How many of you have experience with co-GMing? And what was that like for you? Part of me thinks that’s the route I should take to get started as a GM without being overwhelmed by anxiety (which is often the thing that stops me). I think it might be helpful to be part of a team behind the screen. - ThreadSky

thekellhop.bsky.social • 78 days ago

How many of you have experience with co-GMing? And what was that like for you? Part of me thinks that’s the route I should take to get started as a GM without being overwhelmed by anxiety (which is often the thing that stops me). I think it might be helpful to be part of a team behind the screen.

Comments

jkeldog.bsky.social•78 days ago

I’ve never done it, but some of my favorite game sessions to play in were co-Dm. You get two people that can play off each other, it really sells the role playing, especially for the NPCs.

moiraarachne.bsky.social•78 days ago

J and B over at @planetarcanapod.bsky.social run their game / podcast as a dual-GM experience. It's a super cool AP that I've been listening to for a while now and I just love it's vibe.

Unsure if they can comment on the above but if you wanted a good example of one, wanted to provide it! :D

planetarcanapod.bsky.social•78 days ago

co-GMing is a gift! must be done with someone you trust and know but it is a real treat to have support mid-session and also to play two NPCs who converse instead of having convos with yourself

thekellhop.bsky.social•75 days ago

Looks like I have a new pod to check out, amazing!

classicbobg.bsky.social•78 days ago

This is something I’ve always wanted to do. The only experience I have with co-GMing is if I’m teaching a new GM how to do it. I usually am there to help with rules, session prep, then pop in with a silly npc for fun.

Interested to hear how it goes for you! Good luck!

anarchytabletop.bsky.social•78 days ago

I did this, and it was great. My character was an NPC in my game, and his was in his. I owned the broader narrative of the world, and he owned the one-off stories. Think of the X-Files. I had the alien conspiracy; he had the monster-of-the-week. (My character was necessarily obtuse and tactical.)

drinkcoffeerun.bsky.social•78 days ago

I would think that co-GMing may be harder than just GMing on your own. As a GM you need to make a lot of decisions, and doing that in unison without having to leave your players to discuss them seems pretty tough. My instinct would be to GM your first game with a more experienced GM in your party.

drinkcoffeerun.bsky.social•78 days ago

Would it help your anxiety if you knew you had someone at the table to ask to clarify rules? They can help the other players with their turns, but won't have any say over the story or NPC actions. You can learn and have fun, with a safety net if you need it, but no one looking over your shoulder.

drinkcoffeerun.bsky.social•78 days ago

It depends on what you find drives your anxiety. Another option is to have a GM help you with pre-game prep and post-game notes. You can always ask for help workshopping story hooks, testing puzzles, or checking encounter difficulty balance, so that you feel extra prepared ahead of the sessions.

giacomoart.bsky.social•76 days ago

I have very limited experience with co-GMing, but dividing up the GM responsibilities has worked well the times I've tried it.

theramblerouser.bsky.social•78 days ago

A GM who's telling the story, and a rules referee as a separate entity has worked out really well at my tables.

tabletopoptimist.bsky.social•78 days ago

The concept seems really cool. Would like to try it out too one day.

fiasomething.bsky.social•78 days ago

I haven't fully run a game side by side with someone, but I do give my players a lot of control over worldbuilding. Like I put names on a map but when we get to a city I ask like "what's something interesting about this city?" or "where do the locals go to trade?" And it takes some pressure off me

dhaustin.bsky.social•77 days ago

I'm a "forever" DM, and this summer I started a co-DM game on @roll20.net with my 35yo son. Mostly to learn how to manage the interface, but it turned out to be a lot of fun. The world building for this campaign has been a blast

thekellhop.bsky.social•75 days ago

Ahhh, this is very wholesome, I love it! I’m glad you’re both having so much fun. ☺️

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