What is the MOST IMPORTANT skill for a GM to have?

[Smackpixi]

If you had to pick just one skill as the single most important one for a good GM to have at a high level, what would you pick?

So, two readings here, what skill does a DM need high level abilities at, and what is the most important skill for “high level DMs”. So two answers…

The most important skill for a DM to need high level abilities at is the much mentioned, reading the room/communication/knowing what your players want, AND adapting to that. You need to run the type of game the group wants. That’s not something they can tell you, this game and how you will play it with your players is a relationship and develops over time, it’s a conversation, of both words and methods, and you figure out what works best for everyone.

Once you figure out and settle into the way y’all like to play, then it would be narrative and performance skills. Making walking down a corridor more than just walking down a corridor.

 

[Micah Sweet]

Endless enthusiasm for the game. Nothing kills a session as much as when the GM is viably disappointed or frustrated with how the game is going.

Alternatively, the ability to convincingly fake endless enthusiasm.

 

[AnotherGuy]

Given there are so many skills a GM needs with some skills required more than others depending on the type of game they are running, such as an AP, a once-off, linear, sandbox, no-myth ...etc I'm gonna cheat and say they need the bard ability Jack-of-all-Trades.

 

[Campbell]

After Accountability (which is the most crucial skill any human can have) it's the ability to maintain enthusiasm and take joy in other people's creative work. It cannot be simply about showing off your own creative chops if it's going to last. These are also the same key skills for every player.

 

[Black Dougal]

The ability to improvise.

 

[zottel]

Surprised pacing has not come up yet!

 

[Reynard]

Surprised pacing has not come up yet!

I think "pacing" is a component of a bunch of things that have been mentioned.

 

[zottel]

I think "pacing" is a component of a bunch of things that have been mentioned.

How so?
For me it is a clearly distinct skill, but am I am very interested in why you think it a composite skill.

 

[Reynard]

How so?
For me it is a clearly distinct skill, but am I am very interested in why you think it a composite skill.

Just as a singular example, managing pacing is a fundamental component of improvisation in response to player agency.

 

[R_J_K75]

Don't be an overbearing "D", my word is absolute law, unwilling to compromise DM. As a DM/host be able to recognize and willing to deal with problem players. Myself, I've had to do this and had no problem with it. I've also sat through games as a player where one player or more was dominating the game either by ego or by intimidation to the bane of the other players and the DM did nothing about it. Bottom line, just do your best to prepare and make the game fun for everyone playing.