Which is more important: DM, System, or Setting?

[ken-do-nim]

I've found that for me, the most important things in joining a game are in this order:

DM
System
Setting

In other words, if I hear that a DM who I happen to know is really good has an opening at his* gaming table, I'm there if I have the time, regardless of the specifics of what he's running.

*using masculine pronoun because I've only seen a female DM once ever

How about you?

[Kallisti]

1. DM
2. Setting
3. System

Really, a good DM is the key to a good game. You can't have a very good game with a poor DM.

Setting over system because I can adapt to new systems pretty quickly, and there are very few systems so bad that a good DM and good setting can't make them playable.

[Aron Times]

A good DM can make a bad system and a bland setting work. A bad DM can make a good system and a rich setting fail.

[Sstoopidtallkid]

DM
...
...
Setting
..System

Now, the issue is the three are interconnected. Certain systems require certain types of settings, and most DMs will play any setting with certain flavors. A WoD DM in D&D will probably still have pretty complicated and important politics, and a 4.x game has to be mid-to-high magic. But yes, DM is key. Anything else is second to that.

[AshDesert]

My order of importance is:

DM
Setting
System

I like trying out new systems and play the old familiars, and I haven't played a system yet that I actively disliked (a couple that simply weren't to my tastes, but still weren't bad), so the system isn't all that important to me.

Also, I'm a huge lore-whore. I love a rich setting, if only because it allows me to think of all sorts of new character possibilities, and I actually LIKE history (whether real of fictional). Plus, there are a couple of settings out there like Eberron that are just unbelievably cool to play in. But, overall, I like it the most whenever the DM or one of the people at the table actually has a good homebrew setting made, simply because it's completely new and isn't all over the internets.

And, of course, the most important element in any game is that you have a good DM (and players, I won't play a game of other people in it are known jerks). Most often I end up in the chair, however most of the guys in my local group are good at it too. A good DM can flesh out a boring setting with more detail (i.e. default DnD) and a bad DM can make a rich setting seem bland by just using the basic info and not delving into any of the details.

[Saph]

DM
...
...
Setting
..System

I'd agree with this one, and add another factor.

1. DM
2. Group
3. Setting
4. System

Really, if I like the DM and the group, I'm willing to put up with just about anything else.

[Jarawara]

1. DM
2. Group
3. Setting


I don't even put System on the list. Heck, my online game pretty much ditched 'system' years ago, and we've been doing fine.

I do consider Setting to be important (so it's a close third, not a distant third). The wrong setting just makes for a dull (or too bizarre) game for me.

The only change I'd consider making to the list above, is that perhaps Group goes first over DM. Or maybe they're equal. Or maybe, they only work when Group and DM match up well together. If they don't match, Fail occurs.

[Tackyhillbillu]

1. DM
2. Group
3. Setting
...
4. System

[ken-do-nim]

You guys are all awesome. I just happen to know lots of people where you say you are running version x of D&D and they are like, "When do I show up" and then you say you are running something else and they don't want to come.

[Starbuck_II]

I've found that for me, the most important things in joining a game are in this order:

DM
System
Setting

In other words, if I hear that a DM who I happen to know is really good has an opening at his* gaming table, I'm there if I have the time, regardless of the specifics of what he's running.

*using masculine pronoun because I've only seen a female DM once ever

How about you?

DM and setting kinda go hand in hand, but yeah, my order:
DM
System
Setting

[oxinabox]

DM
System
Setting

If your got the DM right, then He Will make an awesome setting, therefore it's not really a factor.
If the DM isn't good enough to make an awesome setting, then well it's a hard choice, but i would say io want a system thats good, so it's not to tough onm the poor dm.
then again, not beingable to make a awesome setting doesn't imply you can't deal with complex systems

[Lvl45DM!]

Group
DM





That is all
Seriously the group makes the game for me as a DM and me as a player. If all you do is throw orcs at us yes it wont be as a good as it could be but a great group will overcome that

[Volos]

System
DM
Setting

In my opinon, a great DM can't make a crappy system work. That doesn't mean I don't like how he works, it just means I can't have fun with a crappy system. Disclaimer: I have played alot of D20 and D10 systems and a couple of Tri-Stat games, I haven't played a system I haven't liked... but I've heard horror stories. So for me, System is paramount. That being said, I'm very open to almost any system. I just rather avoid bad homebrew rules or broken systems. I roleplay for the interaction and story more then min/maxing my character.
Having a skilled DM is my number two because there is no way a bad DM can make a good game, unless you like having a fractured storyline and badly matched encounters. I once had a DM who had us defend a walled city from an invasion from a Zombie army 15,000 strong at level 5. I think he was bored that day.
Setting is still important to me, but it comes in third because if you have a good system and a great DM, the setting doesn't matter as much or will fall into place as a result of good DMing.

[aje8]

DM-A good DM makes everything better
System
Group

[sentaku]

1. Group - the players make the game, the best DM with players that don't care makes a poor game.
2. DM - a good DM knows how to roll with the players.
3. Setting/System - these tend to complement each other, as you need a setting that supports the system and a system that works in the setting.

[Doc Roc]

DM and Group, System, Setting.

A good DM can make a stock setting tons of fun. A bad DM can ruin anything.
Likewise with a group.

A good system can make a stock setting vibrant, support your ideas elegantly in the mechanics, and supply you with fast and fun gameplay. A bad system can shatter an entire playgroup.

Setting....
I'm not a narrativist. I'm not a simulationist. I'm not a gamist. I'm a gamer. I will never know your world is interesting unless you make it interesting. I will never know it's dull unless you make it dull.

[Pika...]

I've found that for me, the most important things in joining a game are in this order:

DM
System
Setting

In other words, if I hear that a DM who I happen to know is really good has an opening at his* gaming table, I'm there if I have the time, regardless of the specifics of what he's running.

*using masculine pronoun because I've only seen a female DM once ever

How about you?

For me it is DM > Setting > System.

However, by setting I mean that the DM actually worked on it himself, hence there is originality and creativity involved. This is really the case sadly, so the default for me is DM > System.

[sofawall]

DM
System
Setting

I agree with this order.

[Akal Saris]

I'd say for me it's:

Group
DM
System
Setting

Really, I've had very few DMs that I considered to be 'good', but it's still something that I find very important. If both the DM and group are good, I don't really mind the system or setting that much - if the DM and group are both unsatisfying, then I don't care if it's 3.5 Birthright, because it's not worth the time. I'm definitely a rules monkey though, so if it came down to a setting I liked or a rules system I liked, I'd probably go with the rules system.

[Draz74]

I'd say

1. Group
2. DM
3. Genre
4. ...
5. System
6. Setting

Within a genre, I tend to be ok regardless of setting. But some genres just turn me off.

[Jarawara]

I'm going to make a modification to my answer. I had listed DM before Group, though it was neck and neck. But actually, the answer depends on the exact wording of the question.

What I look for to have a good GAME?

1. DM
2. Group
3. Setting

With System a distance fourth, if at all.

But if I am looking for a good GAMING EXPERIENCE?

1. Group.

The rest is optional. In fact, some of my best gaming experiences came with DM's who were most pathetically underequipped for the job. Of course, part of the experience was talking about how goofy it was afterwards, but hey, as long as a group of friends had fun playing a game, what more do we need? We'll have fun telling the tale of how the DM misunderstood the flying rules, ruled that dispel magic is permanent, railroaded us into talking with the orcs, then railroaded us into fighting the very same orcs, then misinterpreted the flying rules *differently*, because he wanted his DMPC to fly even after the dispel magic had been cast.... yeah, memories like that still bring a smile to my face.

You see, I am one of those types that can tolerate the bedlam in the background, if I can concentrate on a good game in front of me. I've even had bad groups, but with a good DM (including a good story), I can have fun, and ignore the idiots around me. But while that is a good GAME, it's hardly a good gaming experience. To have the gaming experience, to have the fun night, the group is the most important thing. The DM... meh. He's just the guy at the end of the table. He's optional.

Of course, if I actually have the good group, *and* a good DM, then I'll enjoy a good gaming experience, as well as play a good game. Two for the price of one, Bonus!

[Gralamin]

DM >> System == Setting
I adapt to different Systems and settings easily, but its the DM that makes the game. If I were to include Group, it'd be...

DM == Group >> System == Setting

Now, despite that, there are some Systems and Settings I dislike playing in (Pathfinder and Forgotten Realms, for example), and those can ruin games for me. However, the wrong DM or the wrong group can wreck it a lot more easily, and thus the ordering.

[AslanCross]

I think a good group will typically follow having a good DM. The players may be quirky and all, but a good DM can help the group gel despite their differences. Now there are times when a group's habits become untenable; a good DM will know when to back out.

I think both system and setting will depend on the consensus of the players and the DM. I think it will ultimately depend on the DM to choose the appropriate system and setting that will meet the players' expectations.

That said, I find that the system will be more important than the setting. Setting is mostly just a matter of taste, and as such I think it goes last.

[Dienekes]

You guys are all awesome. I just happen to know lots of people where you say you are running version x of D&D and they are like, "When do I show up" and then you say you are running something else and they don't want to come.

I feel your pain. I have a player who only plays Star Wars campaigns.

Not sci fi, just specifically Star Wars. So when we made a separate date for a Star Wars campaign he effectively ditched our fantasy group only showing up on Star Wars days.

oh and as for the ratings
1) GM (it's always me, so I'm biased)
2) Group
3) Setting
4) Decent space to play
5) Amount of caffeinated beverages and snacks available
6) Access to an actual map and miniatures
7) System (I never got people getting fussy over systems. I don't personally like 4E at all but if my group was playing it I'd go and have fun. But then, I've never played in the system that shall not be named, so maybe it can have an impact if bad enough)

[Book Wyrm]

1. Group
2. DM
3. System/Setting

I have had good settings and DM experiences ruined by bad groups. While quirky is okay, and maybe this is just me, there are just some roleplayers out there that annoy me to no end and I just can't stand to be around.

DM needs to be good, but poor DMing can be mitigated by the quality of the group and system/setting.

System and setting kind of go hand in hand for me, but system definitely wins out. Its like playing a bad video game. Even though the to graphics may be phenomenal and the story entertaining, if the mechanics don't work it makes it really hard to continue beating yourself against a wall to get to the end of the game. That said, a poor setting can be just as boring, so like I said system and setting are even for me.

[taltamir]

a good DM usually has their own houserules, table rules, and setting.
The setting/system are important, but are interconnected with the DM anyways.

A good group and a good DM are the most important things.

[Temet Nosce]

DM
System
Setting

I can and have had fun in games playing in settings I was not that fond of, it's hard to have fun when the DM is bad (bordering on impossible) and some systems can just ruin my game.

[MichielHagen]

A DM and a group are most important.

But a poor system without smart houserules might ruin my game, but that is a personal problem of mine, i have trouble dealing with stupid rulings ;)
Besides that, an unknown system might be problematic too.
One: it costs time to make yourself familiar with it.
Two: if it a new system for the whole group, a lot of in-game time is lost because of it.
The setting is of no issue to me, i actually enjoy changing settings once in a while, but a familiar one also has it's plusses.

[Raum]

1: Group. With a good group of friends you can have fun doing almost anything. Even being railroaded through the Tomb of Horrors, should it come to that.

A distant 2: System / GM. Mostly because these are the two items which most easily interfere with fun. But see #1 - when the group is right you can have fun in spite of (or even because of) poor systems or GMs.

I suppose that leaves setting as #3, but when the first two are good it's not going to matter much.

I've played or GMed a lot of different games. Some with experienced GMs, others with GMs making their first attempt at running a game. I've had fun at every one...except when there were issues within the group. So pick your friends carefully and have fun!

[Kiero]

System
GM
Setting

My GM is really good. But I'm still dreading the prospect of returning to our original game, WFRP2e because I hate the system that much.

I categorically don't have fun with any system I don't like, it sucks the enjoyment out of the game every time I have to make contact with it to resolve something.

There are still a host of settings I have no interest in, but that tends to be much lower down the order of priorities than the other two.