D&D General Acting and DMing -- is acting an impediment to fun?

[generic]

I feel like this doesn't even need to be said, but surely this varies from table to table? D&D players aren't a monolith, so painting them all with a single brush ("players seem to enjoy a dryer DM") seems impossible and counterproductive.

The OP made the poll inherently subjective, so, it is a subjective discussion.

 

[Lanefan]

However, I think there is a problem when any DM is monologing and has lost sight of whether the players are actually engaged.

With one exception: major boss villains have to be able to (try to) monologue!

It's become something of a joke among our crew: how long it takes the players/PCs to a) realize they're listening to a boss monologue and b) bust it up with spells, missiles, swords, or thrown furniture.

 

[Iry]

With one exception: major boss villains have to be able to (try to) monologue!

It's become something of a joke among our crew: how long it takes the players/PCs to a) realize they're listening to a boss monologue and b) bust it up with spells, missiles, swords, or thrown furniture.

I did the opposite in one lighthearted game. A hulking barbarian named 'NOLO' worked as a mercenary for several BBEGs. "Well, my cunning plan is... You know what? Nevermind. Kill them." The monstrous barbarian rages and charges immediately, screaming "MONOLOGUE!!"

He was a zealot barbarian and was revivified several times for various BBEG before the party desecrated his corpse. And then... months later... he came back as a Death Knight.