Post by Paul on Jul 6, 2010 15:08:02 GMT -6
The GMPC – Why I use it, and why you need to stfu.
The main reason I use the GMPC is that I am not always the GM. I am about 90% of the time but when that 10% comes I want to have a competitive character.
Most complains I’ve seen on the GMPC is their power over the other PCs. I use the same tools and house rules for my GMPCs as do the players. I am more that willing to explain all my builds with explicit details if you feel my GMPCs are over powered. For every action in the forums I have my characters do I fully explain the rules behind the actions.
I like to also use the GMPC for plot points. They are a great way to hint that we need to do X rather than Y. Note, I said hint. A perfect example is a situation where we are rolling in Star Wars to search our feelings. One player rolls low another high and to play my character appropriately I feel he must do the same. The overall result is my guy “feels” we should do this, player 1 feels to do that, and player 2 feels we should go home. Options and more options if my GMPC wasn’t there to suggest doing this then that option isn’t accessible.
People claim that the GMPC is there to overshadow the players. Is this a competition? Are people upset because their guy didn’t get the killing blow or even win the day? What is the point, at the end of the day you still get the same exp and your TEAM still ends up winning the day. If you are that insecure about not being in the 100% spotlight then go home. This is a group game, not a you game. Sometimes the GMPC will do cool things too, get over it.
The main reason I use the GMPC is that I am not always the GM. I am about 90% of the time but when that 10% comes I want to have a competitive character.
Most complains I’ve seen on the GMPC is their power over the other PCs. I use the same tools and house rules for my GMPCs as do the players. I am more that willing to explain all my builds with explicit details if you feel my GMPCs are over powered. For every action in the forums I have my characters do I fully explain the rules behind the actions.
I like to also use the GMPC for plot points. They are a great way to hint that we need to do X rather than Y. Note, I said hint. A perfect example is a situation where we are rolling in Star Wars to search our feelings. One player rolls low another high and to play my character appropriately I feel he must do the same. The overall result is my guy “feels” we should do this, player 1 feels to do that, and player 2 feels we should go home. Options and more options if my GMPC wasn’t there to suggest doing this then that option isn’t accessible.
People claim that the GMPC is there to overshadow the players. Is this a competition? Are people upset because their guy didn’t get the killing blow or even win the day? What is the point, at the end of the day you still get the same exp and your TEAM still ends up winning the day. If you are that insecure about not being in the 100% spotlight then go home. This is a group game, not a you game. Sometimes the GMPC will do cool things too, get over it.
