Brain Drain Friday: The GM's Superpower - "I Don't Know (Yet)"

Hey everyone,

It's another Brain Drain Friday, and this time, instead of the usual soul-crushing shopping trip, I'm down for the count with some sort of delightful cold or flu. Luckily, no shopping was involved in acquiring this particular brand of misery! As you can imagine, my brainpower for complex topics is pretty limited today.

So, I wanted to share another one of those super simple, yet incredibly effective, tips for my fellow Game Masters – especially those of us who embrace the "lazy GM" lifestyle or just find ourselves occasionally overwhelmed. Today, let's talk about the underrated superpower of saying: "I don't know (yet)."

It's Okay Not to Be Omniscient

As GMs, there's often this pressure (sometimes self-imposed) to have an immediate answer for everything. Players ask an obscure lore question, they go wildly off the planned path, or they want to know the exact lineage of the third goblin from the left. It can be tempting to just make something up on the spot.

But here's the secret: blurting out a poorly thought-out answer can often cause more problems down the line (plot holes, inconsistencies, or just plain silly outcomes). Saying "Hmm, that's a really interesting question/situation. I don't have an immediate answer for that right now," is not a sign of failure; it's actually a smart move.

Why "I Don't Know (Yet)" is Your Friend:

1. Buys You Precious Time: This is the biggest one. It gives you a moment to breathe, think, consult your notes (if you have any relevant ones!), or even just jot down the question to ponder later. No more painting yourself into a narrative corner with a hasty fabrication.
2. Maintains Consistency: A thoughtful answer next session (or even after a short break) is far better than contradicting something you've already established in the world.
3. Reduces GM Pressure & Burnout: You don't have to be a walking encyclopedia of your world, especially the bits you haven't focused on. Acknowledging you'll address it later takes a load off your mind.
4. Can Lead to Better, More Integrated Answers: With a little time, you can come up with an answer that ties into existing plots, player backstories, or even subtle hints the players themselves have dropped. Sometimes, the best ideas come after the immediate pressure is off.
5. Can Build Intrigue (If Used Right): Sometimes, instead of a flat "I don't know," you can say something like, "That's something your character would have to investigate further to find out," or "The answer to that is currently shrouded in mystery..." This turns your lack of an immediate answer into a hook.

How to Use It Gracefully:

• Be Honest & Confident: "Good question! I actually haven't fleshed out that specific detail yet. Let me make a note, and I'll have an answer for you by our next session."
• Offer to Resolve It: "Let's pause on that specific point for now, and I'll clarify how that works after the break/next game."
• Turn it Back (Sparingly & Appropriately): If it's something subjective or character-knowledge-based, you might ask, "Interesting. What does your character think or assume about that?" This can be good for minor details but shouldn't be used to offload your core GM responsibilities.
• It's Not an Excuse for Zero Prep: This technique is for handling the truly unexpected, the deep dives into obscure minutiae, or when players go in a direction you couldn't have reasonably foreseen. It's not a replacement for general preparation and knowing your main plot points.

Embracing "I don't know (yet)" allows you to be more flexible, less stressed, and ultimately, can lead to a more coherent and engaging game world. It’s a key tool in the "lazy but smart" GM's arsenal.

Hope this helps you feel a bit more empowered next time your players throw you a curveball and your brain is feeling as foggy as mine is today! Stay healthy out there.

As always,
Michael Garcia a.k.a. TheCrazyGM