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Message: <blockquote data-quote="WizarDru" data-source="post: 5514633" data-attributes="member: 151">Well, that's hard to say.  I firmly believe that DMing is a skill-set, but I also believe that it's a skill-set that can be learned.  However, there are different styles of DMing and not everyone will be able to master them.  I excel, for example, at improvisation.  I am not the most dedicated note-taker.  Depending on my players and the kind of game I could run, that could be a benefit or a liability.It sounds like your friend is simply making a lot of beginner DM mistakes.  Mistakes that are, frankly, correctable.  Not bringing in new PCs because he's trying to reach a certain point in the story (that he's framed in his mind) is a fairly classic rookie mistake that sometimes even DMs with decades of experience can make (I know I've done it once or twice).Is it possible he's trying to run a sandbox game and didn't make that clear?  Or perhaps he hasn't realized he might need to nudge your group towards the story or plot he's expecting you to reach on your own.  There's certainly no shame in telling him that the group is getting a tad bored trying to find a plot or an adventure...and it shouldn't be a test of your friendship to do so.Simply put, if you really are his friend (and he yours) then he should be able to take gentle but constructive criticism.  This doesn't mean break his heart or even say 'let's stop this now!', but explain that the group is kind of feeling that something's missing.  If he's very excited to run his own game (and good for him if he is, enthusiasm is one of the most important elements to a good DM) then encouraging him will help.  I realize you've already done this to some degree, but have you actually made it clear what you see as the problems?If you have and he's still having no luck, perhaps suggest to him to changing to an AP like you have in the other game or even just a single stand-alone adventure.  One of my friends is a great TECHNICAL DM...he gets the rules fine and is great when someone else gives him material.  He's not great with deep NPCs and he's not incredibly creative (and he's the diametric opposite of spontaneous)...but he IS very organized and he runs a rip-roaring fun game, nonetheless.  Orcs get stabbed when he's on his game, people have fun.Now, if his game is a total shambles on all counts, then you need to let him know that, too.  You don't have to be mean or brutal or anything like that.  There are diplomatic ways to put it.  But if you're his friends, you owe it to him to tell him that 'it's just not working.'  You don't have to say 'it's because you can't run a combat well or motivate us', you could just say that 'it's just not working for us...maybe its the style or pacing.'But I think if you tell him this and he says 'give me one more chance', then you owe it to him to try one more time.  If you see no improvement, tell him that you really appreciate how hard he tried but that you'd rather have fun WITH him and that you were having a lot more fun AS A GROUP when he was a player.  If I were your friend, that's what I'd want, anyhow.</blockquote>

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