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Is the DM the most important person at the table
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<blockquote data-quote="BrokenTwin" data-source="post: 7919853" data-attributes="member: 7017978"><p>I don't know if I'd say <em>more</em> important, but the role of the GM is definitely more challenging (and less replaceable) than the role of the Player. I enjoy playing as both, and I put in more work than the average player in our local scene as a Player (helping keep things on track, reminding other players of what's happening, keeping notes), but it's still significantly less mental load than when I'm GMing, even when I'm running the game entirely on improv in response to player decisions (which is a skill that most new GMs haven't had the experience to learn).</p><p></p><p>The GM takes on significantly more responsibilities than the players do by the rules of the game and by the standards of most tables. Almost every tabletop RPG I've read the rules for has placed the burden of managing the entire table's expectations (both pregame and in-game) alongside adjucating rules disputes solely on the shoulders of the GM. Even if that comes naturally to you (alongside the improv skills, memory retention, and understanding of story structure that hallmarks quality GMing), pretending that it's not more of an investment or challenge than being a player feels silly.</p><p></p><p>I always thank and appreciate the people who run games for me, because I know from personal experience that GMing can be an exhausting experience, much more so than merely engaging at the table as a player. When you go to a house party, the host isn't "more important" than the guests, but they still deserve appreciation for the work they put in to throwing and managing the party, even if the entire experience was easy for them.</p></blockquote><p></p>
[QUOTE="BrokenTwin, post: 7919853, member: 7017978"] I don't know if I'd say [I]more[/I] important, but the role of the GM is definitely more challenging (and less replaceable) than the role of the Player. I enjoy playing as both, and I put in more work than the average player in our local scene as a Player (helping keep things on track, reminding other players of what's happening, keeping notes), but it's still significantly less mental load than when I'm GMing, even when I'm running the game entirely on improv in response to player decisions (which is a skill that most new GMs haven't had the experience to learn). The GM takes on significantly more responsibilities than the players do by the rules of the game and by the standards of most tables. Almost every tabletop RPG I've read the rules for has placed the burden of managing the entire table's expectations (both pregame and in-game) alongside adjucating rules disputes solely on the shoulders of the GM. Even if that comes naturally to you (alongside the improv skills, memory retention, and understanding of story structure that hallmarks quality GMing), pretending that it's not more of an investment or challenge than being a player feels silly. I always thank and appreciate the people who run games for me, because I know from personal experience that GMing can be an exhausting experience, much more so than merely engaging at the table as a player. When you go to a house party, the host isn't "more important" than the guests, but they still deserve appreciation for the work they put in to throwing and managing the party, even if the entire experience was easy for them. [/QUOTE]
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