. I could even roll up a dozen or so characters ahead of time... jera, that's part of the problem; to all of the other players except two he is the primary DM. They don't see whats wrong with him apparently, even though I get more of a grudging 'well he's alright' then anything. I doubt that, other than me, anyone else in our group would DM.
J_Riley 01-04-07, 12:54 PM	Take notes next time and have specific examples of what rubbed you the wrong way and why with his style of play. Then, talk to the DM like the person that he is: A guy there to have fun, just like the players. Is he a relatively new DM? Sometimes new DMs still have that "me vs the players" mentaility which can cause problems...
Solid_Saladin 01-04-07, 01:39 PM	In general if you tell the DM and have support from a number of the other players you can get him/her to change the style. Giving specific examples of what he/she has done in the past is always good too. If he continues to cause the group to not have fun everyone else can just quit his/her campaign.
stargate525 01-04-07, 01:39 PM	Is he a relatively new DM? Sometimes new DMs still have that "me vs the players" mentaility which can cause problems... I think that's exactly it. In answer to your question, he isn't a new DM by any stretch of the imagination, but now that you mention it he does have a vs. mentality. I'm annoyed I didn't notice this right away, what honest DM pouts when his baddie is defeated?
Falln 01-04-07, 02:29 PM	every DM has his own style. Some DM's like things to go the way they plan it to go. These are the DM's who make an adventure like this. Players will fight NPC X => players will let NPC X live => NPC X will show the players a map => players will follow that map => players will enounter NPC Y => players will find key on NPC Y => players will enter dungeon with the key found => ... if the players don't thrust the map because someone evil gve it to them, if the players try to pass NPC Y with stealth or an illusion, if the players kill X and "forget" to loot the body, ... then the DM has a problem. I don't like these type of DM's and it's one of the few reasons why I would instantly leave a campaign. Players should allways think they have choices to make, the DM should try to hide forced choices as much as possible. If the DM made a dungeon crawl then the players are supposed to do that, the DM should make the adventure interesting enough for each playr to start it in the first place. It isn't because "DM" made a cave that a PC necromancer will enter it. But what if the necromancer knew that the area the cave was in, was the area where "King Kazmutt the 3rd" was burried. That King was known for his dark magic and his tomb has never been openend after his death. If this random cave could be the legendary cave, then the necromancer don't want to miss the chance to be there. Ofcourse this trick isn't needed all the time. For most parties doing good is what makes them do stuff. The DM should allways give players choices. Sometimes these choices will test alignment. What if the players meet 2 people who accuse each other of having stolen some gold? the players need to make desisions at this point. This is what gives a bond with the character, the choices you make. If the DM makes the choices for the players, then things are very boring and nothing more then some kind of board game where you meet X, then Y, then Z, ...
FntsyWlkr 01-04-07, 03:42 PM	It's a lot harder to give advice than to be in the situation. All in all, the first thing is to give it a shot. Try playing from their perspective. But give it an honest shot don't begrudge a "well, I'll try it." - sometimes when you go all out, the DM realizes he needs to acclimate to a different playing style. But in the end, you do have to stand up for yourself. If you are the only one who feels this way, leave. Jet. Find some other friends to pull into the magical world of ... dungeons and dragons ... ... mwah-ha-ha-ha-ha-ha!!
stargate525 01-04-07, 04:02 PM	All in all, the first thing is to give it a shot. Try playing from their perspective. But give it an honest shot don't begrudge a "well, I'll try it." - sometimes when you go all out, the DM realizes he needs to acclimate to a different playing style. I've been dealing with this DM for almost a year, I think that was 'shot' enough.
Grim_Reaper 01-04-07, 04:20 PM	My group had a similar situation a little over a year ago with a DM. He would present us with what appeared to be options similar to yours. You can choose to go this way or face epic level oppositions if you chose to do an opposite way then what I wanted type of thing. The players in the group got fed up with it after being sold in to slavery not once, but three times for figuring out an alternative route to the same goal. So, the last session we that he ran the group collectively decided to implode on it's self. This feat was pulled off when my 5 level half orc barbarian raged, killed the Cleric, and the other Fighter in the group only to be finally killed by the warlock in the group. The DM was so flustered that he refused to play with us after that. Since then we're all enjoyed gaming greatly.