Are DMs subsidizing player fun?

[Agamon]

I have no qualms with spending money on a hobby. I buy a lot of stuff just to read that I don't expect to ever use. If I get use out of it by playing it with friends, bonus!

The thing that does get my goat, however, is that yes, prep time for D&D does take time. That's not a big deal, but if I ask the players to do some simple thing for the game and they don't, it cheezes me off a bit.

 

[RichGreen]

I had a player buy me a supplement he wanted to have added to the game (Complete Divine). Frankly, I wish more players would do the same.

QFT. I buy lots of books, mostly because I like reading (and occasionally using) them, but I often wish the players would pick up the player-centred books. DMing does use up a lot of prep time but I nearly always enjoy this. What would be good is my players spending a bit more time between games on their characters. Most of them spend little to no time preparing for the next session.

Cheers


Richard

 

[Meeki]

Book buying has become cumbersome so my group has reverted to a "make your own" mentality. If we want a certain type of prestige class that none of our books have we simply make it up, same with spells and feats. Not only is this lighter on the pocket book but it requires players to spend time improving their char and helping in game design. Also one trick I use in campaign construction is having my players design a bit of my world for me, within certain limitations of course .

I whole heartily agree that DM'ing is a thankless hobby, but if I'm not having fun DM'ing I'm going to simply stop and figure out why.

 

[Wycen]

There are ways to make things "even" within your groups. If the DM isn't the host, then food/drink or simply the space needed for gaming could be considered a subsidy to the group.

Certainly the DM better be having fun. Our Savage Tide DM wants to play the Age of Worms AP, he's mentioned it a few times, but when we ask he's still having fun with STAP, so everything is working out, though we did have a bump or two with a couple things (derailed side quests). That means someone, probably me, will have to pony up for Age of Worms material.

 

[pawsplay]

That's certainly an interesting way of saying "Hi! I don't mind stealing to support my gaming habit."

Infringing, not stealing.

 

[rgard]

That's certainly an interesting way of saying "Hi! I don't mind stealing to support my gaming habit."

Agreed. And it's sad.

Thanks,
Rich

 

[Olaf the Stout]

Tell me about it. I have a group of 5 players. Only 1 of them owns a PHB for crying out loud! One of the other players brings a PHB that he has borrowed on a semi-permanent basis from someone else he knows.

The 1 player that does own a PHB also DM's another group so he has the core books and a few assorted other books.

Apart from that no-one else in the group owns anything D&D related. We have been playing fortnightly for over a year now as a group. You would think that some of them might have at least bought the Player's Handbook by now. Obviously they don't think it's necessary.

I am at the other extreme. I have the 3 core books plus about 70+ printed books for 3.x. I have spent quite a bit of money on D&D minis, battlemats and Dungeon Tiles. On top of this, we also game at my house. Even if I wasn't DM I imagine that I would still buy quite a few of these books anyway. Most of my players don't seem to have the same level of interest as me obviously.

[/Rant]

Olaf the Stout

 

[rgard]

Tell me about it. I have a group of 5 players. Only 1 of them owns a PHB for crying out loud! One of the other players brings a PHB that he has borrowed on a semi-permanent basis from someone else he knows.

The 1 player that does own a PHB also DM's another group so he has the core books and a few assorted other books.

Apart from that no-one else in the group owns anything D&D related. We have been playing fortnightly for over a year now as a group. You would think that some of them might have at least bought the Player's Handbook by now. Obviously they don't think it's necessary.

I am at the other extreme. I have the 3 core books plus about 70+ printed books for 3.x. I have spent quite a bit of money on D&D minis, battlemats and Dungeon Tiles. On top of this, we also game at my house. Even if I wasn't DM I imagine that I would still buy quite a few of these books anyway. Most of my players don't seem to have the same level of interest as me obviously.

[/Rant]

Olaf the Stout

Olaf, it's a fair rant. They can pick up 2nd hand PHBs at the local used book store, usually for at least 1/2 off. Maybe you should 'lose' yours for a couple of sessions and possibly they'll get tired of sharing one book?

 

[Olaf the Stout]

Olaf, it's a fair rant. They can pick up 2nd hand PHBs at the local used book store, usually for at least 1/2 off. Maybe you should 'lose' yours for a couple of sessions and possibly they'll get tired of sharing one book?

I've started along those lines. When I DM my PHB is generally off limits to the players since I often need it to reference one rule or another. My wife and I are having a baby in 3 months time. I'll probably have a break for a couple of months and start again with a new campaign. I'll make it clear before we start that if you want to play a spellcaster you must have your own copy of the PHB (since they need to constantly look up their spells). I can imagine what the result will be.....none of the players without a PHB will play a spellcaster! :\

The sad thing is that the number of PHB's at the table has increased. The only other guy that owns a PHB only joined the group in the last 6 months. Prior to him joining I was the only person that owned a copy of the PHB. It got so bad I asked all the players to chip in a few bucks to get a group copy. Everyone agreed, but then one of the other players said that he would just borrow a copy of the PHB on a semi-permanent basis from a guy he knew.

Olaf the Stout

 

[rgard]

I've started along those lines. When I DM my PHB is generally off limits to the players since I often need it to reference one rule or another. My wife and I are having a baby in 3 months time. I'll probably have a break for a couple of months and start again with a new campaign. I'll make it clear before we start that if you want to play a spellcaster you must have your own copy of the PHB (since they need to constantly look up their spells). I can imagine what the result will be.....none of the players without a PHB will play a spellcaster! :\

The sad thing is that the number of PHB's at the table has increased. The only other guy that owns a PHB only joined the group in the last 6 months. Prior to him joining I was the only person that owned a copy of the PHB. It got so bad I asked all the players to chip in a few bucks to get a group copy. Everyone agreed, but then one of the other players said that he would just borrow a copy of the PHB on a semi-permanent basis from a guy he knew.

Olaf the Stout

I would find that annoying. As long as you are having fun, I guess this works out.

Baby! Congratulations!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!