D&D 5E 30 Minutes before a game session, what prep rituals help you DM/play your best games?

[Rhenny]

Last Saturday, I ran another session of my Princes of the Apocalypse campaign (using Fantasy Grounds II) and I made an amazing discovery.

Two pints of Boatswain H.L.V. Ale about 30 minutes before the game, in addition to reviewing the adventure to think about possible modifications I want to make and pre-thinking NPC reactions (and deciding on some possible scripting for these NPCs), made for a terrific session.

What are your pre-game rituals?

 

[Sunseeker]

Typically I avoid cramming. I finish all my prep the night before, and then do housework before D&D. Usually gives me time to let everything sink in, and potentially realize any faults I might have left.

 

[The Crimson Binome]

About half an hour before the game starts, I like to wake up and take a shower. Fifteen minutes before the game starts, I'll chug half a liter of Diet Dr. Pepper.

If I don't get some sort of caffeinated beverage before the game starts, my adjudication can be affected.

 

[Ancalagon]

I hide Igor

 

[AaronOfBarbaria]

I clean up the table, set everyone's character sheets for the session at their spots on the table, set the players' dice and pencils next to their character, same with the appropriate miniatures if any, and set whatever books, notes, and DM screen I'm using for the session up at my spot.

Then I eat, and chat with the players as they arrive.

 

[famousringo]

Playing: A nice little alchohol buzz.

DMing: Kidney failure-inducing levels of caffeine.

 

[Rhenny]

Typically I avoid cramming. I finish all my prep the night before, and then do housework before D&D. Usually gives me time to let everything sink in, and potentially realize any faults I might have left.

This reminds me of my college days. I did a lot of house cleaning instead of studying then. lol

 

[Rhenny]

I hide Igor

Is that "e-gor" or "eye-gor"?

 

[Daern]

Highlighter on the module. Take out the trash. Get some beer.

 

[Tormyr]

Catch up with the players while setting up any maps/miniatures/terrain.