Tips for an aspiring DM?

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Okay, so i got the core rulebooks. I lack the players as of now, but soon I will have them in my grasp! *muahahaha!*

Now, what this topic is all about, is asking you exalted, experienced DMs for tips: Got any good ones, useful ones, funny ones, anything that you deem might be helpful?

[ September 06, 2003, 13:51: Message edited by: Taluntain ]

 

Here are a few tips:

- Read the books, know the rules. The game is a lot faster and interesting if you don't have to look everything up.

- Prepare. No matter how how quickly you can adapt or make things up, good preparation is everything.

- Do not be afraid to kill or hurt your players. No level 1 character insults a red dragon and lifes to tell the tale.

- Give the players multiple options. There are more ways to finish a quest, don't force them into one direction.

- Good DMing isn't something you can learn from a book, it is learned by playing. Just get as much experience as possible and listen to the feedback and opinions the players give.

- And a last tip; read Slappy's reply in this post.

 

Manipulate your PCs in such ways that they don't know they're been manipulated. Make them at least believe that everything they do is by their own free will.

 

Have fun.

 

And make sure the players have fun.

 

Know what your player want, Lotsa Action? Heavy Politic? Divine intervention for a Holy quest? Money? shrimp? (forget the last one) Also know their motive, if one player only want money or item as reward don't give him ¨the satisfaction of having saved many and many gnome¨ And most important give yer player FREEDOM as it is the most important thing if your player doesn't feel he decide his choice he will unlikely(sp?) liked it.

 

Look at the DMG and the things to avoid listed there.

Avoid those. I hate DMs who don't.

*Runs off to slay Elminster and other good aligned uber-NPCs*

 

Be prepared to be unprepared.

Basically what i mean is, expect the players to go off in an area or something that you haven't prepared for. Do your best (though don't try forcefully and blatantly) to lead them back to the plot you desire. Create a side plot for the side tracked players that will lead them back to the main plot of your game.

Have a random encounters table for instances like these.

I also find its kewl if the DM is able to present a visual of the location, be it painting, drawing or whatever

 

If you can, avoid overpowered NPCs. I consented to let one of my long-time players DM for a day and he blew it because he decided to include his own little NPC with the group.

Basically, what that amounts to is mental masturbation and is very boring for everyone else.

 

Choices are one thing but I've noticed there are people who would do anything to wreck your campain or just the opposite of what they're supposed to, don't let them, no matter what other guides say because it eventually ruins the fun for everyone. If people get too stupid I don't allow an action.

 

And avoid getting the players to laugh about the story, It's ANNOYING!

 

Hey! Laughing is good for you.
If one of your players laughs at your story, laugh as well, hit them over the head with a cricket bat. Then find out what's wrong and fix it.
Don't get annoyed by it.

 

I'm going to disagree with rastilin about not allowing an action. Let them be stupid and then don't hold any pounches. Let them know their action may be dangerous. If they continue kill them off. If this happens again uninvite them from you gaming group. Remember if one player is detracting from the enjoyment of everyone else why are they there. Get rid of them and improve things for everyone. I somes like these players are extremely immature and not worth having in a serious campaign anyway.

 

Know your players. Some want to roleplay, others want to have the most powerful character possible and still others only want to have fun and nothing else. As soon as you know what your players expect from you and from the game they are playing, you can try to fit the campaign to their expectations. The more experience you get as a DM the easier this will be (hopefully...)