Steve Jackson Games Forums - View Single Post - What's the worst DM bad habit you've encountered

Donny Brook · 03-12-2020, 08:43 PM

I've seen some poor GM choices.

-Overkill -- every encounter or threat was way too powerful for the PCs. The GM expected the players to get this and run away all the time. We ended up calling for 'divine assistance' constantly, but he never changed this habit.

-Railroading -- the GM had a story planned and wants no deviation. Often has no clue what might be found outside of the script. Often accompanied by ...

-Narrating -- telling the story instead of role playing it.

-Playing his own game -- Running NPCs as if they are PCs, taking screen time, "solving" problems.

-Favoritism -- not necessarily intentional, but paying lots of attention to only one or a couple of players while not giving a chance for the others to do things.

-Rules Engineer -- using one or more significant personal rule changes that no-one else wants or understands.

-Mean Girl -- engaging in social cutting or heirarchical posturing among the group

-Criticising -- persistently complaining or mocking players for perceived 'dumb' choices.

-Reticence -- giving inadequate descriptions or details to allow the players to understand situations and make the choices their characters would make.

03-12-2020, 08:43 PM	#5
Donny Brook Join Date: Aug 2014 Location: Snoopy's basement	Re: What's the worst DM bad habit you've encountered I've seen some poor GM choices. -Overkill -- every encounter or threat was way too powerful for the PCs. The GM expected the players to get this and run away all the time. We ended up calling for 'divine assistance' constantly, but he never changed this habit. -Railroading -- the GM had a story planned and wants no deviation. Often has no clue what might be found outside of the script. Often accompanied by ... -Narrating -- telling the story instead of role playing it. -Playing his own game -- Running NPCs as if they are PCs, taking screen time, "solving" problems. -Favoritism -- not necessarily intentional, but paying lots of attention to only one or a couple of players while not giving a chance for the others to do things. -Rules Engineer -- using one or more significant personal rule changes that no-one else wants or understands. -Mean Girl -- engaging in social cutting or heirarchical posturing among the group -Criticising -- persistently complaining or mocking players for perceived 'dumb' choices. -Reticence -- giving inadequate descriptions or details to allow the players to understand situations and make the choices their characters would make.