daily #dnd creator tip: With any writing, creating more than you need in first drafts, and doing so without a self-filter, serves you best. You'll have time to revise and edit and iterate. You can have a self-conversation with your material. But you need the material first.
— Shawn Merwin (@shawnmerwin) January 9, 2021
daily #dnd creator tip: Remember when creating monsters that all damage they do should be typed (i.e. piercing or cold damage). This is equally true for spells, abilities, etc. I've noticed as an editor that beginning creators forget to do this frequently.
— Shawn Merwin (@shawnmerwin) January 15, 2021
#dnd tip: Players understand half of what you're describing.
— SlyFlourish.com (@SlyFlourish) July 20, 2021
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— SlyFlourish.com (@SlyFlourish) July 26, 2021
#dnd tip: Reinforce that a character cannot adversely affect another character without their player's permission.
— SlyFlourish.com (@SlyFlourish) July 22, 2021
#dnd tip: Add fantastic backdrops to your random encounters.
— SlyFlourish.com (@SlyFlourish) July 15, 2021
#dnd tip: Check in with players often to ensure the game and their character's role in it is going the direction they want it to go.
— SlyFlourish.com (@SlyFlourish) July 16, 2021
What simple and easy tip or trick made a dramatic improvement in your #dnd game? Asking my players to describe why they fail at something when they roll a Nat 1. It gives the player control over a dramatic moment, it lets them scale what happens based on how they're feeling at the moment, and often gives amazing insight into the characters thoughts!
— Lauren (Oboe) (@OboeLauren) July 17, 2021
After the session, have a post-mortem and talk about what you liked and didn't like about the session
— Andreas Walters (@andreas_mwg) July 17, 2021
For virtual games: As a GM making sure that people get a word in. It's hard not to talk over one another when missing body language cues. A simple "What was that -insert name-" after a missed cue gives more people a chance to talk and makes them feel safe doing so.
— Chicha Morada (@ChichaxMorada) July 17, 2021
Electric tea light candles go on for concentration spells.
— Bill Particelli (@GeekMovieHouse) July 17, 2021
Don’t count hit points for big bads. Just wait until someone does something epic and call it.
— Chris (@ChrisMcLaugh1in) July 17, 2021
Announce whose turn it is, and who's turn is after that.
"Eren, it's your turn. Lysha, you're on deck."
Keeps people ready to play and action moving smoothly
— TormentedByGnomes (@TrmntdByGnomes) July 17, 2021
If your players struggle with RP, describe how you think they'd react to something: "the sight of the viscera makes you queasy and your hands shake." Players mostly go along with it. If they disagree, they'll let you know and tell you how they react, so it's a win win.
— Adam (@PursuedByABomb) July 17, 2021
Calling for ability checks at the point of tension rather than before any action occurs. “You jump to a narrow ledge with barely a toe-hold over the sleeping frost giant below! Dexterity Check!”
— Josh Somers (@JoshSomers11) July 17, 2021
Perhaps the greatest lesson I’ve learned running Descent into Avernus:
Put the characters through Hell, not their players!
Check in regularly and give your players the experience they want. Even the bleakest, most miserable adventure locations can be fun and respect boundaries. I know my players well—we've been playing about 3 years now with the same group—but if you're ever in doubt, it never hurts to step back and ask how your players are doing.
— Justice Arman (@justicearman) July 4, 2021
Tonight’s session had a lot of body horror in it, so before any descriptions really got rolling, I let the table know and reminded them we can always dial it back if it becomes too much. Making sure someone's comfortable will not break the atmosphere!
It will make it easier for everyone to enjoy, knowing that their boundaries are being respected. ❤️
— Justice Arman (@justicearman) July 4, 2021
daily #dnd creator tip: When designing monsters, keep an eye on complexity. A couple options are fine, but remember that DMs might be running multiple monsters and don't need overly complex abilities and choices, especially when the monsters might only last for a round or 2.
— Shawn Merwin (@shawnmerwin) January 19, 2021
#dnd tip: Drop in single use magical relics with interesting connections to the world and its mysteries.
— SlyFlourish.com (@SlyFlourish) July 13, 2021
#dnd tip: Develop an understanding for the offensive and defensive capabilities of the characters; it serves you better than encounter balance tools and tables.
— SlyFlourish.com (@SlyFlourish) July 14, 2021
#dnd tip: Add fantastic backdrops to your random encounters.
— SlyFlourish.com (@SlyFlourish) July 15, 2021
