Jd Smith1
Hero
Sounds like excellent GM'ing.
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NOW LIVE! Into the Woods--new character species, eerie monsters, and haunting villains to populate the woodlands of your D&D games.
New players: your recruiting standards
- Thread starter Jd Smith1
- Start date
Sounds like excellent GM'ing.
the Jester
Legend
Thanks! My style definitely isn't for everyone, but my long-term players seem to enjoy it.
Jd Smith1
Hero
That's the only standard that matters.
Fanaelialae
Legend
Basically the only rule we have is that everyone in the group must give the okay for a new player.
We also have an unstated rule to the effect of don't be a jerk. Largely this has been handled by the GM stopping the action and handling the issue out of game with a brief discussion like an adult. Fortunately, this has very rarely been an issue.
We also have an unstated rule to the effect of don't be a jerk. Largely this has been handled by the GM stopping the action and handling the issue out of game with a brief discussion like an adult. Fortunately, this has very rarely been an issue.
DND_Reborn
The High Aldwin
1. Be committed. When I DM I spend hours every week prepping for the game, and I expect the player to show up and be on time. This also includes leveling up your character on your time, not session time. The only thing I require is seeing the HP roll if you don't take the average.
2. Develop your characters. I am not here to spoon-feed you a story for you to react to. I play like real life: have goals, dreams, and things you want to accomplish. Otherwise, why would your character risk their life?
3. Be respectful. Everyone's voice should be heard and their ideas matter. When someone else is talking, let
them finish. If you continue to interrupt to steal the spotlight, this will become a problem.
4. Know the rules. I don't expect you to know everything, but you should know your race and class features, especially spells, without having to look them up all the time.
5. No drugs or alcohol. I don't do them and don't want them around. My friends don't do drugs either. If you smoke, you do it outside or in the garage, we don't allow smoking in the house.
6. Keep in-game problems in-game. I am fine with characters messing with other characters, stealing, killing even, if it is appropriate to your character and in character. If you are upset and do something like this just to get the other player, I won't allow it.
7. Keep out-of-game problems out-of-game. Same principle. If you have an issue with another player, leave it off the table. If you bring it to the table, you'll be asked to leave until the problem is resolved.
8. HAVE FUN! I run a serious game, but it is just as important to enjoy yourself at the table. We joke, and such, and sometimes it is a bit off-color or inappropriate, but we never mean offense. If you are at the table, try not to be too sensitive about it, it is all in good fun and we laugh at ourselves a lot.
As far as my style of DMing, I let new players know:
1. The dice rule. If you do something stupid, I'm not going to save you if the dice go against you. Even if you do something smart, I'm not going to save you. Risk is part of the game, and without it you might as well just go read a book.
2. I am traditional. I don't like crazy races as PCs unless you have a VERY good compelling story as to how and why you are trying to adventure with races who would normally see you as a threat.
3. #2 being said, not everything evil is evil. A party might encounter a tribe of hobgoblins, just trying to establish themselves and build a community. You don't have to kill everything you meet.
4. Bad stuff happens, but it is never graphic, only implied. Getting graphic about such things is never necessary. They happen, sure, and we all know it--so let's leave it at that.
5. Your characters can do whatever they want and are capable of doing, but expect the consequences--for good or bad.
That's about it.
2. Develop your characters. I am not here to spoon-feed you a story for you to react to. I play like real life: have goals, dreams, and things you want to accomplish. Otherwise, why would your character risk their life?
3. Be respectful. Everyone's voice should be heard and their ideas matter. When someone else is talking, let
them finish. If you continue to interrupt to steal the spotlight, this will become a problem.
4. Know the rules. I don't expect you to know everything, but you should know your race and class features, especially spells, without having to look them up all the time.
5. No drugs or alcohol. I don't do them and don't want them around. My friends don't do drugs either. If you smoke, you do it outside or in the garage, we don't allow smoking in the house.
6. Keep in-game problems in-game. I am fine with characters messing with other characters, stealing, killing even, if it is appropriate to your character and in character. If you are upset and do something like this just to get the other player, I won't allow it.
7. Keep out-of-game problems out-of-game. Same principle. If you have an issue with another player, leave it off the table. If you bring it to the table, you'll be asked to leave until the problem is resolved.
8. HAVE FUN! I run a serious game, but it is just as important to enjoy yourself at the table. We joke, and such, and sometimes it is a bit off-color or inappropriate, but we never mean offense. If you are at the table, try not to be too sensitive about it, it is all in good fun and we laugh at ourselves a lot.
As far as my style of DMing, I let new players know:
1. The dice rule. If you do something stupid, I'm not going to save you if the dice go against you. Even if you do something smart, I'm not going to save you. Risk is part of the game, and without it you might as well just go read a book.
2. I am traditional. I don't like crazy races as PCs unless you have a VERY good compelling story as to how and why you are trying to adventure with races who would normally see you as a threat.
3. #2 being said, not everything evil is evil. A party might encounter a tribe of hobgoblins, just trying to establish themselves and build a community. You don't have to kill everything you meet.
4. Bad stuff happens, but it is never graphic, only implied. Getting graphic about such things is never necessary. They happen, sure, and we all know it--so let's leave it at that.
5. Your characters can do whatever they want and are capable of doing, but expect the consequences--for good or bad.
That's about it.
Henry
Autoexreginated
Our strongest rule: Do they mesh well with the group in terms of temperament, sense of humor, and commitment.
Group A: has one woman in it (married couple), and age ranges from early 30s to late 40s. Used to have another woman, but she had to stop playing due to health issues. All are pretty easy going with very rarely interpersonal conflict (party conflict yes, but only In-game RP.) humor is More Robin Williams level of Blue than Andrew Dice Clay. Commitment is pretty open, we need to check schedules week-by-week due to real-world commitments.
Group B: has no women (more a matter of circumstance than a rule). All save one person are in their 40s to 50s, most are parents whose children are grown, most are longtime grognards with decades of gaming history each, all are VERY committed to schedule (due to life circumstance we’re most all in positions where we can arrange to keep a specific block open) and maybe break twice to three times a year tops. Humor-wise, very little is off-limits, though constrained by social queues and sense of timing at the table, the kind of thing that hanging around the same people for a decade or more teaches you.
assuming the group was open to it, I’d more readily invite someone to group A than group B, because it’s a little lower key and welcoming. Group B is a bit more insular mainly due to us being so close-knit for so long and knowing each other’s tolerances and social queues so well. We’ve had to kick people out before for being too competitive, or having trouble with us being a bit RP-heavy at times, or in some cases being (technical term) “a massive douche“ that we did not realize until later.
Group A: has one woman in it (married couple), and age ranges from early 30s to late 40s. Used to have another woman, but she had to stop playing due to health issues. All are pretty easy going with very rarely interpersonal conflict (party conflict yes, but only In-game RP.) humor is More Robin Williams level of Blue than Andrew Dice Clay. Commitment is pretty open, we need to check schedules week-by-week due to real-world commitments.
Group B: has no women (more a matter of circumstance than a rule). All save one person are in their 40s to 50s, most are parents whose children are grown, most are longtime grognards with decades of gaming history each, all are VERY committed to schedule (due to life circumstance we’re most all in positions where we can arrange to keep a specific block open) and maybe break twice to three times a year tops. Humor-wise, very little is off-limits, though constrained by social queues and sense of timing at the table, the kind of thing that hanging around the same people for a decade or more teaches you.
assuming the group was open to it, I’d more readily invite someone to group A than group B, because it’s a little lower key and welcoming. Group B is a bit more insular mainly due to us being so close-knit for so long and knowing each other’s tolerances and social queues so well. We’ve had to kick people out before for being too competitive, or having trouble with us being a bit RP-heavy at times, or in some cases being (technical term) “a massive douche“ that we did not realize until later.
MNblockhead
A Title Much Cooler Than Anything on the Old Site
When I got back into the hobby when 5e came out and was planning my first campaign, I recruited a couple of old high school friends who were interested and available, then I posted a call for players on an active Meetup for D&D in my area. Mostly I focused on explaining the campaign setting, some character limitations on classes and races, that it was a no-chaotic-evil campaign.
I had some lengthy back and forth e-mail conversations with a number of interested players. I was a bit nervous because I was hosting it at my place, so I was trying to not only make sure we were on the same page about the kind of game we would be playing but also to get a feel for their personalities.
It worked out well, nearly all of the players have remained steady members of the group over the past five years. New players who have joined to replace the couple of players who left or who join occasionally as guest players are generally friends of existing players, which makes it easy.
My current requirements for a new players has been influence by the preferences of other players. Some things that don't bother me as much, bother them. If I were to write a set of rules/requirements, they would likely look something like this (even though I would hope some of these would never need to be explained to people):
1. NO REAL-WORLD POLITICS
I enjoy socializing with diverse groups of people, and think it is important for society that we not wall ourselves off from each other. But too many people don't share this world view, at least not in their actions and behavior. The US is very politically divided these days and, especially during election season, some people just can't seem to keep their politics to themselves. Political arguments can quickly ruin a social event and derail a game. Game day is a day where current real-world news and political arguments have no place. There are plenty of social events and venues where I'm happy to engage in these discussions, but not in my house on game day.
2. BE HOUSE TRAINED
I'm pretty laid back. I'm not a neat freak. But basic etiquette in terms of personal hygiene and respect are expected.
3. ONLY GAME-RELATED ELECTRONICS AT THE TABLE
DnD Beyond and digital character sheets are fine, but not playing mobile games or checking social media. If someone needs to take a call for home or work, that's cool, we can pause the game, but when we are playing we expect the focus to be on the game.
We do demand physical dice, however, when playing in-person games, and rolling in front of everyone.
4. NO CHAOTIC-EVIL CHARACTERS
The only game worse than one with a party of CE characters is a party with only one CE character.
5. CONTRIBUTE TO SNACK / POTLUCK TABLE
For in-person games, everyone is expected to bring snacks for the groups. We usually break for lunch to go get food at nearby restaurants, but now and then have pot luck days. On those days everyone is expected to contribute something more than chips.
6. HAVE THICK-SKINNED SENSE OF HUMOR
I find it easier, for a home game, to give a heads up to those looking to be offended. If someone is a jerk and purposefully trying to be offensive or singling someone out, or is being hateful, that person will not be invited back. But we all enjoy a sense of humor that is not office appropriate.
7. BE READY ON YOUR TURN
Occasionally a situation will present itself that is complicated or involves a spell or mechanic that is not often used and some discussion and rules look up is necessary. That's fine. But consistently slowing down the game because you have not thought about what your character will do until it is your turn is not.
8. DM MAKES THE FINAL RULING
When I run a game I don't mind a bit of rules lawyering. I enjoy creative application of rules and respect rules mastery. I'll often rely on my players to remind me of certain rules, especially spell effects. But the DM makes the final decision. Any further debate needs to happen between games.
I can't think of much beyond that.
I had some lengthy back and forth e-mail conversations with a number of interested players. I was a bit nervous because I was hosting it at my place, so I was trying to not only make sure we were on the same page about the kind of game we would be playing but also to get a feel for their personalities.
It worked out well, nearly all of the players have remained steady members of the group over the past five years. New players who have joined to replace the couple of players who left or who join occasionally as guest players are generally friends of existing players, which makes it easy.
My current requirements for a new players has been influence by the preferences of other players. Some things that don't bother me as much, bother them. If I were to write a set of rules/requirements, they would likely look something like this (even though I would hope some of these would never need to be explained to people):
1. NO REAL-WORLD POLITICS
I enjoy socializing with diverse groups of people, and think it is important for society that we not wall ourselves off from each other. But too many people don't share this world view, at least not in their actions and behavior. The US is very politically divided these days and, especially during election season, some people just can't seem to keep their politics to themselves. Political arguments can quickly ruin a social event and derail a game. Game day is a day where current real-world news and political arguments have no place. There are plenty of social events and venues where I'm happy to engage in these discussions, but not in my house on game day.
2. BE HOUSE TRAINED
I'm pretty laid back. I'm not a neat freak. But basic etiquette in terms of personal hygiene and respect are expected.
3. ONLY GAME-RELATED ELECTRONICS AT THE TABLE
DnD Beyond and digital character sheets are fine, but not playing mobile games or checking social media. If someone needs to take a call for home or work, that's cool, we can pause the game, but when we are playing we expect the focus to be on the game.
We do demand physical dice, however, when playing in-person games, and rolling in front of everyone.
4. NO CHAOTIC-EVIL CHARACTERS
The only game worse than one with a party of CE characters is a party with only one CE character.
5. CONTRIBUTE TO SNACK / POTLUCK TABLE
For in-person games, everyone is expected to bring snacks for the groups. We usually break for lunch to go get food at nearby restaurants, but now and then have pot luck days. On those days everyone is expected to contribute something more than chips.
6. HAVE THICK-SKINNED SENSE OF HUMOR
I find it easier, for a home game, to give a heads up to those looking to be offended. If someone is a jerk and purposefully trying to be offensive or singling someone out, or is being hateful, that person will not be invited back. But we all enjoy a sense of humor that is not office appropriate.
7. BE READY ON YOUR TURN
Occasionally a situation will present itself that is complicated or involves a spell or mechanic that is not often used and some discussion and rules look up is necessary. That's fine. But consistently slowing down the game because you have not thought about what your character will do until it is your turn is not.
8. DM MAKES THE FINAL RULING
When I run a game I don't mind a bit of rules lawyering. I enjoy creative application of rules and respect rules mastery. I'll often rely on my players to remind me of certain rules, especially spell effects. But the DM makes the final decision. Any further debate needs to happen between games.
I can't think of much beyond that.
aramis erak
Legend
1) I can't smell them or their hygiene products across the table.
2) can read, write, and listen.
3) can play nice with others
4) show up.
I warn new players that there is no PC script immunity, that I restrict PVP, and that I, personally, prefer PG-13 language and subject matter.
2) can read, write, and listen.
3) can play nice with others
4) show up.
I warn new players that there is no PC script immunity, that I restrict PVP, and that I, personally, prefer PG-13 language and subject matter.
pogre
Legend
1. Be a solid human who is interested in playing the game.
2. Be a team player - stealing from other PCs, going way off the tracks by yourself, hoarding treasure, PvP, and evil alignments are all counter to the norms of our table.
3. No drugs and very limited alcohol.
4. I run a PG-13 game. An occasional curse or crude joke is OK - as long as those remain occasional.
5. Some players drive a long way to be at the table - be respectful of their time and avoid excessive off topic conversations.
6. If you play with an unpainted miniature - prepare to be mocked. I have thousands of decently painted miniatures - you are welcome to use one. My boys are merciless in taunting those who use unpainted minis or pre-painted figures. I expect you to mock me when I occasionally substitute a monster - it's all part of the fun for us.
7. Be respectful. We have people at our table from all walks of life and lifestyles.
2. Be a team player - stealing from other PCs, going way off the tracks by yourself, hoarding treasure, PvP, and evil alignments are all counter to the norms of our table.
3. No drugs and very limited alcohol.
4. I run a PG-13 game. An occasional curse or crude joke is OK - as long as those remain occasional.
5. Some players drive a long way to be at the table - be respectful of their time and avoid excessive off topic conversations.
6. If you play with an unpainted miniature - prepare to be mocked. I have thousands of decently painted miniatures - you are welcome to use one. My boys are merciless in taunting those who use unpainted minis or pre-painted figures. I expect you to mock me when I occasionally substitute a monster - it's all part of the fun for us.
7. Be respectful. We have people at our table from all walks of life and lifestyles.
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