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Describe your GM Style

by Mike on 27 February 2023

"How do I describe my style of play to players I don't really know?"

This is a fantastic question.

Just as we should try to define the characteristics we look for in our ideal players (recognizing that our ideal players aren't necessarily everyone's ideal players), I think it makes sense that we, as GM, describe our style in a way that clarifies to potential players how we're different from other GMs.

When I describe my own GM style to new potential players, I clarify the following:

I'm a GM who focuses mostly on the evolving story of the game itself.
I play either online or in-person.
I run a mix of abstract and "theater of the mind" combat styles. I'm not a tactical GM who focuses on the 5 foot grid. Half or more of battles are in theater of the mind (this immediately filters out a lot of players which is fine).
I use Discord, D&D Beyond, and Owlbear Rodeo. I don't use Roll 20 (this also filters out a lot of players).
I'm a loosy-goosy GM. I don't hang on too tight to the story, the characters' story, the rules, or just about anything else.
I make mistakes but keep rolling on. If a player is looking for a tight cohesive narrative arc, I might not be able to provide that.

In many ways I try to think about my style of GMing and how it would turn players off. Instead of selling myself as a GM, I'm happy for them to recognize how I might not be a good fit before we start.

If I'm looking for a GM, I'd probably look at the following criteria:

Are they a tactical or story-focused GM?
Do they consider themselves a "killer" GM?
Is everything on a grid or do they run some combat in the Theater of the Mind?
Do they consider themselves opponents or fans of the characters?
What parts of the game do they enjoy most?
What bugs them?
Where do they spend most of their prep time?

Of course, nothing works better than running a one-shot or a short number of games with potential players and GMs to see if things gel.

Friend and Sly Flourish Patreon Rangdo offered up this Same Page Tool which discusses how players and the GM can work together to build the style of game they're all interested in. It's another good source to think about your style and how you might describe it to potential players.

How do you describe yourself as a GM?

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Steer the game towards the decisions and actions of the characters.
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Show the results of the characters' actions.
Not all dark magic items are cursed.
Let the characters take a specific part in a larger war or military campaign.
Shake up stereotypes.
Run phased battles. Lots of minions followed by some big bruisers followed by a boss.
Share art, either printed or shared online.

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