Characteristics of Good DM's, PC's - Downloaded from the Wizards Community, all coding removed by Solauren

Characteristics of Good DM's, PC's

Post/Author/DateTime Post
#1
w01f3
Dec 16, 2008 13:24:26 So, we've seen numerous serious and/or humorous threads about what we don't like in a DM or other PC's in gaming groups - but what about the traits and characteristics we DO want?

Keep in mind, you may want to hold off posting if the characteristics you desire are not those that you yourself are unwilling or incapable of demonstrating.:P
#2
moonslayer
Dec 16, 2008 15:29:38 Trust, and that goes both ways.

Players that trust the DM isn't out to jerk with them or pull a power trip. Trust that they have put something together (or found a published adventure) that they really think the players will enjoy. Trust that if something seems to not make sense that it will in time. Players don't have the "behind the scenes" view of things the DM does, but given a chance most stuff will become clearer.

DMs that trust that players aren't out to wreck the game or have fun at everyone else's expense. Trust that they have put some real thought into the characters beyond "If I use Feats A, B, and Q with Item X, Y and L then when I use Skill 7T I'll be unstoppable!", while they certainly may come up with cool, powerful combination they don't do it to try and "break" the game.

Trust that everyone at the table has come to enjoy a shared experience and will respect the creations and contributions of the others.
#3
lord_karsus
Dec 17, 2008 11:27:36 -A personality. I dislike DMs, who have all NPCs sounding/acting the same, be them peasant barmaids, or royal kings. I know I do this, I want NPCs to all be different: Give them different voices, ways of speaking, etc.
#4
baneofelves
Dec 17, 2008 12:33:01 Flexibility. A DM who doesn't railroad the players, a player who's willing to fill in the missing party role, even if they dislike playing that class.
#5
mellored
Dec 17, 2008 12:55:55
Flexibility. A DM who doesn't railroad the players, a player who's willing to fill in the missing party role, even if they dislike playing that class.

This. Probably THE biggest desired trait is flexibility. Expecting one thing(a PC/NPC) and suddenly not getting(PC/NCP killed) it shouldn't mess up the game.

Second, and synergistic to flexibility, is creativity.

Third would probably be a sense of humor.
#6
Shiftkitty
Dec 17, 2008 15:01:55 Similar to Lord Karsus' post, I like players who can get into character. You don't have to be a great actor, but "My guy goes down the stairs" just lacks the feeling of "I'm gonna see what's downstairs." (Fortunately, this is not an issue with my current group.) It's also a plus if you can curse in character! ;)
#7
thompsja
Dec 17, 2008 18:20:01
So, we've seen numerous serious and/or humorous threads about what we don't like in a DM or other PC's in gaming groups - but what about the traits and characteristics we DO want?

Two things:

Focus: Stay focused on the game. I don't mind the side joke, but when people spend 10 minutes on a tangent, that's ten minutes we didn't get to play, and my gaming time is very limited.

Speed: This is similar. When it's your turn, in combat, have your action figured out. If you disagree with a ruling about Line of Sight, or applicability, have the DM make a ruling and move on.

I don't mind roleplaying sessions, or times when I'm out of focus. Unfortunately, I get to game about once a month, and it's a 120 mile drive one-way to the game. I want every minute to count.
#8
navar100
Dec 17, 2008 19:37:06 From my fellow players: Behave like we're a team that we actually are. Be completely trustworthy in all things between us.

From my DM: Let me play the character I want. (Obligatory: This doesn't mean I must play a half-dragon/half-celestial druid/ninja gestalt in Keoland.) It means trust me that I'm not trying to win D&D or wreck the campaign while wanting to play a particular character concept. Work with me to make the character work within the game. I accept reasonable safeguards so as the character does not win D&D, but in return put the banning stick away. There might be a feat I want in a sourcebook you don't have but I do, and I would be happy to bring it with me every game session. It could be a prestige class I'd like to try out. Maybe it's not game mechanics but merely a roleplaying hook I want. For example, in a 2E game I once played a paladin who didn't know he was a paladin. Things he could do were just natural stuff he thought to be normal. He didn't Detect Evil; he got goosebumps from people or things that rubbed him the wrong way.
#9
nowiwantmydmg
Dec 18, 2008 16:29:47 This applies to both groups:

-Humour (sense of)
-Flexibility
-Trust
-Not allowing self to be walked on
-Creativity
-Their own Dice!
#10
a_lusty_alien
Dec 18, 2008 18:55:51 They show up on time for a game and have their game materials with them.
#11
Winterleaf
Dec 18, 2008 18:59:54 Punctuality. Be on time, at least most of the time.

Courtesy. Call ahead if you can't be there, or can't be there on time. Bring munchies for everyone, not just for yourself, or be the one who springs for pizza occasionally instead of conveniently being in the bathroom every time someone asks "hey, let's order out!".

Maturity. No, I don't want to know what positions your character is going to use when he's "hittin' it" with the umpteenth barmaid you plan on seducing, and I don't need a 5 minute monologue describing the blood and intestines that fountain into the air when you disembowel your foe.

Creativity. Yes, your brooding, dual-scimitar weilding drow ranger anti-hero with panther companion is strikingly familiar. Didn't you play him in the last five campaigns. . . Oh, I'm sorry, his name in the last game was Fritzz, this time it's Gritzz. Or: "So in this game, you're running from the dark lord in order to destroy this magic ring that is the focus of his power, see. . ."
#12
Hibiki54
Dec 18, 2008 22:45:01 As a DM, I want my players to ROLE-PLAY!! Say what your character is trying to say. You don't have to get into the whole voice and acting spheel, just put a little **** and vinegar and spice up your words. You can **** a NPC and literally roll a 1 on a bluff check to deny any doing with the act if you can convince ME that you didn't do it.

As a player, I like my DMs to be fair. Give me a challenge but don't block me from being creative. I like to roleplay just as much as I like combat. I like a DM that adds roleplay elements into combat or gets in character with his encounters.
#13
SteelMirror
Dec 19, 2008 2:03:55 I second flexibility, and the most important quality for anyone to have is a commitment to making the game fun. That means trying to have fun yourself no matter what happens, and trying to make sure that everyone else has fun too. If everyone at the table is committed to that then you can't help but enjoy the session, despite whatever other complaints you might have about the adventure.

Post/Author/DateTime	Post
#1 w01f3 Dec 16, 2008 13:24:26	So, we've seen numerous serious and/or humorous threads about what we don't like in a DM or other PC's in gaming groups - but what about the traits and characteristics we DO want? Keep in mind, you may want to hold off posting if the characteristics you desire are not those that you yourself are unwilling or incapable of demonstrating.:P
#2 moonslayer Dec 16, 2008 15:29:38	Trust, and that goes both ways. Players that trust the DM isn't out to jerk with them or pull a power trip. Trust that they have put something together (or found a published adventure) that they really think the players will enjoy. Trust that if something seems to not make sense that it will in time. Players don't have the "behind the scenes" view of things the DM does, but given a chance most stuff will become clearer. DMs that trust that players aren't out to wreck the game or have fun at everyone else's expense. Trust that they have put some real thought into the characters beyond "If I use Feats A, B, and Q with Item X, Y and L then when I use Skill 7T I'll be unstoppable!", while they certainly may come up with cool, powerful combination they don't do it to try and "break" the game. Trust that everyone at the table has come to enjoy a shared experience and will respect the creations and contributions of the others.
#3 lord_karsus Dec 17, 2008 11:27:36	-A personality. I dislike DMs, who have all NPCs sounding/acting the same, be them peasant barmaids, or royal kings. I know I do this, I want NPCs to all be different: Give them different voices, ways of speaking, etc.
#4 baneofelves Dec 17, 2008 12:33:01	Flexibility. A DM who doesn't railroad the players, a player who's willing to fill in the missing party role, even if they dislike playing that class.
#5 mellored Dec 17, 2008 12:55:55	Flexibility. A DM who doesn't railroad the players, a player who's willing to fill in the missing party role, even if they dislike playing that class. This. Probably THE biggest desired trait is flexibility. Expecting one thing(a PC/NPC) and suddenly not getting(PC/NCP killed) it shouldn't mess up the game. Second, and synergistic to flexibility, is creativity. Third would probably be a sense of humor.
#6 Shiftkitty Dec 17, 2008 15:01:55	Similar to Lord Karsus' post, I like players who can get into character. You don't have to be a great actor, but "My guy goes down the stairs" just lacks the feeling of "I'm gonna see what's downstairs." (Fortunately, this is not an issue with my current group.) It's also a plus if you can curse in character! ;)
#7 thompsja Dec 17, 2008 18:20:01	So, we've seen numerous serious and/or humorous threads about what we don't like in a DM or other PC's in gaming groups - but what about the traits and characteristics we DO want? Two things: Focus: Stay focused on the game. I don't mind the side joke, but when people spend 10 minutes on a tangent, that's ten minutes we didn't get to play, and my gaming time is very limited. Speed: This is similar. When it's your turn, in combat, have your action figured out. If you disagree with a ruling about Line of Sight, or applicability, have the DM make a ruling and move on. I don't mind roleplaying sessions, or times when I'm out of focus. Unfortunately, I get to game about once a month, and it's a 120 mile drive one-way to the game. I want every minute to count.
#8 navar100 Dec 17, 2008 19:37:06	From my fellow players: Behave like we're a team that we actually are. Be completely trustworthy in all things between us. From my DM: Let me play the character I want. (Obligatory: This doesn't mean I must play a half-dragon/half-celestial druid/ninja gestalt in Keoland.) It means trust me that I'm not trying to win D&D or wreck the campaign while wanting to play a particular character concept. Work with me to make the character work within the game. I accept reasonable safeguards so as the character does not win D&D, but in return put the banning stick away. There might be a feat I want in a sourcebook you don't have but I do, and I would be happy to bring it with me every game session. It could be a prestige class I'd like to try out. Maybe it's not game mechanics but merely a roleplaying hook I want. For example, in a 2E game I once played a paladin who didn't know he was a paladin. Things he could do were just natural stuff he thought to be normal. He didn't Detect Evil; he got goosebumps from people or things that rubbed him the wrong way.
#9 nowiwantmydmg Dec 18, 2008 16:29:47	This applies to both groups: -Humour (sense of) -Flexibility -Trust -Not allowing self to be walked on -Creativity -Their own Dice!
#10 a_lusty_alien Dec 18, 2008 18:55:51	They show up on time for a game and have their game materials with them.
#11 Winterleaf Dec 18, 2008 18:59:54	Punctuality. Be on time, at least most of the time. Courtesy. Call ahead if you can't be there, or can't be there on time. Bring munchies for everyone, not just for yourself, or be the one who springs for pizza occasionally instead of conveniently being in the bathroom every time someone asks "hey, let's order out!". Maturity. No, I don't want to know what positions your character is going to use when he's "hittin' it" with the umpteenth barmaid you plan on seducing, and I don't need a 5 minute monologue describing the blood and intestines that fountain into the air when you disembowel your foe. Creativity. Yes, your brooding, dual-scimitar weilding drow ranger anti-hero with panther companion is strikingly familiar. Didn't you play him in the last five campaigns. . . Oh, I'm sorry, his name in the last game was Fritzz, this time it's Gritzz. Or: "So in this game, you're running from the dark lord in order to destroy this magic ring that is the focus of his power, see. . ."
#12 Hibiki54 Dec 18, 2008 22:45:01	As a DM, I want my players to ROLE-PLAY!! Say what your character is trying to say. You don't have to get into the whole voice and acting spheel, just put a little ** and vinegar and spice up your words. You can ** a NPC and literally roll a 1 on a bluff check to deny any doing with the act if you can convince ME that you didn't do it. As a player, I like my DMs to be fair. Give me a challenge but don't block me from being creative. I like to roleplay just as much as I like combat. I like a DM that adds roleplay elements into combat or gets in character with his encounters.
#13 SteelMirror Dec 19, 2008 2:03:55	I second flexibility, and the most important quality for anyone to have is a commitment to making the game fun. That means trying to have fun yourself no matter what happens, and trying to make sure that everyone else has fun too. If everyone at the table is committed to that then you can't help but enjoy the session, despite whatever other complaints you might have about the adventure.