| T O P I C R E V I E W |
| slay_4_pay |
Posted - 02 Jan 2008 : 09:01:16
Since this is the Player's section I thought I would start a little thread where people can come and blow off steam when necessary. Has your DM made a ruling that you find unfair? Did he smite your character because you didn't give him a Christmas present? Or does he just talk with a mouth full of cookies when he's describing the temple of the evil cannibal gnomes? You can't complain to him because he holds the life of your precious PC's life in the palm of his dice hand. But, you can do it here, without the fear of retaliation (you know one of those "whoops looks like you randomly encountered the Tarasque" kind of situations). So, if your DM does (or has done) something that just really got on your nerves, now is your chance to vent.  |
| 30 L A T E S T R E P L I E S (Newest First) |
| Caladan Brood |
Posted - 27 Feb 2013 : 20:48:52
Reading this thread one could wonder if any good DMs exist at all ^^ That said my gripe is that I always am the DM but at the same time I have a feeling it is best that way. From past experience I'd say I don't like DMs who have an aversion to saying «Yes»
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| Alystra Illianniis |
Posted - 21 Nov 2012 : 23:24:53
Yospeck, I'd agree with being DM being more rewarding- MOST of the time. However, when it's the ONLY role you get to play at the table, it can sometimes get old. Once in a while, it's nice to just relinquish the DM's chair and just play. Unfortunately, as the only real experienced DM in my groups, I rarely get to do that. And some players can make the job tedious to the point that it is no longer even fun. That's my only real gripe. The players I mentioned earlier are some of the worst examples. The one who has PC ADD(changes PC's on a whim) or the one who was fond of fudging his character's abilities (caught him using spells that were NOT on his class list), players who want to use races with extremely high LA's that don't really even fit the campaign (chain devils??!), and one who would sometimes lie about die-rolls, not to mention trying to make her character into a bizarre "look at me" attention hog. Things like this can make being the DM more of a headache than it's worth. |
| Kyrel |
Posted - 18 Nov 2012 : 19:08:12
In general I'm fairly lucky with regards to the GM's in my circle of friends. If I am to let off the little steam I do have with regards to them, it would be as follows:
A) Fairly good GM in general, but he tends to rely rather heavily on premade modules.
B) Good at providing a living world where you feel like your character and the NPC's have a life. But on the downside he has a tendency to create super NPC's, Mary Sue's, and Deux Ex Machina characters, and the "daily life" stuff has a tendency to overshadow the parts of the game that is normally considdered to be the main focus of the game.
C) Decent GM, but the guy prefers to run everything off the top of his head, and he has a love of "Good" campaigns and classical dungeon crawling. Also, when we're playing in the FR setting, he rarely reads up on the various sites very much, prefering to make up stuff on his own, rather than use an established setting. For an "immersionist" like myself who has on occassion "burried" myself in various Realmslore, this is bloody annoying. Especially when I believe that we could get something at least as cool out of using established sites, as the stuff he's making up. One thing is some of the more esoteric stuff, another thing is messing with stuff that has page after page worth of established lore. I realise why he's doing it, but it just annoys me. If he could paint a vision of the world that was as living and connected as the established Realmslore, then so be it. But he can't. I love playing in the Realms setting, but to be honest, I would rather have this particular GM to run a setting of his own devising. As a final thing, GM C is probably rather a lot more focused on mechanical game balance than me, an issue that admittingly leads to some annoyance for me, as there are a number of rules issues that I find somewhat annoying in 3.5, but which he views differently. Not so much because he disagrees with me, but more because he doesn't enjoy to fiddle with the rules.
D) Pretty good GM once again, but some of his views and mine just clash a bit when it comes to PC's being of different level. In his game, PC's only gain XP when the player is present (not always possible given our age and life's tendency to interfere with our games on occassion). Characters that die and are raised again, loose a level. New characters that are brought into the game are started off at a lower level than the rest of the group. The end result is that at the present we have a group with characters spread out over 4th-7th level, and this in spite, the characters tend to gain XP at the same rate. I'd argue that this was less of an issue back in 2nd. ed., but in 3.5 a difference in levels makes a hell of a difference IMO. Especially when it's this many levels worth of difference. He manages to make it work, but this is something that really bugs me.
E) Good GM who has managed to create a really decent living world, and my only real gripe with him is really that he has elected to mess about with the rules for how our characters gain skillpoints. It works somewhat for now, but eventually I fear that it will lead to problems, as we gain levels. 3.5 is based on the different characters focusing on various areas where they specialize. Adding a random element leads to a more rounded out character, but it also leads to generalists where all have problems with hitting the higher DC's.
All of the above are small gripes, and to some extend a result of a difference in "style" between them and I. And I feel quite fortunate to have all of these GM's and no greater problems with them than the ones listed here. |
| Yospeck |
Posted - 18 Nov 2012 : 15:03:31
I'm always the DM, however that isn't my issue, in fact I'm quite surprised by those who do have it listed as their gripe. Being a DM is, in my opinion, the most rewarding experience at the table if you have a good group.
I DID however co-DM a campaign once and the other DM constantly infuriated me. We used a forum to coordinate, and I really was putting in the lions share of the effort trying to pre-plan so we both knew what was happening, but he prefered to wing it a little too much. The thing that always bothered me was that we took turns in Chapters for the main story-arc, and I would have loads of stuff planned out for the direction of the campaign to pre-plan MY chapter, and he would just derail the story all the time. Not the players, the DM derailed the campaign story. Frustrating :) |
| Euranna |
Posted - 16 Nov 2012 : 01:51:48
My husband is the DM (my only gripe is he wants to try other games all the time and I want my character to grow in THIS campaign). But, I assist him as well. I play any PC's that are missing and the occassional NPC as needed. I also help out with character creation, and we do not have any noobs. We have players that can't read the rules (Trip feet in a breastplate/ yeah..no soup for you!), or think they can re-interpret it. So, I help out. :D |
| Alystra Illianniis |
Posted - 15 Nov 2012 : 23:27:03
Well, that would be great except that I AM the wife.... Actually, I occasionally let my hubby help out by running an NPC or two, and that helps. I've DM'ed seven at once, but that's my upper limit. I just don't have space for more, for one thing. |
| sleyvas |
Posted - 15 Nov 2012 : 02:22:07
quote:
Originally posted by Alystra Illianniis
My biggest gripe? Always being the DM!! I only rarely get to play. When I DM, I have problems with players who won't stick to one PC- they change every other session, it seems. Call it gaming ADD... And then they get mad when I forget some little detail one of them did because FIVE people are trying to say something at once, often out-of-turn.... Anyone know a good fix?
Yeah, five people is the absolute MOST I'll ever DM (though in truth its usually only 3 or 4). I remember when I was much younger trying to DM a party of 8. It was insane. I did once do a group of 9 at a convention, but in that convention I had a female friend who I had let read the module and she was there to roleplay the triplets who were also ghosts. That was actually interesting, because she was free to do nothing but entertain them socially while I could focus on giving out clues, guiding side groups, etc.... Still, it was hard because with the more people, my attention was divided (and "luckily" some people died by being stupid). I will recommend it though if you have a module with an NPC of the opposite sex that would get a lot of air time.... bring in your wife, or your teenage niece... they don't need to understand the rules much, and it can make a unique experience. Just make sure to lay down the ground rules of what they CAN'T tell the party. |
| Alystra Illianniis |
Posted - 14 Nov 2012 : 22:03:02
Well, I have DM-plomatic immunity, so I'm safe.... |
| Markustay |
Posted - 03 Nov 2012 : 18:32:22
My only complaint is the DM is a control freak.
Oh... wait... I AM the DM. 
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| vorpalanvil |
Posted - 14 Oct 2012 : 14:47:20
The good news: after reading all of that I've decided that I am a very above average DM. The bad news: You all lose 1 million xp for talking smack about your Dm's behind their backs'. Also, every 1d4 posters is struck by the vorpalanvil and is killed instantly. No tapbacks! |
| Alystra Illianniis |
Posted - 19 Oct 2010 : 04:08:56
Amen, Arik! I get problems with that one on occasion, too. |
| Ayrik |
Posted - 17 Oct 2010 : 11:42:04
(other) Roleplaying Rule #1: It's not really a democracy. The DM has the final call. Minor mistakes and bad calls by the DM are sometimes inevitable and should be overlooked. |
| Kerrigan |
Posted - 17 Oct 2010 : 09:29:20
quote:
Originally posted by Nicolai Withander
Yeah,,, most ppl would. Me on the other hand, who have from the begining whanted to become the most powerful spellcaster on the face of toril, I need more power.
Roleplaying rule #1: You are not your character, but merely play him/her.
On the topic of complaints about DMs: One of my best friends usually leads our gaming sessions, and he's alright. The only problem is that he doesn't know the rules too well (in one of the last sessions he had to look up what tumble actually does) and we have one other player who knos (and uses) them quite well, which annoys our DM and leads him to acting the prima donna whenever he has been proven wrong. So, I prefer to be the DM myselfy as I'm mostly quite easygoing when it comes to rules. |
| mensch |
Posted - 14 Oct 2010 : 09:19:00
Well, the second 3.5 Dungeon Master's Guide does a good job of explaining a lot of the pitfalls. A lot of people say most of the content should have been in the first DMG. That book was co-authored by Robin D. Laws, who wrote Robin's Laws of Good Gamemastering (http://www.sjgames.com/robinslaws) which I can heartily recommend. I hear a lot of stories about DMs who could have benefited from either the second DMG or the book by Mr. Laws. |
| Ayrik |
Posted - 14 Oct 2010 : 08:15:50
All that writing, all those DMGs and supplements, over and over again, little actual improvement. No wonder the D&D franchise is a rollercoaster. |
| Alystra Illianniis |
Posted - 14 Oct 2010 : 07:03:05
In a word- no. |
| Ayrik |
Posted - 14 Oct 2010 : 06:42:46
Does anyone think the newer editions have successfully addressed the classic DM pitfalls? |
| Quale |
Posted - 13 Oct 2010 : 11:50:46
my beef with the dms are mostly from the first few years of playing
with the first dm, our characters used to die up to five times per day
the other was too serious, no fun with that guy, the world is a harsh place
when the dms act powerful to spite the players and enjoy torturing them, have no idea about the job of the dm
then there was one who's stories sucked, soap-opera material and terrible cliches
lastly, when they are bored and don't want to run the story anymore, but still they prolong the farce, railroading into a disaster |
| Alystra Illianniis |
Posted - 13 Oct 2010 : 02:01:19
Aye! I have one or two N/PC's that I use to occasionally bolster the party's weak points- like my bard, since no one ever seems to want to play a cleric or other healer-class- but I try to keep them low-pro. Most of the time they are simply there as back-up for the big fights if the party is getting stomped badly, and only really come out when there is actual role-playing going on. Foe example, in one campaign, my bard decided to spy on the female party members while they bathed (Okay, he's young, he's kinda a "pervert", and he's a dark elf- go figure...) and it led to some funny moments when he got caught. But he was also one of the first to learn the secret curse of one member because of it. And then there was the monk, whom they first encountered in an arena gladiator match- as part of the opposition. He KISSED the party's female ninja in the middle of a grapple during the fight! Led to a lot of laughs, and now she's sort of interested in him.... I LOVE playing flirty males!! |
| Ionik Knight |
Posted - 12 Oct 2010 : 14:52:28
I like to bring in my NPC/PC's to interact with the party myself. I have a few rules to keep it from getting out of hand though. Most of my DM's PC's only interact with the party in a roleplay only setting...ie drinking and bragging at the tavern. This prevents, normally, any conflict between them. If I do bring my characters into the party it's either temporary (like one encounter), or they are there as filler until the party recruits a replacement. |
| mensch |
Posted - 12 Oct 2010 : 13:59:13
The DM's pet NPCs are indeed a nightmare for players!
Personally I dislike having to play party NPCs who perform in combat as well. Most of my NPCs are only with the group for a short while and always in the background, they won't interfere with the decision making of the group. Often I wait for the players to give the NPC some direction.
I played a NPC Rogue once, who had long since retired and went along with the group for one dungeon delve to collect his pension. I deliberately played him as a character whose skills were rather rusty, so I made sure he was the first to walk into one of my traps without doing all the roguish things, like trapfinding and scouting. |
| Ayrik |
Posted - 12 Oct 2010 : 06:45:37
Actually that does bring a bad DM gripe to mind. One that I don't see often (these days) but it bugs the hell out of me.
Many DMs have party NPCs. Hey, that's fair enough, they want to play too. I often do it myself. It's not a problem when the DM carefully avoids playing favourites (lol, or at least manages to not make it obvious and objectionable). Plus it's always good to have another body on your team. It's even handy to have a "spare" character to loan to a new player or help bridge those uncomfortable moments after a PC gets killed.
It's a real pain when the DM has a blatantly munchkin character who accomplishes all the mightiest deeds and yoinks the lion's share of the heroic rewards, while the rest of the party (the players) are basically just sidekicks and support. Oh sure, you get to swing your sword or cast your fireball and soak up some damage (so it seems like you're actually involved in something epic). But we all know who the REAL hero is; the one who always hits, always inflicts ridiculous record-breaking damage, always scores the deathblow, somehow manages to covertly "pick up" all the goodies the party might overlook. Of course this mary-sue NPC ends up getting all the fame, recognition, finest equipment, and finest babes the setting can offer.
Woe be to ye who should dare to defy such a DM, for he shall use his uber character to bully the party and punish all who oppose his quest. And he can kick your entire party's ass. And every nearby NPC in the land (even the monsters!) immediately rushes to his aid. This DM is indeed enjoying the game, while his players are not - he should simply remove the character or hand out a henchman instead, so he can focus on more important elements of the game. |
| Alystra Illianniis |
Posted - 11 Oct 2010 : 16:43:49
quote:
Originally posted by Arik
I suffer from the same curse! So, uh, I've gotta go on a quest then?
why, have you stolen any statues from shrines of Bast lately? Lol, the two DO seem to go hand-in-hand, more often than not...
I did have a DM once in WoD whose sole goal was to kill off the entire group. He started with my Bruhah Fianna werewolf/vampire(abomination). We were in the African sahvanna, fighting a group of vampiric werejackels. At night. His werecroc NPC/party leader used a sun burst power, and my poor Richard bit the dust in two rounds- had nowhere to get out of the sunlight. Needless to day, when I discovered he had done it INTENTIONALLY, I never played with him again. Some people do NOT need to be running games.... |
| Ionik Knight |
Posted - 11 Oct 2010 : 14:36:19
Like several others, my complaint is that I'm always the DM. |
| Ayrik |
Posted - 11 Oct 2010 : 13:02:08
I suffer from the same curse! So, uh, I've gotta go on a quest then? |
| Alystra Illianniis |
Posted - 11 Oct 2010 : 09:07:43
LOl, that's pretty funny. Then again, I had a party member find the cursed Black Pearl from the old Phantom's Wake module in the bottom of a pool of water in the Underdark after they killed an aboleth, and it had previously been in the possession of a wizard with the letters HP on his robe.... Yes, I'm a smart-a$$ that way. Another time I had a druid's cougar companion sit on the party's halfling mage when he was knocked out of the fight. And another member of that same party stole a statuette from a shrine to Bast, and ended up with a curse of feline allergy AND attraction until she could go on a quest for Bast to remove the curse.... |
| Ayrik |
Posted - 11 Oct 2010 : 08:23:24
My DM's tricks have gotten a little tired.
DM: "Turning the corner, you encounter a stunningly beautiful elven woman ..."
(entire party groans)
Player: "So is this one a monster, a trap, or an NPC?"
or
DM: "Among the Githyanki bodies you find a gleaming silver sword."
Player 1: "I don't go anywhere near it."
DM: "The sword looks like the finest quality workmanship, covered in exquisitely ornate designs. It's obviously very valuable."
Player 2: "I'll start examining all the other bodies, while very carefully avoiding the silver sword."
DM: "You notice that the sword has a magical glimmer, and that the blade remains razor sharp even after-"
Players: "We don't want the sword!" |
| Alystra Illianniis |
Posted - 11 Aug 2010 : 21:05:24
Har-har. Laerrigan. No, sadly, that would not have worked... |
| Laerrigan |
Posted - 08 Aug 2010 : 04:10:48
quote:
Originally posted by Alystra Illianniis
My biggest gripe? Always being the DM!! I only rarely get to play. When I DM, I have problems with players who won't stick to one PC- they change every other session, it seems. Call it gaming ADD... And then they get mad when I forget some little detail one of them did because FIVE people are trying to say something at once, often out-of-turn.... Anyone know a good fix?
A fly-swatter?
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| Alystra Illianniis |
Posted - 15 Jun 2010 : 17:12:48
Ugh, that really sucks. Never would have happened in my games..... |
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