Chaotek Thoughts

I’ve noticed that I am a really bad backseat Game Master. While I don’t consider myself to be a rules-lawyer or a setting-lawyer, I do find myself providing answers when I am not the GM a lot. Worse yet, I may be fielding answers for unasked questions. I am a GM more than I am a player, however I think this means that I am GM-ing when I am a player as well. This is ironic, because I really look forward to being a player, then I seem to be screwing it up by backseat GM-ing.

So as for the advice, which I am going to try an use as well, is to allow the GM of the game to do their job. Try not to answer questions, until the GM has had an opportunity to do so. Only answer questions if the GM asks for your input. Even in a situation where you might know the rules or setting better, it’s not your game. Maybe the GM is making a ruling that is contrary to the canon setting or rules system, but it’s their game to do so. That’s what house rules are. Never argue about setting, consider each game’s setting to be an alternate universe from canon and things might be different. If the GM makes a system ruling that you disagree with, try to bring it up outside of the game. If the ruling might drastically impact the game, consider bringing up your alternate opinion immediately, but let it go quickly if the GM disagrees. However these immediate questions should rare if ever necessary.

Gaming is supposed to be fun. If having 1.5 GMs is fun for your group, then ignore my suggestions. If keeping your gaming knowledge to yourself is not fun for you, and being a backseat GM is not fun for others, then consider not being a player as that’s not what you seem to enjoy.