Benevolent GM stance

[Enrahim]

A reasonable ask so I will back off. @Ruin Explorer also reasonably answered me although points were raised I would otherwise dispute or clarify but will not do so to respect your request.

I think if the conversation is working under the assumption that the term GMPC is bad, that what you describe can be aptly be called a friendly npc, then a more general clarification on where the line between these go might be reasonably within the scope of what I envisioned in this thread. From the direction Ruin Explorer's answer just after my request was taking, I think it might go in a constructive direction. So for me, feel free to ask for clarificarions

 

[Theory of Games]

Anyone else having thoughts and experience around this? Is there for instance any context where you feel like you feel you are sufficiently constrained so you can really let lose to try to help the PCs, the same way you wouldn't hold back with a prewritten adversary with no (T)PK risk?

This is bad on all levels. Just as bad as the Adversarial GM. Why? Because in both cases the GM is in full control and the players are just bystanders. This is exactly why GMs have been instructed since the very beginning of the ttrpg hobby to be "neutral referees" of the game. GMs are not supposed to pick a side. We run the campaigns and stay in the middle of PC-NPC-Monster disputes. All we do is make sure the rules - as defined by the GM or group - are followed so no one has an unfair advantage. Because if GM Soccer-Mom goes out of their way to protect and aid the PCs, why are the players even there?

IMO The players need to succeed or fail on their own.

 

[Laurefindel]

Because if GM Soccer-Mom goes out of their way to protect and aid the PCs, why are the players even there?

IMO The players need to succeed or fail on their own.

Benevolent DM goes out of their way to make sure the players enjoy their game, catering to a crowd that isn’t interested in random deaths and killer dungeons.

Adversarial DM says I’m playing against you.
Referee DM says I’m playing for you.
Benevolent DM says I’m playing with you.

There’s a crowd for all three styles. All three need to bring out their A-game to be successful. They’re just playing slightly different games with focus on different goals. And like in all things, all three types are naughty word if you crank the dial all the way up to broil.