As a DM, are you ever worried players will get upset at you?
- Thread starter dreaded_beast
- Start date
Stone Angel
First Post
As a player I never try to upset the DM by questioning a ruling or anything it is always best to stay on the good side.
As a DM I try not to upset the players, remember they have one character and you have tons. I used to get upset when I had an elaborate encounter set up and they tore right through it. So the next encounter I would cheat a little just to punish them.
Now I have learned to reward them, because if they aren't having fun then you won't either.
The Seraph of Earth and Stone
As a DM I try not to upset the players, remember they have one character and you have tons. I used to get upset when I had an elaborate encounter set up and they tore right through it. So the next encounter I would cheat a little just to punish them.
Now I have learned to reward them, because if they aren't having fun then you won't either.
The Seraph of Earth and Stone
Arrgh! Mark!
First Post
Generally as a DM I never 'upset' my players apart from plot reasons. I always take polite mentions about the rules well, and try to keep it going in future. It is after all meant to be "fair". Repeated questionings on rulings annoy me, but I've never really got upset because I explain my reasoning - and everyone is happy.
As a player, I never question the DM. I do this because I know he/she have my players best interests at heart. Or at least the most heroic interests. Doing so is just an excersize in rules wankery and "I'm better than you because I can memorise trivia". Unless there's a terrible breach of the rules - whats the problem? the rules serve the plot, not vice versa.
As a player, I never question the DM. I do this because I know he/she have my players best interests at heart. Or at least the most heroic interests. Doing so is just an excersize in rules wankery and "I'm better than you because I can memorise trivia". Unless there's a terrible breach of the rules - whats the problem? the rules serve the plot, not vice versa.
Keeper of Secrets
First Post
The worst fear as a GM is when something mysterious happens and they try and solve it and something goes wrong. Either it becomes to easy to solve or they don't like the ending. That is why sometimes if the idea thatthey come up with as the solution seems better than what I have, I will change it to fit their thinking. If it works, anyway.
As a GM, I try to set groundrules at the beginning.
1. I use open rolling, so everyone can see the result.
2. I ask them to understand that people's characters will die. That happens. They need to deal with it responsibly.
3. I use the rules as written. I don't like nay-saying, so I will permit characters to do what is written in the rules, but I reserve the right to change my mind if an initial ruling leads to an imbalancing outcome.
4. I give them my limited Rule 0 list at the beginning of the game. I don't wait until they've developed a cool idea, and then say "no, I won't let you do that." That is frustrating to them, and would be unimaginative of me.
As a player, I try not to question a GM's temporary ruling during the game. If it's an important / permanent ruling, I raise the objection at the time, but then offer to discuss it after the game.
If a problem persists, I leave the group.
best,
Carpe
1. I use open rolling, so everyone can see the result.
2. I ask them to understand that people's characters will die. That happens. They need to deal with it responsibly.
3. I use the rules as written. I don't like nay-saying, so I will permit characters to do what is written in the rules, but I reserve the right to change my mind if an initial ruling leads to an imbalancing outcome.
4. I give them my limited Rule 0 list at the beginning of the game. I don't wait until they've developed a cool idea, and then say "no, I won't let you do that." That is frustrating to them, and would be unimaginative of me.
As a player, I try not to question a GM's temporary ruling during the game. If it's an important / permanent ruling, I raise the objection at the time, but then offer to discuss it after the game.
If a problem persists, I leave the group.
best,
Carpe
The Grackle
First Post
dreaded_beast said:
Dude, that's what rust monsters are for! Or do you mean literally throwing one?
No, I don't worry about upsetting the players; I worry about not entertaining them.
jmucchiello
Hero
YOINK!!The Grackle said:Dude, that's what rust monsters are for! Or do you mean literally throwing one?
"Incoming!!!!"
Henry
Autoexreginated
If my players get upset, genuinely UPSET, over temporary misfortunes in a game, then these aren't the emotionally stable people I want to be playing games with. I've seen people who got ticked off that they lost a board game, I've seen people throw genuine RAGES over losing video games, etc. But these people also were young, and grew up and out of it over time.
The biggest thing to remember is that, despite all we put into these paper people, in the end it's just a game. The good guys win in the end, we knock back a few drinks and have a dinner (or snacks) together, we laugh and have a good time. It's one thing to be ticked off over temporary fortunes; but to get mad at the DM or other players because of something in-game is totally different.
Side-note: Now, if someone is obviously intentionally trying to ruin someone's time, I'd let them know quite silently but palpably by NOT PLAYING WITH THEM EVER AGAIN. If i'm upset with you, you'll know it by the permanent lack of presence at your table.
The biggest thing to remember is that, despite all we put into these paper people, in the end it's just a game. The good guys win in the end, we knock back a few drinks and have a dinner (or snacks) together, we laugh and have a good time. It's one thing to be ticked off over temporary fortunes; but to get mad at the DM or other players because of something in-game is totally different.
Side-note: Now, if someone is obviously intentionally trying to ruin someone's time, I'd let them know quite silently but palpably by NOT PLAYING WITH THEM EVER AGAIN. If i'm upset with you, you'll know it by the permanent lack of presence at your table.
