Wednesday
Mar042009
Penny-Arcade Receives the "U20 Bump"
Wednesday, March 4, 2009 at 11:13AM As I'm sure they could use the traffic, I direct your attention to today's Penny Arcade comic, where Gabe and Tycho explore differences of DMing styles often discussed online.
A difference of opinion. I'm with Gabe on something for once. It's interesting (at the very least) to see the amazingly successful PA exploring our hobby. From their POV I'm sure the killer old-school DM vs. soft enabler DM of today discussion is news. To many of their readers I'm guessing it is.
Regardless, I like that D&D is receiving their attention as it should be very good for the hobby. The result is sometimes hilarious.
tagged DM, Dungeon Master, Old-School in DMing
DM, Dungeon Master, Old-School in DMing 
Reader Comments (5)
I read Gabe's post and I definitely agree with him. I DM to give characters an interesting story and challenging fights to play. But if they're all about to die and end the story (or worse, bring in a whole new party of gross expys, something I have a HUGE peeve about), I stop. There's other ways, like taking them alive, sending them to another dimension, whatever, but there's ways to have the party lose without a game over screen.
Agreed. I generally don't bail the players out unless they give me an in-game reason to, though. I don't want them dead, of course, but I put a lot of care into my encounters and build in multiple ways out of them, so it's rare that they can't help themselves.
If a PC in dire straights decides to grovel for his life, scream for help, offer a deal, bluff, or threaten his foe to escape that losing situation, I'm always inclined to say yes and keep the story rocking.
I never set out to kill my players. Still, it happens sometimes.
Hehe, it's funny you missed my post "The GM is not the enemy, or is he?" that I wrote yesterday that was inspired by that comic.
@Wyatt and RPG Ike: I fully agree with you. I don't think it makes a fun game when the GM is out to kill the party.
Hmmm, I hope you remember this when you run the 4e game on the 14th :) I kid... I kid...
Ah, thank-you, Stargazer. I did miss your post, and it would have been the perfect support link. :)
And I hope you remember to bring two characters to the 4E game on the 14th, Jason :D. It's funny that I almost qualified my first response comment with "with one-shots I have even less of a need to bail out my players."