DM of 6+ years and I'm fricking tired, boys. I want to be the one playing a cool character for once. There's only one problem - most DnD players are obnoxious and lolsorandom. How do I find a group that doesn't have players whose characters don't do everything just because it's funny or gives them some kind of an edge? I get it, fun is fun, and DnD should be played for fun, but people having fun at the expense of maturity is just mind-rotting.
 |
 Ape Out Shirt $21.68 |
|
Just have one of your players step up? Presumably they enjoy a similar style of game to you if you've been playing together for any serious amount of time.
None of my players have ever really been interested. I'm not going to force them, especially since my players are also my friends.
Well, not every involuntary bound is bad, anon. Maybe try bringing this up with your players. Perhaps some are merely constrained by laziness or risk aversion, and could turn out to be great DM's. I don't think it would hurt to ask, and if it doesn't work out, then it doesn't.
>I'm not going to force them, especially since my players are also my friends
If they were your friends they'd be willing to give it a shot if you asked.
Why would you want someone to GM a game they have no genuine inspiration for or interest in GM'ing?
Maybe they just don't get it and need to give it a try before they know they truly don't want to GM
So you can have fun every once in a while. If I was your friend, and I mean genuine friend not that transactional homosexualry I'd do it regardless of if I found it fun considering all the fun you've provided your friends over the years.
Doing something out of obligation sounds pretty fricking transacational to me. And I certainly wouldn't want someone GM'ing for me if they didn't find the concept of it fun in the first place, let alone as "repayment" for something I do for myself first and foremost.
If someone's been a player for years and has never considered, brought up, or tried to GM at any point prior, then I think it's safe to assume it's just not for them. But that's still fair I guess.
You start networking for a GM, not particularly different from finding new players. Ask your players if they know of any decent or open groups as well. Then ask players you meet through them the same. And if you make a decent impression in a group, there's a good chance any players like yourself will try to play with you again.
And it doesn't really matter what type of game you're looking for either. D&D, Shadowrun, 40k, FATE, ect. You'll have to throw yourself through a mental grinder of people that could exchange this hobby for literally anything else while searching for people that are actually passionate about the medium and what it can offer.
Some may just feel intimidated by the prospect, in which case encouragement may indeed make a difference.
Tables are so different. I've wanted to try GMing, but none of the people in the two groups I'm in are interested in trying it out with a one-shot or short adventure. Not even the regular GMs.
Hope you eventually get what you want.
You've been playing for 6 years and yet you don't know anyone that plays?
what, exactly, are you trying to get out of a leisure activity, if not fun ?
not trying to come for you, but I had the issue for years that I was trying to play "serious games" the "serious way" and wasn't enjoying myself
in the end, I was miserable because even when players were all in on it, we mostly acted out terrible people doing terrible things and got into intense drama and moral quandaries that didn't really give any sense of joy or wonderment, just made us more dour and created irl tensions, because that's what most "serious roleplayers" tend to do and they're usually very autistic and annoying, killing any momentum to have intense meaningful scenes that basically amount to wasting an hour convincing their character to do something
I get the desire to "play in a meaningful way", but that phrase itself is contradictory, imo
now I play silly adventure games with silly players and my quality of life has improved tenfold
truly, you want a group of "mature" players until the moment you get one and realize they're just as immature as the silly people, except they'll get way more angry at things not going their way and hold up the game to satisfy their twisted need for validation
maybe try theater if you really want serious play
>what, exactly, are you trying to get out of a leisure activity, if not fun ?
It *IS* for fun, but like I said being random and obnoxious is not what I consider fun. That's what a 7yo child considers fun. As for what I'm trying to get from the game? I'd say the best way I can describe it is: I'd want it to be like a hangout (socially), and like a book club (tonally). I'd want players that I'm playing with to have the kind of approach to 5e that football fans approach the superbowl: They love it, they look forward to it, they have fun watching it, they're invested in it, and there's a certain understanding that it's not the time to be obnoxious and trying to get everyone to like you.
>not trying to come for you, but I had the issue for years that I was trying to play "serious games" the "serious way" and wasn't enjoying myself
in the end, I was miserable because even when players were all in on it, we mostly acted out terrible people doing terrible things and got into intense drama and moral quandaries that didn't really give any sense of joy or wonderment, just made us more dour and created irl tensions, because that's what most "serious roleplayers" tend to do and they're usually very autistic and annoying, killing any momentum to have intense meaningful scenes that basically amount to wasting an hour convincing their character to do something
This is why I want to avoid Critical Role fans; some of them *can* be serious, it's just cringecore seriousness.
>now I play silly adventure games with silly players and my quality of life has improved tenfold
They never get annoying? There's never bullshit or shenanigans that are pulled that make you feel like it's nothing more than a test to see who can be the best John Wick?
>maybe try theater if you really want serious play
I was a Technical Theatre kid in HS; there's nothing to put a bad taste for actors in your mouth than hanging out with actors.
Thank you for taking the time to respond with this much.
I get what you mean and, unfortunately, I think this kind of game can only be achieved by having an excellent group of players
no system, no playstyle can substitute for a good vibe and people who genuinely work well together and have a real wish to build upon each other while keeping on the same wavelength
sadly, this is like trying to find 3 to 6 unicorns that also get along perfectly well with each other, not entirely impossible, but you probably shouldn't count on it
as for playing silly stuff, I don't mean necessarily lolsorandumb all the time, but just things where stakes are low, expectations are focused on adventure and problem solving rather than accomplishing some grand narrative
it doesn't get old because I play with good friends and we have an understanding about what's in play (which is to say, not a lot)
there's very little ego involved as well, characters are made quickly and expendable thanks to rules light OSR systems and the like, they become sympathetic and heroic through play but they're never self-inserts for the players (one thing I feel is the death of many a fun nights of rolling dice)
sure they try to do cool stuff and shenanigans and harebrained schemes, it's the point, but I don't feel like it turns into a dick-measuring contest
maybe that's just to my players' credit, but that just underlines my earlier point
and sorry about the theater comment, I've done it too and I know it fricking blows, those people would be among the worst at a game table
back to the original point: I suggest going for light and low-stakes games with a high degree of open-ended problem solving because that's the easiest to direct and mold, regardless of your players
the scenarios I've conceived that ALWAYS reach a satisfying conclusion fot the players are the ones where I literally did not write in an ending or way to win and let them come up with their own stuff
I'm doing this with my current table, all near beginners, and it's going awesome
Holy mother of pearl. You've got what I can only dream of group-wise. Especially
>expectations are focused on adventure and problem solving rather than accomplishing some grand narrative
it doesn't get old because I play with good friends and we have an understanding about what's in play (which is to say, not a lot)
>there's very little ego involved as well, characters are made quickly and expendable thanks to rules light OSR systems and the like, they become sympathetic and heroic through play but they're never self-inserts for the players (one thing I feel is the death of many a fun nights of rolling dice)
You're a real son of a b***h, you know that? (Thanks for the advice bb)
>5e
>not time to be obnoxious
Ah, here is the issue.
>5e
You will never get what you want out of it.
Stop playing with friends. I tried to get my friends into the hobby when I first started and it always ended up in lolzrandumb shit like you said. Now I’m playing with randoms through the internet and it’s much better. People are motivated, they roleplay well and are engaged with the combat. Sometimes we joke around but afterwards everybody goes back to playing the game properly.
I've been a DM for damn near 20 years straight. If your players aren't creative-types, you are going to forever DM. The best luck I've had on getting a turn at being a player here and there, was encouraging certain players when they talk about RPG systems I don't run. Though this has meant I only ever got to play things like Shadowrun, Cyberpunk, and later, Eclipse Phase. Instead of like, Gamma World, Traveller, or D&D, etc.
It's unfortunately the case if most players really like a system/setting, they want to be players and not the guy doing all the work. Go figure. Even with encouragement from me, my players' efforts to DM usually last a few sessions before everyone wants me to get back in the saddle again.
You cant unless you make one.
>grab the best player in your group
>ask him if he knows anyone else who isnt a knucklehead
>do likewise
>make group
>have fun on a different night of the week
>run one shots of different systems with everyone taking turns to DM
>settle on one you like and run it no longer than 3-6 months
>DM
>boys
>6 years as "a lot"
>Le players le bad
>Le me le based
ZOOM ZOOM ZOOM!
I can't imagine the hands of anyone over 18 writing this absolute drivel. What is wrong with you, dude?
I feel you, anon. I also would like to run a more serious campaign, but people aren't exactly up for it.
Gamefinder theads here, and also try reddit but DO NOT compromise on your interests. Also try RPoL.
Just create a super awesome DMPC, then you can both play and DM. Your players will love it.
I know you're troling but frick you.
I was in your exact situation 2 years ago.
I switched to GURPS and never looked back.
I'm sure luck plays a part, but the players I've found for GURPS have all been high quality.
>THANKS EVERYONE FOR CONTRIBUTING THIS THREAD BLEW UP AFTER LAST NIGHT
>29 replies