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

[R_J_K75]

Dependability and-or commitment.

A big one

 

[R_J_K75]

I never had a good idea that I didn’t steal.

Biggest form of flattery

 

[R_J_K75]

Communication skills.

Its 2025, I don't know what you mean, can you explain?

I'm joking of course

 

[TiQuinn]

A big one

I wouldn’t call having a big one a skill but it could be helpful.

(I’ll show myself out now.)

 

[R_J_K75]

I wouldn’t call having a big one a skill but it could be helpful.

(I’ll show myself out now.)

Knowing how to use it is a skill, but the significant other may beg to differ. I believe there was a skill in the 2E AD&D "Of the Ships and the Sea" supplement called, "It's Not the Size of the Ship, but the Motion of the Ocean"...

 

[KYRON45]

Its 2025, I don't know what you mean, can you explain?

I'm joking of course

I was wondering how long it would take someone to mock my short "communicate better" answer.
If there were a prize, you would win it.

The DM is the be all end all of everything. If you cant convey what's what to all involved; its gonna be a long haul.
From what you see to how what you see interacts with the party, if the DM can't communicate it....there really is no game.
Not to mention that herding the cats is a monumental communication task.

DMs really should have a federal holiday.

 

[R_J_K75]

I was wondering how long it would take someone to mock my short "communicate better" answer.
If there were a prize, you would win it.

I was being facetious, to an extent, but this isn't a knock on anyone person or group in particular, but I have found that post 2019, communication skills have been at a low, but it's understandable considering the state of affairs in the last 5 years.

The DM is the be all end all of everything. If you cant convey what's what to all involved; its gonna be a long haul.

I used to work in engineering and mechanical design, and I had some really hard days pouring over pages and pages of agency and government specs and was physically exhausted at the end of the day. I've done manual labor and often said that it's a pretty mindless task at times, and that desk jobs where you're thinking 80% of the day are harder, just my opinion. But more exhausting were those game days where I spent 6 hours prepping beforehand and then running the game for 4-8 people for 4-6 hours and I felt like I was run over by a truck when it was done. I needed a beer, shot and a bowl immediately. So yes, DM communication is a very important ability.

 

[R_J_K75]

DMs really should have a federal holiday.

There already is, it's called Samhain

 

[Starfox]

Alternatively, the ability to convincingly fake endless enthusiasm.

Which will likely lead to GM burnout.

 

[Starfox]

But more exhausting were those game days where I spent 6 hours prepping beforehand and then running the game for 4-8 people for 4-6 hours and I felt like I was run over by a truck when it was done. I needed a beer, shot and a bowl immediately. So yes, DM communication is a very important ability.

I am currently wearing a blood sugar meter, In three weeks I've only had two low sugar alarms, one of them was early and may have been a false alarm, the other was having been the GM for a few hours. The brain needs a LOT of energy!