my first DM session

[cheerio730]

Well it's over. I dmed my first game yesterday. I said I'd post about how it went. So...



It went horribly. Most of it was my fault, like giving them a trap they were unable to disable because I didn't know that only rouges could disable traps, but also our playing buddy kept asking me questions I had no idea about. He new I didn't have a copy of the DMG, but kept asking me rule questions, that he KNEW I wouldn't know. Or I'd try to make soemthing up and he'd say "That's against the rules..." He's forgets that he's been playing wayyyyyyyy longer then my husband and I, and kept pratically DMing the game himself, looking up rules and correcting me constantly. I think it was just a horrible game. He said I did ok, but I could tell he was lieing.

We're just going to have him Dm several more games, and I'm going to practice and study in the meantime, then I'll try again in a month or 2.

 

[shilsen]

Well it's over. I dmed my first game yesterday. I said I'd post about how it went. So...

It went horribly.

Condolences. But it'll get better. And it's also possible that you're being a little more critical of yourself than your players are.

Most of it was my fault, like giving them a trap they were unable to disable because I didn't know that only rouges could disable traps, but also our playing buddy kept asking me questions I had no idea about. He new I didn't have a copy of the DMG, but kept asking me rule questions, that he KNEW I wouldn't know. Or I'd try to make soemthing up and he'd say "That's against the rules..." He's forgets that he's been playing wayyyyyyyy longer then my husband and I, and kept pratically DMing the game himself, looking up rules and correcting me constantly. I think it was just a horrible game. He said I did ok, but I could tell he was lieing.

Why was he asking you rules questions if he knew you didn't know the answer? And correcting you is fine if he corrects you and then shuts up and lets you either use what he said or what you were originally using (which is your prerogative as DM). Doesn't sound like that's the case and more like he was being a jerk because he knew the rules better than you.

We're just going to have him Dm several more games, and I'm going to practice and study in the meantime, then I'll try again in a month or 2.

Knowing the rules well is always good, since it gives one more confidence, if nothing else. But I'm curious - any chance your supposed buddy was making you feel like you couldn't hack it just so that you'd let him continue to DM?

 

[Gold Roger]

Ok, he's right that you did alright then. Ruleslawyering a new DM is like spanking a newborn for not walking, it's plain unfair and wrong. He propably ment well (trying to get you used to it/showing you how important rules knowledge is). Don't get to hung up on the rules part. It's not the most important aspect of DMing and one of the easiest to learn.

Setting a trap they can't beat, as long as it didn't kill anyone, really is far from a crime. Hell, I do it fully knowing it. So they take some damage. If it's logical for a trap being there, well, the bad guys won't put up a trap simply because the PC's can't deal with them.

Saying it was horrible isn't the way to go, remember confidence is of prime importance when DMing. Forget about the rules, you'll learn those with some practice and effort, how did the actual session go?

 

[Oryan77]

Sounds like it went perfect then

Seriously...that's about how it goes for a DM's first game! If you replied back and said it went perfect, then something is wrong with your group

First, tell your friend to "please shut up and play". That's pretty annoying that he would be hassling you like that from the beginning. But ya know, that's still pretty normal for a guy to be doing that to a first time DM. You'll always DM someone who is going to be a problem player at times. Gamers are just annoying like that. Gamers love to prove how much smarter they are than others, and they love to show other gamers that they know more about gaming/D&D than everyone else. This guy was just giving you a hard time to boost his ego and show off a little.

All you need to do is keep DM'ing! Keep at it and don't take long breaks. During sessions, read combat rules in the Player's Handbook, skim over the classes so you know what they can do, & read up whatever chapters you think sound important in the Dungeon Master's Guide. Don't get frustrated to the point you want to quit....we all think like that in the beginning (or when you're DM'ing for a new group that turns out to be full of annoying players).

 

[Illirion]

Too bad to hear about the sucky session, but I can sympathise a lot since it's not that long ago since I had my first DMing session. Mine went ok, but I mostly had inexperienced players and I think I won them over when I gave them the map at the start (one of the players was our previous DM and he never drew maps and was basically winging it every session. So they were all really impressed when the first thing I did was give them a map of the region their PC's were staying in).

But when you've got players who know more than you do about the rules, you've got to realise that, although you don't have the highest authority on official rules, you're still in charge of running the game. A player who recently joined my game has played for more than five years and though I think it'll be harder to impress him, I think it will also come in handy cause I don't know all the rules yet.

YOU have to "use" your rules guru and not the other way around. See him as a valuable source of rules and if he is asking whether a certain rule is right or not, you can ask him what he thinks it should be, and implement that rule instead. You should not let him take over DMing just because he knows the rules better. You're still the one who controls the encounters and creates the world. You still have more to say in the game than a rules lawyer ever can. Just don't be afraid to put your foot down when you're trying to make important decisions, even if it's your first session and some players are more experienced than you.

 

[Piratecat]

Why was he asking you rules questions if he knew you didn't know the answer?

Not to get all dog-trainery on you, but it's a dominance thing. It's also really rude.

Cheerio, if it makes you feel any better, the first time I DMed my players walked out on me. After that I did what you did - read a lot and practiced. It got MUCH better. Only come to think of it, at the time I probably got a LOT frumpier about the bad experience than you did.

You aren't intimidated, or if you are you aren't letting it stop you. You have my deepest respect and admiration.

 

[smootrk]

Sounds like it went perfect then

Seriously...that's about how it goes for a DM's first game! If you replied back and said it went perfect, then something is wrong with your group

I will echo this. First time to DM any type of game is a nightmare.

You also need to tell your know-it-all player that you will be making your own rule judgments on the fly - until you get a grip on all the subtle rules.... tempered with, "but I will ask you for insight when I feel like I need it." And, tell him to help you out by going along with your decisions while at the table to keep the game moving. If he is a good DM, then he should understand where you are coming from.

 

[Crothian]

Don't worry too much about it. I'd ask the one guy too be less rude next time. During the game throwing a book at him might not have been out of line. DMing is something you learn through hard work, experience and observation. Best of luck.

 

[Treebore]

Get rid of the experienced "butt head", he is supposed to help you learn, not be an egotistical jerk and harass you with rules he didn't know the first time he DMed. Losers like him are why people get turned off to this game.

 

[Kyuss Knight]

All of this advice is great. I will be running my first game as DM this coming Thursday. I pretty much know the adventure (the first leg of Shackled City) front to back so I hope it will go well!