D&D General Scheduling Games (Herding Cats)

[Stalker0]

My only advice is to just choose a set day of the week and say it is that day every week. Those that can make that day can play in the campaign, those that can't won't.

Then, once the day of the week is established, the group can choose to cancel any singular day if say half the group can't make it any particular night.

Exactly how I do it…this is the way.

I have another game that was meant to be a one off but turned into a full game. I did ad hoc schedule for it, and now I loathe it. How about this date how about that date, no date every seems to perfectly work.

 

[Scott Christian]

If you prep combat heavy dungeon tailored to challenge group as a whole, taking into account specific abilities of each character, then without alterations when one is missing, some fights can turn from "challenging" to TPK real fast.

I got you. Dungeons in particular are a little wonky, at least the setup for mine are. It is really hard to just "change" on the fly and still make it balanced.

 

[Ralif Redhammer]

I just had to cancel last nights session because of a very important last minute thing a player had to deal with. This made it so we only had two people attending. I contemplated running the session anyway, and in hindsight I should have.

I think it depends on the system and the scenario. Some games handles smaller groups better than others. And if you're in the middle of a big battle or otherwise important moment in the campaign, you do want the full group there. But generally speaking, my preference is to run my game for whomever shows up. As I've said before, I think maintaining a consistent schedule is important for long-term group stability.

Party no hole.

Or someone runs character. Sometimes I format encounters scaled to party size

All my players take care of their own character sheets, digital or physical, so without the player, there's no character. I imagine if you're running using a VTT, the GM can access the character sheet. And I know some GMs hold onto the character sheets in between games.

 

[Zardnaar]

I think it depends on the system and the scenario. Some games handles smaller groups better than others. And if you're in the middle of a big battle or otherwise important moment in the campaign, you do want the full group there. But generally speaking, my preference is to run my game for whomever shows up. As I've said before, I think maintaining a consistent schedule is important for long-term group stability.


All my players take care of their own character sheets, digital or physical, so without the player, there's no character. I imagine if you're running using a VTT, the GM can access the character sheet. And I know some GMs hold onto the character sheets in between games.

Usually they go into the DM folder.

Or theres a DMNPC in there that someone can run.

 

[Ralif Redhammer]

Usually they go into the DM folder.

Ir theres a DMNPC in there that someone can run.

Huh, interesting. I had one player that asked me to keep track of his (physical) character sheet, but everyone else just holds onto their own in my groups.

 

[Zardnaar]

Huh, interesting. I had one player that asked me to keep track of his (physical) character sheet, but everyone else just holds onto their own in my groups.

It kinda depends on the player.

I dont forget my folder. Players sometimes forget their character sheets (happened this Sunday)

 

[Scott Christian]

It kinda depends on the player.

I dont forget my folder. Players sometimes forget their character sheets (happened this Sunday)

I've seen this happen too. It is always very strange to me. Like forgetting to bring your Magic cards when going to play MtG, or forgetting your fishing pole when going - to the lake to only go fishing. It's odd, but I've seen enough people pull it off that I know it happens.

 

[el-remmen]

Check ins are important when your group plays less often. We have a groupchat and I always make sure to send a reminder five days out. But since we talk fairly regularly on there, the reminder is hardly necessary anymore.

 

[SkidAce]

I got you. Dungeons in particular are a little wonky, at least the setup for mine are. It is really hard to just "change" on the fly and still make it balanced.

I rarely take into account my players abilities (sometimes, not often), usually just their level.

The designers of the dungeon don't know the composition of who's going to be raiding it.

There are plenty of holes with my methods, no need for a large debate, its just a general rule I follow.

 

[Scott Christian]

I rarely take into account my players abilities (sometimes, not often), usually just their level.

The designers of the dungeon don't know the composition of who's going to be raiding it.

There are plenty of holes with my methods, no need for a large debate, its just a general rule I follow.

I appreciate that. That is kind of what I meant. For me, it is all about why the dungeon is there. The history goes into what is there. Then the timeline, and of course, any creatures inhabiting it at present.