How can I please my DM?

[Psionicist]

Hello folks!

This thread is mostly for DM's but I'm sure insightful players can contribute as well. My question is, how can I as a player make my DM happy? I ask because I recently learned something my DM _don't_ like, and I learned it the the hard way: don't question. I love to discuss aspects of the game but apperantly my DM didn't, so he politely asked me to just accept his decisions... Wow, never occured to me, I always thought he liked to discuss rules.
So, now I'm sitting here thinking how I can show my appreciation in different ways. I realize this is something I should ask my DM, but I'm sure there are some general things you can do.

Suggestions?

 

[Rodrigo Istalindir]

Offer to DM once in a while. Even those DMs that love doing it appreciate the odd one-off game that lets them just play once in a while.

 

[StalkingBlue]

Hm, speaking as a DM:

I like it when players thank me after a game.

I like to hear players say they had fun in a session, and what in particular they enjoyed. I also find feedback in general important, so if something seriously isn't working for a player I want to hear about it (that last bit outside sessions please, not at the gaming table).

I like getting my tea mug topped up almost-miraculously while I'm busy running the game.

I like it when players take up clues from my game world, set goals for their PCs, get involved with NPCs, make long-term plans and let me know about them so I can try and work them into the game.


Heck, there's been at least a couple of threads recently about similar matters, one about gifts to DMs and another, earlier one about saying thank you and showing appreciation in general. Maybe someone with access to Searching magic could link you there ...

 

[Herpes Cineplex]

Hm. I personally don't mind discussing rules, as long as it's not during the game or immediately after the game.

What I always liked was when players got so interested in the game and in their characters that they spent the week before the next game barraging me with questions, comments, and plans. Especially plans; players who have something in mind for what their characters will do next and actually share that information with the GM are definitely cool with me. I also liked it when two players would have their characters discuss something and then send me the transcript of what they said, or wrote in-character journal entries, or laid out their character's thoughts on something happening in the game.

I figure any time I'm running a game and one or more players are spending that much of their free time thinking about it, I'm doing something very right.


But barring that? Uh...gifts work well, I guess. Food, money, books, etc., are all nice ways of making a GM happy.

--
find out if your gm has any food allergies first, though
ryan

 

[Scotley]

My question is, how can I as a player make my DM happy? Suggestions?

Beer?

Actually, I find that as a DM it makes my job easier when the players take the time to put potintial plot hooks in their character's background. Please don't play another loner whos whole family/village/tribe was wiped out before the game started and who never had a friend. Play a character that works well with a group and has some ideas in the history that the DM can build on.

A few other helpful hints:

Know the rules and follow them. Don't look stuff up all the time in game.

Arrive on time and leave on time.

Avoid distractions and don't distract others from the game.

Take good notes and remember what happened last time.

I'm sure I can come up with more, but I'll give someone else a chance.

Hey that's another one. Don't hog the spotlight.

Scotley

 

[Kalendraf]

Here's the top 10 things I can think of:

#1. Remember that the DM always has the final say. This relates to your questioning issue above. I personally find it interesting to discuss rules outside of the game, but not during a session.

#2. Always be on time. I really hate having to wait for the last player to show up. It wastes my time and everyone elses that was there. We usually try to start even if people are missing, but then filling them in or bringing in their characters takes that much longer, so it doesn't help much. Some DM's may be more harsh docking exp to drive the point home.

#3. Keep in character, and keep non-game-related discussion to a minimum. My group is pretty good about this, but I've seen some cases where topics like movies or other current events bubble over into the game session, once again wasting our time. Some groups may tolerate this, but most good DMs probably won't.

#4. Bring snacks to pass. Everyone will like you for this, assuming they are good tasting snacks.

#5. Volunteer to help buy the next source book. The DM might be considering that cool book, but it costs a bunch. If the entire group chips in to help buy it, he might be thrilled and buy it immediately, and then find ways to work it into your campaign. This all assumes the book is good quality.

#6. Give your DM a gift, either at Christmas or on GM Day (March 4th). Suggestions include miniatures, books or dice.

#7. Complement the DM for what you enjoyed about the last session, or about the campaign overall. Do so after the game or at another time perhaps via e-mail. Don't go too far or it might come across as kissing up, but a simple "Hey that last adventure was really cool. I loved the ending" message is pretty nice to get.

#8. Always show respect to the DM and your fellow players. Give everyone a chance to talk. If they do something in the game that upsets you, leave it at the table. If necessary, talk to that person in private about the issue, but do it in a respectful manner. Games can become heated and it's best to not let events there carry over into later sessions or outside the game.

#9. Be proficient with your character. Know the abilities he/she/it has (feats, spells, etc) well enough to avoid wasting time looking up rules during the game.

#10. Offer to run a future adventure. This may give your overworked DM a much needed break he'll enjoy.

 

[Zappo]

Well, male players can offer me snacks and drinks, while female pla... wait, I think that's not what you were looking for.

I like it when players know the rules for their abilities perfectly and in detail, when they are going to use them.

I like it when players notice by themselves when they are stealing the spotlight, and quietly retreat for a while.

I like it when players pay attention and don't make out-of-characters comments - including looking at what they are going to do when they gain a level, and other wastes of time.

I really like it when players come and tell me what was wrong with the game and what they would have liked more. There is no better way to improve.

 

[Mark]

Discussing rules when it breaks the flow of the game can be a problem. Best to ask after the game unless it is a matter of character life or death... (...there might be factors of which you are not aware and which, if divulged, can spoil the moment or the game).

 

[Thanee]

I especially like it when the players do not just sit there waiting to be served, but rather show interest and contribute themselves. It's not like I want to tell them a story, I could pick up a book and start reading aloud then.

Feedback (especially constructive criticism) is something I also find important.

I don't need people to thank me, tho, I know when they had fun, it's usually quite obvious. I do like it, if the players pick up something from the game and say how cool that was. It shows that they have interest in what's going on, rather then feeling the need to throw out a compliment for whatever reason.

Observe your DM and find out what he or she likes and dislikes about the players ingame, then act accordingly (playing up to the likes and do away with the dislikes).

Bye
Thanee

 

[dead]

Yes, players that argue or dispute my judgment when I GM is very upsetting. In fact, in my games, I have banned rules reference by players. If they want to know something, then they consult me. I will then tell them the answer or quickly look it up.

I like it when players give me feedback after I GM. This also means constructive criticism; ie. what they didn't think worked and which of my rulings they didn't agree with and why.

In junior school, one player would buy me chips and lollies from the school cantine for extra XP. Sadly those days are in the past.