D&D

[Drake_XIV]

A few of my friends and I are interested in actually trying a session of D&D but none of us actually have any experience, some having never laid hands on a D20 before.  So it kind of fell to me to be our improv DM the first time and now filing through all the 4e manuals.  But all of this reading and research does not without application and experience.

That being said, any veteran DMs or players have any words of advice?  Any pitfalls to avoid?

Does the DM normally refrain from controlling a character whilst DMing?  Or is it fine if they were to do so?

Any tips on cutting down on costs with item alternatives, especially with regards to the DM Screen and figures/tokens?  Would Dice Programs be an acceptable alternative to actual dice?

[Elbirn]

I too once took interest in D&D upon my finding some old rulebooks that my uncle had left at my home decades ago. But my friends and I never got around to it... Interest began to wane once we found that we had difficulty finding an actual D&D set (Even the local comic shop only sold D&D *Boardgames*, which I assure you are not the same thing)

In my research, I found a dice rolling program, a pdf of the now discontinued Oriental Adventures of which my uncle had left the physical rulebook, and an online guide to getting started.

That's all that I still have bookmarked. It's not much, but resources are resources, maybe something here will help. Also, It's my understanding that the dice rolling program is an acceptable alternative, but....Come onnn. Buy real dice. If you're gonna do this, do this right.

[Fippe94]

Does the DM normally refrain from controlling a character whilst DMing?  Or is it fine if they were to do so?

Do you mean making a normal player character like the others and play as while DMing? No, I've never done that/been present while anyone else is doing that. The only charatcers the DM controls are the "NPCs" (Or whatever you call them in english).

[justaburd]

might this help?

DMing and playing a character at the same time isn't really recommended since you're more liable to help yourself...

And actual dice feel better when compared to the programs. That's not to say you can't, of course... Though I do think dice programs are typically meant more for an online audience, which has its own limitations

[OldTrees]

Veteran DM here.

1) Intimate knowledge of the rules and the campaign makes improv DMing easier.

2) What is your role in the game? Different DMs have different answers. My role was to ensure the players had fun.

3) How is the story going to progress and who makes the story? DMs vary in how much control over the plot they give the players. I run a sandbox campaign (meaning the players are responsible for actively creating plot) however this does not fit every group. Just avoid going too far to either extreme.

4) DMs rarely control player characters. Mind Control is better operated with player cooperation. When a player is gone, I let the party act as if the character's unique utility abilities are there (say healing or teleportation) but the rest of the character is ignored.

5) It is usually a very bad idea for the DM to have a player character. (Google DM PC) However it is your task to control NPCs like hirelings.

6) A DM screen is not needed if you are doing improv. Your campaign notes should be short enough to memorize, the charts are in the books and you can hide rolls that need to be hid with your hand. (Very few rolls need be hidden. Opposed checks like stealth are one example)

7) I am cheap. I use a GO set as a board, walls and generic enemies. Additional enemies and PCs are represented with unique dice. (Barbarian is the d12, Wizard is the d4 ...). A dice roller is an acceptable alternative for die rolls.

8m) Try to say "yes". Sometimes you might have to say "yes, but".
Ex:
Can I swing from the chandelier into battle as part of my charge? Yes.
Can I use a ladder to pin my opponent? Yes, make a check.
Can I use the ice to increase my movement speed? Yes, but you might fall prone.

9) Circumstance modifiers are your friend. Reward players when they act intimidating as part of roleplaying the intimidate skill check. Reward them for innovative thinking like throwing gravel onto a patch of ice.

Any more questions?

Here is a good forum to browse for more information, ideas, advise, homebrewed stuff ...

[EmeraldTiger]

How difficult would it be to run a D&D Campaign on a Sync/Pirate Pad board?

[Captain Scibra]

How difficult would it be to run a D&D Campaign on a Sync/Pirate Pad board?

Wouldn't be too hard, and would actually of great use considering a log could be kept of everything that happened.  You'd still need some sort of mapping tool and what not for the DM to use.

[Naesala]

I don't mean to brag, but I'm a pretty good DM. I have DM'd DnD 3.0, 3.5, Pathfinder, Paranoia, Ironclaw Squaring the Circle, and many zombie-themed make up the rules at the start games. I've also participated in a lot of other games. So if you ever need help (excepting with particular rules I wouldnt be aquainted with), feel free to PM me.

All of OldTree's points are very good. I am alright with having a DM controlled character so long as you are able to keep your character knowledge separate from your own, which I have done. NPCs are better, though. I don't know if you've seen anything by Spoony, but he has a series of (funny and somewhat long) videos about roleplaying known as counter monkey. Many of them teach lots of good tips. Here's a link http://spoonyexperiment.com/category/counter-monkey/

Try to establish early on what kind of game you're going to have: are you a heavy roleplaying focus, a grindy almost videogame like focus, or a mixture between the two? Also try to learn what your players are like. Find out who likes to be in the spotlight, who likes to have complex character story, who likes to have the biggest baddest sword.

Don't make your players pest exterminators. I have yet to meet a group that enjoys fighting low level giant rats, spiders, and insects. Make players feel like they are important and doing something worthwhile or you will lose them. In general, let them try to do whatever they want,even if it goes off your plans (see OT's post about saying yes).

I use chatzy to roleplay, but it can be slow and clunky. There are likely better options out there. There are plenty of free dice rolling programs out there.

[Drake_XIV]

Well, I didn't expect to get such useful responses, to be honest.  And for that, much thanks.

How difficult would it be to run a D&D Campaign on a Sync/Pirate Pad board?

Hm, I was wondering about doing that in case there were concerns with meeting up...


Also, are there any things that I should enforce in character creation?  Obviously, there are some obvious issues [Azeroth the Tiefling Warlord verses Fred the Dragonborn Fighter], but any issues I should address for first-timers as well?

Regarding DMPC, is there a precedent for PCs becoming NPCs?  Or are there ally NPCs that are able to join a party in an encounter?  Because that would seem interesting for tying in a custom adventure later...

[OldTrees]

Also, are there any things that I should enforce in character creation?  Obviously, there are some obvious issues [Azeroth the Tiefling Warlord verses Fred the Dragonborn Fighter], but any issues I should address for first-timers as well?

Regarding DMPC, is there a precedent for PCs becoming NPCs?  Or are there ally NPCs that are able to join a party in an encounter?  Because that would seem interesting for tying in a custom adventure later...

Party composition:
Do you want to permit in party conflict? If so how far are you willing to let it go? If in party conflict is turned off then certain characters will need rationalizations to be compatible. I do not see a conflict between Azeroth and Fred, however you would know the specific characters.
You might also want to ensure that all required roles are filled. (However a role can be filled by an ally)

Yes PCs can become NPCs and NPCs are sometimes included as allies in a party. However read up on the complaints about DMPCs so you know what to avoid. As always communication with your players is key.

[Drake_XIV]

Also, are there any things that I should enforce in character creation?  Obviously, there are some obvious issues [Azeroth the Tiefling Warlord verses Fred the Dragonborn Fighter], but any issues I should address for first-timers as well?

Regarding DMPC, is there a precedent for PCs becoming NPCs?  Or are there ally NPCs that are able to join a party in an encounter?  Because that would seem interesting for tying in a custom adventure later...

Party composition:
Do you want to permit in party conflict? If so how far are you willing to let it go? If in party conflict is turned off then certain characters will need rationalizations to be compatible. I do not see a conflict between Azeroth and Fred, however you would know the specific characters.
You might also want to ensure that all required roles are filled. (However a role can be filled by an ally)

Yes PCs can become NPCs and NPCs are sometimes included as allies in a party. However read up on the complaints about DMPCs so you know what to avoid. As always communication with your players is key.

Oh, I had meant name-wise.  Amongst the fantasy names, I take it isn't really fine to have a character that is named as such?

I will look further into DMPCs.

[Naesala]

Let the players name their characters as they wish, unless you have an important part of your world dealing with names. For example, in my campaign only nobles have last names, so only nobles get last names. But otherwise I see no problem with having a Fred and an Azeroth.