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Bad DM'GM'ing
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<blockquote data-quote="Theo R Cwithin" data-source="post: 5058282" data-attributes="member: 75712"><p><strong>Bad DMs don't listen to the players.</strong> When they make suggestions or complain, talk to them. You don't have to do everything they want, but have a good reason for doing it "your way". Also, <u><em>ask</em></u> them for their opinions, what they'd like to see, critique, etc; some players will just sit there and stew rather than bring up what's bothering them themselves, so it's good make it clear that you're open to listening to them.</p><p></p><p><strong>Bad DMs </strong><strong>let DMPCs become the focus.</strong> Keep the players' PCs at the center of attention. Otherwise it's B.O.R.I.N.G. for them.</p><p></p><p><strong>Bad DMs don't t</strong><strong> ry to keep everyone involved.</strong> It's not <em>always</em> possible (or even necessary) to do <em>all</em> the time, but try to structure adventures and encounters so everyone gets to be hero for a bit, or at least contribute.</p><p></p><p><strong>Bad DMs </strong><strong>burn out. </strong> If things are getting unfun, do something else for a while: let another player take the reins for a couple months, play a different game/style/campaign, or something. IMHO, it's better to put things on hold for a while and come back later to finish a campaign in style, rather than let it just fizzle and fall apart, and maybe part with bad blood.</p><p></p><p></p><p><em><strong>A bad DM </strong><strong>killed Blackleaf!</strong></em></p></blockquote><p></p>
[QUOTE="Theo R Cwithin, post: 5058282, member: 75712"] [B]Bad DMs don't listen to the players.[/B] When they make suggestions or complain, talk to them. You don't have to do everything they want, but have a good reason for doing it "your way". Also, [U][I]ask[/I][/U] them for their opinions, what they'd like to see, critique, etc; some players will just sit there and stew rather than bring up what's bothering them themselves, so it's good make it clear that you're open to listening to them. [B]Bad DMs [/B][B]let DMPCs become the focus.[/B] Keep the players' PCs at the center of attention. Otherwise it's B.O.R.I.N.G. for them. [B]Bad DMs don't t[/B][B] ry to keep everyone involved.[/B] It's not [I]always[/I] possible (or even necessary) to do [I]all[/I] the time, but try to structure adventures and encounters so everyone gets to be hero for a bit, or at least contribute. [B]Bad DMs [/B][B]burn out. [/B] If things are getting unfun, do something else for a while: let another player take the reins for a couple months, play a different game/style/campaign, or something. IMHO, it's better to put things on hold for a while and come back later to finish a campaign in style, rather than let it just fizzle and fall apart, and maybe part with bad blood. [I][B]A bad DM [/B][B]killed Blackleaf![/B][/I] [/QUOTE]
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