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Improv has "yes and" which is very important and a useful tool in GMing but also so is "no but" where you may not be able to give in to a player's wants but you can maybe redirect them to something more acceptable and fun.

Not just a GM tool. That should always be an X-card

wasnt a gm my last game, but yeah, and we all tried to keep things from going astray, but theres always that one self-important type, now we stopped playing, never went back, havent played since

But it effectively gave me a second set of spells, and yes, I WILL take 0xp for the encounter if I have to pull those out and win the "unwinnable" encounter. Or use as backup once I can do it w/o penalty. And thanks for the extra sill slots, sucker. 2/2

Addendum: When making PCs jump through hoops or imposing what you think are restrictions, be VERY careful that you don't give them more power in the long-run. Forcing one of my characters to effectively dual-class (1/2e rules) my mage class to go non-Vancian may have made me weaker for months 1/2

And always beware the rules lawyer who writes down and dates every GM ruling as precedent to cite later. Although the worst thing a GM ever gave me was entirely his own idea. He didn't realise how powerful it's be at high-level. Like dodging critical hits and fireballs. Unhittable glass cannon.

Oh man I’ve had to many players of that type. Always looking to derail the game if they don’t get their way. It just kills the desire to keep playing.

Plus when a DM says no, it really opens the door for players to get more creative and that’s how you make those great stories you want to tell years later 😊

It's okay — it'll all work out. don't worry. be happy.

I totally dedicate a Tenet of Directing to this in my Spielbook! This is a GREAT POST!

Yes to the no. Also, house rules/exceptions can change as needed.

I often tell GM's that if you want practice with handling disputes, conflicts, and problems, volunteer to run for teenagers! You'll get better at managing play and experience responding to curveballs (plus it's immeasurably rewarding). You learn to deploy empathy and kindness in hard rulings.

I should say that the reverse can also be true. If you deny and shut down everything the players do, they stop thinking they can do anything at all and check out of the game. As with all things, balance is the most important part of a successful game of D&D, and there's no one way to finding it.

My only caveat to this would be that "No" is a tool to be used sparingly. Save the nos for where they're needed, and have a reason. Communicate that reason. Be willing to work with the player to find a way they can be satisfied another way. ...and SOMETIMES, instead of "No," you should say "Leave".

yes indeed , we all should feel good about saying "hmm, you are describing a kind a game that i don't want to play" ... or ... "You are moving outside the scope of our session zero agreement"