Anyone else here rather not play but does like to DM? venty
- Thread starter Ace
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ivocaliban
Explorer
I've never really had the benefit of the choice. I've been DMing since 1991 and in that entire time I've only been a player twice: Once in 1997 and again in 2002; both times were one-shot adventures. I think I would like to play more to find out if I'd enjoy it, but chances are I've been in the driver's seat for so long now that I'd probably discover I prefer DMing, too.
Crothian
First Post
The trick is to just find a really fun character you like to play, I love DMing but right now I'm in three games playing characters and no DMing for me. So, I stay current reading books and making ideas for when I do DM again but I also enjoy the games I'm in by creating fun and interesting characters.
Desdichado
Hero
All six of the folks in my group are GMs. Obviously, we can't all be doing it at once.
But we also like playing. That's just part of the gig; gaming is a group activity, so you can't always get your way.
But we also like playing. That's just part of the gig; gaming is a group activity, so you can't always get your way.
Pants
First Post
5 players, 5 potential DM's. 
Everyone wanted to DM, but we decided upon several things: 1) Only 2 of us were really any good (not really a group consensus, but I've only had fun in one other campaign and... I'm arrogant sometimes
), 2) Several of the potential DM's run games that start strong, but then die REALLY quickly, this leads to lots of old character sheets (my Half-Orc Fighter, Rivvell will never be played... 
), and lastly 3) With so many DM's, the campaigns will never get anywhere.
That last one was the clincher. We decided to cut down to an average of 2 DM's. Every once in a while (when the defaults are feeling burned out or in non-DM mode), someone else could run for a night or two. Since the others tend to run veritable one-shots anyways, this doesn't pose much of a problem.
As of right now, the Eberron game is running fairly smoothly and every once in a while, I coerce the other DM into running his campaign (which I very much enjoy!). He always seems apprehensive, but he does such a good job...
Everyone wanted to DM, but we decided upon several things: 1) Only 2 of us were really any good (not really a group consensus, but I've only had fun in one other campaign and... I'm arrogant sometimes
), 2) Several of the potential DM's run games that start strong, but then die REALLY quickly, this leads to lots of old character sheets (my Half-Orc Fighter, Rivvell will never be played... ), and lastly 3) With so many DM's, the campaigns will never get anywhere.That last one was the clincher. We decided to cut down to an average of 2 DM's. Every once in a while (when the defaults are feeling burned out or in non-DM mode), someone else could run for a night or two. Since the others tend to run veritable one-shots anyways, this doesn't pose much of a problem.
As of right now, the Eberron game is running fairly smoothly and every once in a while, I coerce the other DM into running his campaign (which I very much enjoy!). He always seems apprehensive, but he does such a good job...
Eremite
Explorer
I only ever DM.
My players prefer that for two reasons:
1. The positive side is that they believe that I'm the best DM in the various groups.
2. On the negative side, I have a tendency to dominate the game in an unhealthy fashion if I play. Unfortunately, I'm so used to both DMing and running businesses IRL that I feel a profound need to impose order in chaos.
Anyway, I only like to DM so it all works well. Every now and then I simply take a break from DMing (like right now) to recharge the creative batteries and the others either play in other groups or similarly spend the time "on the bench".
My players prefer that for two reasons:
1. The positive side is that they believe that I'm the best DM in the various groups.
2. On the negative side, I have a tendency to dominate the game in an unhealthy fashion if I play. Unfortunately, I'm so used to both DMing and running businesses IRL that I feel a profound need to impose order in chaos.
Anyway, I only like to DM so it all works well. Every now and then I simply take a break from DMing (like right now) to recharge the creative batteries and the others either play in other groups or similarly spend the time "on the bench".
TheAuldGrump
First Post
I'd like to play, but I don't get to.
Twice I've managed to get substitute DMs, both times the other players gave up on the new DMs before I even got to play a level's worth. In one case I agree, he was pretty bad, but I wanted to play dang it! There was nothing wrong with the other that a little experience wouldn't have helped, he was just new. The only times I have gotten to play otherwise have been one shots, and I helped write one of them.
Two of the players joke about it and call it my curse.
The Auld Grump
Twice I've managed to get substitute DMs, both times the other players gave up on the new DMs before I even got to play a level's worth. In one case I agree, he was pretty bad, but I wanted to play dang it! There was nothing wrong with the other that a little experience wouldn't have helped, he was just new. The only times I have gotten to play otherwise have been one shots, and I helped write one of them.
Two of the players joke about it and call it my curse.
The Auld Grump
MonsterMash
First Post
In my usual group of 5-6, there are 3 of us that GM at different times, but we've managed to work it by playing through a campaign till a logical holding point then switching games (two D&D, one CoC - BRP).
I like to play as well as DM as both things tend to feed off each other.
I like to play as well as DM as both things tend to feed off each other.
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