Have you ever wanted to GM a game but have no idea where to start? Have problems with random encounters, story telling, or dealing with rules?
Seasoned GM's help these people out with some quick tips and tricks that you use in running a game. Share with new GM's things that have made GMing ease for you.
As you can guess I want to start a thread where we can share GMing tricks that van help new (or even old) GM's run their games more smoothly. Suggest anything you like ranging from story telling to handling that pesky Muchkin player.
GMing Tips
In general GMing? MMO GMing? Table Top GMing?
I'm finding the online stuff to be much more complex to deal with than table top GMing.
My two rules I'd share regardless though:
1) Communicate with your players at all times
2) Have Fun
I'm finding the online stuff to be much more complex to deal with than table top GMing.
My two rules I'd share regardless though:
1) Communicate with your players at all times
2) Have Fun
-
Sai'nu
- The Kika'Vati Order
3. always hand out snacky treats to the good players, and slap the bad ones...
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Skorixor
- Grand Moff
When you modify the rules, make sure all the players have a copy of the mods, ... and understand them the way you do. Saves arguments down the line.
My only ironclad rule for every game is: This is an ensemble game. No Divas. The spotlite might land on a specific character for awhile, but if you insist on being the center of attention - you will die.
My only ironclad rule for every game is: This is an ensemble game. No Divas. The spotlite might land on a specific character for awhile, but if you insist on being the center of attention - you will die.
-
xyryn
- Lieutenant Colonel
My general rule of thumb was always shiny bolts of GM lightning on any not RPing 
-
Shensen
- Gorath Jedi Council
This is in reguards to table top GMing, though any tips for online GMing is appresiated.
For story telling I have a 2 phase approach which leaves players feeling as if they are part of something bigger. I begin by comming up with a complexe story line that goes from point A-Z this I call the Hidden Story. This storyline is all but set in stone and will continue regaurdless of the characters actions. The main events are hidden from public view and the players may or may not catch wind of these events or witness them first hand. The second part is a more lose story line called the Surface Story. The Surface Story runs along the same path as the Hidden story but without much details. Choices the players make can take the players from the Surface to the Hidden and visa versa. Some times this leaves your players scratching their heads trying to figure out whats going on and often leaves then wanting to try to figure it all out. As both stories progress the two begin to merge more and more till only the Core story is left. The Core Story is when the Surface and Hidden Stories merge into one. At this point if the players havn't figured out whats going on every thing is revieled. I often do this at the very end of a campain withing the last 4 or 5 sessions.
For story telling I have a 2 phase approach which leaves players feeling as if they are part of something bigger. I begin by comming up with a complexe story line that goes from point A-Z this I call the Hidden Story. This storyline is all but set in stone and will continue regaurdless of the characters actions. The main events are hidden from public view and the players may or may not catch wind of these events or witness them first hand. The second part is a more lose story line called the Surface Story. The Surface Story runs along the same path as the Hidden story but without much details. Choices the players make can take the players from the Surface to the Hidden and visa versa. Some times this leaves your players scratching their heads trying to figure out whats going on and often leaves then wanting to try to figure it all out. As both stories progress the two begin to merge more and more till only the Core story is left. The Core Story is when the Surface and Hidden Stories merge into one. At this point if the players havn't figured out whats going on every thing is revieled. I often do this at the very end of a campain withing the last 4 or 5 sessions.
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Jerrel
- Surface Marshal
- Contact
Almost forgot.... avoid Monty Haul (or is it Hall?) campaigns unless your players 'really' want a bizzarre tale.
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Sai'nu
- The Kika'Vati Order
come up with a story line that has multiple possible endings, depending on the success/failure of certain objectives.
I always thought multiple possibility games rocked, so if you take the high road, low road, decide a boss is too tough... the story isn't over.
keeping players fed with the right details, and supplying them enough leadway to have fun is good.
I always thought multiple possibility games rocked, so if you take the high road, low road, decide a boss is too tough... the story isn't over.
keeping players fed with the right details, and supplying them enough leadway to have fun is good.
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warsloth
- Surface Marshal
Kill everyone in the first five minutes and then sit around, drink beer, and explain to them AGAIN why you should not be allowed to GM thus solving your issue.
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E-bo Obi
- Grand Moff
- Server
Legends
Think I've done thatE-bo Obi wrote:Kill everyone in the first five minutes and then sit around, drink beer, and explain to them AGAIN why you should not be allowed to GM thus solving your issue.
One of my fondest D&D memories was playing a barbarian (as I was prone to do before I discovered the wonders of the rogue) and at one point we had to cross a large pool-like body of water in the dungeon we were in...I took damage for coming in contact with water and lost AC since some of my protective grime had been cleansed lol.
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Shensen
- Gorath Jedi Council
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