Referee (DM/GM/Whatever) Training

[TikkchikFenTikktikk]

My FLGS has had a problem finding DMs to run D&D Encounters. The ones that have been found are mostly new and/or bad. (Bad as in: running the session as little more than a board game, not knowing the rules at all, don't describe anything, have no strategy or tactics for the bad guys, etc.) I'm giving some allowance due to the nature of the Encounters format. But I'm afraid it's driving players away rather than bringing them to the game.

What resources exist to recruit and train good RPG referees? Why doesn't WotC do more to develop good DMs?

I look at the judge program WotC has for Magic: the Gathering organized play and am insanely jealous. Is there anything like that for RPG refs, for any system?

 

[dm4hire]

Paizo's Pathfinder Gamemastery Guide, while geared for Pathfinder actually has a huge portion of intro material for new GMs and suggestions for veterans. Highly recommend it.

 

[ExploderWizard]

You can read advice and instructions all day and it still is no substitute for experience behind the screen.

Some people are naturally great GM's. Others can become so by doing and learning. Those who sit down expecting a whizbang DM to be part of a "product" are misinformed about what the whole experience is about.

A gaming group entertains one another. The DM isn't some performing monkey that provides some great service-unless he/she wants to charge the other players something for the effort.

 

[IronWolf]

The ones that have been found are mostly new and/or bad. (Bad as in: running the session as little more than a board game, not knowing the rules at all, don't describe anything, have no strategy or tactics for the bad guys, etc.)

If the new DMs are motivated to DM it would likely be best to work with them. One needs to be motivated to DM, so them simply stepping up is a possible sign of that.

As Exploder Wizard has said it takes actually running games to get good at it. Help the new DMs as they run these first few games and offer constructive criticism of what works well and what doesn't work.

Trying to grow these DMs that have expressed interest is apt to get you further than looking to recruit people who have not yet showed interest.

 

[TikkchikFenTikktikk]

Are there course materials, workshops, an organized play organization with materials, etc?

I'm basically planning on setting up some kind of semi-regular "How to DM" workshop at the store. But if I don't have to reinvent the wheel and develop my own curriculum, handouts, activities, slideshows, etc., I'd prefer not to.

Magic: the Gathering has something like what I'm looking for: The DCI Judge Certification Program. "The DCI Judge Certification Program is designed to ensure consistency in all rulings and penalties at DCI-sanctioned tournaments, and to identify and recognize experienced and knowledgeable judges." Becoming a Judge : Daily MTG : Magic: The Gathering

"There are five levels of certification, based on ability and experience. Additional duties and benefits are associated with each level. A peer review and increasing levels of experience are required to move from one level to the next. There are also requirements to maintain each level from year to year."

"While having a DCI-Certified Judge at your events isn't required, it can add a more professional image to your tournaments. Players often demand a certified judge at the tournaments they play in."


The Magic Judge program is **huge** part of Magic being as big as it is. Not in getting people to pick up the game, but in getting people out of the house and playing it with new people.


Magic Judges have a huge amount of support coming to them from WotC. Major tournaments and gamer gatherings have Judge workshops to train people to become new level 1 judges or to increase their rank. Mentorship is a big part of increasing your judge level.


If WotC is going to keep running Encounters, increase the number of Game Day events, and really expand the legion of players (how many people have quit the game because of bad DMs, whether they knew it or not?) I see a major gap in the way they support DMs besides printing good DMGs.


That's what I'm trying to get at. Does this kind of RPG game referee support exist anywhere in the industry?

 

[Aus_Snow]

Some people are naturally great GM's. Others can become so by doing and learning.

And others yet have greatness thrust upon them?

Wow, deja vu.

 

[TikkchikFenTikktikk]

You can read advice and instructions all day and it still is no substitute for experience behind the screen.

Exactly.

But professional athletes don't just show up and play, they condition and train outside of the game. So what kind of activities and exercises help train new DMs and improve existing DMs outside of play?

The DM isn't some performing monkey that provides some great service-unless he/she wants to charge the other players something for the effort.

For events like Encounters, Game Days, etc., the DMs must be professional and consistent, ideally experienced and knowledgeable too.

 

[ExploderWizard]

For events like Encounters, Game Days, etc., the DMs must be professional and consistent, ideally experienced and knowledgeable too.

I have never been to an Encounters session. Do they charge for that?
If not then it's just a short game session. If encounters are supposed to be product demos then that is another thing.

 

[IronWolf]

Are there course materials, workshops, an organized play organization with materials, etc?

I'm basically planning on setting up some kind of semi-regular "How to DM" workshop at the store. But if I don't have to reinvent the wheel and develop my own curriculum, handouts, activities, slideshows, etc., I'd prefer not to.

The RPGA used to have you pass a test to GM, not sure they still do. The test really wasn't worth that much in my opinion though as it didn't really teach one to DM, just how well you knew certain rules. I am not familiar with the Magic requirements.

To avoid reinventing the wheel I would suggest as another has, checking out the Pathfinder Game Mastery guide which has a lot of advice and could likely work as "course materials". Or maybe check the old DMG II from the 3.5 days?

An actual course seems a little bit much in my opinion. A one or two session seminar maybe that allowed open communcation for those with questions and hitting some highlights of what goes into DM'ing.

 

[TikkchikFenTikktikk]

I have never been to an Encounters session. Do they charge for that?
If not then it's just a short game session. If encounters are supposed to be product demos then that is another thing.

Encounters is free to play in. But it is organized play that reflects on WotC and the FLGS that hosts it. And it is supposed to be a way for new players to discover the game.