One Thing You Can Do to Become a Better DM

[TarionzCousin]

What is one thing that you would recommend that other DM's do? It can be something you do well, something you wish you could do better, something you've seen done, etc.

I would recommend "The Pause."

When your players are discussing what's going on in your game, don't react to what they say. Some of them will be throwing things out there and looking at you out of the corner of their eyes to see if you bite. Keep a straight face.

This also means don't jump in to suggest something. If you've done a good job at planting clues, another player will usually say what you were thinking after a moment or two. It's their game, not your story. Let them decide what to do.



So, what is your "One Thing" suggestion?

 

[kitsune9]

Looping information back to the players.

If you want your players to really "get" a campaign, then have certain aspects of the campaign pop up continuously. For example if there is a particular greeting that you want the players to capture other than "What's up?" then always use it in every rp exercise.

 

[kitsune9]

Looping information back to the players.

If you want your players to really "get" a campaign, then have certain aspects of the campaign pop up continuously. For example if there is a particular greeting that you want the players to capture other than "What's up?" then always use it in every rp exercise.

 

[Theo R Cwithin]

Wear pants. I really can't stress this one enough.

Also, for passive checks and the like, I keep a list of random rolls at hand so I can "roll the dice" without actually doing anything physical that tips off the players to the unspeakably horrible thing that is about to occur.

 

[The Shaman]

My one thing is, never share your refereeing tricks on a public intreweb forum.

 

[Dice4Hire]

I'm already doing mine. And no, I cannot tell.

 

[Wiseblood]

Visit EN World steal ideas.

 

[kitsune9]

Visit EN World steal ideas.

Sounds like an awesome DM tactic!

 

[Stormonu]

Don't be a slave to the rules; encourage the players to try actions beyond what is set down in the ruleset. It gets too easy to say "no" to something new or wild. Instead, go with it.

 

[amerigoV]

Pace - keep it up! I only have some much time for gaming, so keep things moving! There is nothing worse (for me, I know some people have different tastes) than to come to a gaming session and a couple of players are not prepared, someone wants to by gear, and all that gets accomplished is we talk with a couple of commoners. Get to the game!