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Message: <blockquote data-quote="Fanaelialae" data-source="post: 7335254" data-attributes="member: 53980">As has been said, you don't need to read the PHB or DMG to run a game. A grasp of the Basic Rules is sufficient. That said, reading them will give you a far better grasp of how the system is intended to run (which makes it both far easier to run the game the way it was designed to be played, as well as to run it an alternate way). In this case, however, it seems to me like the DM just isn't putting in the work. While there are some naturally talented DMs out there, most DMs are made through repeated effort and dedication. There are a ton of fantastic resources out there for improving one's GMing skills (web articles, YouTube videos, forum advice, etc) but he would need to put in the work of seeking out and absorbing the material. If Critical Role impressed him, perhaps the series of GM Tips YouTube videos Matthew Mercer did would be a good starting point.</blockquote>