brainstorm
First Post
I’ve seen a lot of new DM threads out there asking for help in organizing or running a game. After 25+ years of DMing, I’ve ALMOST got organizing a game down to a science. Almost. So, I thought I’d post my process, not to toot my own horn, but in the event it may help others. I could have used advise like this long ago. I’d be very interested in hearing how others prep/organize/execute a game as well.
Most Frequently Used Gaming Tools:
Laptop
8.5x11 Moleskine graph paper notebook
Combat Tracker (Paizo)
Flip Mats (Paizo)
Dungeon Tiles
Dwarven Forge sets (rarely used, but great for Boss encounters)
Various miniatures
Miscellaneous terrain pieces/sets.
Adventure Prep:
I write most of my own adventures and do so in Word on my laptop because it allows me to cut/paste from various sources, such as PDFs, the DDI Compendium or Monster Builder or other electronic resources. It also lets me print things as needed for reference or as handouts. After I’ve written a rough draft of the encounters, I draw out the map on graph paper. Then I go to my basement and lay the encounter out on my gaming table. I use Dungeon Tiles for 90% of my encounters, so for those, I arrange them on the table, then place terrain pieces, and then the monster/npc miniatures. Once the encounter is laid out, then I set up the PC miniatures and do a quick and dirty run through to make sure the encounter works the way I envisioned. If not, I modify the encounter as needed. Once I’m satisfied that it will work as planned, I put all of the encounter pieces into a large ziplock bag and label it with the encounter name. Then I put the ziplock into a bag for transport. I do the same for every encounter I plan to run during my next session. I then use an Excel spreadsheet to track the npc/monster hit points and conditions for each encounter and prepare it so that it will be ready to go when the encounter begins. Then I make sure my digital recorder has fresh batteries and my digital camera is charged and I’m ready for game day.
Game Day:
I carry only my laptop backpack and my encounter carrying bag to the game. I arrive at my friend’s house about 15-30 minutes early to allow me time to set up. I use my laptop for all of my reference materials so I don’t have to lug around tons of books (which I did in my 3rd and below edition campaigns – pain in the @$$), though some of the player reference books I do keep at my friend’s house (I’m usually the one that buys the non-core books, my friends just bring PHBs). I set the laptop up, get the digital recorder and camera ready and wait for everyone to show up. Once we start, I fire up the recorder and get the game rolling. When an encounter starts, I pull out the appropriate ziplock and set it up using the map in my Moleskine. Initiative is tracked on the Combat Tracker, along with any conditions that affect the PCs. Once the encounter is over, I dump all of the pieces back into the ziplock and go on with the rest of the adventure.
Post-Game Activities:
After the game I put my stuff away and don’t think about it again for a day or so. Then I pull out the digital recorder and re-listen to the adventure (usually while working out or while at work), laughing my butt off or cringing when I screw up. Then I summarize the game in a campaign journal I keep on a campaign website. I upload game pictures to my website as well. Then I start working on the next game, trying to learn from my mistakes.
Storage:
Most of my gaming supplies are kept in Sterilite or Rubbermaid containers that have drawers that I can organize and label. My Dungeon Tiles I keep in some scrapbooking organizers that my wife discarded. They have modular compartments, which allow me to store the tiles by size and shape.
Well, that’s pretty much it. It sounds like a lot of work, but like I said earlier, after 25 years, I’ve got it down. I spend about 1 hour of preparation per hour of gaming, give or take. Our games are usually 4-5 hours per week. I hope this helps anyone in need of tips.
Most Frequently Used Gaming Tools:
Laptop
8.5x11 Moleskine graph paper notebook
Combat Tracker (Paizo)
Flip Mats (Paizo)
Dungeon Tiles
Dwarven Forge sets (rarely used, but great for Boss encounters)
Various miniatures
Miscellaneous terrain pieces/sets.
Adventure Prep:
I write most of my own adventures and do so in Word on my laptop because it allows me to cut/paste from various sources, such as PDFs, the DDI Compendium or Monster Builder or other electronic resources. It also lets me print things as needed for reference or as handouts. After I’ve written a rough draft of the encounters, I draw out the map on graph paper. Then I go to my basement and lay the encounter out on my gaming table. I use Dungeon Tiles for 90% of my encounters, so for those, I arrange them on the table, then place terrain pieces, and then the monster/npc miniatures. Once the encounter is laid out, then I set up the PC miniatures and do a quick and dirty run through to make sure the encounter works the way I envisioned. If not, I modify the encounter as needed. Once I’m satisfied that it will work as planned, I put all of the encounter pieces into a large ziplock bag and label it with the encounter name. Then I put the ziplock into a bag for transport. I do the same for every encounter I plan to run during my next session. I then use an Excel spreadsheet to track the npc/monster hit points and conditions for each encounter and prepare it so that it will be ready to go when the encounter begins. Then I make sure my digital recorder has fresh batteries and my digital camera is charged and I’m ready for game day.
Game Day:
I carry only my laptop backpack and my encounter carrying bag to the game. I arrive at my friend’s house about 15-30 minutes early to allow me time to set up. I use my laptop for all of my reference materials so I don’t have to lug around tons of books (which I did in my 3rd and below edition campaigns – pain in the @$$), though some of the player reference books I do keep at my friend’s house (I’m usually the one that buys the non-core books, my friends just bring PHBs). I set the laptop up, get the digital recorder and camera ready and wait for everyone to show up. Once we start, I fire up the recorder and get the game rolling. When an encounter starts, I pull out the appropriate ziplock and set it up using the map in my Moleskine. Initiative is tracked on the Combat Tracker, along with any conditions that affect the PCs. Once the encounter is over, I dump all of the pieces back into the ziplock and go on with the rest of the adventure.
Post-Game Activities:
After the game I put my stuff away and don’t think about it again for a day or so. Then I pull out the digital recorder and re-listen to the adventure (usually while working out or while at work), laughing my butt off or cringing when I screw up. Then I summarize the game in a campaign journal I keep on a campaign website. I upload game pictures to my website as well. Then I start working on the next game, trying to learn from my mistakes.
Storage:
Most of my gaming supplies are kept in Sterilite or Rubbermaid containers that have drawers that I can organize and label. My Dungeon Tiles I keep in some scrapbooking organizers that my wife discarded. They have modular compartments, which allow me to store the tiles by size and shape.
Well, that’s pretty much it. It sounds like a lot of work, but like I said earlier, after 25 years, I’ve got it down. I spend about 1 hour of preparation per hour of gaming, give or take. Our games are usually 4-5 hours per week. I hope this helps anyone in need of tips.
