Our principles are by no means an exhaustive list of all the great tips and advice you can rely on to run better games, and we only could touch on each so briefly! We'd love to hear YOUR principles for how YOU run great games, too! We have a LOT more to say about improvisation, game prep, managing social issues at the table, and using the rules well. If you'd like to hear us talk more in detail about one of these principles and the tips and tricks that go along with it, please leave a comment to let us know!
@HundredYearsBoar
6 жыл бұрын
I’ve never thought about outlining guiding principles for myself as a DM, at least that I know of. Very good list! I’ll be using most of them for my next campaign
@DragonSlayerRob
5 жыл бұрын
Thanks guys, ran my first session last week, will be taking these tips to make the next sessions better and better for my players!
@erelat
5 жыл бұрын
Embracing player creativity is great, just gotta turn into that wave because at first I resisted my best laid plans not panning out as anticipated.
@Damnationization
4 жыл бұрын
Are you two a couple?
@sonniehobbs121
4 жыл бұрын
I literally have a suggestions chat that my players can suggest what they would like to see or do in the world. So far I've gotten fights with vampires and just a chill day where they get really drunk throughout the whole session. That's how I get to know my players at least lol.
@gnomad42
6 жыл бұрын
Most of these principles are the same ones I was taught to become a teacher. They work for a lot of circumstance, not just D&D.
@michaelsorensen7567
5 жыл бұрын
D&d is life. Dm you have to relationship counsel, healthy managing, cooperative effort, morality coaching....
@donm6552
4 жыл бұрын
I did have an explosion in high school chemistry ...
@Ricaxa
4 жыл бұрын
Me too as a teacher and dm
@jonathanbabcock9177
3 жыл бұрын
There's a psychologist i think Ohio University? Who suggests DND to be a tool to rehabilitate prisoners. Implement proper de-escalation, anger management, social practices. Honestly... I think most humans would benefit from improving conflict resolution skills
@michaelball2529
3 жыл бұрын
Especially the "just add an explosion"
@1B1ueyedwo1f
5 жыл бұрын
DM: "You come to a bridge with a man standing on it." New Player (joking to the other players): "What are the chances it's actually like, a demon or something?" DM: "As you approach, the man holds out his hand and says, 'One gold and you may pass. Refuse and I'll turn into a Balrog." New Player: "Uh-huh, right." Other Players: "Dude...he's got a Balrog figure." This has since become a common encounter. We always pay him.
@Lionrhod212
5 жыл бұрын
Recently I've been playing a derivative of the game with an old-school DM that he calls 50/50. Basically in any scene there's a chance that something will happen. Dice get rolling and it could be bad or good. After you begin to follow the concept as a player, you start suggesting, "What's the chance that...(something beneficial)" But that can go horribly wrong if the dice say that your saviours are the bad guys.
@Immortal_Mentor
Жыл бұрын
BALOR.. Balor.. lets not start this lawsuit again 🤣🤣🤣🤣
@_bats_
6 жыл бұрын
You guys touched on the video several times but I think it deserves to be its own principle: never lock content behind a single die roll, or make problems that only have a single solution. I've seen games grind to a halt because of stuff like this and it's frustrating for everyone. One more I might add: never take away a player's agency. I don't like to describe how player characters feel, or narrate them doing something that they didn't explicitly say they did.
@esoterra1024
5 жыл бұрын
Colville mentioned in one of his Running the Game videos that he always builds three completely different ways of figuring something out. That way if players fail a dice role or don't notice your planned clue there's still a way forward.
@adriannelson4214
5 жыл бұрын
Exactly. The only exceptions to this that I can think of right now is when a character is under the Frightened condition or if they are making a roll for information. Other than that, what a character feels, thinks, or does, is up to the player (in my opinion).
@njflyersfan74
5 жыл бұрын
Agree with you so much ..wish I could give you more than one like on this. So true.
@Karajorma
4 жыл бұрын
The comment about agency is very important. The second the player doesn't feel any control over their character is the second they start wondering why they are even playing the game. Very little will grind a game to a halt faster than that.
@johngalt6752
4 жыл бұрын
I'll just support some of the commenters, when a character is magically influenced, let them play it. If they are not following through, step in and tell them that what they are doing is in violation of their condition/status.
@nettogames4268
5 жыл бұрын
This reminds me of something it says in the DM Guidebook. It mentions how the DM's goal isn't to beat the players, or help the players. Their goal is to create a memorable experience. They "Win" when the players have fun, and when the players are smiling.
@TriMarkC
4 жыл бұрын
Netto Games I agree!! I’ve been running a campaign for over a year now for 5-8 players. I started w a Session Zero (although I didn’t know it was that) to see what we’d all like to play together. We ran our game for 6-7 months, & wrapped up my initial ending where they fought a Predator & Artificer tag team and won. I asked players if someone else wanted to DM a new game and they said they really liked my world, keep going. That really amped me up! So next session, they’re magic macguffin went wild & pointed deeper into the caves. They followed, and fought the next level BBEG I had created, who called on a lava elemental, which ignited the volcano under the island. Terrain challenges, powerful minions, secondary but loved NPC captured by BBEG who escapes. And they’re still chasing him down today!
@wescbaker
6 жыл бұрын
1:00 0. Have fun 3:37 1. Know your players 6:48 2. Be consistent and fair 8:28 3. Foster a positive environment 10:51 4. Use the rules as a tool 12:30 5. Know when to roll the dice 15:53 6. Keep track of time 18:00 7. Be prepared...to improvise 21:31 8. Be forthcoming with information 25:00 9. Embrace player creativity 29:50 10. When in doubt...add an explosion
@MadHatter-cj8bh
4 жыл бұрын
I think you need to add 10:48 Don't be a dick
@bryantstone4673
4 жыл бұрын
thanks for the timestamps @Wes Baker
@lilyfae7197
4 жыл бұрын
2 is at 6:48 and 1 is at 3:37.
@ndowroccus4168
5 жыл бұрын
I love when (as a DM) the players choices ruin my gameplan. When the players decide to go against what I am trying to do (pre-planned story line) and forces my mind to go into automatic-improv! After all, improv is what the players are doing.. I’ve had a few groups where I could go in blind, and come out with a thrilling game and the urge from everyone to come back ASAP to continue the story (giving me time to polish up a good ending). Success from everyone contributing. Even once, when I thief stole a weapon and just half-heartily joked “I bet this thing is cursed” (poor cursed weapon), made everyone more intent on figuring out how to remove the curse (none had the spell). Just that change, from one player cracking a stale joke - created an entire campaign of sorts. To this day, there are still inside jokes told of some of those player-created campaigns/multiple sessions.
@TheDefirion
6 жыл бұрын
How is this channel not bigger? Started watching some videos that popped up on my feed yesterday and I already love the content and attitudes! Also I am a first time DM (on a formal setting anyhow) and love all the tips and ideas you guys share!
@johngard15
6 жыл бұрын
probably the lame name; no offense
@Shane-The-Pain
5 жыл бұрын
I think there is "character building" in the traditional sense when you wait for fame, fortune and glory. A misnamed enterprise can be more rewarding then the best, well-marketed concept.
@lightbornadventures
5 жыл бұрын
Agreed. And I actually like the name. Only so much word play you can do with 'dungeons' and 'dragons'. Much like their videos, its to the point and before watching my first video of them, I knew their vibe and exactly what theyre channel was about. Pretty effective if you ask me.
@berzerkbankie1342
5 жыл бұрын
I agree with everything the original comment says. Nothing wrong with the name either.
@Zerg41
5 жыл бұрын
Videos too long, hosts are verbally inefficient, no cuts to reduce speaking pauses
@noeldacosta7621
5 жыл бұрын
Wish I'd had this video back in the 80's >.
@mortisCZ
5 жыл бұрын
And me back in the late 90s. Every generation of DMs have find out how RPG works for them and players.😊
@cavalcantineto9857
6 жыл бұрын
Guys, seriously, I've been playing tabletop rpg for some years from now on, and for a couple months I've started reading the d&d core books so I can become the DM. You guys are amazing, always explaining everything in the best way possible and also presenting to us so many different things to improve our social experience as well as our RPG skills. Thank you so much for this channel. And see you next video!
@johnekare8376
6 жыл бұрын
Great tips! Thank you for sharing. The point on preparing problems and not solutions spoke to me especially. I remember one game where a player wanted to light some rubble on fire to smoke some baddies out and my response was ‘no, that spell doesn’t work that way’ - partly because the spell didn’t mention lighting things on fire and partly because my gut reaction was that it was ‘too easy of a solution’. After contemplating the situation after the game I realized how bad of a call that was, that basically stifled my players creativity. The next time I met my players I told them what I had realized and ’fessed up to having made a bad call.
@gnarthdarkanen7464
5 жыл бұрын
Integrity as a GM! You may never personally realize just how rare and special a commodity you have at your table for fostering that atmosphere of positivity... simply for "fessing up to a bad call". While there are SO FEW GM's ever willing to admit a misstep without some painfully obvious "evidence" like a Rules list in Canon, or similar, those few who can step up and say "my bad, guys... I FFFF'ed up." gain trust (so long as it's not a growing habit of FFFF'ing up) by admitting to shortcomings in the steady growth of a group of storytellers. ;o)
@njflyersfan74
5 жыл бұрын
Good principles most I've already been adhering to which was nice to see.
@EdgeNicx
5 жыл бұрын
How would you solve your situation in a way embracing the player's imagination? "You try to light the rubble on fire with your magic missile. The missile fizzles with a loud rumble as it sends the rubble flying to all sides. No fire is lit, but you hear activity from inside the cave. The commotion has attracted some attention. Roll for initiative." Something like that?
@HowtoRPG
6 жыл бұрын
I love the explosion as a principle.
@queenannsrevenge100
6 жыл бұрын
Raymond Chandler - “When in doubt have a man come through a door with a gun in his hand.” 😁
I'm a new DM whose going to be running the very first campaign in a couple of weeks. I, of course, have been doing all of this planning and what not to get ready. Part of that is trying to strike the balance between railroading and sandbox play. I'm terrified of the idea of them trying to go somewhere or do something that I haven't planned for or getting bored with me, the world or themselves. The explosion thing is a great idea. I also like thought of generating bad whether or some kind of town event to distract or prevent them from leaving a place to go somewhere that they shouldn't either cuz it will kill them or can't because I have no idea what or who is in the place they want to go yet! I'm also trying to find interesting ways to have NPCs that they have met come along to remind them of things they should or could be doing besides maybe shopping for curtains for their house that I have every intention of burning to the ground. 😃
@stevehoyle2802
6 жыл бұрын
love the empty boot. i had a tea pot in a witches house. they expected it to be magical so i let it magically brew the most refreshing tasting tea. didn't have any mechanical benefit but they kept trying to find out what it did
@tristanlapoint1798
5 жыл бұрын
I just found this video while preparing as a new DM. It's super helpful! You got yourself a new subscriber.
@DungeonDudes
5 жыл бұрын
Thank you!
@goblincleric4130
5 жыл бұрын
Also on improvising don't be afraid to say you didn't prepare that, esp as a new DM. I am running my first campaign and week one my players wanted to keep going past what I prepared. I told them "You see completely darkness down the stairs almost as if god had not yet created the next room" which got a laugh. Then we have a choice. 20 min intermission or leave off here. It had been over 3 hours so everyone agreed it was a good stopping point.
@dford4014
3 жыл бұрын
Did you prep a little extra next time? Sounds like you got some grinders playing, best to prep double!
@goblincleric4130
3 жыл бұрын
@@dford4014 legit this was so long ago I don't even recall what happened. but my players are the kind of people that will blast throuhg a mini boss in 3 rounds and then spend 2 hours taming a wild animal. They're hard to prep for and I love them.
@dford4014
3 жыл бұрын
Wild animals for 2 hours, Alex! Awesome!
@alecmullaney7957
3 жыл бұрын
@@goblincleric4130 my old group wasted a session where he had a friend come by as a DMPC for shopping, only for us to delay the fight with the helmed horror to a day where my level 2 ranger was the solo healer. Nobody died! But everyone hates the taste of goodberries at this point.
@TheFleahost
3 жыл бұрын
My players take it as a badge of honor if they throw me off by a weird decision they made. It doesn’t happen often so they are proud when they do it.
@adriannelson4214
5 жыл бұрын
Something that really grinds my gears is when fellow players just say "I roll for (for example) Arcana" instead of describing the actions they are taking and letting the DM decide when a roll is called for and which one. A typical example is also "Oh yeah one time I did this thing with this guy-" "INSIGHT CHECK!" instead of just "This seems a bit suspect. Do I believe them?"
@Gorbukoki
3 жыл бұрын
I think the best response to someone announcing what they are rolling for is the DM responding to the roll and not relating it to the situation at hand. For example: Player: "I roll arcana" ... Rolls dice ... "I rolled a 22" DM: "that's a pretty good arcana roll, you have a sudden vivid recollection of this passage you read in a book which discussed the possible negative side effects of mixing various potions, all of which has nothing to do with the situation at hand. Now what would you like to *do*?"
@windsgrace688
6 жыл бұрын
Somewhat related to #9 and something I learned in the first game I ever DM'd: If your players have some kind of plan, be sure to ask them to elaborate or explain their end-goal. It'll help the player understand what they really want from that plan/action and will allow you to help them achieve that goal. That way, there'll be little to no miscommunication.
@shivamutreja6427
5 жыл бұрын
I especially loved the last rule. I too always abide by the idea of focusing on truly what matters - the emotion of the scene, and keeping it exciting. Everything else follows.
@Wh173c0c0
5 жыл бұрын
Great video (as usual), guys. There are a lot of good points and good advice given here. I think that points 7 & 9 together can make for fantastic games/scenes. I was the same way when I started DMing (a book of notes, all the scenes planned out, etc.). I have tried kicking that habit over time and even though I always make sure to prepare a good adventure, I usually leave things open by just offering bullet points or possibilities instead of concrete outcomes. One of my favourite instances of this was when my players were searching out a white dragon. People in town claimed not to have seen it. One man said that only "Crazy Old Bill" truly claimed to see it (this was my way of following rule 6 and saving time. "Only a crazy guy saw it; just go up the mountain so you guys can do something fun today.") They engaged this though. Oh, no... No preparation here. Time to improvise! They get to Bill's house and find four scarecrows outside. Going in, they find a ragged robed man asking how they got past his " guards." He speaks what seems to be nonsense, mentioning an invisible beast riding the dragon (which was "hard to see"), the voices of people who don't know they are dead, and an evil jester. The players climb the mountain to find a nearly invisible (in the snow) yeti, sense what could have been banshees, and encounter their evil clown nemesis with the dragon. The four dead adventurers in the cave also happen to wield weapons identical to the ones the scarecrows had. The players had said, " I wonder if he's a divination wizard who fought the dragon and went crazy." Well, now he was. We made it canon that his party died there and all of his premonitions involving the party came true. All improvised because they suggested it. It ended up being a memorable scene and character and it was all because the players had agency to just try something. And as for borrowing from other media, our main story is basically my three favourite games as a kid, all mashed in to one, making a unique story. The players are taking their own direction with it too, so it is becoming a new story in its own right. I have really enjoyed this just because seeing characters from those games end up in new and exciting stories has meant that I get to evolve them beyond the scope of their original source. Sorry for the rant; it's my thing I do when something excites me and this video really got me thinking. = ]
@ethanbrooks2251
4 жыл бұрын
As a new player of DnD watching your videos is very helpful. Especially since several of the people in the game I am in want to do a second game so that the DM can have extra time to prepare. I was asked to come up with at least a one shot to DM for the group and had hit a brick wall when writing down ideas and how I wanted things to go. Watching a few of your videos has helped me tremendously and inspired me to build a world that I believe my friends will enjoy for a very long time. So thank you for the inspiration and advice that your videos have provided for me.
@natethetoe386
6 жыл бұрын
Thank you very much for talking about players that really like to stick to the rules. I am one of them. Inconsistent rulings by a DM make the game really hard for me to get into.
@poetwarrior7153
6 жыл бұрын
I thought something totally different when you first mention rule #4 rules are tools. Great point btw nothing slows a session down like endless rules debates. My version of rules are tools refers to using, especially the more tedious rules, only when they add to the adventure, story or the setting. I tend not to use the travel rules random encounters, rations, exhaustion, distance traveled per day if the players are just going from place to place in the same localized safe area. However, if they are exploring unexplored territory where figuring out how to survive is part of the adventure sure. Similarly I don't track spell components unless they are expensive but if the players are shipwrecked maybe I throw that challenge at the spell casters to figure out what spells they can scrounge the materials for. The rules are there to give you tools to work with to make the world challenging and fell real but if they aren't adding any value feel free to ignore them.
@DungeonDudes
6 жыл бұрын
YES! We completely agree. Use the rules that are USEFUL to you, that do the things you need them to do to build your game and creature structures for better storytelling. Rules are supports for a DM, not a straightjacket :)
@JadesnakeVA
3 жыл бұрын
I love there kind of video because I’m horrible at being descriptive of stuff and talking as a NPC. This has helped be become a little better at being a DM.
@ImaginaryJeremy
6 жыл бұрын
Great list of tips! There's a lot to dig into here and pull out for your games! Tip 7 especially, on improvising is essential!
@zerochi4970
5 жыл бұрын
I’ve been into D&D for a year now. I’ve only ever played as the DM. I’m still learning the rules and every once in a while I’ll run into a rule I don’t have much experience with so I make up a ruling on the fly. When I have time to really look at the rules to see if I was right it’s often been incorrect. With that, I struggle with consistency a lot. A ruling from a previous game won’t always be the same ruling the next time. It understandably frustrates people. I’m getting better the more time goes on though so i hope it’s a temporary problem.
@DungeonDudes
5 жыл бұрын
It is! Kelly here. I was a player for 5 years before becoming a DM and I had the same issue with consistency. The more you play, the more it sticks. Some games are better than others but generally each game I DM is a push in the right direction and I can feel me getting better and better.
@kyleoakley7708
6 жыл бұрын
Another great way to keep the dice rolling down, you can use passive checks as a baseline. Trying to lift up a 100lbs gate thats not locked for a character that has an 18 strength wouldn't be that difficult, so don't roll the dice.
@vincepale
2 ай бұрын
This is one of the best New DM videos ever. I know I watched it years ago, but just re-watching, makes me go, Yep, I'd tell a new dm that too.
@TheMusicSavage
6 жыл бұрын
Cracking video yet again. Absolutely love the fundamental points and very well explained! Also - so much respect for rolling out in the open. I do the same. Only reason I use a screen is to hide the minis until they come in to play (for effect) and for the useful tables on the DM side. Still producing unique and epic content guys keep it up!
@kokirikid817
2 жыл бұрын
Surprise is so important, and as the DM surprise is always when and how you want it. Never forget that you can spice things up at any time for any reason
@chainer8686
6 жыл бұрын
+1 immediate like for the early Sun Tsu reference. :D
@jonathanhallberg3009
9 ай бұрын
One thing I´d recommend a GM should do is to ask warmup questions just as the session is about to begin. Asking your players questions like "What is your characters deepest fear?", "What is your characters greatest regret in life?" or "Which of the other PCs does your character trust the most and which one does your character trust the least?" makes your players really think about things they may not have thought about before, which in turn helps everybody get into the game a little bit easier.
@rmsgrey
5 жыл бұрын
I have a couple of guidelines: A) Roll first, calculate second. B) Death must be earned. A) ideally, you already know (and have made a note of) the threshold values for likely die rolls - at a minimum, precalculate the combined modifier for a given monster's standard attacks rather than having a list of modifiers for base attack modifier, weapon modifier, modifiers from buffs they usually use, terrain modifiers for its home field, etc, that you then have to spend ten seconds adding up every time they attack. On the other hand, players will always do something unexpected eventually. At that point, rather than spending thirty seconds working out modifiers and figuring out what the system says they need to roll, get them to roll the d20. If they roll 15-20, it's probably a success; if they roll 1-10, it's probably a failure; if they roll 10-15, then you might want to actually calculate it. It's worth calculating things from time to time anyway just to check that your intuition is on target, but, in general, for well over half of rolls, you know, and the players know, whether it's a success or a failure the moment the die lands, without needing any calculations. If the threshold is too extreme (can only fail on a 1 or only succeed on a 20) then you probably shouldn't be bothering to roll anyway. B) Character deaths should count. A PC shouldn't die because a group of goblins couldn't miss while the PCs couldn't roll a hit to save their lives (literally). If players do something stupid, like charge into battle with an elder wyrm at first level, then, sure, let them die unless they can come up with a convincing alternative - and a deliberate heroic sacrifice is always awesome - but the PCs, the heroes of the story, shouldn't die by choking on their food, or in a random encounter designed to soften them up a little for the upcoming boss. If the PCs are going to die senselessly, then start cheating in their favour.
@ArtByKarenEHaley
Жыл бұрын
I agree 👍👍 If you can only fail on a 1 or succeed on a 20 you may as well be flipping a coin instead to move things along
@AmieWardArt
6 жыл бұрын
thank you so much for all your videos! I'm running my first D&D session in Tuesday and your channel has been key in helping prep for it!
@52392daner
Жыл бұрын
That was a big thing I struggled with for my first couple of sessions. I made my players roll dice way too often. Specifically for stealth in an area of a dungeon where they weren't near anything. I fixed it for future encounters like this by letting my players ask if they could and granting it to them if I thought it made sense.
@eaglesking497
6 жыл бұрын
The best dungeon I have ever designed was built upon player creativity. I built a dungeon of traps and rooms with strange puzzles in order to proceed. But I had not created a single solution for these rooms or traps. I knew what they did and how they worked, but I didn't know how to get past them. I decided that if my players attempted a solution, and it was believable and creative enough, I'd guide them to making it work. One of the paths dead-ended to a giant fish-bowl room with a massive goldfish swimming in it. After nearly thirty minutes of discussion one of the players spontaneously decided to jump in with the fish, so I said that it swallowed him. I told him separately that he felt a rush as he landed on the floor of another area in the dungeon, but the other players simply saw their companion eaten by a giant fish. Eventually they figured it out and everyone got through, but the panic and problem solving that occurred in the entire dungeon was amazing to watch.
@JWLuiza
5 жыл бұрын
Eagles King that sounds super fun.
@michaelryan3818
Жыл бұрын
My main principle for new DMs is fun is the priority. Fun is above the dice rolls, the rules, and whatever story you, the DM, are trying to tell. DMs win when the party has fun and comes back for more.
@scotthuff271
5 жыл бұрын
10:49 that needs to be a poster. #DontBeADick
@samiollikainen6259
6 жыл бұрын
I used to write massive "novels" to make GM notes. Just to have a plan how to act when players did X, Z or Y. I did it because i knew I was not good at improv. Those noted took work, but they did help me to create sessions that made sense and were enjoyable to everyone. Now a days I still do quite alot of notes (Maybe 2 - 6 pages for 4h - 6h session, mostly depending on the situation) but it's less than they used to be, and do include most of the monster stats for quick reference.
@benjaminfrost2780
6 жыл бұрын
Fantastic video guys. I couldn't agreed more with it. There are an unruly number of "tips" for DMs and some great places to look for it including right here.
@TalairanPerigord
4 жыл бұрын
Such amazing advice, thank you! One of the things I learned as an improviser on stage was to never say "no." That shuts down a scene and all of the potential that goes with it. Besides, PCs almost always zig when you think they are going to zag anyway, so I'm always prepared for them to go all "open world" on me. I love character-driven narrative, so let the players engage in their stories as much as I can. But there are always consequences. As for ripping off other material--DO! many of Shakespeare's plays were written from existing folk stories. The campaign I'm running right now is a weird fusion of an SCA Kingdom and the Hundred Years War. There's some good storytelling in that and lots of high drama!
@louishermann7676
4 жыл бұрын
"The Last of Us" gave me a beautiful, stark, and scary environment for my players to make it through last session. The God of Plants was making a ruckus, and had infected the beasts of the Land with cordyceps spores, making them into her numerous spies.
@briana208
6 жыл бұрын
10:47 i love you two:) Thanks as always for a well thought out and insightful video!!
@rynopsm
5 жыл бұрын
Great channel guys, just played/DMed for the first time and it went great. Thanks for all the awesome tips!
@dantertart5118
6 жыл бұрын
I would love to see a video about your favourite non combat magic items and useful tools to give to the players
@fhuber7507
6 жыл бұрын
Sword: Engraved "I am against Ethyl" ... Bearer can not get drunk. (does not cure someone who is already drunk) Useless effect in combat, but very nice for drinking contests.
@benmckee1122
5 жыл бұрын
4:15 THANK YOU for stating the kind of player I am! I was in a game for a while with some friends which was never really that much fun, and although there were a couple of the DM's and other players habits which kind of bothered me I could never put my finger down on one singular thing which made that game not fun! Now I think I get it.
@shanewalsh9644
6 ай бұрын
I used to spend far to long preparing epic moments and planning out resolutions to traps/problems. But you learn quick players mess every plan up with creativity. So now i prepare only problems, i have no idea what the solution is myself, its whatever the players decide to do, then i improvise from there. Trust yourself to roll with it
@FrenzyVidzHD
6 жыл бұрын
My tip, Fun yet very dark can be done. Certainly don't be scared of dark subjects. The players in the session I ran had a terrible sacrifice on a completely innocent NPC that was close to the players party and in turn gain a powerful ally. They sacrifice .. and people didnt see eye to eye on it but they were all hooked to see what happened next. By far an awesome twist. Loved the improv bit of this video... learned that my scripts are often adapted to suit the new situation.
@christopherdodds9435
4 жыл бұрын
You guys Rock! I love your Videos. I am a brand new DM and you Dungeon Dudes have all the answers to everything i need to know! Thank you so much guys
@SamWeltzin
5 жыл бұрын
"Don't be afraid to rip stuff off." I'm designing an entire campaign around the town/empire-building mechanics from Romancing SaGa 2. lol
@greatconfabulator
5 жыл бұрын
I rebuilt Dark Souls 2 with variations and it's running very well!
@leopoldjenkins
5 жыл бұрын
Binge watching these. Hugely useful and accessible
@tiberiusroot
6 жыл бұрын
Cracking content chaps! Brill!
@The1EyedK1ng
5 жыл бұрын
You guys are really helpful! First time dm here and you guys have a video on every one of my questions
@twitchster77
Жыл бұрын
My first session is today...and my dm (new to dm'ing) wants to start with Curse Of Strahd. I found out yesterday that, even though he owns the book on d&d beyond...he hadn't even read a single page in the book yet and had zero clues on any of the story or anything. He's had several weeks to prepare and I've asked him over and over if there's anything I can do to help him which he's declined. I'm just frustrated with him. I've done a crap ton of research and reading getting prepared for our first session...but he hasn't put any effort that I'm aware of at all. We'll see how the session goes. I might see what he, and the rest of our group, feels about running a simpler/starter adventure since we're all so new to the game and will be far easier to manage with less prep. I might eventually see if he'd be open to me dm'ing. I have more time on my hands to prepare for things, and maybe he's just feeling overwhelmed. I don't want to step on his toes though.
@leenewport1793
6 жыл бұрын
Great vid guys'. Im just getting back into D&D after a 30 year gap. Thanks for the advice.
@slEDgeire
5 жыл бұрын
Hi Lea Your not the only one getting in afte 3 decades. There are quite a few of us around. Some have never stopped.
@dsan05
5 жыл бұрын
Same! Just started dming my first group in 30 odd years. Going well, but I am way over preparing!
@lucasmarquesdecamargos4298
5 жыл бұрын
The overdescribing vs underdescribing is a good discussion. I have been reading a lot about minimalistic DMing, where you describe the minimum, and when players ask more about it, then you complement on that. Kinda like you're rendering the area in a videogame, only showing what it is important to players, rather than describing every possible room or street or area with 3 senses. There's even the possibility with mature players where they ask if there is, for instance, water in the cave, then the DM asks back, "Is there? Would you describe it?" and then players also get involved in describing tiny bits of the game world.
@dannyboy121889
11 ай бұрын
I love all of these videos! I just feel like Monty always implies that using a DM screen means I'm fudging dice rolls. I never fudge my rolls I use my screen to keep other stuff secret like minis notes maps and stat blocks
@ShirotoraGodsbane
6 жыл бұрын
I think the most important thing for DMs to remember is that in D&D the rules are really more of suggestions. Granted, they're very good suggestions and should be followed in most instances, but keep in mind that the rules don't always work. For example, the True Strike spell is all but useless. So, I do one of two things. First, I make it so it can target any ally within 30 ft and grant +2 to attack rolls, going up by an additional +1 each time cantrips 'level' so to speak, or I make it a 1st level spell and have it grant +20 to attack rolls. On a related note, another thing DMs should do is embrace homebrews, especially with abilities and spells. One of the coolest things is when every player has their own signature move, like a storm sorcerer that has a spell that launches them forward to attack with a blade made of pure lightning, slicing through every enemy in their way or barbarian that channels all their rage into a single strike, ending the rage early but delivering a massive blow.. Another thing players should think about is to include something in your character specifically for the DM to use if they choose. An example, a player in my campaign is a tiefling sorcerer that had a compass that didn't point north, only spun endlessly. It served no purpose, wasn't enchanted (that they knew) and was just a trinket. So, I used it as a means to lead them to her uncle, a pit fiend in service to Ormagoden, the god of reformed evil creatures where they learned she technically not a tiefling (though mechanically, she still is), but a quarter devil.
@joselazo9799
6 жыл бұрын
By the description of the True Strike spell and your changes, it appears you don't know much about spell and ability balance. Homebrewing is fine, but it is more effective if you don't marry yourself to an idea of a homebrew and let people playtest and criticize your changes and custom spells/races/classes/archetypes. Balance is important, unless you're playing some anime-esque game where a spell lunges you forward and lightning blades multiple enemies as a ranged caster. It can be seen as an ability that undermines the idea of melee combatants but also supplements a caster who wishes to fight in melee combat. Just make sure it fits in your world and the kind of game your players are looking for. There are many settings and tones out there for D&D worlds. I personally prefer more grounded old-school fantasy worlds, where sorcerers take time to cast spells and weave symbols, not throw their arm back creating a lightning blade and casting chidori.
@ShirotoraGodsbane
6 жыл бұрын
@@joselazo9799 I'm just giving examples for improving a nearly useless cantrip. My recommendations are to basically sacrifice your turn to take a ranged Aide action or make it a near certain hit at the expenses of a spell slot. What's not balanced? As it is, True Strike replaces two attack rolls and two possible damage rolls for two attack rolls and one possible damage roll and only for the caster. The only way it's useful is if you cast it just before combat begins, but that requires you to know exactly when it will ahead of time. Even a melee caster would have no use for this.
@joselazo9799
6 жыл бұрын
It negates disadvantage that has been placed on yourself, and combines well with bonus action attacks from combat/caster builds. Tweaking the wording to "Until the next round", "Bonus Action", or even allowing it to use your initial changes sound like a good idea. A cantrip that provides a +2 to hit to an ally within 30ft. Sounds good leave it as is. Having it scale by a +1 seems wholly unnecessary. Scaling damage, as the base game does, doesn't ruin the balance of health to damage in D&D. Adding to hit makes a far bigger difference as it can add 15-20% higher chances of landing hits (based on AC and chances to hit). Going beyond the initial +2 will see increased percentiles, though at diminished returns and I will explain why this is bad in the next section. a +20 to hit for a spell slot is ridiculous. +20 isn't a near hit, it is a certain hit. Only the strongest of monsters have 20+ Armor Class, and casting a low level spell to have a 90%+ to hit this powerful creature is ridiculous. Allow me to give you an example. Armor Class has its own to-hit% chance, this is calculated into the monsters health and longevity in battle. Adding more points of AC to buff it can make the monster last 2-3 more rounds longer than it should. This burns through additional resources and allows the monster to punish players. If this is a consistent change to monsters, than the issue stacks. Adding health can do something similar though in a smaller scale. Now if your players have a way of landing a certain strike 100% of the time you must take into account the party's resources. Do they have Dragon Slaying weapons? how about undead killing weapons? maybe a hammer that smites constructs or a ranger who specializes against humanoids. A paladin who can pour his smites and damage into one hit or a ranger who Sharpshooters, + his favored enemy damage. Or a rogue whose sneak attack is 4d6 additional damage? The fact that the hit is no longer dependent on a % chance to hit means this overly empowered ability doesn't have a chance of failing, that the players pour their power into a gamble or attempt to succeed quickly is no longer a chance, but a sure hit. A scary CR 9 dragon can have 150 hp~. Dragon Slaying Greatsword 3d6 + 2d6, +5 from the Paladin's Str, + 4d8 from Divine Smite, + 3d6 from Thunderous Smite, +10 from Great Weapon Feat, and gods forbid he has additional damage buffs from his allies such as a Valor Bard's Inspiration or a casters Haste. He has a chance of missing this huge hit, especially with a -5 to hit... so not taking into account a Natural 1, he has his +4 from Proficiency, + 5 from Strength, and +15 from the spell granted onto him. +24 to hit. This CR 9 Blue Dragon has 18 AC. The paladin has to roll a Natural 1 to miss. 8d6 + 4d8 +10 (Average: 28 + 18 + 10 = 56 damage / Highest: 48 + 32 + 10 = 90 damage). Now let's keep in mind your description is "have it grant +20 to attack rolls." So further extra attacks would also have +20. If this was a fighter with 3 or more attacks, or a monk with 4 or more strikes? Imagine if it's a caster who casts lvl 5 Scorching ray (12d6, Average = 42 [84 crit] / Max = 72 [144 crit]) or a level 5 Storm Sphere. This is not taking into account a Sorcerer's Quickened Spell or an Evocation Wizard's Minimum damage increase, or even the feats that ignore resistances. If the paladin Nat 20's? smites multiply as the wording on their abilities are "extra damage" 112 damage on average 180 damage on max. In 1 turn this "challenging dragon" would be dead or damn near it. One could argue situations, alterations, stat additions, etc., But we aren't arguing hypothetical but raw logical numbers... in other words balance. A +20 breaks the game, hands down.
@ShirotoraGodsbane
6 жыл бұрын
I see what you mean about the cantrip version. I can agree with that. However, as for the level 1 spell version, it would only apply to a single attack. I apologize for not being more clear. Perhaps it would include another attack for each spell slot after the first, but that would be it. And really, this would only be effective against a monster with a very high AC and that is resistant or immune to most, if not all, the caster's spells. This would be very niche, but effective enough that it would see use. As for the +20, honestly, I'm basing it on the 3.5 version and haven't really had a chance to playtest it, yet, but I can see your point, as well. +10 would be fair, I think, or a +5 to all attack rolls until the end of their turn as a 2nd level spell. Maybe a +2 for 3 turns, even. I'd have to do some test runs to see what would work best. Still, my point is that some of the spells and rules, as they're printed, are not very good and that DMs should be open to tweaking them to fit their campaign and their players' playstyle. True Strike is one is those spells that have far too little use to be a good pick.
@joselazo9799
6 жыл бұрын
I agree completely, tweaking spells should be available. Why not turn fireball into an iceball etc. To fit the flair of a player character. I personally wouldn't but why not. Even though I agree with a spell like True Strike, tweaks should be made because it itself isn't very good. Some spells that may not appear good on the surface have very different rules governing their balance. It is important to look at all aspects before freely tweaking a spell.
@GMCiaramella
6 жыл бұрын
You guys are awesome... so earnest and considerate of your viewers. I am SO going to follow you guys from here on out. Tell me, are you excited at all about Pathfinder's upcoming 2nd edition?
@DungeonDudes
6 жыл бұрын
I’ve personally only done a little bit of research in to it and it sounds really cool, my heart belongs to 5th edition due to the ease, in my opinion, of being able to DM off the cuff. As a player I enjoyed both. I’m interested to see what it will be like - Kelly
@johnathanrhoades7751
4 жыл бұрын
The best example of "be forthcoming with information" was when the party was in a house and the DM neglected to describe a front door without realizing it. The party ended up cutting a hole through the wall to get out when in the DM's mind the party had gone crazy-ignoring the door that she had just never described :)
@doomdoot6731
6 жыл бұрын
> "As a dungeonmaster everything you say, every word that comes out of your mouth, is imbued with significance." Can we get this PSA out to all the players out there? Especially that one Warforged Paladin talking to a literal god-machine in a factory in heaven, choosing not to interact at all? Or the players not taking the third hint that something about a situation might be fishy? In general I think this point very much only really applies if you can be sure your players are actually paying attention. I've had multiple occasions where I described a scene to my players and they ended up ignoring things I thought were rather obvious clues at to where I'd like them to go next. For an example, I've had the typical "disappearing villagers" set-up in my campaign, and the party arrived at the shoreline to an almost vacated village. After a short bit of investigation, they find someone willing to tell them the people actually set sail to the other shore off to the west, trying their luck there. Arriving at the other shore, the party discovers a second, mostly vacated village where the elder just tells them that his people have set out to the island off to the east, making multiple offers to actually take them to said island. I personally found it rather obvious that something was fishy in that scenario, and I know that I as a player would have definitely chosen to investigate further. Apparently I caught the wrong table for use of Chekhov's gun though, since they declined every offer of safe passage (at the price of 4gp might I add) and decided the mystery was solved already. Now, to be clear, I'm not complaining that my characters derailed the idea I had for my plotline, and I don't really think there's anything wrong with players deciding to not go after a mystery. What bugs me though, is that I constantly run into similar issues (especially in combat) where I describe something, and people just entirely disregard what I described - especially relevant when they got locked in a forcecage once. I've already sat down and actually told my players that I'm not just describing details for my own enjoyment, but I've yet to actually see the players take the hint. If it's not a hidden lever/button or a child hiding under a desk, it feels like the players barely pay attention to even major details sometimes. Guess that's where it ties back to principle 1 then.
@LockSteady
6 жыл бұрын
The whole "the people are gone go over there" then "nope not here, they went over there" thing -- sounds frustrating even when you listed it out in the span of two seconds in this post. I'd happily just waltz off the map of confusing nonsense you setup and find a dungeon to explore instead. Half because if my DM did that I'd be pissed off, and half because it just sounds like way too much roleplaying and not enough combat or excitement. Don't forget that a lot of players have a hack&slash mentality, if you don't feed them the kind of encounters they like, they're going become disinterested, and at worst may even become resentful. Like: "Oh god, yet another boring series of roleplaying encounters that leads nowhere." Point is, know your players, and learn what to feed them. As DMs we're there to entertain them.
@michaelsorensen7567
6 жыл бұрын
Overlord IV what are the odds that if they went to the island there would be yet another mostly abandoned village... Perhaps instead have the elder deny any knowledge of what's going on or throw up a lame excuse, then send a gang of goons to take out the prying adventurers to conceal his schemes.
@whisperinwind87
5 жыл бұрын
So it's not that my dm main party filled character (three people group) has more importance and more total focus then my character?
@arcanavoresmanavault2637
4 жыл бұрын
Ahh an oldie but a goodie.
@CrimsonSlug
3 жыл бұрын
Stealing ideas can work really well. In a Feng Shui game I was running I managed to rip off the first 3 Die Hard movies and it was great.
@hyserbomb
5 жыл бұрын
If you are watching this and have not seen their weekly sessions of Dungeons of Drakkenhiem. Please go to their channel, and watch them put these principals in action. It is a fantastic campaign, their characters development is awesome, and Monty is a great DM.
@andybrown629
6 жыл бұрын
We were always told that DM is God. So if there's ever a disagreement, you just say, "Well, God said so."
@Justiciar1284
5 жыл бұрын
The number one cause of Player atheism. ;)
@Lionrhod212
5 жыл бұрын
@@Justiciar1284 Well said! Yes the DM is God, but if he's a dick of a god, who is going to play with him?
@treevenewson
3 жыл бұрын
Our 'Best' gaming sessions were those that happened on the fly with everyone improvising and flying by the seat of our pants.
@chukyuniqul
4 жыл бұрын
I'm not a creative environmental storyteller, usually there's just about the things that I'd think relevant. So what do I do? I describe that to the player, and then ask "what else do you see?" And then they will describe things with more detail than I could hope.
@killerkost666
4 жыл бұрын
Rule 11: Foreshadowing. Show, don't just tell. Not only does this give your players the "aha" or "oh damn" moment when they connect the dots, but it also gives them a fair chance to handle the situation. If there is a dragon in your low level campaign to serve as a general threat or IQ test for your players, give em hints about it's power level, because if you play with unexperienced or new players, they might think "hey, if it's in the campaign then we are supposed to be able to defeat it right?". It is your fault as the DM as well when your players think they can take on a dragon at lvl 4, because you didn't foreshadow it's devastating power correctly. Have your players win a hard fight against some enemies that they really struggle with. And then describe how they witness the dragon obliterate an even greater amount of the same types of enemies with a single breath or something like that. If after that your players still think that it's a good idea to visit the dragon's lair, well, you can TPK them without any remorse now, because they failed the IQ test of your low level campaign.
@andyf4292
5 жыл бұрын
the 'point notes ' thing... I did that,, high level campaign, big plot was the Drow were going to try to put the sun out with a gigantic cold 'wand'... so they were gathering the materials etc, the pcs wasted their time on shopping quest, getting wizards to craft items etc, meanwhile the Drow were continuing their quest,, so One day, the PCs were rudely interrupted by the weirdest storm anyone have ever seen, as an iceage began ..because the sun is way too far away < but the Drow didn't know that> .. so the Drow basically rendered themselves extinct by dumping a lot of liquid atmosphere on themselves,,
@somewhatsuicidaliguess
4 жыл бұрын
God, I'm going to run my first campaign as a DM this weekend and I'm so nervous I think I'm about to throw up. I mean, I fell prepared enough, and improv wasn't a problem for me until now, but I'm just so nervous, that I'm pretty certain that I will sit at the table in a few days and my mind will just go blank the moment I want to start
@Deltamedic68w
3 жыл бұрын
I’m a big fan of reducing the amount rolls by, taking a 10, on a roll for non stressful checks. That threshold typically has success when played by the right character. I do a spin-off of critical failure rolls where the failure might actually still work in the favor of the players. After a natural one, I have the players roll D20 again. Getting a 15 - 19 gets a result that is clumsy, but still somehow favorable, a secondary 20 roll might be something like, you missed the intended target but strike the enemy next to him. Where as a 2 - 5 will give a typical critical failure complete with an attack of opportunity, a 1 is really bad, player could drop their weapon, and up prone, hurt themselves, break a mundane weapon. A 6 - 14 ends up being a simple automatic miss regardless of enemies armor class or DC. A misjudgment in their tactic. Also, I couldn’t agree more about a player demolishing the DM’s plan. Make it obvious they outsmarted you too. I once made the mistake of giving a book of useful items (spin-off of cloak of useful items) to the Bard during the salvage operation in ghosts of salt marsh, and he used up all the ladders to combat the listing ship and make the checks easy.
@Benny_101
4 жыл бұрын
I think the best way to go is not creating a specific route your players must follow. Remember, you're not writing a book, so the players will not fall 100% where you want them to fall. Instead, try to imagine a basic plot like "A guard captured an orc, and it tells of an imminent invasion", and meanwhile, while this is happening, add subplots "NPC X is secretly working for the orcs", and "NPC Y is a noble, and thinks this whole talk is rubbish". It will require a lot of improv around your part, but having just a centered idea keeps you flexible, while giving your players the opportunity to unfold it as they feel like it
@LancarVieira
4 жыл бұрын
favorite video from you guys!!!
@justprophet5387
3 жыл бұрын
This was a really awesome video
@kilgoretrout7389
6 жыл бұрын
Great t-shirt mr. Kelly
@DungeonDudes
6 жыл бұрын
Why thank you! - Kelly
@seanballantyne5686
6 жыл бұрын
I embrace a philosophy that the DM is the Referee, not an Adversary. I've played many (too many) games where there's an adversarial bent from the DM, and they're actively out the beat the players. In some cases even skewing the scenarios into no-win situations etc. Those experiences lead me to playing strictly fair with both PCs and NPCs/monsters. I do my best to remove all vested interest in the outcome of a story/game, and simply adjudicate decisions. It's not always easy, but it does ultimately make the game interesting for me - watching things unfold with as little 'influence' from me as possible. When in doubt, I let the dice decide and simply justify it in context.
@iizbeazt1574
3 жыл бұрын
10:45 that was the first time I heard either of them swear and I found it way too funny
@ItsaMeGo
5 жыл бұрын
Always be prepared! But be prepared to improvise and have everything you've prepared be negated.
@GaneicMehiro
4 жыл бұрын
Know thy players and thyself for then you will not fear the result of any game. -Tsun Tsudo
@jacksoupticeye
3 жыл бұрын
I somehow wound up in a large discord server and befriended some fellow DnD lovers. They decided "Hey, let's start a group and try playing some games together!" On an impulse, I volunteered to DM, despite having never done it before and having only been playing since September 2019. Turns out my players are all basically newbies. One has never actually played before. *hELP*
@anotherbipotato
2 жыл бұрын
I like how they have different nicknames every video.
@Blackwing2007
5 жыл бұрын
That does it, I'm calling my next dungeon crawl Schrodinger's Dungeon. And the contents of rooms and encounters will be based on what the character say, or off a chart with a dice roll, depending on the flow of the moment. Even I will not know what comes next. lol
@DungeonDudes
5 жыл бұрын
Populate your random encounter tables with Displacer Beasts and Phase Spiders!
@Blackwing2007
5 жыл бұрын
@@DungeonDudes And Blink Dogs :)
@dakat5131
3 жыл бұрын
27:40 was there any way the characters could have known that touching the item would lure the dragon? or were the players told out of world and just came up with a meta game strategy that relied on knowing in advance how that worked? (at the expense of short-cutting the scenario)
@ndowroccus4168
5 жыл бұрын
I don’t recall many other activities where an entire group of people laugh so heartily and deep, that milk would squirt out your eyeballs, then playing Ad&d. Those rewarding moments when just making eye contact with one another causes involuntary guffaws and troubled breathing from diaphragm convulsions, during a Ad&d gathering are Awesome! Even when the DM is the only one not laughing (a great DM can and damn well better take a joke at the expense of the group, be humbled DM, no matter what - the players are there for enjoyment). Tear inducing laughter, love them moments, that sometime drag on forever, but mmmmmm so sweet.
@GuchU17
6 жыл бұрын
Very nice tips, thnx.
@ChiefBloodrain
4 жыл бұрын
On point 7: I once ran a campaign entirely inspired from an Alestorm song. >.>
@Davidlee37101
6 жыл бұрын
When i played a rogue in first edition, i remember a dm that would have me roll detect traps, then i would say i would like to disarm the trap then he would say roll to disarm traps, i would roll sometimes good but regardless he would follow up with how are you handling the trap and no matter what the roll was if my description allowed would set off the trap
@SavantApostle
Жыл бұрын
I think I read a WotC book (may have been a 3rd party) during 3rd or 4th edition that went into detail about how to recognize what type of player you were, and how your playstyle can enhance and incorporate other players. I dont remember what it was called and have been trying to find it. It was something like "Guide to Being a Better Player". Does anyone know what im talking about? Basically it gave advice about how the power gamer and roleplayer, for instance, can get along and both have fun even when they're out of their pillars.
@damedley75
23 күн бұрын
3:30 with apologies to Sun Tsu 😂
@lucase.crusader1196
3 жыл бұрын
The explosion principle is the best. Exactly what i needed ahahahhajzhziqkqbs
@jakesells2379
5 жыл бұрын
Such a good video, guys!
@dford4014
2 жыл бұрын
You guys should reference these books you mention in the doobly-do, you know?
@necogreendragon
6 жыл бұрын
In the last session I DMed I set up a fight on the top of a crumbling tower with a dragon. I did not plan any possible escape for them and I sat in wonder as they used thier combined ingienuity to defeat the dragon and descend the tower unharmed. This was the last session because I quit DMing for good afterwards. I find that DMing is far to stressful to me to have fun. No mater how much my buddies say they enjoyed themselves and it was great I keep obsessing over what I did wrong or that was terrible. Plus I see people on line like Matt Mercer killing and I just don't feel I will ever be good enough.
@LockSteady
6 жыл бұрын
You probably made the right call, you clearly don't have the right temperament. That said, we all wish we had DMs that held themselves to as high a standard as you were holding yourself to, before you gave up.
@ArthurRex131
6 жыл бұрын
I read the Knights of the Dinner Table comic with some regularity and there was a strip that pretty much played out the way you describe your own experience. A player decided to sub in as GM, and despite doing well and the players really enjoying the session, he decided it wasn't for him because the criticism was too much. The last line of the strip is "Many are called, few are chosen."
@TheMusicSavage
6 жыл бұрын
necogreendragon mate DMing shouldnt be stressful. It can be difficult to come up with content but Ive found you can always say to your players "what do YOU want from the next session?" It can help give ideas and my players have always been helpful in feedback. Also, comparing anything to people like Mercer for a homegame is insane. Prestream he was running exactly the same as us but can now produce epic content due to a huge budget. He probably spent over $300 just on the new party minis for C2 and they outsource their paint jobs to pros. Just do your best. It will always be appreciated and respected by players no matter what happens. Ive had almost 0 budget for a year and run same minis over and over for 6months my players still love it because they know i do what I can with what I have. Much repsect for anyone who even tries to DM!
@rcfalcon56MkII
5 жыл бұрын
Don't be so hard on yourself. Just remember, Matt is a professional voice actor as are all his players. They've also been playing for years together. Because of this, he can do all that he does with his NPC's, descriptions, and story telling seemingly at ease and the PC's can reciprocate in kind. To hold oneself to his standard is kind of like quitting a sport you enjoy playing as a hobby because you aren't as good as some pro. I feel bad that DMing was stressful for you. Maybe some time in the future you'll be ready to attempt it again. If your players had fun, that's the main object of the game. Even players make mistakes!! Learn and try again would be my advice as a budding DM myself.
@zackt4692
6 жыл бұрын
Awesome video dudes!
@dasgute1439
5 жыл бұрын
My DM had to learn the hard way dont have things hiddan that arent meant to be found. We were traveling to a small town to finish up our quest a return the quest givers stuff. Along the way we ran into two orcs that were cultist. We killed one in the initial combat and the second one got away. We tracked him down to a small stone tower with just himself and another zombie orc chained to the wall. Our DM expected us to move in kill everything and not know what to do with anything expetially the randome hand just sitting in a nice fancy box. Instead we killed the zombie orc and then captured and interrogated the 2nd orc. We found a hidden short cut for our next mission and discovered that the randome hand inside the box was actually a magical iteam that was the hand of a powerful lich. Everything he didnt expect to happen: We took the cultist cloaks We took the liches hand We found a hidden path to our next mission Our DM had to beg us not to use all this to start our own cult XD
@Faint366
2 жыл бұрын
“You walk into a bog and the smell is so terrible you’re surprised I haven’t made you roll a con save yet”
@caileancampbell7498
6 жыл бұрын
The biggest rule I follow as a GM is, EVERYTHING is just a vague outline. Invariably, the players are going to deviate from what is set in stone. I was running Hoard of the Dragon Queen, and my players insisted that they weren't cool enough to take on the hoard yet. So they instead decided to run and get the Knights of the Vale to protect the town. They had gone and completely F'ed up the opening of the entire module. And honestly? I was fine wih that. Their rolls were so bad that night, that I thought this might actually be the only way they survive without me just raining down OP NPCs. So instead of giving them a $hit on of information, I had to improvise everything.
@jimmage7430
4 жыл бұрын
I just draw a world map and roll dice, i dont even know what is going to happen as the DM, I am very free form and experienced players do well but have had some trouble with new players with this DM style. But i have had a guy just grow weed and collect exotic pets and we still had a lot of fun. Not every role playing experience needs to be the same.
@lennonavaitraison8158
5 жыл бұрын
One ruke or orinciple I use is referring and calling players by their PC' name and never by their own. It makes it easier to bring player back into the game. I do the same as a player. Whenever another player uses a proper name, I go, X, who is that you are referring to or what a strange name you are using, what sort of devil is that?
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