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How have you grown and/or changed as a GM over the years?
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<blockquote data-quote="Li Shenron" data-source="post: 7878555" data-attributes="member: 1465"><p>I started playing BECMI in the 90s but became a DM with the advent of 3.0. Moved to 3.5 for half a year or so then back to 3.0 until the end of the edition. Took a hiatus off D&D completely during 4e, and came back as soon as D&D Next was announced, playtested various packages then moved to actual 5e.</p><p></p><p>In my very early days (maybe 1st year) of DMing I was very strict and practically a rules lawyer. Then I realized how narcissistic that was, as it only made me happy about it and nobody else, and became a strong proponent of RAI over RAW, and that still most defines me.</p><p></p><p>Another big change for me, but a lot more gradual, was that I started off as a major "top-down" adventure planner and fantasy setting designer, and through the years I drifted slowly towards "bottom-up". So for instance, in the past I used to always pre-define geography, history, religions and politics of the fantasy world, and present them to the players in the first session. Gradually I realized that again it was all about me, as I was having fun planning those things, but it never made the game better than using a published setting or making things up along the way. So eventually I just started to run campaigns which start off locally and let the PCs discover the world lately, and I feel free to add stuff from my previous games or new without worry. </p><p></p><p>There was a period around 5 years into DMing when I was using a LOT of house rules. I went back from 3.5 to 3.0 and started to make my own variant, at some point it was pretty big, even though I never touched the fundamental mechanics of the game. I guess it was mainly an attempt at varying the game experience when it started to feel a bit repetitive. Nowadays I practically ignore house rules and get along with the game system. </p><p></p><p>I also at some point decided to settle with the idea of always asking the player of a dead PC if she really wanted the PC to die or rather accept some penalty and continue. I met players who were visibly upset by character death and I am sworn to help them, and don't care anymore about those who disagree. </p><p></p><p>There's a couple of less important changes which I might definitely go back once again in the future:</p><p></p><p>On the other hand, the main thing which NEVER changed about me is my love for RANDOM <img src="data:image/gif;base64,R0lGODlhAQABAIAAAAAAAP///yH5BAEAAAAALAAAAAABAAEAAAIBRAA7" class="smilie smilie--sprite smilie--sprite1" alt=":)" title="Smile :)" loading="lazy" data-shortname=":)" /> There will always be plenty of dice rolls in my game, as well as me rolling on random tables behind the screen.</p></blockquote><p></p>
[QUOTE="Li Shenron, post: 7878555, member: 1465"] I started playing BECMI in the 90s but became a DM with the advent of 3.0. Moved to 3.5 for half a year or so then back to 3.0 until the end of the edition. Took a hiatus off D&D completely during 4e, and came back as soon as D&D Next was announced, playtested various packages then moved to actual 5e. In my very early days (maybe 1st year) of DMing I was very strict and practically a rules lawyer. Then I realized how narcissistic that was, as it only made me happy about it and nobody else, and became a strong proponent of RAI over RAW, and that still most defines me. Another big change for me, but a lot more gradual, was that I started off as a major "top-down" adventure planner and fantasy setting designer, and through the years I drifted slowly towards "bottom-up". So for instance, in the past I used to always pre-define geography, history, religions and politics of the fantasy world, and present them to the players in the first session. Gradually I realized that again it was all about me, as I was having fun planning those things, but it never made the game better than using a published setting or making things up along the way. So eventually I just started to run campaigns which start off locally and let the PCs discover the world lately, and I feel free to add stuff from my previous games or new without worry. There was a period around 5 years into DMing when I was using a LOT of house rules. I went back from 3.5 to 3.0 and started to make my own variant, at some point it was pretty big, even though I never touched the fundamental mechanics of the game. I guess it was mainly an attempt at varying the game experience when it started to feel a bit repetitive. Nowadays I practically ignore house rules and get along with the game system. I also at some point decided to settle with the idea of always asking the player of a dead PC if she really wanted the PC to die or rather accept some penalty and continue. I met players who were visibly upset by character death and I am sworn to help them, and don't care anymore about those who disagree. There's a couple of less important changes which I might definitely go back once again in the future: On the other hand, the main thing which NEVER changed about me is my love for RANDOM :) There will always be plenty of dice rolls in my game, as well as me rolling on random tables behind the screen. [/QUOTE]
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