The role of the DM in the game and the group.

[Kahuna Burger]

I often wonder about the bad gaming experiences of those who feel forcefully that the GM is not the final arbiter in matters related to the game, because there's only one reason I can think of why someone would have problems in this arena: they've ran into a bad DM or similar authority figure in the past (likely a control freak with limited social skills or experience), and they've been hurt in the process. If you are trapped in such a situation, I would suggest that you do yourself a favor, and get out. Find another group. It's not worth trying to control a bad DM, because then you're playing their head games, and you've already lost.

It is possible to want input into a process even if it turns out you would be happy with the decisions your benevolent dictator would make. I consider take it or leave it rulemaking to be bad DMing (for me as a player and DM) not just something I fear because it has coincided with DMs who were bad for other reasons.

So there are other reasons.

 

[Flynn]

It is possible to want input into a process even if it turns out you would be happy with the decisions your benevolent dictator would make. I consider take it or leave it rulemaking to be bad DMing (for me as a player and DM) not just something I fear because it has coincided with DMs who were bad for other reasons.

So there are other reasons.

A good and valid point. Please forgive me my provincial thought patterns.

With Regards,
Flynn

 

[Raven Crowking]

no, I don't think people who choose that option will do that. However, they might believe the DM has the theoretical power to do that, and if that doesn't work for the players they should simply leave the table rather than attempt to explain to the DM that it won't work that way.

Saying the DM has absolute power related to the games he runs doesn't mean that the players shouldn't attempt to communicate their desires are grievances with the DM. Those are two seperate issues. It is not only possible, but extremely common, to have input in a process and still have someone else be the final arbiter of how and if that input is used.

 

[Kahuna Burger]

A good and valid point. Please forgive me my provincial thought patterns.

With Regards,
Flynn

Well, most game preferences are based on bad expereinces with the alternative, I won't argue that. I'm just saying it's also very possible for it to be the principal of the thing.

 

[Nifft]

"Power corrupts. Absolute power is kind of neat." -- John Lehman, Secretary of the Navy, 1981-1987

- - -

Absolute power doesn't preclude listening to the opinions of others, so I'm not sure exactly how to vote. IMHO, the DM has the final say on a large number of things, and for my games the DM is usually the host, and thus has the final say on a even more things.

Cheers, -- N

 

[Insight]

For the amount of money we pay our DM to run our games, he damn well better solicit opinions from us before he makes important decisions!

You PAY your DM??? Where the heck do I get in on this racket???

 

[PapersAndPaychecks]

Tough question for me; I'm often-but-not-always DM and often-but-not-always host. While I do get to decide the majority of these things, I think that the authority comes partly from being host and partly from being DM.

So, I could boot a player out of the group (not that I would even consider doing that with my current group; the last time this was an issue was 1983, and I've stuck with the same group since then) -- but I think it would be a matter of "you're not welcome in my house" rather than a "you're not welcome in my game".

Deciding on the house rules was kind of consensual. I experimented, kept the rules that seemed to work and ditched the ones that didn't, but, the players were good at making pretty sure that any house rule they didn't like, didn't work.

 

[Flexor the Mighty!]

absolute power in houserules and genre choices in advance (I"m creating the framework of the game)
Final say over who plays (I'm not going to DM for those I don't enjoy spending time with)

The rest is group related, I don't set the schedule beyond the extent that I"m needed to play the game. I don't host the game so I can't set that.

 

[IanB]

DM has the final call on everything in all the games I play in, pretty much.

 

[blargney the second]

I play D&D to hang out with my buddies and have a good time, whether I'm DMing or playing. Absolute power doesn't come into it, but adaptability does.