[Xae]

I prefer to be a player, though I have DMed before. I think it's cool being in control, but I like defeating an enemy in battle and leveling up. Being a player gives me a feeling of accomplishment that I don't get as a DM.

[helix]

well, the reason i like being a character is cause of:

1) every blooded time i have been DM no one wants to find out why they have summon to aid thier kingdom, or why they must not let soomeone die. all they even wqanted was to kill or find a nymph (they have seen the monster manual 3.5)

2)they really dont know find out where they need to go. but every time i play as a character people listen to my character cause they know that my character is following blood trait instead of the hot female.

3)people hate it when i say we are using scrap paper as a map. but they could care less if i just as a player: "shut the blooded hell up or i slaughter your character and offer its remains to the necromancer to make into a flesh golem."

[Raven Bloodmoon]

Not to be rude or presumptuous, but it sounds like you need to try gaming with people who are a tad more mature. Like older than 10. That would solve a lot of your issues, I think. More mature people won't run around like little newblets in Diablo trying to PK everyone they see. Trust me. DMing for people who are more mature than their shoe size can be quite rewarding, so don't knock it until you try it for real. Though I personally enjoy making the world, so I like DMing for that reason.

[JosephBlackly]

I thought for sure I responded to this once in the past, but I didn't see my (theoretical) post going through it. Weird.

Anyway, I agree with Raven about yout little problem, Helix. Your group seems like a bunch of immature, uh... I'm lacking words that wouldn't put me down to their appearant level, so I'll just leave it at immature. Anyway, I can't say that I'm the most experienced DM in the world (that's Jesus' title), nor can I say that my particular gaming group members are the most mature people I know, but I can say that if I were DMing for the kind that are all, like, "OMG NYMHPS R TEH HAWT!" or "I WNAT TO KILL TEH GARDS AND LOOOT TEH BODYS!!1" (and yes, it is possible to talk like this in RL, however difficult and degrading it may be), I think I would be forced to kill them, without mercy or regret... Via this guy or one of these.

But maybe I'm just an evil bastard...

Anyway. I enjoy DMing, but lately I've been a tad too distracted to work on my campaign world. Thankfully, the guys I DM for are a patient lot, for the most part. Personally, I like making a party work for their loot and prizes; no Monte Haul in my games. Has anyone actually compares the "higher than 1st-level equipment" from the DMG? Rather, comparing what a xth-level PC has compared to what the same level NPC has? It's funny, I think.

As a player, I've always been fond of playing... Wierd things. Anything that isn't in the PHB, if I can get away with it. I mean, Spitting Felldrake Barbarian Wizard? Gold, I tell you. Since one my friends has been talking about DMing a game involving a team of trolls doing completely asinine things, I figure it's right up my ally.

This ended up being longer than I thought... And I completely avoided the original question/topic... Do I prefer being a player or a DM?

Having not have much experience as a DM, I can't say for sure. Until I get some DMing XP, I guess I'll say player for now. If I decide later that playing God is the balls, then I can always change my mind... Right?

..."Defend With Anything"... Dth, you're a genius.

[Dthclaw]

Well, glad you think so.

And... yeah, Helix, you need to find a more mature group cuz... [WOMBAT]. A group like that seems like it is beyond asinine, and if they can't apply even a modicum of self-control and maturity, you're really not playing D&D... you're just screwing around.

[RedSlayer]

Come come, if there is one thing I have learned, is that no man's D&D is better than any others. If people are having fun having a monte-haul, an eclectic game, a dice-less game, or any other crazy kind, than its good D&D.
Key words: having fun.

Bad D&D is uncompromising DM's, rules-lawyer players, high-horse roleplayers, or anything else that detracts from the enjoyment of those involved. That is not only "screwing around", but also a waste of everyone's time.


Regardless, I can't believe I've never answered this thread. I'll go with my trademark answer.

"I'd like to be in a game where I DM'd myself."

[JosephBlackly]

You raise several good points, Red.

I know people who like monte-haul and kick-in-the-door-kill-frenzy type games, as well as diceless. But personally, I don't think I could DM for those types of games... Well, maybe diceless; pure role-playing isn't as hard as some people think. I'm not saying that they can't be fun, I was just saying that I don't find them fun myself, and so don't want much to do with them.

Indeed, that is what I meant to say, however poorly I may have worded it.

[helix]

yeah i know their imature at times but the worst part is that most are in high school and one is in college. but iam trying to get them to start taking a serious look but i still like disguising undead just see which one will make a pass at it....usually its the one who is a druid or an animal lord....priceless fun for me.

[helix]

also i take back my decision: i like being a Dm asistant. i get to be a player while i keep everyone's characters in check.

[MishRaKhan]

I just started DM in January after playing off and on since 1979. I think the single thing that every player can do to become a beter player is to DM. All the things that i did that drove my last DM crazy drive me crazy.
There are spcific things I love about each. The main things that give me a rush: (not necessarily in this order)
Player:
1.) Leveling up!
2.) Finding Phat, Phat loot.
3.) Solving puzzles/riddles.
4.) Roleplaying with a great group.
5.) Laughing and comradery.
6.) surviving a near death experience.
7.) Killing [BROWNIES].
DM
1.) controlling the game/knowing wjats going to happen next
2.) getting to play/roleplay many different characters in a session.
3.) creating interesting encounters.
4.) giving out treasure.
5.) laughing and comradery.

things I hate no matter where I sit.
1.) arguing.
2.) grumpy, inconciderate, argumentitive, selfish etc. etc. people.
3.) people that do not read thier spells, races, chracter class, etc. ahead of time and waste everyones time looking basic stuff up during the game.
4.) People that have to see every rule in print before they will acknowledge the rule.
5.) Metagaming.

Anyway I prefer to play but DMing is fun also.