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Message: <blockquote data-quote="discosoc" data-source="post: 7095826" data-attributes="member: 6801554">Wow, times have really changed.  As for the topic, I think there have always been a shortage of DMs -- it's just scaled up a bit now, and maybe amplified by the dynamics of more fluid or temp players coming and going.  Especially if you do AL.  It's not so bad for the classic "home grown" group where all it takes is a single person who's willing to invest the time and effort to preparing the session, because once established those groups are pretty solid.  It's just harder for the random "PUGS" like you mention because *everyone* is new.I think maybe the genre needs some kind of breakout paradigm shift in how it brings new DMs into the fold, honestly.  Starter Sets just really don't cut it for a lot of people, because they'd rather learn by example rather than be the one diving head-first into the unknown.  It's also probably a huge wakeup call when they realize that most groups don't function as smoothly as a produced podcast session with actual voice actors would have you believe.Maybe what's needed is something like a starter version that takes a queue from co-op board games and uses pseudo-randomized events (via cards or something?) that gets everyone into the DM roll, and lets everyone play a character as well.  So like maybe you draw a conversation card to figure out how this NPC interaction should go and see that it's labeled with a blue symbol.  Jimmy was assigned the blue symbol at the start, so he's the one who gets to act in-character for that NPC.  The card itself says the NPC is a gruff but likable former-adventurer who walks with a limp, and now Jimmy has the basic requirements to RP the encounter.I don't know -- something like that.  It just seems that although D&D has grown in popularity, it hasn't grown in the same ways as before.  A lot of the new people looking to give it a try aren't looking for a new full-time hobby (although it may become one), but rather something more like a role-play enhanced board game.  I think that should definitely be encouraged, because it's a natural stepping stone for getting people comfortable enough to make it a full-time hobby where they want to DM.</blockquote>

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