"Backup" Plans when DMs Flake

[takasi]

So last night our DM could not make it to our weekly game due to unforeseen circumstances. In the past when this has happened we either ran a one-shot, went to the movies or got drunk at a bar and played pool. Some of the players aren't really big on one-shots as substitute games, especially when they are really stoked to play in their character and find out (especially at the last minute) that they won't be playing that character.

Last night we decided to start a new "Backup Campaign". The campaign is very different from our other weekly game. Instead of point buy, it's 3d6 down the line (option 7 I think). Crits are automatic (no confirmation) and good hits and bad misses are used. All hp are rolled, even at first level. Core only. No action points. Instead of using an adventure path or modified modules, everything is player driven. Instead of a cosmopolitan Renaissance D&D urban setting, the campaign takes place on an overland hex map with primitive, brutal and feudal societies.

What do you do when your DM doesn't show? Do you have a backup campaign with another DM? How is the campaign different than your regular session?

 

[pallandrome]

I usually run my patented Call of Cthulhu one-shots. These are popular because...
1. Everyone plays themselves, statted out as CoC characters.
2. The group inevitable runs into the AWOL GM, who is inevitably killed by the zombies/werewolves/vampires/squid-monsters/MiBs/ect. that are chasing the group, in turn, providing a wonderful source of amusement and stress relief.
3. I usually break open the liquor cabinet for these sessions, and dispense free drinks as the night wears on. While this is expensive, the GM feels so bad for missing out on the party, that they rarely make such a mistake again soon.

 

[Umbran]

I am the DM, and we game in my home. If I'm there, but I don't show up... well, there's big issues

 

[Philotomy Jurament]

What do you do when your DM doesn't show? Do you have a backup campaign with another DM? How is the campaign different than your regular session?

I am the DM, and I always show.

However, when one or more players don't show, we do one of the following:
1. Play anyway, with their PC as an NPC.

2. Play a one-shot. I have a few of these in various states of readiness. It's a good way to try out different systems and genres, too. Survival horror and superhero games lend themselves to one-shots. Call of Cthluhu, Mutants & Masterminds, Savage Worlds, etc.

3. Play a board game. Arkham Horror, Shadows Over Camelot, Ticket to Ride, Runebound, et cetera. I also like wargames like ASL, Bonaparte at Marengo, A Victory Lost, Three Battles of Manassas, et cetera, but those tend to be two player. I need to pick up some good multiplayer wargames.

 

[Storyteller01]

I Dm at the local gaming store. If I don't show up, they play another players IK campaign. Now I just have to convince him to play it while I'm actually there...

 

[Flexor the Mighty!]

We play foosball and drink booze.

 

[kigmatzomat]

I've never flaked on a game with less than three day's notice. Yet. I'm sure it will happen eventually.

When my players flake (four work in IT roles with 24x7 uptime requirements and another is a hospice manager) I have an alt.game I run. We also sometimes try other games. I'm happy with the days I get to play. (Whee)

 

[Presto2112]

I game with a group including myself (DM) and six other players. Should the situation arise that more than two players cannot make a session, we scrap the planned session and break out board games. Last time it was Runebound. Next time it'll either be Three Dragon Ante or Risk or something else.

 

[Keeper of Secrets]

I am usually the GM but I trade off with someone else for small stretches. This person runs a fun game but is prone to cancelling - after half of us are there. If the GM cancells ahead of time they are stay home. Otherwise we'll play a game of Cthulhu or a board game or something along those lines.

 

[Tauric]

The poll needs to be multiple choice. Some nights we run an alternate campaign, using a module won at GenCon, other nights we play card/board games.

It depends on how many other players decide to show (usually dependent on when we learn of DM flakage) and who they are (for example, if the DM of the alternate campaign doesn't show).