DM's: Do you have trouble giving up the DM-reigns?

[BlueBlackRed]

If you are our group's usual dungeon master, do you have trouble letting other people take over for a while?

I have found that, although I can learn something new, it is hard for me to let others take over for more than a couple of months because I see too many things I don't like or would do differently. General things like plot holes, questionable decision making, not playing a monster in the manner I would, and so on. For a month or two, I can ignore it, but beyond that I have trouble dealing.

So am I alone?

 

[Crothian]

It can be hard but it depends why. If the rest of the group wants to play something I don't want to run, I have no problem with it.

 

[Dagger75]

I don't mind, I learn a little something new when other people DM, that I like. The only thing that worries me is the length of the game. Seems like everytime I play the game only lasts like 3 sessions then the DM runs out of steam or we have a TPK for the 8th time, in like 9 months.

The Heroes game I play in occasionally has been going on for like a decade, I just joined so all the characters have a history, I am the newcomer. Its pretty cool though.

 

[Greg K]

I don't mind if the reason is that:

A) I need a break. For years, I was the primary GM running either my fantasy settng or my superhero setting. One day, two of my fellow players decided to take turns GMing to give me a break (although I frequently got questioned as to when I would be ready to run again). Eventually, all three of us would alternate every three or four months (or roughly twelve sessions). Then, about two years ago I became the regular GM again, but now another player has agreed to alternate duties.


B) The players want to play something that I don't want to run.

 

[Emirikol]

Honestly, I hate being a player. I consider it degrading. I'm never satisfied with someone elses game. Problem is, DM's NEED to do this once in a while so they can hone their skills. They can watch, learn and comment to other DM's. You can learn the constraints of the game and how it makes players act and feel. I hate it. It's like continuing education for work.

It's like Darth Vader putting on a Jawa Costume. He looks and feels stupid and helpless.

jh
..

 

[bento]

I purposely created my groups current campaign to take more breaks. I play with mostly newer players, several who want to try their hands at GMing. Another problem was a steady rotation of players coming and going (it's a university gaming group).

The character creation rules were PHB only & 25 point buy and the setting is "generic Greyhawk" from the core books. I did this so with even just the SRD new players could design a character, and the DM wouldn't have to keep up with an elaborate back story for the world.

I GMed from February to mid-May for the first dungeon crawl (Lost Vault of T.Rho - DCC #2) and am now playing the cleric NPC. The player that I handed the reigns over to has done a couple of things that made my head spin. First he had a band of entertainers we met steal all our treasure the first night out of the dungeon. Second he's made us believe that our time in the Vault wasn't a couple of days but years or decades. His goal is to GM us until we get to Saltmarsh (our desired base of operations) then I pick it back up again. I'll have it for a while and then another player is busy working on a crypt-crawl adventure that the party will go on when they reach 6th level (they're 4th right now).

I'm also learning quite a bit about being a player - like how boring it can be when combat's taking a couple of hours (a problem for me as well), and that its important to reward newer players when they try something new (like cast that flaming sphere spell for the first time). I'm definately going to try harder to make sure everyone gets an opportunity to shine and streamline combat more to pick up the pace.

 

[Henry]

If you are our group's usual dungeon master, do you have trouble letting other people take over for a while?

Yes, because they keep giving the reins back.

 

[Shadowslayer]

If you are our group's usual dungeon master, do you have trouble letting other people take over for a while?

I have found that, although I can learn something new, it is hard for me to let others take over for more than a couple of months because I see too many things I don't like or would do differently. General things like plot holes, questionable decision making, not playing a monster in the manner I would, and so on. For a month or two, I can ignore it, but beyond that I have trouble dealing.

So am I alone?

No. I'm pretty much with you. I've got another couple guys who take the reins for short periods, and its nice to just play a PC. But after a month or so I start getting the itch. Usually just because they're doing stuff differently than I would. One guy rolls behind the screen and no one ever dies. The other guy has a real sense of whimsy that's fun, but gets old after a couple weeks. Each guy likes what he does so I just shut up, have as much fun as I can, thank him for the game, and secretly wish I was DMing again.

I always end up back in the big chair eventually.

 

[reanjr]

The games my group plays with DMs other than me never last for that long. Generally, I am more willing than others in the group to play these alternate campaigns though, as I get sick of DMing and just want to play every once in a while.

 

[Voadam]

I make suggestions but do not really get frustrated by others running their worlds or the shared one I DM. I get frustrated by fellow DMs bailing on running games I'm playing in though I understand it. That's probably my biggest frustration as a player with other DMs. I enjoy being a player immensely and have no problem letting others be the one in charge of the world and running the game.