How much should the GM talk during a session?

[Jer]

Depends on the whole table, actually. Some tables will need the GM to do more talking, some won't let the GM get a word in edgewise. With my regular group I usually have to do a little more talking than I would like at the beginning of a session and then slowly back down as the session progresses and everyone wakes up. With the kids I teach to game they'll basically run the game themselves once I set things up and I just have to react to their shenanigans.

 

[Ralif Redhammer]

It's like the advice I got years ago on being interviewed when someone asks you "what is your greatest weakness?" And that was be honest, but move on as quickly as you can.

The truth of that should never go underestimated.

 

[Celebrim]

It depends on how good your players are.

Typically, I find I split the time about 50/50 with the players. This is not ideal, but it's reflective of the fact that the players don't really role play except when forced to interact with NPCs in character, which basically is a conversation with between me and them, usually with them asking questions and me giving answers.

The only time I spend long moments not talking I'm not actually sharing spotlight because most of my players when they are talking are planning, largely in an out of character stance what they want to do. But I don't feel this is actually game play and it's really dull.

Like I don't know about the rest of the GMs here, but when my players RP effectively together that's just a thrill. There is nothing better than just leaning back and watching the game for a while and being entertained by the players, needing only to throw in a few beats to keep the game going.

 

[Celebrim]

One rule I do try to stick by, however, is that the amount of time a DM spends on two NPCs talking to each other should be as minimal as possible.

Oh gosh yes. As much as possible, try not to have two NPCs with speaking parts in the same room, and never ever ones that feel the need to say anything to each other. Nothing is worse than having to talk to yourself.

 

[Ralif Redhammer]

Hell is coming up with two wildly different NPC voices and having to rapidly shift back and forth between the two. Purgatory is being a player and having to listen to it.

Oh gosh yes. As much as possible, try not to have two NPCs with speaking parts in the same room, and never ever ones that feel the need to say anything to each other. Nothing is worse than having to talk to yourself.

 

[mythago]

The GM should not talk so much that the players feel like they are bit players in a story for which the GM is both author and audience.

Other than that, it depends.

 

[Jd Smith1]

As much as needed, and no more or less.

 

[Emirikol]

Some players talk more than others. I find the less I talk the slower the game is.

 

[HaroldTheHobbit]

My table are very social/roleplaying focused, and it depends more on how chatty the players are with NPCs than anything else. But I try to leave as much room I can to the players while still describing/creating an exciting world, evocative milieus and interesting and living NPCs.

 

[Jd Smith1]

But I try to leave as much room I can to the players while still describing/creating an exciting world, evocative milieus and interesting and living NPCs.

This is a guy who orders adjectives wholesale.