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Message: <blockquote data-quote="Nagol" data-source="post: 7929185" data-attributes="member: 23935">Dozens, possibly more.  It depends a lot on the game engine, campaign type (common environment, level of continuity between missions, expected PC power level, expected amount and power of extraordinary abilities aka magic), , and specific GM (what does the GM find difficult during a session and what costs time outside of it).Let's start with the GM first.  Many newer GMs have confessed they get overwhelmed during a session by adjudicating consequence.  Either they are afraid of the players going the 'wrong way' or that they don't want to hurt the players' feelings (I had one Paranoia GM that refused to kill the PCs, like ever).  Like most new things, start small and practice.  Make sure the game you are running fits what you want to run.  If you feel uncomfortable killing PCs, pick a game where that is highly unlikely or impossible as opposed to one where multiple PC death is game conceit.Other advice would depend a lot on the campaign type: sandbox means there is no wrong path, AP if the PCs wander off script, let them founder a little, but find ways to keep offering them back onto the path.  If the players refuse to take the ramps, talk to the players about expectations.  If the DM is uncomfortable with improv design, again practice and keep individual areas small and highly contained.  Also learn some basic paradigms like the 5-room dungeon so you have a basic framework to riff on.  Practice "yes and" answers to player declarations to keep the table moving and engaged.  Try to avoid hard blocks when the players try something entirely unexpected.  It's OK to take a 5-10 minute break to regroup and think through consequence and ramifications.  Create a few index cards or equivalent with thematic collections of antagonists and rewards.  Collect traps, tricks, and puzzles to drop in to distract.  Above all, listen.  The players will almost certainly be discussing possibilities and they have multiple brains.  Liberally steal the best of ideas though toss in some twists to make them your own.</blockquote>

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