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Am I an atypical DM?
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<blockquote data-quote="MerricB" data-source="post: 3047930" data-attributes="member: 3586"><p>The first option applies to me. I'm good at the technical aspects of DMing. There's no doubt about that. I have a really good memory when it comes to rules. (Although there are conditions that still baffle me. Dazzled? What's that do?)</p><p></p><p>Her are the things that I think are really important for good play of D&D 3.5e:</p><p></p><p>* Preparation. Know what you have to prepare and what you can get from another source. If I need a 14th level fighter, I go to the tables in the DMG (and, recently, the PHB2), and make use of those to quickly work out the basics of the fighter and then add the embellishing touches. If I need a low-level orc barbarian... hey there's one in MMIV!</p><p></p><p>* Preparation. Don't work out DCs during play. MMIV is great: it lists all the DCs that are relevant. (Indeed, I think, so does the 3.5e MM). A monster with a stunning attack lists Melee slam +14 (2d6+8 plus Stun, DC 21). At that point, the only thing I need to know is what Stun does, which leads me on to my next point...</p><p></p><p>* Memory. If something comes up frequently, then you need to remember it. Stun is hardly an uncommon condition in my games, so I know what it does. Dazzled is rare, but I know where it's described. (One of the best things about 3.5e: glossaries!) If, after three sessions with the cleric casting bless and the bard singing you *don't* know they stack, then you're going to have a problem. Well, maybe not you... next point...</p><p></p><p>* Responsible Players. 3e does assume that the players know how their characters work and interact. (Sure, as the DM I can often help them, but it works better when they know). If one is playing a monk, then he should have the DC of his stunning attack written down as well as knowing what Stun means. Look: this is something that should come up every session! Why shouldn't he be prepared. Then too, if the cleric is blessing and the bard is singing, surely they should know how they interact? And after needing to know the first time, they should remember it.</p><p></p><p>Cheers!</p></blockquote><p></p>
[QUOTE="MerricB, post: 3047930, member: 3586"] The first option applies to me. I'm good at the technical aspects of DMing. There's no doubt about that. I have a really good memory when it comes to rules. (Although there are conditions that still baffle me. Dazzled? What's that do?) Her are the things that I think are really important for good play of D&D 3.5e: * Preparation. Know what you have to prepare and what you can get from another source. If I need a 14th level fighter, I go to the tables in the DMG (and, recently, the PHB2), and make use of those to quickly work out the basics of the fighter and then add the embellishing touches. If I need a low-level orc barbarian... hey there's one in MMIV! * Preparation. Don't work out DCs during play. MMIV is great: it lists all the DCs that are relevant. (Indeed, I think, so does the 3.5e MM). A monster with a stunning attack lists Melee slam +14 (2d6+8 plus Stun, DC 21). At that point, the only thing I need to know is what Stun does, which leads me on to my next point... * Memory. If something comes up frequently, then you need to remember it. Stun is hardly an uncommon condition in my games, so I know what it does. Dazzled is rare, but I know where it's described. (One of the best things about 3.5e: glossaries!) If, after three sessions with the cleric casting bless and the bard singing you *don't* know they stack, then you're going to have a problem. Well, maybe not you... next point... * Responsible Players. 3e does assume that the players know how their characters work and interact. (Sure, as the DM I can often help them, but it works better when they know). If one is playing a monk, then he should have the DC of his stunning attack written down as well as knowing what Stun means. Look: this is something that should come up every session! Why shouldn't he be prepared. Then too, if the cleric is blessing and the bard is singing, surely they should know how they interact? And after needing to know the first time, they should remember it. Cheers! [/QUOTE]
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