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<blockquote data-quote="Manbearcat" data-source="post: 6185373" data-attributes="member: 6696971"><p>While I understand the concern here (and I've seen this specific qualm voiced multiple times over the course of several threads), I'm left wondering what is different here from any other area of focused expertise required to round out GMing skill?&nbsp; A good GM possesses a broad spectrum of knowledge including physical sciences, social sciences, history, genre trope understanding/logic, practical or theoretical understanding of martial exploits (primarily combat but up to and including climbing, hiking, building, survivalist techniques, etc), accrued literary exposure (including an understanding of how to hook, properly pace, and structure dramatic conflicts), a creative reservoir to call upon, the ability to process information quickly in real time (for functional, coherent improv), and a deep understanding of game mechanics and how the particular resolution mechanics of the system in play come together (and what playstyle agenda(s) they facilitate).&nbsp; What makes this specific skill-set, amongst the breadth of required knowledge/acumen, so evasive such that the worry becomes so visceral and the task so daunting?&nbsp; It seems that we could place this same concern on any number of things and say &quot;well, this can't work because it takes too much practice/honed skill for functional output.&quot;</p></blockquote><p></p>

[QUOTE="Manbearcat, post: 6185373, member: 6696971"] While I understand the concern here (and I've seen this specific qualm voiced multiple times over the course of several threads), I'm left wondering what is different here from any other area of focused expertise required to round out GMing skill? A good GM possesses a broad spectrum of knowledge including physical sciences, social sciences, history, genre trope understanding/logic, practical or theoretical understanding of martial exploits (primarily combat but up to and including climbing, hiking, building, survivalist techniques, etc), accrued literary exposure (including an understanding of how to hook, properly pace, and structure dramatic conflicts), a creative reservoir to call upon, the ability to process information quickly in real time (for functional, coherent improv), and a deep understanding of game mechanics and how the particular resolution mechanics of the system in play come together (and what playstyle agenda(s) they facilitate). What makes this specific skill-set, amongst the breadth of required knowledge/acumen, so evasive such that the worry becomes so visceral and the task so daunting? It seems that we could place this same concern on any number of things and say "well, this can't work because it takes too much practice/honed skill for functional output." [/QUOTE]

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