How to Manage Your GM

S2 EA How to Manage your GM

“Dude, I am so sorry you gotta work for that guy. He is the worst.”

“It’s not that bad. Actually, we get along really well, and he’s the first boss who’s ever actually listened to my suggestions.”

I think we have all found ourselves at one time or another dealing with a boss or manager that for some reason things just didn’t click. We will often blame them and fail to see that it takes two to tango.

When you dig into it, usually the issues are combinations of personalities, motivations, communication styles, and sometimes luck.

Now we roleplay for fun, so we never find ourselves sitting down at a gaming table and quickly realizing that for some reason we just aren’t working well with the GM?

Sorry, I should have given you the sarcasm alert.

We have all found ourselves at a gaming table where we struggled getting along with other players and occasionally the GM. I have found this is especially likely when we are already friends with the GM.

Learning how to manage your game master is a critical skill for good gaming tables and it’s not nearly as difficult as you might think. Practicing good communication skills and a few of these simple tricks can go a long way to greatly improving your game sessions.

Christina, have you ever had to manage one of your GMs?

Points:

1. Show up ready to play (be on time, have equipment {pen, paper, dice, character sheet})
2. Know the basic rules (you don’t have to know them all, just the basics like dice mechanics)
3. Know the rules that apply to your character (very important in crunchy games)
4. Introduce yourself to other players, Don’t make the GM do all the social work.
5. Let the Good Job’s flow. Congratulate other players and the GM on good ideas and challenges
6. Don’t be sneaky. (Explain your complicated plan to the GM including the overall goals)
7. Don’t argue at the table. (Never argue at the table. Argue after the game session in private)
8. Support the GM Decisions and encourage the other players to support the decisions as well.
9. Take Notes!
10. Remember Rule 0 (The GM has final say)
11. Help the GM look up rules, but don’t read them out loud, use page numbers.
12. Pay attention to how the GM communicates. Don’t interrupt a speech!
13. Provide feedback (remember constructive criticism, always end on a positive)
14. Share the costs (books, snacks, software, etc)