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A question for DMs more experienced than myself - aka everyone
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<blockquote data-quote="Mengu" data-source="post: 5143994" data-attributes="member: 65726"><p>It's not a problem. You have to start somewhere. Jumping into it is a good way to start getting the DM experience, and it sounds like you have enough play experience to run.</p><p></p><p>I certainly won't hold being new against a DM. However I can make a few recommendations on the mechanical side.</p><p></p><p>1. Make sure you have studied the encounters, know what the monsters can do, and have a game plan for their tactics. Resolving monster attacks quickly is an important priority.</p><p></p><p>2. If you use an initiative board put another experienced player in charge of it. Or if you're using initiative cards, have them prepped before the game.</p><p></p><p>3. Pick a rules buddy, preferably someone you know and trust with the rules, to be a player in the game. Any rules issues that come up which you can't address, turn to that player for answers.</p><p></p><p>Common new DM pitfalls I've witnessed are being too slow and ponderous with monster actions, and general flow of combat, spending too much time on a rules issue, or sometimes just a general lack of awareness of time in RP encounters.</p><p></p><p>For the rest of the game, when you're studying the module, be sure to highlight the important tidbits of information the players "must have" for the adventure to make sense. And check these off as you hand this information out. You really don't want to miss anything.</p><p></p><p>I also think it's a good idea to *not* paraphrase read aloud text for your first run of a module, however cheesy it may seem. The text usually gives the players exactly what they need to know. Second time around, you can be more conversational.</p><p></p><p>The rest is just adding color. Prepare in your head attitudes for the kind of NPC's that will be encountered. Think of where the climax of a skill challenge or combat encounter might be, and be sure to step away from the dice for a second to give a flavorful description of the moment.</p><p></p><p>Do these, and you'll have happy players.</p></blockquote><p></p>
[QUOTE="Mengu, post: 5143994, member: 65726"] It's not a problem. You have to start somewhere. Jumping into it is a good way to start getting the DM experience, and it sounds like you have enough play experience to run. I certainly won't hold being new against a DM. However I can make a few recommendations on the mechanical side. 1. Make sure you have studied the encounters, know what the monsters can do, and have a game plan for their tactics. Resolving monster attacks quickly is an important priority. 2. If you use an initiative board put another experienced player in charge of it. Or if you're using initiative cards, have them prepped before the game. 3. Pick a rules buddy, preferably someone you know and trust with the rules, to be a player in the game. Any rules issues that come up which you can't address, turn to that player for answers. Common new DM pitfalls I've witnessed are being too slow and ponderous with monster actions, and general flow of combat, spending too much time on a rules issue, or sometimes just a general lack of awareness of time in RP encounters. For the rest of the game, when you're studying the module, be sure to highlight the important tidbits of information the players "must have" for the adventure to make sense. And check these off as you hand this information out. You really don't want to miss anything. I also think it's a good idea to *not* paraphrase read aloud text for your first run of a module, however cheesy it may seem. The text usually gives the players exactly what they need to know. Second time around, you can be more conversational. The rest is just adding color. Prepare in your head attitudes for the kind of NPC's that will be encountered. Think of where the climax of a skill challenge or combat encounter might be, and be sure to step away from the dice for a second to give a flavorful description of the moment. Do these, and you'll have happy players. [/QUOTE]
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