Tolen Mar
First Post
Okay, I am getting ready to start a new campaign and a new group. All of you have been very helpful before on the few occasions I have had questions, so in order to do the best job I can, I figured I'de come over here and ask your advice on a few things.
First, about me. I have played AD&D from 1st edition, through 2nd, and into 3rd. The system keeps getting better (although the 3E seems to be the best so far. I have run RIFTS, Palladium Fantasy, even a couple of shadowrun and cyberpunk games here and there. So I do know a bit about GMing, but as I learned a long time ago, I can always learn more and improve.
So I want your advice. Ill take anything beyond the basic "Know the rules" and "you are DM, use rule 0" and all that. As I said, I have some experience at this, already. Im looking for the stuff that hasnt been covered that I might not have read/heard/mentally absorbed...
Also, I have a few specific questions.
1: How do you balance encounters for groups larger than four? The core books, and all the books Ive read say the best group is a four member party, and that a group of more characters can handle tougher challenges. Unfortunately, thats all the further that goes. How much is apprpriate? If you have six players, do you up the challenges by 1.5 CR's? or do you just add 1, 2 or more? Or do you simply beef up the monsters one or two extra HD? Do you do the same thing at level 1 as at 10? What about 20? What works best in your experience?
2: How many encounters make a good adventure for an ongoing campaign? You know, like a chapter or episode from a longer series...I know the official rule is that 13.33 encounters of equal CR should give the party a level, but what is a good mid point PER ADVENTURE? Again, What works best for you?
3: This one isnt so much about being a GM, but I would like an answer or some help nonetheless. I have a project and I need playtesters. How do I go about creating an NDA? (I plan on publication, and want to cover my bases.) What goes in it? How should it be written? Do I need a lawyer?
4: What do you do when you run out of ideas? What happens when you get through a killer session then realize you have nothing left?
I realize that these are a rather varied lot of questions, and if need be, Ill move them to separate threads. At any rate, Thanx in advance for any and all advice you are willing to give.
First, about me. I have played AD&D from 1st edition, through 2nd, and into 3rd. The system keeps getting better (although the 3E seems to be the best so far. I have run RIFTS, Palladium Fantasy, even a couple of shadowrun and cyberpunk games here and there. So I do know a bit about GMing, but as I learned a long time ago, I can always learn more and improve.
So I want your advice. Ill take anything beyond the basic "Know the rules" and "you are DM, use rule 0" and all that. As I said, I have some experience at this, already. Im looking for the stuff that hasnt been covered that I might not have read/heard/mentally absorbed...
Also, I have a few specific questions.
1: How do you balance encounters for groups larger than four? The core books, and all the books Ive read say the best group is a four member party, and that a group of more characters can handle tougher challenges. Unfortunately, thats all the further that goes. How much is apprpriate? If you have six players, do you up the challenges by 1.5 CR's? or do you just add 1, 2 or more? Or do you simply beef up the monsters one or two extra HD? Do you do the same thing at level 1 as at 10? What about 20? What works best in your experience?
2: How many encounters make a good adventure for an ongoing campaign? You know, like a chapter or episode from a longer series...I know the official rule is that 13.33 encounters of equal CR should give the party a level, but what is a good mid point PER ADVENTURE? Again, What works best for you?
3: This one isnt so much about being a GM, but I would like an answer or some help nonetheless. I have a project and I need playtesters. How do I go about creating an NDA? (I plan on publication, and want to cover my bases.) What goes in it? How should it be written? Do I need a lawyer?
4: What do you do when you run out of ideas? What happens when you get through a killer session then realize you have nothing left?
I realize that these are a rather varied lot of questions, and if need be, Ill move them to separate threads. At any rate, Thanx in advance for any and all advice you are willing to give.