[dragonhand777]

I've been playing dnd for nearly 16 years. I've always played a character. However, in my current group, one dm suffered dm burnout, and the other is about to have a baby (well his wifes doing the hard part hehe) and has decided to give up the dm chair. Sooo, I have decided that I would take over as dm.

I've been world biulding and planning adventures, it's a lotta work (not that I ever thought it wasn't). I'm going to do my best to be the dm I'd like to have. This means, that there will be more role-playing than what we've had over the past couple of years as well as a few more 'puzzles.' While I'm really enjoying all my many plans to give the pcs challenges, reasons to go adventuring in the first place (you know, reasons to fight the baddies) and rewards for thier work, I'm not sure how it will compare to just bieng a pc.

The countdown is on. It's only a matter of a few weeks and it'll be me in that chair. I'm anxious. A few years ago, I would've just started looking for a new group (maybe) or just gone without playing for a while rather than take over the DM mantle.

In fact, I've noticed many of the people I've played dnd with over the years were kinda like that (not just me).

So, which do you perfer to be a dm or a player?

Why?

[Rintaran]

Well, I've almost always played as a DM. There were 6 or 7 campaigns that fizzled after 2 sessions (and never more than 2 sessions) in which I was a mere player. Since all of my XP has been in the DM's seat, I must say I prefer it. As something of a control freak, being behind the scenes and in control (mostly) of the gaming world fits me quite well. It also allows me to put in effect ideas that spring into my mind as "cool" and supplies me with ample opportunity to write short stories and whatnot based on the various adventures, with the added advantage of knowing the baddies to provide a change of viewpoint when required.

On the few occasions when I've had the opportunity to be a player, I've enjoyed it. There's a lot less organization involved. You don't need to spend any time preparing for the next session. Definately more hassel-free. But as I've yet to find a DM I can rely on to always be ready for the next session, I still lean towards DM as my favourite position.

Now, in my XP, there are some people who are absolutely suited to be players, who should never ever end up as a DM (and we've tested that and discovered it quite true). And (presumably) there are DMs that should probably never be players (I may or may not fit here). And then there are the multi-purpose people who can do either with equal proficiency. I've seen plenty of the first, and would really like to know if my theory of these three positional peeps is accurrate.

[zhentar reborn]

True confession of a veteran DM:

Being a DM is my only option. I started as a DM, and did it for so many campaigns, I couldn't stand being a PC. I felt like I was sitting around with my fingers in my mouth waiting for the idiot behind the screen to entertain me.

And no matter how hard I tried, I just couldn't help but compare my campaigns, notes, traps, puzzles, perperation, or house rules with the folks who have DMed me.

I guess it just suits my over-inflated ego to only be a DM!!!

Hopefully, I haven't offended any of the professional PCs on this board. But, I'm sure all you DMs out there can understand what I'm saying.

[blacxthornE]

I prefer doing both, in turns. That helps understanding who likes what more in a game, both as a DM and player. Also helps us enjoy the game both ways, without waiting too long to be a DM or a player.

Some might think it is absurd, but this is how I like it. Being a DM for one campaign, and a player for three others.

[Darius]

I agree ,I prefer to DM and play.

D

[ladyofdragons]

Player!

In my own mind, I'm just not that good of a DM. And I really love the process of adding depth to a character, which you really can't do as a DM playing NPCs.

Oh, and this really isn't OT, so I'm moving it to The D&D forum.

[Gamemasta]

Our current group started over 12 years ago by a couple veteran gamers. Their intent was to form a group and train them in the art of playing and GMing. We initiated a rule that in order to remain in the group, you were required to run any game you wished. We did however group vote on which games were played each month(s). Since that time i have;

Played - All D&D's and i mean all D&D, space opera, gamma world, star frontiers/nighthawks, Call of Cuthulu, GURPS, MERP, Space opera, mega traveller, traveller, Champions, Vampire/Werewolf, Battletech/mech warrior, Star Trek ( bleck ), Star Wars-all, and a few i prolly forgot or blacked out portions of my memories.

GM'ed - 1E D&D, 2E D&D, 3E D&D, Marvel Super Hero's, Vampire/Werewolf/Demon Hunter X / Mummy / Bastet / Whateverothersupplimenttheyhave.

Marvel was lame to run and play.
I LOVE running vampire etc. that game has no boundries and I love playing it.
I love playing D&D but only with a good GM, it can get boring at times being a player. GMing D&D is now a breeze and is fun since as a GM you are participating with every scene. There exists so much resource material not to mention how easy it is to create material for it.
All the other games can be fun, but as is typical the GM must be qualified to run and HAS to be prepared to run.
Our group is a fickel bunch and they/we don't accept mediocrity, so it always is a challenge as a GM to keep everyone happy and interested. The best part about having a group of experienced player/gamers in that they all have been at both ends of the table and can related. The worst part is that you may be overly challenged by Rules Lawyers.
I prefer to run, but I like having a break in the summer as just a player.

[Dmoe]

Well as much as I would have liked to DM I've only been a player, and I'm totally happy that way. I really enjoy building a characters personality up through the events that are thrown at him by the Dm.

As much as I'd have liked to make a campaign, the encounters, world and all the history - My intricate attention to detail would have taken me years, plus we already had a Great DM and story teller that grew up with fatasy from birth so it would've been hard to compete

[Yorick]

I have been playing DND and other RPG's for 27 years both in the fanstsy and SiFi venues form heores to worlds of Darkness. I have DM ed almost as llong. I have found that alot of time I end up the DM because I have the creative spark. But being a player is also wonderful zyou get to take an Idea and put it through trials you never thought of.

To me the big thing on either being a plyer or a DM is the quality of the Group and the DM.

My current group has been together for about 4 years and is made up of 4 extended familys that I have know or gamed with for the past 15 years. What else is lucky for us is all the wives/grilfreinds are games too and there are 4 of us that share DM duties which we rotate depending on work and burn out level. the olde3st ongoing campains are about 15 years old and we are the grandchildren and friend of the orginals heros up to the newest campain which is DND3.5 which they have been pesting me to DM.
After the group bought me the basic 3 I gave in. WE game every weekend I play in 3 and DM one.

There is one more thing that is the most important part to me and should be to all of us. THAT IS TO HAVE FUN. if you players or your DM is not have fun what is the point of this.

Sorry for the long rant but i have not found something like this place since my BBS days.

[dragonhand777]

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Oh, and this really isn't OT, so I'm moving it to The D&D forum.

Thank you. I wasn't actually sure where to post it. You're right, its not off topic but I was only curious how others felt (and why), and wasn't sure if it actually fell under 'general disscusion.' Although, now that I think about it...

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And I really love the process of adding depth to a character, which you really can't do as a DM playing NPCs.

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I really enjoy building a characters personality up through the events that are thrown at him by the Dm.

Yeah, that's what I like about playing a character. And preparing myself to be a dm as left me rather puzzled at how much depth or charater to actually give certain npcs that the pcs will be dealing with (regularly)over the course of the game. I'm sure that the npcs scope souldn't be as broad as the pcs.

[Post Sleeper]

Player. There is nothing better in the DnD world than playing. As a player, you have all the fun. True, Dm'ing can be fun, but there goes the surprises, out the window with the suspense. Say good by to all that interaction that you only get as a player.

I have Dm'ed before, and there is suspense, but not really that much. There is interaction, but with a group of people. I find It's harder to know the players unless your adventuring with them, not making the world around them.

[Gamemasta]

Post Sleeper, on May 13 2004, 04:02 PM, said:

Say good by to all that interaction that you only get as a player.

no way man, you get to interact with every NPC you make. I love making kick arse NPC's with extreem personalities!
Gay gnome tailors that wear pink! be afraid... be very afraid.
Dwarven druids who think they were hatched in the trees.
Bartenders that can clean house with a stick!

[BrotherMouran]

I do DM off and on, but usually only to give our group's main DM an occasional break. My choice is definitely to play instead of Master.

[Yorick]

Gamemasta, on May 13 2004, 11:12 PM, said:

Post Sleeper, on May 13 2004, 04:02 PM, said:

Say good by to all that interaction that you only get as a player.

No Way MAN

the depth a DM get to give his player depends on wether they are ROLL players or ROLE players.


My group I mixe some of both and my player can tell which npc is talking by how I act and tone of my voice without have to say "the tom the barkeep says"

[blacxthornE]

Oh God. This Role-play/Roll-play thing is getting really old-play. No offence Yorick, but it's been used before you, and is getting old --at least for me.