To play or not to play... - Downloaded from the Wizards Community, all coding removed by Solauren

To play or not to play...

Post/Author/DateTime Post
#1
rodolfomaxi
May 18, 2008 23:03:48 What would you do/have done in your lives when you encounter(ed) a crazy DM that doesn't follow any rules...except the one he make at the moment?

"You're crazy to play with such guy",can you say to me...
But he's the only one who DM that i know in my town.
(yep, small town)
#2
mock26
May 18, 2008 23:33:24
What would you do/have done in your lives when you encounter(ed) a crazy DM that doesn't follow any rules...except the one he make at the moment?

"You're crazy to play with such guy",can you say to me...
But he's the only one who DM that i know in my town.
(yep, small town)

Three options (not in order of preference):

1. Don't play.
2. Keep playing and don't have fun.
3. Take on the role of DM yourself.

The choice is yours. If you are unable or unwilling to DM yourself then you have to decide which would be worse off for you, not playing or playing with a horrible DM. I would personally rather not play than play with a bad DM. I can always fill my time working on my custom world, or writing adventures, or doing anything else with D&D that can be done on your own. Additionally, you can always see about playing online.
#3
navar100
May 18, 2008 23:38:23 He wasn't "crazy", but last week I tried a game with a DM just like this - everything was made up on the spot. Everything was decided arbitrarily by his whim. He wasn't "stingy" with character abilities. For example, I was able to wield a sword that dealt 2d6+6 damage, including strength and magic, while playing a cleric wielding a shield who could cast haste and "mind stun".

There was no rule set I could depend on. Since everything was made up, the difficulty in attempting anything was up to the DM at the moment a player wanted to do something. If the DM didn't like an idea, it didn't work. If he liked it, he gave an arbitrary number you have to roll or higher on a d20.

He was really into the roleplay. He had great personalities for the NPCs. I roleplayed my character as well as did the other players. The rules were pretty much secondary. Not my cup of tea. Rolelplaying is fine, but I enjoy the game mechanics as well. I need clearly defined rules. I decided not to continue playing.
#4
salla
May 19, 2008 0:44:08
What would you do/have done in your lives when you encounter(ed) a crazy DM that doesn't follow any rules...except the one he make at the moment?

"You're crazy to play with such guy",can you say to me...
But he's the only one who DM that i know in my town.
(yep, small town)

I wouldn't call what he's doing 'DMing'.
#5
green_yawgmoth
May 19, 2008 1:03:38 Basically what Mock said. I live in a town full of terrible DMs, so I decided to start DMing myself. And you know what? It's grown on me. I still prefer playing as a player, but being a DM has its charm.

Failing that, I'd just not play. If I'm not having fun, then there is absolutely no reason for me to be there.
#6
nightwyrm
May 19, 2008 1:10:37 Bad gaming is worse than no gaming.
#7
drmorganes
May 19, 2008 6:52:44
Bad gaming is worse than no gaming.

QFT.

D&D is supposed to be a fun way to pass the time with your friends. If you're not having fun, why waste the time? Grab your friends and go do something else you enjoy.
#8
gentlemanic
May 19, 2008 6:53:04 Talk to the DM about the way you feel. If he doesn't listen offer to take up the role one night yourself and afterward discuss how it went. When you want to make a point do the same thing to him.

Post/Author/DateTime	Post
#1 rodolfomaxi May 18, 2008 23:03:48	What would you do/have done in your lives when you encounter(ed) a crazy DM that doesn't follow any rules...except the one he make at the moment? "You're crazy to play with such guy",can you say to me... But he's the only one who DM that i know in my town. (yep, small town)
#2 mock26 May 18, 2008 23:33:24	What would you do/have done in your lives when you encounter(ed) a crazy DM that doesn't follow any rules...except the one he make at the moment? "You're crazy to play with such guy",can you say to me... But he's the only one who DM that i know in my town. (yep, small town) Three options (not in order of preference): 1. Don't play. 2. Keep playing and don't have fun. 3. Take on the role of DM yourself. The choice is yours. If you are unable or unwilling to DM yourself then you have to decide which would be worse off for you, not playing or playing with a horrible DM. I would personally rather not play than play with a bad DM. I can always fill my time working on my custom world, or writing adventures, or doing anything else with D&D that can be done on your own. Additionally, you can always see about playing online.
#3 navar100 May 18, 2008 23:38:23	He wasn't "crazy", but last week I tried a game with a DM just like this - everything was made up on the spot. Everything was decided arbitrarily by his whim. He wasn't "stingy" with character abilities. For example, I was able to wield a sword that dealt 2d6+6 damage, including strength and magic, while playing a cleric wielding a shield who could cast haste and "mind stun". There was no rule set I could depend on. Since everything was made up, the difficulty in attempting anything was up to the DM at the moment a player wanted to do something. If the DM didn't like an idea, it didn't work. If he liked it, he gave an arbitrary number you have to roll or higher on a d20. He was really into the roleplay. He had great personalities for the NPCs. I roleplayed my character as well as did the other players. The rules were pretty much secondary. Not my cup of tea. Rolelplaying is fine, but I enjoy the game mechanics as well. I need clearly defined rules. I decided not to continue playing.
#4 salla May 19, 2008 0:44:08	What would you do/have done in your lives when you encounter(ed) a crazy DM that doesn't follow any rules...except the one he make at the moment? "You're crazy to play with such guy",can you say to me... But he's the only one who DM that i know in my town. (yep, small town) I wouldn't call what he's doing 'DMing'.
#5 green_yawgmoth May 19, 2008 1:03:38	Basically what Mock said. I live in a town full of terrible DMs, so I decided to start DMing myself. And you know what? It's grown on me. I still prefer playing as a player, but being a DM has its charm. Failing that, I'd just not play. If I'm not having fun, then there is absolutely no reason for me to be there.
#6 nightwyrm May 19, 2008 1:10:37	Bad gaming is worse than no gaming.
#7 drmorganes May 19, 2008 6:52:44	Bad gaming is worse than no gaming. QFT. D&D is supposed to be a fun way to pass the time with your friends. If you're not having fun, why waste the time? Grab your friends and go do something else you enjoy.
#8 gentlemanic May 19, 2008 6:53:04	Talk to the DM about the way you feel. If he doesn't listen offer to take up the role one night yourself and afterward discuss how it went. When you want to make a point do the same thing to him.