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Oh, Man, Do I Need Some DM Tips. . .
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<blockquote data-quote="Mercule" data-source="post: 7037675" data-attributes="member: 5100"><p>Don't beat yourself up. I've been gaming for over 35 years, mostly as the GM. I've had many, many sessions over the years that just didn't work. Whether due to exhaustion, life priorities, or something else, it happens. Heck, we just scrapped our current game of two years because we realized that a couple of people had ended up with characters they hated (slow evolution from marginal starting concepts).</p><p></p><p></p><p>Discuss this with the group. I tend to prefer heavier RP, while most of my group wants to either a) just kill stuff or b) get more toys. There's a balance point and pretty much everyone agrees that memorable characters will have some sort of personality. The exact balance point will depend on your group. But, don't overdo the conversation -- IME, RP-focused folks have a much, much higher tolerance for conversations about how to build character personalities, tie into the campaign setting, etc. than those who are more gamist.</p><p></p><p>There may be an actual incompatibility, though it's unlikely. In that case, you need to decide whether you are willing to run the sort of game they want. It's OK if you can't. The GM should be having fun, too. Maybe someone else can DM and you'd be fine <u>playing</u> a more casual game. Maybe a different system would change the perspective. It's no one's "fault", though. Try to make it work, but don't inflict pain on anyone. Hopefully, a group of friends will reciprocate.</p><p></p><p></p><p>I forget these a lot, too. Using some sort of combat tracker or system helps. I use a DM5E, but just having a reliable paper system works, too. I've even made open notes on the battle mat because it's not like everyone isn't aware when a character is magically feared. Try different things until stuff starts to click.</p><p></p><p></p><p>I haven't had this problem in 5E. There's not a ton of movement, but enough that it isn't completely static.</p><p></p><p></p><p>Poop happens. This sort of thing has happened to me more than once. It's frustrating, but part of the game. It actually makes the PCs feel pretty good, though.</p><p></p><p></p><p>Cliff-hangers and whatnot aren't manditory. Some might even question their benefit. Even if you like them, they don't have to happen every game.</p><p></p><p>I realize that I'm writing issues that seem directly solvable but the real issue here is that I think that I'm all ready to address these things prior to play and in prep, etc., and yet they keep somehow happening. Any help here would be wildly appreciated, thank you!</p></blockquote><p>[/QUOTE]</p>
[QUOTE="Mercule, post: 7037675, member: 5100"] Don't beat yourself up. I've been gaming for over 35 years, mostly as the GM. I've had many, many sessions over the years that just didn't work. Whether due to exhaustion, life priorities, or something else, it happens. Heck, we just scrapped our current game of two years because we realized that a couple of people had ended up with characters they hated (slow evolution from marginal starting concepts). Discuss this with the group. I tend to prefer heavier RP, while most of my group wants to either a) just kill stuff or b) get more toys. There's a balance point and pretty much everyone agrees that memorable characters will have some sort of personality. The exact balance point will depend on your group. But, don't overdo the conversation -- IME, RP-focused folks have a much, much higher tolerance for conversations about how to build character personalities, tie into the campaign setting, etc. than those who are more gamist. There may be an actual incompatibility, though it's unlikely. In that case, you need to decide whether you are willing to run the sort of game they want. It's OK if you can't. The GM should be having fun, too. Maybe someone else can DM and you'd be fine [U]playing[/U] a more casual game. Maybe a different system would change the perspective. It's no one's "fault", though. Try to make it work, but don't inflict pain on anyone. Hopefully, a group of friends will reciprocate. I forget these a lot, too. Using some sort of combat tracker or system helps. I use a DM5E, but just having a reliable paper system works, too. I've even made open notes on the battle mat because it's not like everyone isn't aware when a character is magically feared. Try different things until stuff starts to click. I haven't had this problem in 5E. There's not a ton of movement, but enough that it isn't completely static. Poop happens. This sort of thing has happened to me more than once. It's frustrating, but part of the game. It actually makes the PCs feel pretty good, though. Cliff-hangers and whatnot aren't manditory. Some might even question their benefit. Even if you like them, they don't have to happen every game. I realize that I'm writing issues that seem directly solvable but the real issue here is that I think that I'm all ready to address these things prior to play and in prep, etc., and yet they keep somehow happening. Any help here would be wildly appreciated, thank you![/QUOTE] [/QUOTE]
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