What is the MOST IMPORTANT skill for a GM to have?

[Reynard]

If you had to pick just one skill as the single most important one for a good GM to have at a high level, what would you pick?

For me, it is the ability to respond creatively to whatever the players throw at you. IMO, player agency is the thing that makes RPGs what they are and worth playing compared to other forms of games, and so the best GMs are those that can really riff of what the players bring to the table. I like to think i aim for that ability, even if I don't always achieve it.

What do you think is the most important GM skill? Whatever it is, do you feel like you are good at it? What do you do to try and improve, if anything?

Also -- let's keep this positive and NOT talk about what we think is an unimportant or overrated GM skill. Someone else can start that thread if folks want to talk about that.

 

[payn]

Tenacity. Being able to bring about a game they want and like with tremendous energy and staying power until its done. I think im one of few I know that has high levels of tenacity. Folks certainly have enthusiasm for playing, but when it comes to creating and running they usually burn out.

Part of my tenacity is to not just run things I love, but to improve the experience for everyone I share it with. Often, that means letting folks collaborate a little on the creation process, listening to their feedback, and adjusting to constructive criticism.

 

[aco175]

It is still Perception.

But I like being flexible to roll with the players choices and direction they want to go.

 

[Reynard]

Tenacity. Being able to bring about a game they want and like with tremendous energy and staying power until its done. I think im one of few I know that has high levels of tenacity. Folks certainly have enthusiasm for playing, but when it comes to creating and running they usually burn out.

Part of my tenacity is to not just run things I love, but to improve the experience for everyone I share it with. Often, that means letting folks collaborate a little on the creation process, listening to their feedback, and adjusting to constructive criticism.

I definitely fail in the tenacity area sometimes, when player apathy or other workloads or just GMADD makes me give up on a game before it has honestly run its course.

 

[payn]

I definitely fail in the tenacity area sometimes, when player apathy or other workloads or just GMADD makes me give up on a game before it has honestly run its course.

Yeah, its not a failing to be challenged here. Everybody has different levels of responsibilities and real life situations that task our energy for our hobby time. I dont think anything is special about me here, i'm just so damn stubborn i'm gonna make time and find a way to get it done.

 

[KYRON45]

Communication skills.

 

[Lanefan]

Dependability and-or commitment.

As in, that you'll reliably be there week after week, on time and ready to run the game; and that the players can count on this.

Without this skill, all the others become somewhat redundant.

 

[pemerton]

I think it depends on the game.

If you're GMing an AP-ish type game, good narration skills to engage the players and reveal the scenes/plot to them are pretty important. Otherwise they won't know what is going on, won't be entertained, and won't know what they should do next.

If you're GMing a game that doesn't rely very heavily on prep, then being able to quickly think of interesting twists and complications is pretty important.

Etc, etc.

 

[sevenbastard]

Literacy

We all know none of the players are going to make any effort to read thier charachter abilities/spells.

 

[TheSword]

A Good Memory. There is so much to remember, from rules, to what you agreed too last session, to what the NPCs are planning.

You can write stuff down but who has time to go poring through notes. When you’ve got a good memory not only is it easier to run the game, you don’t need to be as creative because you can just use stuff you’ve seen elsewhere.

I never had a good idea that I didn’t steal.