Tips for an aspiring DM?

Arabwel · Fri, 5th Sep '03, 10:03am

Okay, so i got the core rulebooks. I lack the players as of now, but soon I will have them in my grasp! *muahahaha!*

Now, what this topic is all about, is asking you exalted, experienced DMs for tips: Got any good ones, useful ones, funny ones, anything that you deem might be helpful?

[ September 06, 2003, 13:51: Message edited by: Taluntain ]

Mesmero · Fri, 5th Sep '03, 10:21am

Here are a few tips:

- Read the books, know the rules. The game is a lot faster and interesting if you don't have to look everything up.

- Prepare. No matter how how quickly you can adapt or make things up, good preparation is everything.

- Do not be afraid to kill or hurt your players. No level 1 character insults a red dragon and lifes to tell the tale.

- Give the players multiple options. There are more ways to finish a quest, don't force them into one direction.

- Good DMing isn't something you can learn from a book, it is learned by playing. Just get as much experience as possible and listen to the feedback and opinions the players give.

- And a last tip; read Slappy's reply in this post.

Aikanaro · Fri, 5th Sep '03, 11:58am

Manipulate your PCs in such ways that they don't know they're been manipulated. Make them at least believe that everything they do is by their own free will.

Oaz · Fri, 5th Sep '03, 9:06pm

Have fun.

Rotku · Fri, 5th Sep '03, 9:40pm

And make sure the players have fun.

Ofelix · Fri, 5th Sep '03, 11:53pm

Know what your player want, Lotsa Action? Heavy Politic? Divine intervention for a Holy quest? Money? shrimp? (forget the last one) Also know their motive, if one player only want money or item as reward don't give him ¨the satisfaction of having saved many and many gnome¨ And most important give yer player FREEDOM as it is the most important thing if your player doesn't feel he decide his choice he will unlikely(sp?) liked it.

Shura · Sat, 6th Sep '03, 6:07am

Look at the DMG and the things to avoid listed there.

Avoid those.

I hate DMs who don't.

*Runs off to slay Elminster and other good aligned uber-NPCs*

Sniper · Mon, 8th Sep '03, 1:45am

Be prepared to be unprepared.

Basically what i mean is, expect the players to go off in an area or something that you haven't prepared for. Do your best (though don't try forcefully and blatantly) to lead them back to the plot you desire. Create a side plot for the side tracked players that will lead them back to the main plot of your game.

Have a random encounters table for instances like these.

I also find its kewl if the DM is able to present a visual of the location, be it painting, drawing or whatever

Chevalier Mal Fet · Mon, 8th Sep '03, 2:52am

If you can, avoid overpowered NPCs. I consented to let one of my long-time players DM for a day and he blew it because he decided to include his own little NPC with the group.

Basically, what that amounts to is mental masturbation and is very boring for everyone else.

rastilin · Wed, 17th Sep '03, 10:14am

Choices are one thing but I've noticed there are people who would do anything to wreck your campain or just the opposite of what they're supposed to, don't let them, no matter what other guides say because it eventually ruins the fun for everyone. If people get too stupid I don't allow an action.

Sendel'ar · Sun, 21st Sep '03, 8:50pm

And avoid getting the players to laugh about the story, It's ANNOYING!

Rotku · Mon, 22nd Sep '03, 11:01am

Hey! Laughing is good for you.
If one of your players laughs at your story, laugh as well, hit them over the head with a cricket bat. Then find out what's wrong and fix it.
Don't get annoyed by it.

Voltric · Tue, 23rd Sep '03, 5:44pm

I'm going to disagree with rastilin about not allowing an action. Let them be stupid and then don't hold any pounches. Let them know their action may be dangerous. If they continue kill them off. If this happens again uninvite them from you gaming group. Remember if one player is detracting from the enjoyment of everyone else why are they there. Get rid of them and improve things for everyone. I somes like these players are extremely immature and not worth having in a serious campaign anyway.

Baldrak · Tue, 30th Sep '03, 1:17pm

Know your players. Some want to roleplay, others want to have the most powerful character possible and still others only want to have fun and nothing else. As soon as you know what your players expect from you and from the game they are playing, you can try to fit the campaign to their expectations. The more experience you get as a DM the easier this will be (hopefully...)

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Fri, 5th Sep '03, 10:03am	#1
Arabwel Gems: 31/31 Latest gem: Rogue Stone Join Date: Oct 2001 Location: Land of Ire Posts: 7,944 Like: 0 Liked 1 Time in 1 Post vBActivity - Stats XP: 16,950 Level: 37 vBActivity - Bars Level Completion: 18.95% Daily Activity 3.31% Weekly Activity 1.89% Monthly Activity 2.46% Achievements	Okay, so i got the core rulebooks. I lack the players as of now, but soon I will have them in my grasp! muahahaha! Now, what this topic is all about, is asking you exalted, experienced DMs for tips: Got any good ones, useful ones, funny ones, anything that you deem might be helpful? [ September 06, 2003, 13:51: Message edited by: Taluntain ]

Fri, 5th Sep '03, 10:21am	#2
Mesmero How'd an old elf get the blues? Join Date: Mar 2001 Location: The Netherlands Posts: 1,956 Like: 2 Liked 3 Times in 2 Posts vBActivity - Stats XP: 3,319 Level: 18 vBActivity - Bars Level Completion: 53.67% Daily Activity 3.31% Weekly Activity 1.89% Monthly Activity 2.46% Achievements	Here are a few tips: - Read the books, know the rules. The game is a lot faster and interesting if you don't have to look everything up. - Prepare. No matter how how quickly you can adapt or make things up, good preparation is everything. - Do not be afraid to kill or hurt your players. No level 1 character insults a red dragon and lifes to tell the tale. - Give the players multiple options. There are more ways to finish a quest, don't force them into one direction. - Good DMing isn't something you can learn from a book, it is learned by playing. Just get as much experience as possible and listen to the feedback and opinions the players give. - And a last tip; read Slappy's reply in this post.

Fri, 5th Sep '03, 11:58am	#3
Aikanaro Gems: 31/31 Latest gem: Rogue Stone Join Date: Sep 2001 Location: Elsewhere Posts: 5,521 Like: 0 Liked 0 Times in 0 Posts vBActivity - Stats XP: 11,714 Level: 31 vBActivity - Bars Level Completion: 88.5% Daily Activity 3.31% Weekly Activity 1.89% Monthly Activity 2.46% Achievements	Manipulate your PCs in such ways that they don't know they're been manipulated. Make them at least believe that everything they do is by their own free will.

Fri, 5th Sep '03, 9:06pm	#4
Oaz Gems: 29/31 Latest gem: Glittering Beljuril Join Date: Aug 2001 Posts: 3,140 Like: 0 Liked 0 Times in 0 Posts vBActivity - Stats XP: 5,935 Level: 23 vBActivity - Bars Level Completion: 86.19% Daily Activity 3.31% Weekly Activity 1.89% Monthly Activity 2.46% Achievements	Have fun.

Fri, 5th Sep '03, 9:40pm	#5
Rotku SPS Account Holder I believe I can fly Join Date: Apr 2003 Location: New Zealand Posts: 3,102 Blog Entries: 19 Like: 9 Liked 4 Times in 4 Posts vBActivity - Stats XP: 7,571 Level: 26 vBActivity - Bars Level Completion: 48.76% Daily Activity 3.31% Weekly Activity 1.89% Monthly Activity 2.46% Achievements Awards	And make sure the players have fun.

Fri, 5th Sep '03, 11:53pm	#6
Ofelix The world changes, we do not, what irony! Join Date: Dec 2002 Location: Mons Regius - provincia quebecum Posts: 5,678 Like: 5 Liked 7 Times in 7 Posts vBActivity - Stats XP: 13,070 Level: 33 vBActivity - Bars Level Completion: 37.99% Daily Activity 3.31% Weekly Activity 1.89% Monthly Activity 2.46% Achievements	Know what your player want, Lotsa Action? Heavy Politic? Divine intervention for a Holy quest? Money? shrimp? (forget the last one) Also know their motive, if one player only want money or item as reward don't give him ¨the satisfaction of having saved many and many gnome¨ And most important give yer player FREEDOM as it is the most important thing if your player doesn't feel he decide his choice he will unlikely(sp?) liked it.

Sat, 6th Sep '03, 6:07am	#7
Shura Gems: 25/31 Latest gem: Moonbar Join Date: Aug 2000 Location: Meifumado, realm between the Hells. Posts: 2,047 Like: 0 Liked 0 Times in 0 Posts vBActivity - Stats XP: 5,129 Level: 22 vBActivity - Bars Level Completion: 40.08% Daily Activity 3.31% Weekly Activity 1.89% Monthly Activity 2.46% Achievements	Look at the DMG and the things to avoid listed there. Avoid those. I hate DMs who don't. Runs off to slay Elminster and other good aligned uber-NPCs

Mon, 8th Sep '03, 1:45am	#8
Sniper Gems: 28/31 Latest gem: Star Sapphire Join Date: Oct 2000 Location: UK Posts: 2,775 Like: 0 Liked 0 Times in 0 Posts vBActivity - Stats XP: 6,486 Level: 24 vBActivity - Bars Level Completion: 78.88% Daily Activity 3.31% Weekly Activity 1.89% Monthly Activity 2.46% Achievements	Be prepared to be unprepared. Basically what i mean is, expect the players to go off in an area or something that you haven't prepared for. Do your best (though don't try forcefully and blatantly) to lead them back to the plot you desire. Create a side plot for the side tracked players that will lead them back to the main plot of your game. Have a random encounters table for instances like these. I also find its kewl if the DM is able to present a visual of the location, be it painting, drawing or whatever

Mon, 8th Sep '03, 2:52am	#9
Chevalier Mal Fet Gems: 13/31 Latest gem: Ziose Join Date: Nov 2000 Location: Hamilton, NY Posts: 564 Like: 0 Liked 0 Times in 0 Posts vBActivity - Stats XP: 913 Level: 10 vBActivity - Bars Level Completion: 50.66% Daily Activity 3.31% Weekly Activity 1.89% Monthly Activity 2.46% Achievements	If you can, avoid overpowered NPCs. I consented to let one of my long-time players DM for a day and he blew it because he decided to include his own little NPC with the group. Basically, what that amounts to is mental masturbation and is very boring for everyone else.

Wed, 17th Sep '03, 10:14am	#10
rastilin Gems: 8/31 Latest gem: Skydrop Join Date: Dec 2002 Location: Brisbane, Australia Posts: 262 Like: 0 Liked 0 Times in 0 Posts vBActivity - Stats XP: 913 Level: 10 vBActivity - Bars Level Completion: 50.51% Daily Activity 3.31% Weekly Activity 1.89% Monthly Activity 2.46% Achievements	Choices are one thing but I've noticed there are people who would do anything to wreck your campain or just the opposite of what they're supposed to, don't let them, no matter what other guides say because it eventually ruins the fun for everyone. If people get too stupid I don't allow an action.

Sun, 21st Sep '03, 8:50pm	#11
Sendel'ar Gems: 3/31 Latest gem: Lynx Eye Join Date: Jul 2003 Location: Greece Posts: 52 Like: 0 Liked 0 Times in 0 Posts vBActivity - Stats XP: 499 Level: 8 vBActivity - Bars Level Completion: 4.03% Daily Activity 3.31% Weekly Activity 1.89% Monthly Activity 2.46% Achievements	And avoid getting the players to laugh about the story, It's ANNOYING!

Mon, 22nd Sep '03, 11:01am	#12
Rotku SPS Account Holder I believe I can fly Join Date: Apr 2003 Location: New Zealand Posts: 3,102 Blog Entries: 19 Like: 9 Liked 4 Times in 4 Posts vBActivity - Stats XP: 7,571 Level: 26 vBActivity - Bars Level Completion: 48.76% Daily Activity 3.31% Weekly Activity 1.89% Monthly Activity 2.46% Achievements Awards	Hey! Laughing is good for you. If one of your players laughs at your story, laugh as well, hit them over the head with a cricket bat. Then find out what's wrong and fix it. Don't get annoyed by it.

Tue, 23rd Sep '03, 5:44pm	#13
Voltric Gems: 19/31 Latest gem: Aquamarine Join Date: Jun 2000 Location: Boston, USA Posts: 1,145 Like: 0 Liked 0 Times in 0 Posts vBActivity - Stats XP: 2,952 Level: 17 vBActivity - Bars Level Completion: 61.39% Daily Activity 3.31% Weekly Activity 1.89% Monthly Activity 2.46% Achievements	I'm going to disagree with rastilin about not allowing an action. Let them be stupid and then don't hold any pounches. Let them know their action may be dangerous. If they continue kill them off. If this happens again uninvite them from you gaming group. Remember if one player is detracting from the enjoyment of everyone else why are they there. Get rid of them and improve things for everyone. I somes like these players are extremely immature and not worth having in a serious campaign anyway.

Tue, 30th Sep '03, 1:17pm	#14
Baldrak Gems: 12/31 Latest gem: Moonstone Join Date: Nov 2002 Location: 3.5 metres below sea level Posts: 489 Like: 0 Liked 0 Times in 0 Posts vBActivity - Stats XP: 1,396 Level: 12 vBActivity - Bars Level Completion: 67.84% Daily Activity 3.31% Weekly Activity 1.89% Monthly Activity 2.46% Achievements	Know your players. Some want to roleplay, others want to have the most powerful character possible and still others only want to have fun and nothing else. As soon as you know what your players expect from you and from the game they are playing, you can try to fit the campaign to their expectations. The more experience you get as a DM the easier this will be (hopefully...)