I'm new (again) [Archive] - Wizards Community

I'm new (again) [Archive] - Wizards Community

Post/Author/DateTime Post
wocoom951
06-22-07, 03:46 PM Ok, hi there i'm new at both forums and DMing (and as if to prove how new i am i first posted this thread in the magic forum) but i would like any tips on how to keep a D&D game fun and interesting. I just started a group consisting of my girlfriend and her parents. any help would be appreciated.
Francius
06-22-07, 03:57 PM Interesting adventures, good descriptive capabilities, lots of painted minis, tiles and gaming boards (although they are expensive and time consuming to create).

Here's an example of a Dwarven underground stronghold built on a gaming board:Dwarven Stronghold (http://uk.games-workshop.com/dwarves/building-mines/3/)
Samej
06-22-07, 04:14 PM Hello again Wocoom, a good idea with villians and PC's is to make them truly evil. Dont go light on the PC's by making light hitters. Betrayal, traps and illusions are all good things that a villian should have.

Furthermore, dont play favorites with the Players. Give them truly difficult stuff that they could have a problem with. Its the way of solving it that they should find out, not you to tell them or walk them through every single puzzle.

And lastly, use the treasure tables, they help, and if the session is going slowly, throw in a random encounter and present a new problem or hook to the players at the end of the encounter, then try to tie this encounter in to what your grand scheme for the game is.

-----
By the way, DMing is as much just storytelling as being a referee, so keep on the look out for all things of a fantastical nature to jumpstart your imagination.
MerrikCale
06-23-07, 12:01 AM May I ask what you are going to do when as DM you're about to whack your girlfriend's dad's favorite PC? I smell trouble. My advice: let him do whatever the <bleep> he wants to. Make King Girlfriend's Dad the First of Cormyr if you have to.
Samej
06-23-07, 05:35 PM Its just advice, he can choose to ignore it if he wants to, its just some food for thought about the way I do things.

If whacking GF's dads PC furthers the storyline then ill do it, but then ill add in a small quest along the lines of the PC's finding out that he wasnt really whacked but is Enslaved by Drow or demons or imprisoned, which gives a good quest hook in and of itself and solves the problem to boot.

Plus, if he wanted to be the King of Cormyr, he should be ready to fight for the throne, if he wants something, he'll have to work for it. Most people Ive gamed with like a challenge and dont enjoy a game when its too easy.
MerrikCale
06-23-07, 09:39 PM Its just advice, he can choose to ignore it if he wants to, its just some food for thought about the way I do things.

If whacking GF's dads PC furthers the storyline then ill do it, but then ill add in a small quest along the lines of the PC's finding out that he wasnt really whacked but is Enslaved by Drow or demons or imprisoned, which gives a good quest hook in and of itself and solves the problem to boot.

Plus, if he wanted to be the King of Cormyr, he should be ready to fight for the throne, if he wants something, he'll have to work for it. Most people Ive gamed with like a challenge and dont enjoy a game when its too easy.

you understand I was just goofing as they say
Jewelprotector
06-25-07, 09:10 AM My first campaign was in a home-brew world and my only player was my dad. I learned a lot about how NOT to tell a story.

My best advice is to first talk to your players and find out what they want. Do they want to "kick in the door", battling monsters and gaining treasure so they can then battle more monsters? Or would they prefer something a little more in-depth, a "real story?"

Second, if you're not sure you're up to creating an adventure by yourself, there is absolutely NOTHING wrong with using a published one. It can give you a good feel for how an adventure needs to be put together.

Finally--prepare for surprises. Your players are playing a role, that's true, but you don't get to write their scripts. No matter how carefully you plan or how well you think you know their reactions, they will inevitably do something you didn't anticipate, such as kill the villain you planned to have come back, or kidnap the princess for their own nefarious ends. Do not be afraid at any point to say, "OK, guys, talk amongst yourselves. I need to think about this.

Zen Hugs, and good luck!

Post/Author/DateTime	Post
wocoom951 06-22-07, 03:46 PM	Ok, hi there i'm new at both forums and DMing (and as if to prove how new i am i first posted this thread in the magic forum) but i would like any tips on how to keep a D&D game fun and interesting. I just started a group consisting of my girlfriend and her parents. any help would be appreciated.
Francius 06-22-07, 03:57 PM	Interesting adventures, good descriptive capabilities, lots of painted minis, tiles and gaming boards (although they are expensive and time consuming to create). Here's an example of a Dwarven underground stronghold built on a gaming board:Dwarven Stronghold (http://uk.games-workshop.com/dwarves/building-mines/3/)
Samej 06-22-07, 04:14 PM	Hello again Wocoom, a good idea with villians and PC's is to make them truly evil. Dont go light on the PC's by making light hitters. Betrayal, traps and illusions are all good things that a villian should have. Furthermore, dont play favorites with the Players. Give them truly difficult stuff that they could have a problem with. Its the way of solving it that they should find out, not you to tell them or walk them through every single puzzle. And lastly, use the treasure tables, they help, and if the session is going slowly, throw in a random encounter and present a new problem or hook to the players at the end of the encounter, then try to tie this encounter in to what your grand scheme for the game is. ----- By the way, DMing is as much just storytelling as being a referee, so keep on the look out for all things of a fantastical nature to jumpstart your imagination.
MerrikCale 06-23-07, 12:01 AM	May I ask what you are going to do when as DM you're about to whack your girlfriend's dad's favorite PC? I smell trouble. My advice: let him do whatever the <bleep> he wants to. Make King Girlfriend's Dad the First of Cormyr if you have to.
Samej 06-23-07, 05:35 PM	Its just advice, he can choose to ignore it if he wants to, its just some food for thought about the way I do things. If whacking GF's dads PC furthers the storyline then ill do it, but then ill add in a small quest along the lines of the PC's finding out that he wasnt really whacked but is Enslaved by Drow or demons or imprisoned, which gives a good quest hook in and of itself and solves the problem to boot. Plus, if he wanted to be the King of Cormyr, he should be ready to fight for the throne, if he wants something, he'll have to work for it. Most people Ive gamed with like a challenge and dont enjoy a game when its too easy.
MerrikCale 06-23-07, 09:39 PM	Its just advice, he can choose to ignore it if he wants to, its just some food for thought about the way I do things. If whacking GF's dads PC furthers the storyline then ill do it, but then ill add in a small quest along the lines of the PC's finding out that he wasnt really whacked but is Enslaved by Drow or demons or imprisoned, which gives a good quest hook in and of itself and solves the problem to boot. Plus, if he wanted to be the King of Cormyr, he should be ready to fight for the throne, if he wants something, he'll have to work for it. Most people Ive gamed with like a challenge and dont enjoy a game when its too easy. you understand I was just goofing as they say
Jewelprotector 06-25-07, 09:10 AM	My first campaign was in a home-brew world and my only player was my dad. I learned a lot about how NOT to tell a story. My best advice is to first talk to your players and find out what they want. Do they want to "kick in the door", battling monsters and gaining treasure so they can then battle more monsters? Or would they prefer something a little more in-depth, a "real story?" Second, if you're not sure you're up to creating an adventure by yourself, there is absolutely NOTHING wrong with using a published one. It can give you a good feel for how an adventure needs to be put together. Finally--prepare for surprises. Your players are playing a role, that's true, but you don't get to write their scripts. No matter how carefully you plan or how well you think you know their reactions, they will inevitably do something you didn't anticipate, such as kill the villain you planned to have come back, or kidnap the princess for their own nefarious ends. Do not be afraid at any point to say, "OK, guys, talk amongst yourselves. I need to think about this. Zen Hugs, and good luck!