Back in the saddle again. [Archive] - Wizards Community

Back in the saddle again. [Archive] - Wizards Community

Post/Author/DateTime Post
Patrick_H
07-03-06, 11:31 AM I used to DM regularly back in the old 2nd edition days. I found myself DMing again last year, but it only lasted a few months and I really didn't get as up-to-speed as I would have liked to.

Now, after another year of (near) inactivity I'm being asked to DM for another group. I'm really looking forward to it and want to do it well. I'm resurrecting an old custom campaign setting I developed based loosely on the 2nd ed. Forgotten Realms rules -- at least in terms of the creatures and races used. As I'm preparing for the game I'm revising parts of the old campaign to include 3.5 stuff.

I've got all the appropriate 3.5 books, including the DMG and DMG 2, PHB (and I'll have the PHB 2 in a few days). Truth is, I've got books coming out my ears.

I'm soliciting words of wisdom from you more experienced DMs, maybe point me to a section of one book or another that someone found particularly useful. Anything that you think might help me be a more effective DM quickly.

Now, both I and the players (who also admit to being a bit rusty) know that actually playing the game is the best way to learn what is needed, but I'd like to be as prepared as I can when the group gets together for the first time later this month.

I thank you most sincerely for your helpful comments and suggestions.

- Patrick
Derren S.
07-03-06, 12:10 PM Don't buy/allow all books just because they exist. Start by only allowing the core rules and add material from other books after looking at them and judging if they fit power- and storywise.
That should save you a lot of headaches.
Patrick_H
07-03-06, 12:36 PM Don't buy/allow all books just because they exist. Start by only allowing the core rules and add material from other books after looking at them and judging if they fit power- and storywise.
That should save you a lot of headaches.

Oh, I got that. I only mentioned the books so you'd know I have most anything someone's likely to reference in providing their advice in this forum. I can probably lay my hand on the book in a moment.

Things I don't allow (just because I don't like it) include psionics, certain races and classes (because they don't fit my campaign setting) and maybe a few other things because my DMing skills are up to dealing with them just yet.

Now, I buy books "just because they exist." But that doesn't mean that I use them or allow them to change my campaign in any way I'm not comfortable with.

Mostly, I'm concerned with the actual game-time mechanics of DMing.

- Patrick
Rian Lightblade
07-03-06, 01:08 PM My best suggestion is to go with the books you have now (although if you haven't yet, I'd recommend getting at least MMI and MMII)

The biggest difference between 2e and 3.5 is...everything. Read the PHB and the DMG from cover to cover and then read them again.

Import Sections to Read in the PHB
Races
Classes
Feats
Combat (some very big changes here)
Magic (be sure to pay attention to the spell descriptions and note, many spell have been altered)

That actually covers almost everything in the PHB, but there have been many changes and additions to the game and it is very different from 2e AD&D.

In the DMG I'd focus on the Awarding XP and Magical items sections as well as the additional rules on conditions and vision. Ignore stuff like Prestige Classes (PrCs) as they are an optional rule.

Once you've read everything; roll up a couple of different PCs for yourself and run them through a few battles. That will allow you to familiarize yourself with PC creation, combat and XP.

After that play a few game with your group, but use only the core rule set (the PHB, DMG and MM). Don't feel like you need to incorporate things from all the books you have, since everything beyond the Core Rules is optional and remember that includes PrCs too.

Finally if you ever have any questions you can always come here to ask.
:)
Derren S.
07-03-06, 01:25 PM Another tip, don't houserule something because it seems strange to you or you or one of your player has "a better idea". Before you change something understand how it works a why this rule is the way it is.
On_the_wings_of_TPK
07-03-06, 01:58 PM best advice I can give you is to forget everythin you knew about 2nd. It might as well have been a different game intirely. Pretend your a brand you player fresh out of the gates, and go from there.

Good luck
Patrick_H
07-03-06, 07:12 PM Ok. Slight misunderstanding. I re-read my original post and I now see how I failed to communicate the circumstances clearly. The DMing I did last year was v3.5, not 2nd ed. Also, before DMing a 3.5 ed. campaign I was in several 3.5 games over the preceeding year-and-some as a player.

And my revising the old 2nd ed campaign has been an ongoing process for a couple of years. I'd been working on it while participating in 3.5 edition games as a player. I continue to update, revise, and expand it as things progress. I am not in the least new to 3.5.

Everybody's giving me advice about converting from 2nd ed. to 3.5. (It was so long ago, I don't even remember 2nd ed. Except THAC0. God, what a demented concept that was.) That's not at all what I'm concerned about. What I'm concerned about is doing the job of a DM at the table during the game.

Some are suggesting that I get this or that book. As I already mentioned in my last post, I've got almost every book available. I've got all the Monster Manuals, except the MM IV coming out this month. And I will have that one the day it hits the shelves. My regular game store is going to hold a copy for me as soon as it comes in the door.

I've got every issue of Dungeon Magazine and Dragon Magazine ever published, starting with issue #1. (I'm rather proud of that. Been a gamer since the '70s when I was in the Navy.) Let's see, it's a much shorter list to say what I don't have than to list what I do have. I don't have all the Eberron books, but I don't want them anyway. I played an Eberron campaign in the fall of '04 and didn't care for it. Don't intend to play it again, so why bother getting the books.

As far as house rules are concerned, I do use house rules. Specifically, I use a slight variant on the action points described in Unearthed Arcana. I also use a fairly generous rule for rolling stats. Roll 4d6, re-roll any 1s, drop the lowest. Roll 7 stat scores using this method, drop the lowest and use the other 6. Other than the race and class limitations I mentioned in my previous post, that's about it for house rules.

So, to recap: I'm not worried about 3.5. I'm concerned about getting back into being the DM. I'm very excited about my campaign. (If you're interested: www.Daeoria.net (http://www.Daeoria.net/) -- BTW, there's considerably more to the campaign than I've had time to put up on the web site.) I'm really looking forward to the game and I want the players to enjoy it as much as I think I will. Part of that depends on me doing well what I need to do. And that's why I'm asking for suggestions here to help me get back up to speed as quickly as can be managed.

Thank you for your suggestions.

- Patrick

Post/Author/DateTime	Post
Patrick_H 07-03-06, 11:31 AM	I used to DM regularly back in the old 2nd edition days. I found myself DMing again last year, but it only lasted a few months and I really didn't get as up-to-speed as I would have liked to. Now, after another year of (near) inactivity I'm being asked to DM for another group. I'm really looking forward to it and want to do it well. I'm resurrecting an old custom campaign setting I developed based loosely on the 2nd ed. Forgotten Realms rules -- at least in terms of the creatures and races used. As I'm preparing for the game I'm revising parts of the old campaign to include 3.5 stuff. I've got all the appropriate 3.5 books, including the DMG and DMG 2, PHB (and I'll have the PHB 2 in a few days). Truth is, I've got books coming out my ears. I'm soliciting words of wisdom from you more experienced DMs, maybe point me to a section of one book or another that someone found particularly useful. Anything that you think might help me be a more effective DM quickly. Now, both I and the players (who also admit to being a bit rusty) know that actually playing the game is the best way to learn what is needed, but I'd like to be as prepared as I can when the group gets together for the first time later this month. I thank you most sincerely for your helpful comments and suggestions. - Patrick
Derren S. 07-03-06, 12:10 PM	Don't buy/allow all books just because they exist. Start by only allowing the core rules and add material from other books after looking at them and judging if they fit power- and storywise. That should save you a lot of headaches.
Patrick_H 07-03-06, 12:36 PM	Don't buy/allow all books just because they exist. Start by only allowing the core rules and add material from other books after looking at them and judging if they fit power- and storywise. That should save you a lot of headaches. Oh, I got that. I only mentioned the books so you'd know I have most anything someone's likely to reference in providing their advice in this forum. I can probably lay my hand on the book in a moment. Things I don't allow (just because I don't like it) include psionics, certain races and classes (because they don't fit my campaign setting) and maybe a few other things because my DMing skills are up to dealing with them just yet. Now, I buy books "just because they exist." But that doesn't mean that I use them or allow them to change my campaign in any way I'm not comfortable with. Mostly, I'm concerned with the actual game-time mechanics of DMing. - Patrick
Rian Lightblade 07-03-06, 01:08 PM	My best suggestion is to go with the books you have now (although if you haven't yet, I'd recommend getting at least MMI and MMII) The biggest difference between 2e and 3.5 is...everything. Read the PHB and the DMG from cover to cover and then read them again. Import Sections to Read in the PHB Races Classes Feats Combat (some very big changes here) Magic (be sure to pay attention to the spell descriptions and note, many spell have been altered) That actually covers almost everything in the PHB, but there have been many changes and additions to the game and it is very different from 2e AD&D. In the DMG I'd focus on the Awarding XP and Magical items sections as well as the additional rules on conditions and vision. Ignore stuff like Prestige Classes (PrCs) as they are an optional rule. Once you've read everything; roll up a couple of different PCs for yourself and run them through a few battles. That will allow you to familiarize yourself with PC creation, combat and XP. After that play a few game with your group, but use only the core rule set (the PHB, DMG and MM). Don't feel like you need to incorporate things from all the books you have, since everything beyond the Core Rules is optional and remember that includes PrCs too. Finally if you ever have any questions you can always come here to ask. :)
Derren S. 07-03-06, 01:25 PM	Another tip, don't houserule something because it seems strange to you or you or one of your player has "a better idea". Before you change something understand how it works a why this rule is the way it is.
On_the_wings_of_TPK 07-03-06, 01:58 PM	best advice I can give you is to forget everythin you knew about 2nd. It might as well have been a different game intirely. Pretend your a brand you player fresh out of the gates, and go from there. Good luck
Patrick_H 07-03-06, 07:12 PM	Ok. Slight misunderstanding. I re-read my original post and I now see how I failed to communicate the circumstances clearly. The DMing I did last year was v3.5, not 2nd ed. Also, before DMing a 3.5 ed. campaign I was in several 3.5 games over the preceeding year-and-some as a player. And my revising the old 2nd ed campaign has been an ongoing process for a couple of years. I'd been working on it while participating in 3.5 edition games as a player. I continue to update, revise, and expand it as things progress. I am not in the least new to 3.5. Everybody's giving me advice about converting from 2nd ed. to 3.5. (It was so long ago, I don't even remember 2nd ed. Except THAC0. God, what a demented concept that was.) That's not at all what I'm concerned about. What I'm concerned about is doing the job of a DM at the table during the game. Some are suggesting that I get this or that book. As I already mentioned in my last post, I've got almost every book available. I've got all the Monster Manuals, except the MM IV coming out this month. And I will have that one the day it hits the shelves. My regular game store is going to hold a copy for me as soon as it comes in the door. I've got every issue of Dungeon Magazine and Dragon Magazine ever published, starting with issue #1. (I'm rather proud of that. Been a gamer since the '70s when I was in the Navy.) Let's see, it's a much shorter list to say what I don't have than to list what I do have. I don't have all the Eberron books, but I don't want them anyway. I played an Eberron campaign in the fall of '04 and didn't care for it. Don't intend to play it again, so why bother getting the books. As far as house rules are concerned, I do use house rules. Specifically, I use a slight variant on the action points described in Unearthed Arcana. I also use a fairly generous rule for rolling stats. Roll 4d6, re-roll any 1s, drop the lowest. Roll 7 stat scores using this method, drop the lowest and use the other 6. Other than the race and class limitations I mentioned in my previous post, that's about it for house rules. So, to recap: I'm not worried about 3.5. I'm concerned about getting back into being the DM. I'm very excited about my campaign. (If you're interested: www.Daeoria.net (http://www.Daeoria.net/) -- BTW, there's considerably more to the campaign than I've had time to put up on the web site.) I'm really looking forward to the game and I want the players to enjoy it as much as I think I will. Part of that depends on me doing well what I need to do. And that's why I'm asking for suggestions here to help me get back up to speed as quickly as can be managed. Thank you for your suggestions. - Patrick