tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3871409676946408069.post6607681932600929389..comments2023-10-14T03:58:59.333-06:00Comments on The Tao of D&D: 8 Tips That Will Let Any Idiot Improve Their D&D GameAlexis Smolenskhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10539170107563075967noreply@blogger.comBlogger6125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3871409676946408069.post-38785720119184364232016-07-23T10:54:10.916-06:002016-07-23T10:54:10.916-06:00See, I do fudge the dice rolls. And I will continu...See, I do fudge the dice rolls. And I will continue to do so. See, I'm running a campaign with at least 9 pcs at a time, and I have to work a lot to balance the monsters. Oftentimes, they end up being a few challenge ratings higher. The group's besting this monster, and then, on it's turn, it one-shots a pc. Or it would, if i didn't fudge the roll so the pc is merely unconscious. Call me a bad DM for not balancing the monsters right, or the traps, but sometimes I need to fudge stuff to keep the game moving. As long as the players don't see me fudging the rolls, the reality is not broken. I do NOT use fudging as a means for lazy story-telling. I use it to fix my mistakes. Sometimes, if i didn't fudge, I'd have TPCs on my hands, and that would <b>not</b> be good.Anonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07169308472158229357noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3871409676946408069.post-47091882525123742432015-08-17T23:34:57.745-06:002015-08-17T23:34:57.745-06:001) I own exactly three screens for three very char...1) I own exactly three screens for three very chart heavy games. They make lovely place mats and great handouts for if someone is currently searching through the rulebook for something else. Using these as a screen is kinda pointless when you share a couch with a player during play anyway.<br /><br />2) How else will I get the players snacks?<br /><br />3) Yes! Besides, it creates more fear if the players know their roll. Nothing quite like asking for a check to notice something and having a big fat 1 show up on the die.<br /><br />4) I have taken acting classes and public speaking courses, thus I agree heartily.<br /><br />5) I disagree with this one. Costumes are expensive, formal and business casual are just as distracting, and only two of my players are actually comfortable with me being naked, so it will be me running the game in pjs or street clothes or not at all.<br /><br />6) Uh... I own so many games... I'll think about it.<br /><br />7) I believe that is why games snacks are there- if you lack the will power, literally stuff it.<br /><br />8) See 2 above.Spazalicious Chaoshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/18244425041829215280noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3871409676946408069.post-13722617441037392032015-08-14T07:12:29.429-06:002015-08-14T07:12:29.429-06:00Ok, let me do some self-analysis:
1. I don't...Ok, let me do some self-analysis:<br /><br />1. I don't use a DM screen, and haven't since high school (which, trust me, was a very long time ago). I don't think they would be so useful in 5e, where the rules are simplified to the point where constant references to "to hit" tables is no longer required. On the other hand, I think it all depends on how they're used. They can add a bit of mystery, and I think they can also encourage players to avoid thinking meta. It can also reign in some rules lawyering. But, it's important that players get the sense that they're playing in a fair world where things operate with at least some rudimentary consistency (i.e., by some set of rules).<br /><br />2. I could definitely get out of my chair more. I think I'm going to take this suggestion to heart. I do this some - for example acting out how a particular monster moves. My players are mostly a high-energy group, though, so I'm often the calmer, balancing voice.<br /><br />3. I not only roll dice in the open, whenever I can I have the players do the roll. Not for opponents to-hit or damage rolls of course, but anytime I have a random chance of something happening, I ask one of the players to roll a die for the outcome. I think it makes them feel more like they are determining their own fate.<br /><br />4. I'm not sure about the "stop acting" one. I'm not great actor (although I've had a couple of classes), but I have 3 aspiring actors at my table. I try to do a mix of both - just enough acting to let the PC's feel they can approach and talk to the NPC as if they were a real person, but not enough to get in the way of the story.<br /><br />5. Now, If I could only get my youngest player (22) to put his cell phone away. <br /><br />6. I'm not as certain about this one either. My campaign is on a side test where we're trying out the 5e Mass Combat rules which are only available as an Unearthed Arcana article in a playtest version. I'm trying them out on a small scale now because I have plans for recasting a big end-battle in the second module of Tyranny of Dragons as a mass combat. <br /><br />7 & 8. Agree totally about getting out of the way and letting the players roll with it. Last session I had a puzzle for them to, well, puzzle over, and I just left the table for a bit to get some coffee and let them talk. Then, a few minutes later, I came back and an NPC supplied a hint. And a few minutes later, I dropped the last hint. I use a rule of 3 with puzzles - 3 hints or clues available to help them out at crucial points. They ended up solving it and having a lot of fun in the process.<br /><br />Thanks for these ... there's some good wisdom therein.<br />Anonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04131775494420081170noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3871409676946408069.post-60332689088973974242015-08-14T01:55:16.878-06:002015-08-14T01:55:16.878-06:00I actually hadn't read this post yet before co...I actually hadn't read this post yet before commenting on your next post. Pretty much agree with everything here. 1, 2 and 3 are of particular importance I think. My feet may sometimes be sore at the end of the game but that is probably more because I don't like wearing shoes when I DM (I do make sure my feet aren't smelly). I still won't sit down. I do keep a chair behind me for the stack of extra reference books (actual books, not D&D books) that sometimes get pulled out for visual aids. I have to admit the occasional flouting of #4 when the spirit particularly moves me (although I draw the line at funny voices - every now and then I just feel inspired and let rip a speech in character of an NPC rather than paraphrasing). I actually am a good actor though (objectively verified, with tons of experience in community theater and low/micro/no budget movies - although I probably draw more on my experience as a competitive extemporaneous speaker when I do this), but acting is definitely not a DM prerequisite or even something I could honestly recommend even for those who can pull it off. And can we just make #5 a general rule for life? Anonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07648499022366444265noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3871409676946408069.post-6470348258753481112015-08-13T08:54:29.011-06:002015-08-13T08:54:29.011-06:00I hadn't realized how much this was missing fr...I hadn't realized how much this was missing from my life. Thanks for a good laugh, especially on the subject of standing up. I will add a sticky note to my list of game reminders that says "DON'T BE A SLUG."Timhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03496502173819113887noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3871409676946408069.post-38854480663008833592015-08-13T06:49:30.494-06:002015-08-13T06:49:30.494-06:001) Yes, yes and yes. I did this after reading your...1) Yes, yes and yes. I did this after reading your book and my god did my games improve!<br /><br />2) Well, I'm in a wheelchair, so... but for everyone else who doesn't have this excuse, do it!<br /><br />3) I can't believe DM's even make secret dice rolls, sincerely, I don't understand the purpose. The worst thing you can do at your table is tell a player that you don't trust him not to cheat, but when you make a roll in secret, that's exactly what you are broadcasting to every other player.<br /><br />4) Couldn't agree more, it goes for players too. I don't care if your character is scottish, unless you are scottish, I don't want to hear your attempt at the accent.<br /><br />5) Also, just because clothing is D&D branded or contains pictures of stuff relevant to D&D doesn't make it ok to wear either.<br /><br />6) -- I'll just say that there are contexts in which it is ok to change system. But generally, yes I agree.<br /><br />7) Could not agree more<br /><br />8) This is easily the best point on here, for me!Anonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00640140513753627174noreply@blogger.com