Running & Playing "One Offs"

[Digital M@]

Many off us have participated in "One Off" games at local game days, conventions or even a friends house for a filler game. My question is as a DM, how much can you fit in during a typical 4 hour period? How much time setting the story and mood, how much conflict/combat? Is it important to finish the story or just to get you as far as time allows?

As a player what is important in a one time game?

 

[Crothian]

Depends completely on what you want out of the game. There is no one formula for one shots and I've played in a lot of them that had very little in common with each other.

 

[The_Gunslinger658]

Could not have said it better Crothian. Also, check out WoTC's adventure downloads, there might be one or two that are small enough to run in four hours.

edit
heres the link to WoTC's adventure downloads:

http://www.wizards.com/default.asp?x=dnd/oa/20030530b

Scott

 

[Nellisir]

OK, I'm interested in this question, as I've just volunteered to run an Iron Heros one-shot at the New Hampshire game day. I've played a few one-shots (about...three, I think), and mine will probably have more combat and less puzzle-solving. It looks like I'll have between 4 and 5 hours. I'm planning on preparing 6-8 encounters, mostly combat, some role-playing. I don't expect to use 8, but...maybe?

 

[Piratecat]

In a four hour game, I plan for 3 combat encounters (one of which is optional when short of time) and 2-3 roleplaying encounters. There's a thread around somewhere where Rel and I go into one-shot games in a lot of depth; I'll try to find it.

 

[Ry]

I ran Gorgoldand's Gauntlet Expanded in 4 hours, no problem.

Fully ready pregen characters a must (must!)
Start in motion (you are at the dungeon entrance ready to avenge the attack on your village)
Paint with bright colours

 

[Piratecat]

Found it!

What makes a convention game great. I'll bump it as well.

 

[Nellisir]

In a four hour game, I plan for 3 combat encounters (one of which is optional when short of time) and 2-3 roleplaying encounters. There's a thread around somewhere where Rel and I go into one-shot games in a lot of depth; I'll try to find it.

Thanks, looks like I'm roughly on track then.

 

[SavageRobby]

I'll also add (even though its obvious) that it depends on the game system. I can get a lot more done in a 4 hour session of Savage Worlds or C&C than I can in a 4 hour session of 3x. A month or two ago we ran a C&C game and cleared out the Free RPG Day DCC module, Sinister Secret of Whiterock (and that was with a number of newbies to C&C).

 

[Digital M@]

Thanks Everyone!