Comments on: The Seven Habits of Great GMs http://critical-hits.com/2008/08/29/the-seven-habits-of-great-gms/ The Journal of Gamer Culture Fri, 10 Feb 2012 12:30:24 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.3.1 By: Gnome Rodeo: Evil Robots Made Me Write This in Binary - Gnome Stew, the Game Mastering Blog http://critical-hits.com/2008/08/29/the-seven-habits-of-great-gms/#comment-52463 Gnome Rodeo: Evil Robots Made Me Write This in Binary - Gnome Stew, the Game Mastering Blog Fri, 05 Sep 2008 07:39:35 +0000 http://chattydm.net/?p=1137#comment-52463 [...] Musings of the Chatty DM: The Seven Habits of Great GMs is short, to the point and right up my [...] [...] Musings of the Chatty DM: The Seven Habits of Great GMs is short, to the point and right up my [...]

]]> By: ChattyDM http://critical-hits.com/2008/08/29/the-seven-habits-of-great-gms/#comment-52462 ChattyDM Mon, 01 Sep 2008 21:42:12 +0000 http://chattydm.net/?p=1137#comment-52462 That is one shitty DM Flash. Ugh! This.... this is why I do this on the blog We need more empathic, flexible DMs. We don't care if you are good at Improv, tropes or know your players well yet... Just make sure others have fun damnit! That is one shitty DM Flash. Ugh! This…. this is why I do this on the blog

We need more empathic, flexible DMs. We don’t care if you are good at Improv, tropes or know your players well yet…

Just make sure others have fun damnit!

]]> By: flashheart http://critical-hits.com/2008/08/29/the-seven-habits-of-great-gms/#comment-52461 flashheart Mon, 01 Sep 2008 21:26:46 +0000 http://chattydm.net/?p=1137#comment-52461 I just recently left early from a gaming session run by a GM who <a href="http://faustusnotes.wordpress.com/2008/08/23/shitty-dm-ing/" rel="nofollow">broke all your habits</a>. After my character died in a completely avoidable, completely overpowered battle he refused to let me start a new character and told me to go home. I have been smarting from it ever since - if you break all 7 habits at once and chuck in a touch of arrogance the result begins to look a lot like bullying. flashhearts last blog post..<a href="http://faustusnotes.wordpress.com/2008/08/23/a-model-for-a-real-virtual-economy/" rel="nofollow">A model for a real virtual economy</a> I just recently left early from a gaming session run by a GM who broke all your habits. After my character died in a completely avoidable, completely overpowered battle he refused to let me start a new character and told me to go home.

I have been smarting from it ever since – if you break all 7 habits at once and chuck in a touch of arrogance the result begins to look a lot like bullying.

flashhearts last blog post..A model for a real virtual economy

]]> By: ChattyDM http://critical-hits.com/2008/08/29/the-seven-habits-of-great-gms/#comment-52460 ChattyDM Mon, 01 Sep 2008 10:40:52 +0000 http://chattydm.net/?p=1137#comment-52460 I'm taking a page out of Martin Ralya's book and I'm not going to write about being a bad GM. Good GMs are known to be overly critical of their weaknesses. I say identify those weaknesses, accept them and be willing to get better. As for truly bad GMs, the best service you can give them is to stop playing in their game while at least trying to explain why you are quitting. Focus on what you didn't like about the game, don't veer into detailing what you didn't like about the GM. I’m taking a page out of Martin Ralya’s book and I’m not going to write about being a bad GM. Good GMs are known to be overly critical of their weaknesses.

I say identify those weaknesses, accept them and be willing to get better.

As for truly bad GMs, the best service you can give them is to stop playing in their game while at least trying to explain why you are quitting. Focus on what you didn’t like about the game, don’t veer into detailing what you didn’t like about the GM.

]]> By: Ambush http://critical-hits.com/2008/08/29/the-seven-habits-of-great-gms/#comment-52459 Ambush Mon, 01 Sep 2008 07:07:33 +0000 http://chattydm.net/?p=1137#comment-52459 My usual problem when I GM is that the quieter people at the table get lost in the shuffle. I love my story. I love seeing what my players will do with my story. Laying a plot twist out there and watching people's head spin as they try to figure out every angle (and give you a ton of ideas at the same time) is so great. So, when we're (almost) all telling the story, and (almost) everyone is into it, if there's a problem, I sometimes miss it. Which is a real bummer for the person that was left out. I know in theory that I should pull back a bit, to not miss it, but then I feel like my story won't be as engaging, because I'm not allowing myself to be as "into it" as I could, so that I don't lose players... Make sense? (Definately not a "Great GM Habit", more the opposite, but I think it still fits here...) My usual problem when I GM is that the quieter people at the table get lost in the shuffle. I love my story. I love seeing what my players will do with my story. Laying a plot twist out there and watching people’s head spin as they try to figure out every angle (and give you a ton of ideas at the same time) is so great. So, when we’re (almost) all telling the story, and (almost) everyone is into it, if there’s a problem, I sometimes miss it. Which is a real bummer for the person that was left out. I know in theory that I should pull back a bit, to not miss it, but then I feel like my story won’t be as engaging, because I’m not allowing myself to be as “into it” as I could, so that I don’t lose players…

Make sense? (Definately not a “Great GM Habit”, more the opposite, but I think it still fits here…)

]]> By: Rafe http://critical-hits.com/2008/08/29/the-seven-habits-of-great-gms/#comment-52458 Rafe Mon, 01 Sep 2008 02:11:22 +0000 http://chattydm.net/?p=1137#comment-52458 I always think of what I was told in infantry officer training: To be a good leader, you also have to be a good follower. In other words, if one knows what it's like to be a player, it's easier to be a DM. Likewise, a good player is one who's been a DM. Also, a good GM is willing and able to give up control. The story belongs to everyone, not the GM. I've always found that thinking of a GM as being a "first mover" keeps me in the right head-space. I always think of what I was told in infantry officer training: To be a good leader, you also have to be a good follower. In other words, if one knows what it’s like to be a player, it’s easier to be a DM. Likewise, a good player is one who’s been a DM.

Also, a good GM is willing and able to give up control. The story belongs to everyone, not the GM. I’ve always found that thinking of a GM as being a “first mover” keeps me in the right head-space.

]]> By: Flying Dutchman http://critical-hits.com/2008/08/29/the-seven-habits-of-great-gms/#comment-52457 Flying Dutchman Sun, 31 Aug 2008 23:58:20 +0000 http://chattydm.net/?p=1137#comment-52457 Has anyone here ever experienced the GM that would rather be a player in the world he created. I've played one campaign with a GM that would bore the group with intricate details about his world, and report every minor event EVER ocurred. While this in itself doesn't necessary mean that he would rather be a player, the fact that he had an NPC with us, the whole campaign, did. This NPC would always be right, become the heroic focus of the story, be capable of everything, and be on some kind of (way too deep) emo-trip; causing the GM to monologue his trauma's to us to ad nauseam. What I'm trying to say is:a GM should be involved with, but not in love with his own creations. Has anyone here ever experienced the GM that would rather be a player in the world he created. I’ve played one campaign with a GM that would bore the group with intricate details about his world, and report every minor event EVER ocurred. While this in itself doesn’t necessary mean that he would rather be a player, the fact that he had an NPC with us, the whole campaign, did. This NPC would always be right, become the heroic focus of the story, be capable of everything, and be on some kind of (way too deep) emo-trip; causing the GM to monologue his trauma’s to us to ad nauseam.

What I’m trying to say is:a GM should be involved with, but not in love with his own creations.

]]> By: Tomcat1066 http://critical-hits.com/2008/08/29/the-seven-habits-of-great-gms/#comment-52456 Tomcat1066 Sun, 31 Aug 2008 20:40:27 +0000 http://chattydm.net/?p=1137#comment-52456 @Chatty: Thanks for seeing what I meant, versus what I sort of said. ;) Something else I think DMs should do is not be afraid to say no to running something they think will unbalance the game. I've seen far to many DMs try to make players happy by letting them run a class or race that they aren't really capable of handling. So, I guess <b>knowing your limits</b> would be a good addition. Personally, I'd rather have a DM say "no" than to let something in that can kill the fun for the whole group. @Chatty: Thanks for seeing what I meant, versus what I sort of said. ;)

Something else I think DMs should do is not be afraid to say no to running something they think will unbalance the game. I’ve seen far to many DMs try to make players happy by letting them run a class or race that they aren’t really capable of handling. So, I guess knowing your limits would be a good addition. Personally, I’d rather have a DM say “no” than to let something in that can kill the fun for the whole group.

]]> By: Sektor http://critical-hits.com/2008/08/29/the-seven-habits-of-great-gms/#comment-52455 Sektor Sun, 31 Aug 2008 18:57:14 +0000 http://chattydm.net/?p=1137#comment-52455 How about... <b>Being Consistent</b>: a great GM remembers most, if not all, of what he previously told his players. This includes crunch (house rules, quick on-the-fly rulings, ...) as well as fluff (NPCs names and mannerisms, events in the world, ...) This follows somewhat in the wake of <b>Being Organized</b>. Sektors last blog post..<a href="http://sektor527.blogspot.com/2008/08/riding-my-first-ambulance.html" rel="nofollow">Riding my first ambulance</a> How about…

Being Consistent: a great GM remembers most, if not all, of what he previously told his players. This includes crunch (house rules, quick on-the-fly rulings, …) as well as fluff (NPCs names and mannerisms, events in the world, …)

This follows somewhat in the wake of Being Organized.

Sektors last blog post..Riding my first ambulance

]]> By: Forgefly http://critical-hits.com/2008/08/29/the-seven-habits-of-great-gms/#comment-52454 Forgefly Sun, 31 Aug 2008 15:31:16 +0000 http://chattydm.net/?p=1137#comment-52454 Perhaps this is too basic, but a Great GM is creative. As part of being well read as mentioned in the comments above, a Great GM brings new and exciting ideas to the game of his own making (or at least remixing) Whether this is in NPC, items, encounters, scenery, there is something in what a Great GM offers that is new and different. This is one quality that really makes the difference between a good GM and a great one for me. Having said that, I think it would go at the very bottom of the list. A creative but unorganized and inflexible GM is worse than a bland but organized and flexible GM Perhaps this is too basic, but a Great GM is creative. As part of being well read as mentioned in the comments above, a Great GM brings new and exciting ideas to the game of his own making (or at least remixing) Whether this is in NPC, items, encounters, scenery, there is something in what a Great GM offers that is new and different. This is one quality that really makes the difference between a good GM and a great one for me.

Having said that, I think it would go at the very bottom of the list. A creative but unorganized and inflexible GM is worse than a bland but organized and flexible GM

]]> By: ChattyDM http://critical-hits.com/2008/08/29/the-seven-habits-of-great-gms/#comment-52453 ChattyDM Sun, 31 Aug 2008 14:52:21 +0000 http://chattydm.net/?p=1137#comment-52453 @Ninetails: Good one. You are preaching to the choir here! @Jonathan: Yeah, I recall reading it (Heck, I commented on it first) but I had forgotten about it... good thing I didn't repeat each of your points Verboten! Good synergies both posts. @Tenach: Agreed, we are GMs, not novelists! @Tony: I'm actually working on a post about giving GMs honest feedback without making them go on nuclear defensive. @Tomcat: i was initially going to diagree with you but I realised that being firm is not being inflexible... just consistent. So yeah I agree. Expect to see your suggestions as 'Seven more Habits of the Great GM' @Ninetails: Good one. You are preaching to the choir here!

@Jonathan: Yeah, I recall reading it (Heck, I commented on it first) but I had forgotten about it… good thing I didn’t repeat each of your points Verboten! Good synergies both posts.

@Tenach: Agreed, we are GMs, not novelists!

@Tony: I’m actually working on a post about giving GMs honest feedback without making them go on nuclear defensive.

@Tomcat: i was initially going to diagree with you but I realised that being firm is not being inflexible… just consistent. So yeah I agree.

Expect to see your suggestions as ‘Seven more Habits of the Great GM’

]]> By: Random News Table for August 30th | UncleBear http://critical-hits.com/2008/08/29/the-seven-habits-of-great-gms/#comment-52452 Random News Table for August 30th | UncleBear Sat, 30 Aug 2008 20:01:05 +0000 http://chattydm.net/?p=1137#comment-52452 [...] The Seven Habits of Great GMs - After 25 years of GMing, you learn a few lessons about GMing. Some are easier to learn than others. [...] [...] The Seven Habits of Great GMs – After 25 years of GMing, you learn a few lessons about GMing. Some are easier to learn than others. [...]

]]> By: Tomcat1066 http://critical-hits.com/2008/08/29/the-seven-habits-of-great-gms/#comment-52451 Tomcat1066 Sat, 30 Aug 2008 12:16:24 +0000 http://chattydm.net/?p=1137#comment-52451 <b>Be firm</b> is one I'd probably add. I've seen to many DMs try to make everyone happy by allowing all kinds of crap into their sessions that don't make any sense within the world. If there aren't gnomes in your world, and someone wants to play them, be firm when you tell them you can't. However, also be prepared to find out why they want to play a gnome and help them find an alternative. Tomcat1066s last blog post..<a href="http://tomcat1066.wordpress.com/2008/08/29/alignment-part-11-chaos-isnt-always-bad/" rel="nofollow">Alignment Part 11 - Chaos Isn’t Always Bad</a> Be firm is one I’d probably add. I’ve seen to many DMs try to make everyone happy by allowing all kinds of crap into their sessions that don’t make any sense within the world. If there aren’t gnomes in your world, and someone wants to play them, be firm when you tell them you can’t. However, also be prepared to find out why they want to play a gnome and help them find an alternative.

Tomcat1066s last blog post..Alignment Part 11 – Chaos Isn’t Always Bad

]]> By: Tony Law http://critical-hits.com/2008/08/29/the-seven-habits-of-great-gms/#comment-52450 Tony Law Sat, 30 Aug 2008 12:03:12 +0000 http://chattydm.net/?p=1137#comment-52450 <b>Handling criticism</b> is something that I think a good DM needs to be able to do. I've seen too many people who try to DM and can't handle it when the players try to offer suggestions on how to improve the game. They get angry and defensive instead. Other than that, you definitely hit the necessary DM strengths. :) Handling criticism is something that I think a good DM needs to be able to do. I’ve seen too many people who try to DM and can’t handle it when the players try to offer suggestions on how to improve the game. They get angry and defensive instead.

Other than that, you definitely hit the necessary DM strengths. :)

]]> By: Tenach http://critical-hits.com/2008/08/29/the-seven-habits-of-great-gms/#comment-52449 Tenach Sat, 30 Aug 2008 07:08:37 +0000 http://chattydm.net/?p=1137#comment-52449 Well, what I was going to suggest follows under the lines of "Being open-minded", in that you shouldn't be dictating a story that you force your players to act out, but rather take into account the quirks and unexpectancies, and play off them when appropriate. The few times that I have DM'ed, the game has always come out different than how I had intended for it to be - I give myself only a vague outline of what needs to be done so that I'm not surprised or thrown off when characters do something off the wall. I make sure that my plans work if they're done out of order (and of course, having an alternate outcome appropriate). Tenachs last blog post..<a href="http://thescoundrels.net/2008/08/26/3-sure-fire-ways-to-get-back-into-blogging/" rel="nofollow">3 Sure-fire Ways To Get Back Into Blogging</a> Well, what I was going to suggest follows under the lines of “Being open-minded”, in that you shouldn’t be dictating a story that you force your players to act out, but rather take into account the quirks and unexpectancies, and play off them when appropriate. The few times that I have DM’ed, the game has always come out different than how I had intended for it to be – I give myself only a vague outline of what needs to be done so that I’m not surprised or thrown off when characters do something off the wall. I make sure that my plans work if they’re done out of order (and of course, having an alternate outcome appropriate).

Tenachs last blog post..3 Sure-fire Ways To Get Back Into Blogging

]]> By: Jonathan Drain http://critical-hits.com/2008/08/29/the-seven-habits-of-great-gms/#comment-52448 Jonathan Drain Sat, 30 Aug 2008 01:06:38 +0000 http://chattydm.net/?p=1137#comment-52448 Good article. It reminds me of a similar post I wrote in June, titled <a href="http://d20.jonnydigital.com/2008/06/7-habits-of-a-successful-dungeon-master" rel="nofollow">Seven Habits of a Successful Dungeon Master</a>. It seems that D&D and business have much alike! Jonathan Drains last blog post..<a href="http://d20.jonnydigital.com/2008/08/politics-invades-dungeons-dragons" rel="nofollow">Politics invades Dungeons & Dragons</a> Good article. It reminds me of a similar post I wrote in June, titled Seven Habits of a Successful Dungeon Master. It seems that D&D and business have much alike!

Jonathan Drains last blog post..Politics invades Dungeons & Dragons

]]> By: Ninetail http://critical-hits.com/2008/08/29/the-seven-habits-of-great-gms/#comment-52447 Ninetail Sat, 30 Aug 2008 00:37:30 +0000 http://chattydm.net/?p=1137#comment-52447 I've got an eighth for you: <b>Being Well-Read</b>: A good GM has a grasp of the genre. He is familiar with the common themes of the genre and able to employ (or subvert) them to good effect. A great GM has a good grasp of a range of literature and other sources <i>outside</i> of the genre, and incorporates elements of them into his game world. It's the best advice I ever got about being a writer: If you want to write well, you need to read. A lot. And not just the great books, but the contemporary works in your genre, and a selection of works in other genres too. It grounds you. (And reading a book that makes you think "I can write better than that" is a great confidence/motivation booster.) It applies equally well to GMing and storytelling. Looking at other worlds is practice for building your own. Ninetails last blog post..<a href="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~r/AButterflyDreaming/~3/377528325/" rel="nofollow">Heroic Effort</a> I’ve got an eighth for you:

Being Well-Read: A good GM has a grasp of the genre. He is familiar with the common themes of the genre and able to employ (or subvert) them to good effect. A great GM has a good grasp of a range of literature and other sources outside of the genre, and incorporates elements of them into his game world.

It’s the best advice I ever got about being a writer: If you want to write well, you need to read. A lot. And not just the great books, but the contemporary works in your genre, and a selection of works in other genres too. It grounds you. (And reading a book that makes you think “I can write better than that” is a great confidence/motivation booster.)

It applies equally well to GMing and storytelling. Looking at other worlds is practice for building your own.

Ninetails last blog post..Heroic Effort

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