Goodish Dm [Archive] - Wizards Community - Pages Merged by Solauren

Goodish Dm [Archive] - Wizards Community

Post/Author/DateTime Post
stranger_654
12-04-05, 12:23 AM Having been a Dm a million and one times in my gaming time of about 4 years, today was the first chance i have gotten to play since my first game, and my younger brother who is 13 Dmed For the very first time (reminds me of a song) so i could play...
And well he wasnt the worst Dm in the world, but he still wasnt all that good, and i was just wondering has this happened to any of the other people out there, and what should i do? i dont feel like harming his pride, cause im afraid hell quite, and then hell never know the fun of Dming, so what sort of things did you do? should i let him evolve on his own? or help him by giving him sample Description, or little tips i learnt?

Thanks for your advice in advance,
-Stranger
Alkanon
12-04-05, 12:41 AM I say, sit tight and give him a shot to improve. It's his first game, and he may settle into a groove after he's had the chance to get used to his new role in the game. Being a DM is quite a bit different from being a player, as I'm sure you're realizing in reverse...

That being said, there's no reason he should have to overcome every stumbling block of DMing himself. Depending on his own self-image/your relation to him, he'll probably appreciate advice here and there. Just don't overdo it, and let the small things slide until he's had a bit more experienced. More than anything, pick your battles and call him only on particularly grievous faults (clear rules issues, NPC godmoding, and the like.) Also, point him towards 'What's a DM to do' if you haven't already.
stranger_654
12-04-05, 01:37 AM [QUOTE=Alkanon]I say, sit tight and give him a shot to improve. It's his first game, and he may settle into a groove after he's had the chance to get used to his new role in the game. Being a DM is quite a bit different from being a player, as I'm sure you're realizing in reverse...
[QUOTE]

Your right, its very different to switch from Dm to player, and i guess it must be the same the otherway around, thanks for that sound advice Alkanon

Anyone else have some good ideas?
TheChilliGod
12-04-05, 03:10 AM I'd say ask him first if he thinks he might need any assistance, and how he's feeling after his first session on the other side of the screen. After that...

Well, lets say I'm very big on openness and honesty. Definitely give him a session or two to get the hang of it, and if he still sucks, tell the fella. Don't sound like the judges in all those reality superstar shows, because you're supposed to be a nice brother. But I'm not a big fan of the, "It was a fantastic session, and I really loved it, but..." opening either.

I don't know your brother, so I can't say how devoted he is to his game. When I started, I had a mentor myself, and I accepted his honest criticism, however blunt it was, because I was determined as heck to give a good game to all of my friends, new players all. If your bro is like me (easily distinguishable by signs such as 'I can't wait for our next session, I got something really good planned!'), then you can be more confident that he won't quit. If, however, he's beginning to see DM'ing as a chore ('Ooh, I can't believe a DM has to do all this work!') then chances are he's already ready to quit.
Callista
12-04-05, 04:32 AM The players have a huge impact on how well the DM does. If they're involved in the game, thinking about the possibilites and the storyline, and their characters are realistic, interesting people, then the DM is able to play off the characters, and his DMing gets better as a result--both because he has good examples of role-play to learn from, and because the players' involvement give him more possibilities to work with. You can have a mediocre DM, good players, and a really fun game despite the DM's shortcomings.

That said--One, he's 13; and two, it was his first time. No one, but no one, is good at DMing their first time around; and some are truly terrible! He needs your support, as a player, as an experienced DM, and as a brother. After all, playing D&D is a skill that takes years to learn; if his first try at DMing is "goodish", then hey, that's a great sign. And if he's willing to take advice, all the better. (Incidentally, it's best to format your advice in a positive format, for example "I think it would be fun if..." or "I'd like it if..." or "It might make things simpler if...".

During game, you could try asking questions that demand detail from the DM. Not annoyingly so, just the sort of thing that gets him thinking about his world as a dynamic thing. For example:

--"Okay, we hurt one of those hobgoblins... that should make it easier to track them. Can my ranger see a blood trail or evidence of someone limping or being carried?"
--"Hmm, this place is really dusty. Has any of the dust been disturbed? Maybe we can tell whether anyone has been here recently."
--"Does the King seem like the sort to honor the agreement he made with us?"
--"Does the traveler have an accent? Can I tell where he's from?"
--"I wonder why the orcs attacked this village. There wasn't much to pillage here."

Also ask if he needs a DM's assistant--someone to keep track of initiatives and in-game time, randomly generate treasure, even roll for monster attacks and give the DM the nubmers (the DM dictates what they do and who they attack). Having a group rules lawyer is also a good idea--not the annoying kind of rules lawyer, but just someone who knows the books and can easily look up the answer to any rules question.

So: Enjoy yourself, role-play your character, respond to your brother's world, and give your brother some time. Chances are, he'll get better at it.
stranger_654
12-04-05, 10:57 PM Thank you so much for that great advice, all of you, i was planning on sticking with him anyway, but i needed some reassurance? that it was the right thing to do and would work out....
Today he gave me a peek at his upcoming adventure and its already better then the first, i think he has the potential the become a great DM, just needs practice and time

So thanks once more for the help, sorry for any inconveniance
-stranger
Flushpuppie
12-05-05, 04:09 AM It's his first time, so give him a break. I remember my first time, and only because none of us ever played before no-one noticed my crappy DM-ing. You can always give him advice (it's your brother,right?), but be sure your not tutoring him, just give him some tips.

Post/Author/DateTime	Post
stranger_654 12-04-05, 12:23 AM	Having been a Dm a million and one times in my gaming time of about 4 years, today was the first chance i have gotten to play since my first game, and my younger brother who is 13 Dmed For the very first time (reminds me of a song) so i could play... And well he wasnt the worst Dm in the world, but he still wasnt all that good, and i was just wondering has this happened to any of the other people out there, and what should i do? i dont feel like harming his pride, cause im afraid hell quite, and then hell never know the fun of Dming, so what sort of things did you do? should i let him evolve on his own? or help him by giving him sample Description, or little tips i learnt? Thanks for your advice in advance, -Stranger
Alkanon 12-04-05, 12:41 AM	I say, sit tight and give him a shot to improve. It's his first game, and he may settle into a groove after he's had the chance to get used to his new role in the game. Being a DM is quite a bit different from being a player, as I'm sure you're realizing in reverse... That being said, there's no reason he should have to overcome every stumbling block of DMing himself. Depending on his own self-image/your relation to him, he'll probably appreciate advice here and there. Just don't overdo it, and let the small things slide until he's had a bit more experienced. More than anything, pick your battles and call him only on particularly grievous faults (clear rules issues, NPC godmoding, and the like.) Also, point him towards 'What's a DM to do' if you haven't already.
stranger_654 12-04-05, 01:37 AM	[QUOTE=Alkanon]I say, sit tight and give him a shot to improve. It's his first game, and he may settle into a groove after he's had the chance to get used to his new role in the game. Being a DM is quite a bit different from being a player, as I'm sure you're realizing in reverse... [QUOTE] Your right, its very different to switch from Dm to player, and i guess it must be the same the otherway around, thanks for that sound advice Alkanon Anyone else have some good ideas?
TheChilliGod 12-04-05, 03:10 AM	I'd say ask him first if he thinks he might need any assistance, and how he's feeling after his first session on the other side of the screen. After that... Well, lets say I'm very big on openness and honesty. Definitely give him a session or two to get the hang of it, and if he still sucks, tell the fella. Don't sound like the judges in all those reality superstar shows, because you're supposed to be a nice brother. But I'm not a big fan of the, "It was a fantastic session, and I really loved it, but..." opening either. I don't know your brother, so I can't say how devoted he is to his game. When I started, I had a mentor myself, and I accepted his honest criticism, however blunt it was, because I was determined as heck to give a good game to all of my friends, new players all. If your bro is like me (easily distinguishable by signs such as 'I can't wait for our next session, I got something really good planned!'), then you can be more confident that he won't quit. If, however, he's beginning to see DM'ing as a chore ('Ooh, I can't believe a DM has to do all this work!') then chances are he's already ready to quit.
Callista 12-04-05, 04:32 AM	The players have a huge impact on how well the DM does. If they're involved in the game, thinking about the possibilites and the storyline, and their characters are realistic, interesting people, then the DM is able to play off the characters, and his DMing gets better as a result--both because he has good examples of role-play to learn from, and because the players' involvement give him more possibilities to work with. You can have a mediocre DM, good players, and a really fun game despite the DM's shortcomings. That said--One, he's 13; and two, it was his first time. No one, but no one, is good at DMing their first time around; and some are truly terrible! He needs your support, as a player, as an experienced DM, and as a brother. After all, playing D&D is a skill that takes years to learn; if his first try at DMing is "goodish", then hey, that's a great sign. And if he's willing to take advice, all the better. (Incidentally, it's best to format your advice in a positive format, for example "I think it would be fun if..." or "I'd like it if..." or "It might make things simpler if...". During game, you could try asking questions that demand detail from the DM. Not annoyingly so, just the sort of thing that gets him thinking about his world as a dynamic thing. For example: --"Okay, we hurt one of those hobgoblins... that should make it easier to track them. Can my ranger see a blood trail or evidence of someone limping or being carried?" --"Hmm, this place is really dusty. Has any of the dust been disturbed? Maybe we can tell whether anyone has been here recently." --"Does the King seem like the sort to honor the agreement he made with us?" --"Does the traveler have an accent? Can I tell where he's from?" --"I wonder why the orcs attacked this village. There wasn't much to pillage here." Also ask if he needs a DM's assistant--someone to keep track of initiatives and in-game time, randomly generate treasure, even roll for monster attacks and give the DM the nubmers (the DM dictates what they do and who they attack). Having a group rules lawyer is also a good idea--not the annoying kind of rules lawyer, but just someone who knows the books and can easily look up the answer to any rules question. So: Enjoy yourself, role-play your character, respond to your brother's world, and give your brother some time. Chances are, he'll get better at it.
stranger_654 12-04-05, 10:57 PM	Thank you so much for that great advice, all of you, i was planning on sticking with him anyway, but i needed some reassurance? that it was the right thing to do and would work out.... Today he gave me a peek at his upcoming adventure and its already better then the first, i think he has the potential the become a great DM, just needs practice and time So thanks once more for the help, sorry for any inconveniance -stranger
Flushpuppie 12-05-05, 04:09 AM	It's his first time, so give him a break. I remember my first time, and only because none of us ever played before no-one noticed my crappy DM-ing. You can always give him advice (it's your brother,right?), but be sure your not tutoring him, just give him some tips.