How Much time do you spend in preparation for a nights gaming session ?
- Thread starter Hackenslash
- Start date
MojoGM
First Post
I usually do about 2-3 hours, but that includes everything (plot, enemies, stats, etc).
I'd like to devote some serious time to prepping so in-between session prep can be minimal, but I never seem to find the time.
Reading this thread has given me some ideas on how to cut my prep time considerably.
I'd like to devote some serious time to prepping so in-between session prep can be minimal, but I never seem to find the time.
Reading this thread has given me some ideas on how to cut my prep time considerably.
WizarDru
Adventurer
At low levels, virtually none (if using modules) to an hour. At high levels, working out stat blocks and spell/rules research consumes a lot more time, often taking up to four hours for a session prep, if I want to get everything right. I could use cookie-cutter beasties, but that often proves unsatisfying...although Jamis Buck often makes things much better. =)
Howerver, I also prefer to class-up and template creatures A LOT, so this may be part of the issue.
Howerver, I also prefer to class-up and template creatures A LOT, so this may be part of the issue.
Sir Whiskers
First Post
It depends on what the players choose to pursue. I try to leave the party options, which means a certain minimum amount of preparation for each possibility. Then when they decide, I'll spend hours and hours fleshing out the setting/encounter/plotline/whatever. But if the group spends four sessions on a particular adventure, I may only spend 2-3 hours between sessions adding more detail. Then they choose another adventure to pursue and the prep work begins all over again.
Because of the sheer volume of prep work a campaign requires, I started awarding xp to characters if the player would flesh out something related to his/her character: the monastic order the character belongs to, the history and organization of the local Pirate Isle, the legend of the floating city and how it was destroyed. I then take all that work and add a few twists so the player doesn't know everything (just what the character knows) and see if the party will follow up on it. I've developed a number of adventures based on just such input and it's worth every xp the characters get.
Because of the sheer volume of prep work a campaign requires, I started awarding xp to characters if the player would flesh out something related to his/her character: the monastic order the character belongs to, the history and organization of the local Pirate Isle, the legend of the floating city and how it was destroyed. I then take all that work and add a few twists so the player doesn't know everything (just what the character knows) and see if the party will follow up on it. I've developed a number of adventures based on just such input and it's worth every xp the characters get.
Henry
Autoexreginated
I prep all the time. 
When I'm in the shower, I occasionally think about something cool to add to my next session. When I'm driving to work, an idea or scene will strike me as fun to add to the next session.
Actual prep time is about 4 hours total, where I sit down and type up notes about an hour each night. But all told, I probably spend about 6 hours coming up with plot threads, possible encounters, NPC stats, dungeon maps, etc.
When I'm in the shower, I occasionally think about something cool to add to my next session. When I'm driving to work, an idea or scene will strike me as fun to add to the next session.
Actual prep time is about 4 hours total, where I sit down and type up notes about an hour each night. But all told, I probably spend about 6 hours coming up with plot threads, possible encounters, NPC stats, dungeon maps, etc.
Hackenslash
First Post
Good response to my Poll...Cheers !!!
That was quite interesting and it seems that quite a few of you do actually spend quite some time in preparation. I quite like the Idea from "Sir Whiskers" about awarding players more XP for extra background information to be used in the campaign. I was also impressed with the detailed breakdown of time allocation from "bwgwl" and "Fenes2". Thanks again for all your inspiration. Although I have DM'ed before and consider myself a very experienced DnD player (18 years or so now), this will be only the second time I have DM'ed the 3.0 Edition, with the first time being only for about 7 months. So all the help and advice is much appreciated.
That was quite interesting and it seems that quite a few of you do actually spend quite some time in preparation. I quite like the Idea from "Sir Whiskers" about awarding players more XP for extra background information to be used in the campaign. I was also impressed with the detailed breakdown of time allocation from "bwgwl" and "Fenes2". Thanks again for all your inspiration. Although I have DM'ed before and consider myself a very experienced DnD player (18 years or so now), this will be only the second time I have DM'ed the 3.0 Edition, with the first time being only for about 7 months. So all the help and advice is much appreciated.
i find the amount of prep time is also somewhat dependent on genre.
i'm currently running a superheroes campaign with M&M, and that seems to take the least amount of prep of any type of game i've ran. (mainly because there are usually less NPCs to stat out.)
for our current story arc, my prep time went something like this:
from the backstory one player gave me, i knew the PC had a best friend with an abusive ex-boyfriend. currently, the friend was living in Montana (the campaign is set in New Jersey, however).
ok, it'd be a cool hook if i turn the psycho ex-boyfriend into a supervillain -- give the PCs a reason to intervene and a chance to leave the campaign city for the wilds of the open plain.
so, what kind of supervillain idea can i come up with for Montana. for some reason, the first thing i thought of when i thought of Montana was a bunch of paleontologists out on the open prairie digging up dinosaur bones. (though i'm pretty sure there's a lot more fossil digs in Wyoming and Utah than Montana... anyways...)
ok, how about some paleontologists dig up some dinosaur fossils and release an ancient evil curse? abusive ex-boyfriend happens to be dating one of the grad students on the dig and he's the one hit by the curse. voila! instant rampaging berserk monster villain, The Living Fossil!
players go to investigate after alerted to the monster by friends living in the area. the monster is gradually working his way across the state, heading for where the PC's friend is currently living.
spent about 15-20 minutes designing the villain and his dinosaur skeleton construct minions, and i literally have enough material for at least 3 sessions. all the detail work has been made up on the spot -- including the specific details of the curse, the involvement of the local Crow Indians, the past exploits of the PC's grandfather (himself a former superhero) who also lives in Montana, the link between the Fossil monster and one of grandpa's old nemeses, etc...
it's been a pretty cool story arc so far.
i'm currently running a superheroes campaign with M&M, and that seems to take the least amount of prep of any type of game i've ran. (mainly because there are usually less NPCs to stat out.)
for our current story arc, my prep time went something like this:
from the backstory one player gave me, i knew the PC had a best friend with an abusive ex-boyfriend. currently, the friend was living in Montana (the campaign is set in New Jersey, however).
ok, it'd be a cool hook if i turn the psycho ex-boyfriend into a supervillain -- give the PCs a reason to intervene and a chance to leave the campaign city for the wilds of the open plain.
so, what kind of supervillain idea can i come up with for Montana. for some reason, the first thing i thought of when i thought of Montana was a bunch of paleontologists out on the open prairie digging up dinosaur bones. (though i'm pretty sure there's a lot more fossil digs in Wyoming and Utah than Montana... anyways...)
ok, how about some paleontologists dig up some dinosaur fossils and release an ancient evil curse? abusive ex-boyfriend happens to be dating one of the grad students on the dig and he's the one hit by the curse. voila! instant rampaging berserk monster villain, The Living Fossil!
players go to investigate after alerted to the monster by friends living in the area. the monster is gradually working his way across the state, heading for where the PC's friend is currently living.
spent about 15-20 minutes designing the villain and his dinosaur skeleton construct minions, and i literally have enough material for at least 3 sessions. all the detail work has been made up on the spot -- including the specific details of the curse, the involvement of the local Crow Indians, the past exploits of the PC's grandfather (himself a former superhero) who also lives in Montana, the link between the Fossil monster and one of grandpa's old nemeses, etc...
it's been a pretty cool story arc so far.
Last edited:
VorpalBunny
Explorer
I usually try to prep around 2 hours for a 4 hour game session - although sometimes I end up cramming it into 15 minutes of prep right before the game starts 
.
.When not playing the game I am constantly prepping for the next session. I am always thinking about what the next NPC move should be, what cool background changes I can make or how I can motivate the players to do something.
Actual hard prepping, such as maps, NPC or monster stat sheets, predrawn miniature encounter locations for combat or social encounters takes about 2-4 hours per 6-8 hour gaming session. I do use modules but just for the plots and maps and I will mesh them with campaign storyline.
Aithne
Actual hard prepping, such as maps, NPC or monster stat sheets, predrawn miniature encounter locations for combat or social encounters takes about 2-4 hours per 6-8 hour gaming session. I do use modules but just for the plots and maps and I will mesh them with campaign storyline.
Aithne
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