Second-Guessers Anonymous / Was: Second Guessing the Dm? Bad Ettiquette?

[demon_jr]

After reading the "Am I A Better DM or Player" thread, I noticed how second-guessing the DM appears to be one of the more common occurances during a session.

That made me take a step back and ask myself the question:

Do I second-guess the DM?

I think I do once and while, usually when it pertains to something that will directly affect my character. Usually this occurs when I feel that I am more correct than my DM.

After some thought, perhaps second-guessing the DM on a constant basis is not such a good idea and may be even considered rude in some circles.

What are your thoughts on second-guessing the DM and how do you handle it?

 

[caudor]

I think it is not really a good idea to second-guess the DM, but it is human nature after all. And for some it may just be a habit.

A great solution might be to beg PirateCat to DM a session or two for your group. That way, he can use classical conditioning to help break the habit for any would-be-DM-second-guessers

I've never had the pleasure of playing with PirateCat, but he does have that aura of authority (20 foot radius), so I figure it just might work

 

[machine]

I had a DM who when felt pressured or 2nd guessed would remind the players, "I am the Dungeon Master. I can make it rain knives."

That pretty much would shut everybody up.

 

[Numion]

As a DM I tolerate it. Sometimes I even alter my rulings if players bitch enough for it. But if I do that, I find serenity in the thought that something bad migh "by chance" happen to the said player.

Our group is pretty casual anyways; there's a lot of OC comments and such, so a little debating doesn't hurt it too much. And stuff like: (said to an NPC who couldn't find a trap) "Can you say hello to a certain knight in your order?" "Sure thing, whats his name?" "Sir Thanks-a-lot"

 

[Sir Whiskers]

It really depends on a variety of factors. I have no problem with players who can "second-guess" me in ways that help the game, not hurt it. For instance:

*In one battle I was giving cover bonuses to npc archers firing from some trees. One player suggested that his character should gain the same bonus when he moved into the trees. He was right - I missed it.
*In a campaign many years ago, a player complained that the enemy spellcasters always seemed to have the most useful spells memorized. Of course, as a DM I never picked the NPC spells ahead of time - I decided in the heat of battle. Until the player said something, I never realized I was giving the npc spellcasters an advantage I'd never let the party spellcasters have.
*As a DM, I should be familiar with the rules. But expecting me to know ALL the rules ALL the time, is not reasonable. If I get something wrong, I don't mind when a player points it out quickly and without fuss. And I'll mind even less if the player (now and then) points out something I missed which is not in his favor.
*All of this said, many rulings are a matter of perspective. If the DM overrules the player, let it go. If a player continues to complain or worse, whines about it, I'll stop listening to him in a hurry. If it requires further discussion, players should make a point of doing so after the session.

 

[demon_jr]

If the DM overrules the player, let it go. If a player continues to complain or worse, whines about it, I'll stop listening to him in a hurry. If it requires further discussion, players should make a point of doing so after the session.

Heh. This is where my problem comes in. Not that I whine, but once I feel that I am right, I may start hunting for evidence to support my own interpretation.



Maybe I should make a new group:

Second-Guessers Anonymous

 

[Buttercup]

As with so many other things in life, it depends how you do it, and why. Two of my players aren't that familiar with 3E yet, and so sometimes when they ask a question it isn't really second guessing me, it's just them trying to understand how the rules work. That's completely different than being a jerky rules lawyer.