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DM Prep Work Leading To Burnout: Help?
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<blockquote data-quote="kensanata" data-source="post: 3612944" data-attributes="member: 47845"><p>Figure out what is taking you so long, and drop it.</p><p></p><ul> <li data-xf-list-type="ul"> Spending too much time on NPC stats? Buy some, or have several sessions fighting only monsters, or just use the generic stats from the DMG, or use the <a href="http://www.aarg.net/~minam/npc2.cgi" target="_blank">NPC Generator 2</a>.</li> <li data-xf-list-type="ul"> Spending too much time preparing spellcaster tactics? Do away with spellcasters for a while. Use monsters with lots of hitpoints, big damage reduction, high AC, good saves, high damage per second ratings <img src="data:image/gif;base64,R0lGODlhAQABAIAAAAAAAP///yH5BAEAAAAALAAAAAABAAEAAAIBRAA7" class="smilie smilie--sprite smilie--sprite2" alt=";)" title="Wink ;)" loading="lazy" data-shortname=";)" /> – and no spell like abilities, no supernatural abilities, no special abilities, none of that.</li> <li data-xf-list-type="ul"> Spending too much time on adding class levels to monsters? Don't do it. Pick a different monster, or let them use magic items, or use a simplified warrior class: +1 to-hit per level, +1 Fort per level, +1d10 per level. Done. No feats and save some time.</li> <li data-xf-list-type="ul"> Spending too much time crafting NPCs using Prestige Classes. Use core classes only and use fluff to bridge the gap.</li> <li data-xf-list-type="ul"> Spending too much time picking feats? Either do away with feats (like the simplified warrior above), or pick a feat chain and have all NPCs of a certain type follow the same feat chain. This makes things easy. Pick NPC level, figure out the number of feats, start at the beginning. An example from <a href="http://www.rpgnow.com/product_info.php?products_id=7603" target="_blank">Kitsunemori</a>: Iaido – This martial art is all about drawing a weapon first to deal maximum damage in as little time as possible. Feats: Quick Draw, Power Attack, Cleave, Great Cleave, Improved Bull Rush, Improved Overrun, Improved Sunder, Weapon Focus, Greater Weapon Focus, Weapon Specialization, Greater Weapon Specialization, Weapon Technique, Improved Critical, Deadly Arc (samurai only), Zanshin (samurai only), Improved Zanshin (samurai only). </li> <li data-xf-list-type="ul"> Spending too much time drawing maps? Reuse. In my current campaign, I've reused a little seven-room ruined castle five times. Whenever the party left, something evil came back eventually.</li> <li data-xf-list-type="ul"> Spending too much time inventing background? Drop it. Running adventures is not about being a Fantasy-author wannabe. It's not story-telling all by yourself. It's about being there, at the table. Focus preparation on the stuff that is going to happen at the table. If players go in unexpected directions ("You said they had one of the biggest libraries here, right? My character will read up on the hobgoblin rituals!") don't be afraid to say you'll think of something, and prepare an adventure hook. Just switch to meta if you don't want adventure hooks ("You spend hours and hours pouring over the ethnology books, and truly it is fascinating. But it won't help you in this quest. Let's go back and join the rest of the party...")</li> <li data-xf-list-type="ul"> Take a break and let somebody else run a game or two.</li> </ul></blockquote><p></p>
[QUOTE="kensanata, post: 3612944, member: 47845"] Figure out what is taking you so long, and drop it. [LIST] [*] Spending too much time on NPC stats? Buy some, or have several sessions fighting only monsters, or just use the generic stats from the DMG, or use the [url=http://www.aarg.net/~minam/npc2.cgi]NPC Generator 2[/url]. [*] Spending too much time preparing spellcaster tactics? Do away with spellcasters for a while. Use monsters with lots of hitpoints, big damage reduction, high AC, good saves, high damage per second ratings ;) – and no spell like abilities, no supernatural abilities, no special abilities, none of that. [*] Spending too much time on adding class levels to monsters? Don't do it. Pick a different monster, or let them use magic items, or use a simplified warrior class: +1 to-hit per level, +1 Fort per level, +1d10 per level. Done. No feats and save some time. [*] Spending too much time crafting NPCs using Prestige Classes. Use core classes only and use fluff to bridge the gap. [*] Spending too much time picking feats? Either do away with feats (like the simplified warrior above), or pick a feat chain and have all NPCs of a certain type follow the same feat chain. This makes things easy. Pick NPC level, figure out the number of feats, start at the beginning. An example from [url=http://www.rpgnow.com/product_info.php?products_id=7603]Kitsunemori[/url]: Iaido – This martial art is all about drawing a weapon first to deal maximum damage in as little time as possible. Feats: Quick Draw, Power Attack, Cleave, Great Cleave, Improved Bull Rush, Improved Overrun, Improved Sunder, Weapon Focus, Greater Weapon Focus, Weapon Specialization, Greater Weapon Specialization, Weapon Technique, Improved Critical, Deadly Arc (samurai only), Zanshin (samurai only), Improved Zanshin (samurai only). [*] Spending too much time drawing maps? Reuse. In my current campaign, I've reused a little seven-room ruined castle five times. Whenever the party left, something evil came back eventually. [*] Spending too much time inventing background? Drop it. Running adventures is not about being a Fantasy-author wannabe. It's not story-telling all by yourself. It's about being there, at the table. Focus preparation on the stuff that is going to happen at the table. If players go in unexpected directions ("You said they had one of the biggest libraries here, right? My character will read up on the hobgoblin rituals!") don't be afraid to say you'll think of something, and prepare an adventure hook. Just switch to meta if you don't want adventure hooks ("You spend hours and hours pouring over the ethnology books, and truly it is fascinating. But it won't help you in this quest. Let's go back and join the rest of the party...") [*] Take a break and let somebody else run a game or two. [/LIST] [/QUOTE]
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