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<blockquote data-quote="Reynard" data-source="post: 9621283" data-attributes="member: 467">As the flipside of the jokey thread, let's talk about adversarial GMing -- specifically, when and how it might work, and when and how it is a problem.I do not believe that it can never work or be fun. I think if everyone is &quot;in&quot; and the goal is &quot;challenge&quot; then a GM taking an adversarial stance against the PCs can work and be enjoyable. Now, it requires some ground rules, because the GM can &quot;do anything&quot; and I don't think anyone finds arbitrary death fun. But if the players trust their GM to &quot;play fair&quot; as far as the rules and expected challenges are concerned, I can certainly see an assymertrical &quot;battle of wits&quot; as a really great time.I have managed this in specific circumstances, adventures or encounters, but never as a whole campaign style of play. Going for the throat during combat is my usual method of play, and I have been known (in the right campaign with the right players) to use evil traps and such. But in general I want the PCs to win even while I want the players to worry, so I am not a total RBDM.So, what do you think? When and where, if ever, is it okay for the GM to be out to get you?</blockquote>

[QUOTE="Reynard, post: 9621283, member: 467"] As the flipside of the jokey thread, let's talk about adversarial GMing -- specifically, when and how it might work, and when and how it is a problem. I do not believe that it can never work or be fun. I think if everyone is "in" and the goal is "challenge" then a GM taking an adversarial stance against the PCs can work and be enjoyable. Now, it requires some ground rules, because the GM can "do anything" and I don't think anyone finds arbitrary death fun. But if the players trust their GM to "play fair" as far as the rules and expected challenges are concerned, I can certainly see an assymertrical "battle of wits" as a really great time. I have managed this in specific circumstances, adventures or encounters, but never as a whole campaign style of play. Going for the throat during combat is my usual method of play, and I have been known (in the right campaign with the right players) to use evil traps and such. But in general I want the PCs to win even while I want the players to worry, so I am not a total RBDM. So, what do you think? When and where, if ever, is it okay for the GM to be out to get you? [/QUOTE]

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