10 Signs You’re A Boring DM & 10 That Your Players Love You
Main Character Syndrome
While we all think we’re the main characters of our own story, in Dungeons and Dragons, that’s entirely dependent on the dungeon master (DM). It’s up to the DM to craft your story and guide you through the world, but sometimes this omnipresent being becomes a bit more forceful and railroads the story to suit his narrative. Worse yet, the DM could just be outright boring, and everyone hates that.
1. No story, all combat
Some players prefer combat over story, while others like the opposite. The perfect balance of both is something that everyone can appreciate. But when your DM’s campaign has little to no story, and every session is a sequence of combats with no explanation of how and why you got there, it can get very boring.
2. Railroading
One of the biggest reasons why players enjoy DnD is the freedom to explore the world, inspect a chest, unlock a door, or break the wall. The problem with railroading DMs is that the players don’t get to explore and experience the world freely, but are stuck going where the DM wants them to. This kind of storytelling is frowned upon by the majority of players.
3. No loot
Who doesn’t like loot? When you find yourself in a forgotten prison cell inside ancient ruins, and at the end of the room there’s a chest, you roll your dice and get that sweet, sweet nat-twenty, only for the chest to be empty because the DM didn’t think you’d do that.
4. Locked Doors
When you see a door in DnD, your first instinct is to investigate it or to open it. Now imagine being in a castle with hundreds of doors, but your DM only lets you open the ones they planned for you. This can feel very boring and unimaginative, and it gives a sense of laziness on the DM’s part.
5. Using ChatGPT
DnD is a game of storytelling, rich character backgrounds, and roleplaying. When a DM uses AI to write the story or even character dialogue, it can become very boring very fast. Creativity and flexible storylines are some of the biggest reasons DnD is as captivating as it is.
6. No creativity
When your DM doesn’t engage with the world or the characters in it, the game can start to feel very tiring and exhausting. A lack of creativity can lead to players not really caring or being interested in continuing the session. Even boring NPCs should have some sort of background.
7. Not caring for player backstory
When making a new character, many people love to work on the backstory and lore behind them. After spending hours finally finishing your character's life story, it can feel very bad and discouraging when the DM simply does not care for the backstories whatsoever.
8. Lack of enthusiasm
Roleplaying is a big part of playing DnD. Whether it’s fully immersing yourself in the world or pretending to be your character, it brings life into every session. But if you have a DM who just reads from their script, replies lifelessly, and lacks the excitement of you finding that legendary bow, sessions can turn into a real bore.
9. No explanation
Some players are more experienced than others. Some carry their handbooks with them to every session to check certain spells, while others don’t really bother to remember it all because you can always ask your DM, right? Well, some DMs don’t really care to explain or look up anything, or they just assume you know when you are supposed to be rolling for that Dex saving throw.
10. Pointless puzzles
Going through a long puzzle filled with many random and seemingly disconnected pieces can feel like a drag. But it might also mean that there’s some epic loot at the end of it, since it’s such a long and complicated puzzle, right? Wouldn’t you be surprised to find out that the entire puzzle was just a filler, so that your DM has the players do something, not to make the session feel “bland.”
Now that we have discussed what makes a DM boring, here are 10 signs that players adore their DM.
1. Bringing maps and minis
DnD is all about using your imagination. With that being said, don’t you absolutely love it when your DM brings amazing-looking maps and cool minis to choose your character from or represent the monsters and thieves you’re about to fight? It makes the sessions feel more real and alive, connecting the picture in your mind with the story that’s being told.
2. Rolling in the open
Rolling in the open for everyone to see is a great way for your players to know that you aren’t cheating or railroading them. It keeps it transparent and fair. It gives the game a more realistic feel.
3. Rich story
It is a truly wonderful feeling when your DM has a very detailed explanation of every single area you enter, down to the sounds you hear in the background and even the smells your characters might be experiencing. It makes you want to keep exploring more. The sessions feel like a true escape into another world.
4. Keeping a steady schedule
When setting a time to play DnD with your friends, being punctual and following the schedule is not only a respectful thing to do, but it brings more excitement as the day approaches. If your DM has managed to keep a steady schedule for your sessions, you know they’re doing a great job of keeping you captivated.
5. Always prepared
No matter what you want your character to do, your DM has you covered. If you want to open a random door, there’s bound to be something behind it. Wandering off into the woods just to find a hole in the floor? There’s something in there too. This kind of storytelling makes you feel like it’s a real story, not just a fictional game you’re playing.
6. Helps with character creation
Whether you are a new player or a veteran, sometimes you might find yourself stuck when making a new character. Having a DM who is actually willing to help with this can be a nice treat. If they go even a step further and tell you what role would fill a gap in the party, that’s exceptionally helpful.
7. Explains everything
Going above and beyond to make sure nobody is confused or left scratching their heads is a wonderful trait to have as a DM. There’s always that one thing you might forget when it comes to what a spell or a cantrip does. Having the patience to explain the same thing multiple times is something that a truly great DM does.
8. Roleplaying
If your DM changes their inflection or completely goes “in character” for every NPC you come across, that can be a magical thing. Making the characters feel more alive is just one of the key aspects of a good campaign, especially if the narration part of the story is done in a detailed and epic way.
9. Session Zero
Session zero is not a mandatory thing, although many DMs like to have one. It is a great way of introducing the world to your players, as well as making a backstory connection between them so that it makes more sense how they ended up forming a party. If done right, session zero can captivate players before the session even starts.
10. Respect
Being mindful and respectful of everyone playing is a very important thing. Nobody wants to show up to their session and feel unwanted or insulted in any way. A good DM knows how to make their sessions a comfortable, safe, and very captivating zone.
