1) What is the style/tone of the games you prefer to run? (ex. low/high magic, silly/serious, Good vs Evil/morally gray, etc.)
2) How much emphasis do you place on social interaction, puzzle/mystery solving, and/or combat?
3) How much emphasis do you place on in-character acting, versus declaring application of skills? (Do you give exp bonuses for "good roleplaying"?)
4) How much emphasis do you place on the character's int/wis/cha, versus the player's, in determining the outcome of attempted actions?
5) How much do you expect a player to have fleshed out his/her character's background, personality, and motivations before the game begins?
6) Will the campaign be based around a pre-scripted plotline, or character-driven "sandbox" style?
7) Do you permit Evil characters/player vs. player interactions?
8) How much do you follow the rulebook, versus allowing and creating houserules?
9) Do you permit unrelated activities/items, ex. Internet surfing/significant others, at the table?
10) In college, did/do you study Psychology?*
*There's a story behind this one.
Adds and comments appreciated.
I think this kind of thing should be encouraged. It puts infomation out into the open about what kind of campaign you're running/getting into. Therefore, people are going to have a better idea of what kind of game they're going to be playing.
I can't remember how many times I've gone into campaigns expecting certain things, only for it to be entirely different from what I expected, not that that's necessarily a bad thing.
13. Have you played with any of the other players before, and to your knowledge have they played with each other before?
14. How would you describe your mastery of the rules?
15. What happens if a player can't make it to the game?
*There's a story behind this one.
Let's hear it then.
I prefer to jump head-long into a game to find out if I like it. If I don't I know where the door is.
12. How much experience do you have as a DM?
13. Have you played with any of the other players before, and to your knowledge have they played with each other before?
14. How would you describe your mastery of the rules?
15. What happens if a player can't make it to the game?*There's a story behind this one.
Let's hear it then.
Well, it's not a very long story, but here goes.
Me, my former DM, and his friend (also a D&D DM) are hanging out.
I turn to them and say, "I've learned one thing about D&D: Never have a DM who is a Psychology major." (all the while glaring pointedly at former DM)
Former DM's friend turns immediately to him and asks "Were you screwing with their heads?"
Former DM: "Well...maybe a little."
Although what pissed me off more than that was our failure to clarify (3) on the list until a rather nasty diplomacy check halfway through the campaign.
And Dragonsblood, while those are all good questions: How (if at all) would knowing the answers affect your decision as to whether or not to play in this campaign?
Personally, 2 through 5 (the roleplaying questions) are major issues for me. If the DM's stance differs from mine, odds are neither of us is going to have fun playing with the other, so I may as well not join and spare us both a lousy game session. (I'm in the "my 18 cha character rolls the die, I get #+n" camp, btw.)
While I agree that both players and DMs should be open about what they expect and/or want from the game I'm not sure "interviewing/interrogating" the player or DM is a great way to go. As a player, if the DM sat me down and asked me a bunch of fairly specific questions, I would probably start to think that this guy has problems with a lot of players and thus, may not be well suited to me. Same pretty much holds for the opposite.
That being said, I think the DM should be open about the style of game he runs (combat heavy, dark themed, roleplay centric, etc.), the setting, and what material is or is not allowed, and that this information should be made known prior to the start of the campaign.
RPJesus: The answer to your question will almost always be No. In fact, I've never encountered a DM who arbitrarily banned anything (just in my experience of course). Of course, that doesn't mean that stuff won't be banned. Just because you want to use something the DM doesn't allow doesn't mean that decision was arbitrary. While I may not have always agreed with the reasoning of the DM in question, it has never been arbitrary.
The only question I ask before joining a game is, "What does the party need?"
I prefer to jump head-long into a game to find out if I like it. If I don't I know where the door is.
Yes...but what if the door concealed itself magically...like a bad plot device?
*shifty eyes*...what would you do then?
ahem...that little aside, aside...
Most of the things on the list I try to make clear to my players when i start a game...a little "Hey, i'm thinking about running a game...mid tech, mid magic. Standard fair, everything core is fine. You want something from a supplement, show it to me before you go with it." etc.
But, I've also been gaming with the same group of people for almost...14 years (i just realized that...whoa).
Here's another question to ask:
14. What are your DMing Pet Peeves?
15. Have you ever punished a Character for being annoyed or mad at the Player? if so, what did you do?
Some DMs like to run very specific styles of games, where certain kinds of PC actions or Player Behavior just doesn't fit in. For example...I dislike gimmicky characters, and i won't tolerate players that bully other players or passive aggressively argue rules lawyer things with me during a game session. If the DM is aware enough to know what his or her triggers are, that's a good sign...also, it will let you know right off hand what will upset the DM (one ought not to use such information for malign or nefarious purposes).
I ALWAYS ask if I can do anything not in the core books before incorporating it into my character. It has been my experience that the farther afield the player goes into the expansions and splat books, the more difficult that character is to DM, and the more time is needed to determine the effects of the player's choices.
I also always ask if the DM is willing to deal with customizations such as unique races, custom feats, etc. Some are, some aren't. I like that sort of experimentation, but it's not required.
What with D&D being a social game, you can never go wrong by talking to your fellow players about what they like and dislike. That's the #1 piece of advice that every new DM and player should get: if you're not sure about something, or you're not enjoying something, or you suspect that someone else isn't enjoying something, or someone is disrupting the game -- talk to them.
Steve
What with D&D being a social game, you can never go wrong by talking to your fellow players about what they like and dislike. That's the #1 piece of advice that every new DM and player should get: if you're not sure about something, or you're not enjoying something, or you suspect that someone else isn't enjoying something, or someone is disrupting the game -- talk to them.
Steve
but if you did that...it would obviate the need for lists...then where would we be?
Listless, that's where...it'd be like having restless leg syndrome...only with indignation rather than legs.
But seriously, you're pretty spot on.
I have never played a game with a DM that I didn't know at least a little bit. If I was going into a game cold though, I'd probably ask the DM a bunch of questions about his or her style, quite a few of which are on this list. It wouldn't be an interrogation, just a way to figure what's what. I'd feel badly if i unintentionally did something in a game that was upsetting to the DM...I'm in it for the fun, and playing with, rather than against, the DM is a big part of that.
So something like this list can have utility.
What with D&D being a social game, you can never go wrong by talking to your fellow players about what they like and dislike. That's the #1 piece of advice that every new DM and player should get: if you're not sure about something, or you're not enjoying something, or you suspect that someone else isn't enjoying something, or someone is disrupting the game -- talk to them.
Steve
but if you did that...it would obviate the need for lists...then where would we be?
Listless, that's where...it'd be like having restless leg syndrome...only with indignation rather than legs.
But seriously, you're pretty spot on.
I have never played a game with a DM that I didn't know at least a little bit. If I was going into a game cold though, I'd probably ask the DM a bunch of questions about his or her style, quite a few of which are on this list. It wouldn't be an interrogation, just a way to figure what's what. I'd feel badly if i unintentionally did something in a game that was upsetting to the DM...I'm in it for the fun, and playing with, rather than against, the DM is a big part of that.
So something like this list can have utility.
Fair enough. In retrospect I may have been a little overly harsh in my warnings. I agree there should be discussion between the players and DM but I would still warn against it turning into an interrogation.
As I tried to state a DM should be open about his campaign which as mentioned above should allow a player to infer the answers to most of those questions. I also agree that if you are unsure if something is allowed, or unclear about something the DM said you should ask, which is different from interrogating.
Obviously you wouldn't come up to the DM with a numbered list and demand that s/he fill it out. Sometimes, though, in the DM's excitement to tell you all about his/her campaign, player expectations like in-character vs. out-of-character speech are obscured. This is where I bring out "the list." Even in a game that isn't "roleplay heavy" the DM may still prefer method acting. (From experience, most DMs will say something like "either or," but you can still feel out their preferences with further conversation.)
Where are the Cheetohs!?
They're right next to you.
The only question I ask before joining a game is, "What does the party need?"
And my answer to that is always:
"Another happy player. So play whatever class you like - within the paramiters we're using."
I'm in the tavern getting drunk. Are there girls there?
Only if I can have a Mountain Dew.
I'm in the tavern getting drunk. Are there girls there?
Only if I can have a Mountain Dew.
16 (or whatever): Will you or any other players relentlessly quote summoner geeks and/or monty python?
17: If yes to above, will there be smiting for misquoting?
18: Is it okay to spend 40 minutes of game time for a player to look up on the interwebz what the precise wondering of the spanish inquisition bit from monty python's flying circus really is?
edit:
19: What is your stance on Fun-yuns?
The only question I ask before joining a game is, "What does the party need?"
And my answer to that is always:
"Another happy player. So play whatever class you like - within the paramiters we're using."
And then my response is..
"No seriously. Tell me what we need, Or i'm going to have to play thirty characters."
Seriously. I'm an Alt-o-Holic, so if i'm asking that question its because i'm trying to knock down some of the other characters.
edit:
19: What is your stance on Fun-yuns?
They're stuck in the machine so the point is moot.
The only question I ask before joining a game is, "What does the party need?"
And my answer to that is always:
"Another happy player. So play whatever class you like - within the paramiters we're using."
And then my response is..
"No seriously. Tell me what we need, Or i'm going to have to play thirty characters."
Seriously. I'm an Alt-o-Holic, so if i'm asking that question its because i'm trying to knock down some of the other characters.
Just default to the female warforged bard and bring a compliment of Vocaloid songs to the game .
Who is your daddy and what does he do
next two questions is
Who is your daddy and what does he do
why? to know if his(or her) is a psychologist?
How do you define "messing with your mind"?
ListNumber+1 = "Do your gaming sessions often turn into philosophical debates?"
ListNumber+2 = "Do gaming sessions often turn into hours-long world-building conversations?"
OK, so those 2 questions probably don't come up often. Most likely they'd only be applicable if you were talking to my group (tho I suppose there may be another group like mine out there somewhere).
*fades back into the mist*
12. How much experience do you have as a DM?
13. Have you played with any of the other players before, and to your knowledge have they played with each other before?
14. How would you describe your mastery of the rules?
15. What happens if a player can't make it to the game?
And Dragonsblood, while those are all good questions: How (if at all) would knowing the answers affect your decision as to whether or not to play in this campaign?
They seem to be veiled questions to me, largely concerned with the integrity of the playgroup. "Is this campaign going to fly apart before we reach level 7?" After having been subject to dozens of such "failed" campaigns, I'm apt to only try to game with well-established groups.
I'm interested in playing D&D, though, not Alternity or Amber diceless. Part of the reason I play is for items and combat, not dramatic acting or descriptions of what your character does.
And Dragonsblood, while those are all good questions: How (if at all) would knowing the answers affect your decision as to whether or not to play in this campaign?
Personally, 2 through 5 (the roleplaying questions) are major issues for me. If the DM's stance differs from mine, odds are neither of us is going to have fun playing with the other, so I may as well not join and spare us both a lousy game session. (I'm in the "my 18 cha character rolls the die, I get #+n" camp, btw.)
Honestly, I thought this was one of those tongue in cheek, 1001, type of threads :p
Though I might ask those questions anyway (and some of yours) if I joined another group. da_chicken is right that they are veiled, "between the lines" type of questions. I'm no psych major, but I do like to analyze people's behavior in myown way, and find ways to push their buttons and get emotional responses. I think it makes the game more enjoyable if the players really hate the villain and feel sorry for villagers that get victimized.
I've primarily gamed with the same core group of guys. Once, I tried joining another group just to see other DM styles and the experience was not a good one. The DM didn't understand what a 5' step was (in 3.5, similar to shifting), he had lived in the area for a long time but all of the players were new (this should've been a red flag), and he let the PC holding our magical loot disappear because the player couldn't make it for 2 weeks. I quickly bowed out of that game with a terse but polite email.
And I agree with you regarding skill rolls. I'm a fairly outspoken player so I can still enjoy a game where acting trumps stats, but it really starts to grate on me if character social skills make no difference. It's actually been a point of contention in my group, with half the group leaning the opposite way on the issue. Ideally there should be a mix of both stats and roleplay, where a poor roll can color the NPC's response despite a brilliant player performance; or a great roll can still yield positive results for the players who aren't strong actors. Fortunately for me it's my turn to DM so I can show them how awesome my way is :D
The only question I ask before joining a game is, "What does the party need?"
And my answer to that is always:
"Another happy player. So play whatever class you like - within the paramiters we're using."
And then my response is..
"No seriously. Tell me what we need, Or i'm going to have to play thirty characters."
Seriously. I'm an Alt-o-Holic, so if i'm asking that question its because i'm trying to knock down some of the other characters.
Well then, save vrs psychic damage.
Because I don't write adventures so as to require any particular class/role/etc.
And the players? If THEY thought they needed some particular class/role/etc covered? Then one of them would already be playing it. Or they'd have addressed it in some way already.
Me? I'm a pretty flexible DM. As long as your character isn't A) psionic, B) a drow, C) generally some sort of undead, I don't much care. (though I do prefer humans) And I don't view it as my job to round out the party either.
What I will do is this: I will give you the description of where you're starting & what if - anything - you know about the situation the other PCs are in. After that it's up to you to come up with a few concepts & run them past me. I'm sure we'll find one that's a good fit.
So just pick something that YOU like & roll it up. Don't worry about the other players.
And if you end up cycling through a large # of characters? OK. That's just part of how this story ends up going then.
Beyond that? What we need out of you is this:
*Don't be some sort of douchebag in RL (we don't mind if you play one though).
*Show up on time.
*Call one of us & let us know if you can't make it to the game.
*Come prepaired. Including having bathed.
And I agree with you regarding skill rolls. I'm a fairly outspoken player so I can still enjoy a game where acting trumps stats, but it really starts to grate on me if character social skills make no difference. It's actually been a point of contention in my group, with half the group leaning the opposite way on the issue. Ideally there should be a mix of both stats and roleplay, where a poor roll can color the NPC's response despite a brilliant player performance; or a great roll can still yield positive results for the players who aren't strong actors. Fortunately for me it's my turn to DM so I can show them how awesome my way is :D
I don't have a regular group; I've gamed with different people here and there, and there's always a lingering sense of bad along with the good.
I think that rolling for skills, provided you don't swing entirely one way or the other, depends on context. Take the example of a really heavy door. I'm a weakling, but I've never met a door I couldn't open, provided it's unlocked and I'm not pulling when I should be pushing. However, if the door is barred, bolted, or otherwise obstructed, it's time for a Strength check. Likewise, I wouldn't rate most people I know above a 12 cha, but that doesn't mean they're all stuttering wallflowers. (Okay, just me during a game session.) If I were a DM and some PCs wanted to flirt with the random barmaid while they await the plot-important NPC contact, I wouldn't ask for a roll. I might even allow the actor to conduct in-character diplomacy with the plot NPC, but if the PCs start asking about sensitive information, they will have to roll. (Otherwise what is the point of investing in any cha skills at all?) Another way of thinking about it is "taking 10" on Cha; if the NPC would be willing to have this conversation with any 10 Cha character, roleplay away, no dice needed.
(I'd probably still say something to the effect of "My fighter asks the NPC where the next plot point is," but I recognize mine isn't the only way.)
just kidding. :D
Actually, one of the things I usually ask is what is the theme of the campaign. Basically, a 1 sentence summary of what the game is about. Adventure titles work too.
A friend of mine decided to run a drow themed campaign in Menzobara...Mentolaradf...that drow city ;) and told us all just that "making divine characters would be a bad idea" and hinted at "the underdark".
I brought out my drow shadowpact warlock who, as part of her pact, had to return to the underdark one day to destroy the cities of the drow. ...
I was the only drow. So, a lot of the RP responsibilities fell to me, since everyone else in the party had to play the part of slaves in a drow city. *shakes head*
2) How much emphasis do you place on social interaction, puzzle/mystery solving, and/or combat?
...
7) Do you permit Evil characters/player vs. player interactions?
These are two big issues. I would also add;
16. Do you allow material (races, classes, spells, items, etc.) from third party publishers, only WotC book or just the core books?
I'm in the tavern getting drunk. Are there girls there?
What are you attacking?
I only did the first 15 Questions from page 1 of this thread.
My Answers:
1) Usually high magic/high fantasy setting, silly or serious as the occasion warrants, moral issues only as applicable.
2) Combat declares it's own emphasis simply by being the most time intensive process most often, but developing character's and inter-party chemistry and dynamics are always encouraged. Puzzle solving is usually an element of lairs, dungeons, traps, etc. and Mysteries often drive the story and motivate the combat.
3) Encouraged but player dependant, I won't penalize someone for under acting a skill usage, but I will likely reward for someone role-playing it out well.
4) Only usually significant if too dramatic of a clash occurs between the character's stats and its player's performance.
5) As much as the players want to, different players put forth different efforts in this regard and for many reasons. For instance, some players don't like to overly invest in a character until they feel like the game will have lasting appeal and make it worthwhile.
6) There will be a plot line but not a heavily railroaded one, I try to make a believable, persistent, and consistent world for players to explore and flesh out, which also means that the active elements of the plot will not sit idly by in their plans waiting for the PC's to take notice. I try my best to offer a balance of in game freedom without leaving the PC's wondering what they are supposed to do or where to go next for too long.
7) Case by case basis. Only if it is not an intentionally and obviously disruptive situation. If evil behaviors and characters are approached with maturity and a greater motivation than just ruining the game, then yes.
8) Almost 99% RAW, and I only say 99% to account for anything I may have forgotten, or that we all agree should change, which so far in 4th Ed. hasn't been much honestly...at least not so far.
9) No, we have all agreed to get together in order to game, and it is out of respect for that mutual intention and time given that we focus on gaming with as few distractions as possible.
10) Nope
11) Nope, my policy for 4th Edition (which is what I am running atm) is if the Character Builder allows it, then it is legal.
12) 18 years and counting.
13) Usually we are all friends, but I have played with and DM’ed for people I didn’t know prior too. As long as everyone can at least get along well enough and for long enough to game it’s usually all good.
14) Very Good and getting better with each session. I try to always improve.
15) Depends, if it’s a small group we might cancel, if large we will likely play without them. If it’s a rare occurrence nothing need happen, all get xp and we just pick up when the player returns. If it’s a more frequent and chronic problem, I discuss it with the player and we see what can be done to remedy the issue. If no remedy is found, we continue without the player or take a break until we can replace them.
My 2 cents. 
Is a pshchology degree a requisite for messing with someone's mind? Really?
How do you define "messing with your mind"?
ListNumber+1 = "Do your gaming sessions often turn into philosophical debates?"
OK, so those 2 questions probably don't come up often. Most likely they'd only be applicable if you were talking to my group (tho I suppose there may be another group like mine out there somewhere).
*fades back into the mist*
Oh your not the only one, it is not uncommon for our sessions to temporarily degenerate into philosophical and political debates.
It really depends what branch of psychology
17, I guess: How much does it take before you snap and kill us all?
Ya know, questions like that are known to make people snap.
I'm attacking The Darkness. {nerd laugh}
funny thing about that is my 4e character is an assassin. So.. I am the darkness. Why must so many people attack me with magic missle?
18(?) Is the area we are playing in Heated/Cooled?
We ended up playing in a friends garage, and it was winter when we did. Couldnt play inside cause we got loud. And it was freezing every night. No heater, no insulation. No other place to play.
19 What are the noise restrictions of where we play? Can we be loud? How loud?
20 How late do you play? Do you keep playing if someone leaves?
21 Do you play even if a player is late/doesnt show?
I have a good one that i have had to address recently with my rp group.
18(?) Is the area we are playing in Heated/Cooled?
We ended up playing in a friends garage, and it was winter when we did. Couldnt play inside cause we got loud. And it was freezing every night. No heater, no insulation. No other place to play.
19 What are the noise restrictions of where we play? Can we be loud? How loud?
20 How late do you play? Do you keep playing if someone leaves?
21 Do you play even if a player is late/doesnt show?
These are probably the best questions out of this whole thread... :D
Heated/Cooled.. yeah how comfortable is the area your going to play in, more comfortable area, players/dm will be easier to please... I still feel bad for my gaming group when my basement flooded and our gaming sessions were in the garage for a couple months. Summer.. so opposite problem as you had.
Noise restrictions... I've only gamed a couple times in an apartment, and they were college apartments so noise restrictions have never been a problem for us, but I could see them. I have 2 young girls, so luckily we play during the day instead of at night, otherwise the wife might put us under noise restrictions. :D
I'd group 20 and 21 together.. as in whats the gaming schedule, and how is it handled. I'm actually kind of our groups organizer, to make sure everyone knows that its gaming week, and knows what is going on. We'll continue if only a few people don't show up, if alot or people who are key to the plot can't make it.. then we pull out board games or one shots... The rule is "the game must go on!"... I've seen games fall apart because they didn't keep regular schedules, or when they finally got going again nobody could remember what had happened. When people leave early (routinely) we continue on, if we hit a critical point then we'll stop though, if mid-combat then others will take over the character till the end of the battle, then they fade to background.