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How have you improved as a DM?
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<blockquote data-quote="Rhenny" data-source="post: 7496755" data-attributes="member: 18333"><p>This reminds me of the old joke. How do you get to Carnegie Hall? Practice, Practice, Practice.</p><p></p><p>That's the most important way I've improved over the last 30 years or so.</p><p></p><p>As I practice, I've learned to do some of the following to make myself a better DM:</p><p></p><p>1) Keep the game moving and don't let it get bogged down with overly complicated tactics and rules disagreements.</p><p></p><p>2) Listen to the players and incorporate some of their ideas into the games on the fly or down the road. Players love to be right and they love when some of their expectations are met.</p><p></p><p>3) Focus on variety. Don't let the party predict patterns. Mix up exploration, interaction and combat and don't lead up to the Big Bad Evil dude every time. </p><p></p><p>4) Say "yes" and let things happen more often. Practice improvising.</p><p></p><p>5) I make an outline before each session and keep a few ideas on the sideboard so if the group gives me an opportunity, I can launch into some of the sideboard encounters and allow the party to go off the rails.</p><p></p><p>6) I've watched lots of others and played in lots of other games. As a DM, I am always learning.</p></blockquote><p></p>
[QUOTE="Rhenny, post: 7496755, member: 18333"] This reminds me of the old joke. How do you get to Carnegie Hall? Practice, Practice, Practice. That's the most important way I've improved over the last 30 years or so. As I practice, I've learned to do some of the following to make myself a better DM: 1) Keep the game moving and don't let it get bogged down with overly complicated tactics and rules disagreements. 2) Listen to the players and incorporate some of their ideas into the games on the fly or down the road. Players love to be right and they love when some of their expectations are met. 3) Focus on variety. Don't let the party predict patterns. Mix up exploration, interaction and combat and don't lead up to the Big Bad Evil dude every time. 4) Say "yes" and let things happen more often. Practice improvising. 5) I make an outline before each session and keep a few ideas on the sideboard so if the group gives me an opportunity, I can launch into some of the sideboard encounters and allow the party to go off the rails. 6) I've watched lots of others and played in lots of other games. As a DM, I am always learning. [/QUOTE]
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