No, Your GM Is Not Cheating (Unless They Are)

Is your GM cheating? Let’s settle the debate once and for all. Rule Zero, a philosophy that informs many TTRPG rulesets - from D&D to ShadowDark to Dungeon Crawl Classics to Pathfinder, is at the heart of our discussion. Use code ShortRest for 10% off The Wandering Tavern: https://hatdbuilder.com Join the Adventurers Guild on Patreon: https://patreon.com/shortreststudios GM “cheating” might not be what you think. We’ll explore what Rule Zero really means, why GMs adapt rules, and how this creates a more fun, dynamic experience for everyone. Plus, we’ll break down the rare occasions when a GM might actually cross the line and how to recognize it. If you’re a player curious about your GM’s behind-the-screen decisions or a GM looking for encouragement, this video is for you. Stick around for examples from D&D, Dungeon Crawl Classics, ShadowDark, and more, plus a deep dive into what makes a game fair versus fun. More ways to support Short Rest Studios! ========================== Our website: https://shortreststudios.com ========================== Join the Discord! https://discord.gg/yXty9bzu ========================== Shop D&D, DCC, Jud's video equipment and more in on our Amazon storefront: https://www.amazon.com/shop/shortreststudios ========================== Get 10% off at Into the AM: https://intotheam.com/shortreststudios ========================== Get 5% off at Zyltech: https://www.zyltech.com/?aff=138 ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ 00:00 Intro 00:25 Can Your GM Cheat? 01:55 Rule Zero Examples 03:12 You GM Is NOT Cheating 04:20 How to Know if Your GM is Cheating (It's RARE!) 04:40 Cheating Behavior 1 05:11 Cheating Behavior 2 06:05 Cheating Behavior 3 06:46 Give Each Other the Benefit of the Doubt