The phrase “Dungeon Master” belongs to D&D and describes one of the two types of people who take part in a traditional tabletop roleplaying game. The other group of people are the players controlling characters.
Other roleplaying games have a similar role to DM or Dungeon Master, gamemaster (GM), narrator and storyteller are all conventional alternatives.
Some roleplaying games encourage taking turns, rotating through the responsibility of running the game as the Dungeon Master or GM. You can do this in D&D, but it’s not part of the fabric of the game.
No, Dungeon Masters cannot have a player character because they are not a player. The acronym DMPC is a condiction in terms. DMs know the plot, the stats of NPCs and monsters, they have meta-knowledge that the players cannot have. As a result, a DM cannot also be a PC.
This can be a controversial topic, and the answer isn’t always universal. A more important rule in roleplaying is that the rules should be adapted, by the GM/DM, to allow for a better game.
An NPC is a character controlled by the DM. A DMPC is an impossible thing; as every PC controlled by the DM is an NPC. NPC stands for non-player character and could be the nameless shop assistant or the powerful wizard who saves the player characters.
It is most likely that these groups have a reoccurring NPC. They may even have an NPC who is part of the adventuring party, goes everywhere with them and takes part in every scene.
These NPCs may be referred to as the DMPC.
In some cases, the DM may even consider this NPC to be their PC.
DMPCs are impossible. All characters controlled by the DM are NPCs. A DM who considers an NPC to be their personal PC may be in danger of making mistakes as a DM. They are treating that NPC differently.
For example, a good question to ask if you’re considering a DMPC is “Why do I want a player character?”
If the answer is because you want to take part in the game as a player, then that is probably a warning you are not as enthusiastic in your role as DM as is ideal. It might be time to take a break, ask someone else to practice their DM skills by running a one-shot.
If the answer is because you want to guide and help out the PCs, then you are risking introducing Dias ex Machina to your game. It’s not wrong to have lots of help for PCs built into the game, but it probably shouldn’t all be from the same source. If players merely have to ask the NPC Cleric who is with them for every decision, for example, what to do, then the problem-solving aspect of roleplaying games has been undermined.
Reoccurring NPCs
As acknowledged, some gaming groups make effective use of what they consider to be a DMPC. Despite the challenges.
It may come down to that technical definition again; of the different roles of players and DMs, but in many of these scenarios, the character is most likely a reoccurring NPC.
For example, the DM may narrate a one-on-one scene with a player, asking them to make choices and work out the most sensible in-character decision. The DM has no need to do this with an NPC.
While structuring a story or adventure, a DM is entirely at liberty to contrive the plot so that an NPC is not present when they usually would be or protected by their usual equipment, or just unlikely. It would be railroading to force a PC into that situation. That also means if a DM writes their favourite NPC out of a scene or adventure, to enhance the drama for their players, that they are using a reoccurring NPC rather than running with a DMPC.
Creative Commons credit: Les Miserables de Mousillon by SOLIDToM.
What do you think? Can a DM also have a PC? Let us know in the comments below.
I do not believe a DMPC is impossible. Situations where they exist is an environments where DMs rotate. Some people, one DM handles the crunch better, and the other handles political intrigue better, and so they might switch during the game while they share notes on story and such behind the scenes. Should one of them just sit out playing candy crush while they wait their turn? Also, your suggestion to pass to another DM is not always an option. For the longest time, my group, I was the only one even willing to commit to DMing, and as I… Read more »
What’s the difference between this and a reoccurring NPC?
Intent really and investment. An NPC is often just a stat block with enough background to create flavor or add to the story as needed. The DM toon is a character that has the full development, and is meant to exist as an element outside of the structured story/plot, but able to influence and by influenced by the plot (like PCs). I am never going to say that all DMs can or even should run one… but I do sincerely believe and see a difference between the two, and see nothing wrong with them. I think the only time they… Read more »
I think that’s a good definition. In my own experiences (and perhaps I’ve been lucky) my GM/DM puts as much energy into every named NPC as any other. I wouldn’t dare call any just a stat block We’re blessed with whole casts of interested characters. We might become enemies with some. Recruit others. Be hired by some. We know their biases, their goals (or we think we do) and they’re likely reaction to bad news. I think if we wanted a one-shot with more action focus and less politics then I would recommend (exactly as you) a game like Frostgrave… Read more »