The Dungeon Masters' Foundation Mk.II

[LilMissKittyn]

Oh wow I'm only gone a day and there's a billion more posts.

@any that are interested
[sblock] Thanks for the support, it felt nice to know I was loved. I think I'm ok now (I got some unexpected and much-needed advice) but if you would continue for a little while longer I would certainly appreciate it. [/sblock]

I'd like to follow along, MtM, what's the link?

...must...post....
@BSF
[sblock] Letting work get ahead of gaming? Blasphemy! Impossible! I'm ASHAMED! (j/k)[/sblock]

Ok I actually do have a real question. What would be the best next book to get for someone who *sigh* STILL doesn't have a group but might be starting one soon? I've got a PHB, do I get a DM Guide or a supplementary book or what? Limited funds and all that...

I thought you guys would be the ones to ask. You get to brag on your favorite supplement books.

I also thought perhaps you'd have some tips for me on first-time DMing, if I do get the group started I'll probably be running it. We'll see.

Just a couple of questions, feel free to ignore.

 

[Mordmorgan the Mad]

My Ravenloft game can be found here.

Feel free to post any comments about it here, or at the game's OOC thread

@ChaosEvoker: I didn't really think it would be up your alley, as my Ravenloft games are super low powered and don't have much combat.

 

[Dyne]

@LilMissKittyn
[sblock]

Non-sense I say!

The whole point of this forum is to be a community and to talk to people and get help if needed. I mean, it's quite safe. Xen and Dyne have relegated the zombie fights to the back room (ahem, I didn't get my box seats guys! I paid good money for season tickets you know ) and Madmorgan hasn't been shipping peoples sanity off to Ravenloft lately, so it's clear.

On the serious side, hope life gets in order quickly.
[/sblock]

I'm remembered! Even though I haven't posted here for quite some time.

Sorry I've been gone a while. I've been rather busy with stuff. On top of that, I'm still not very fond of the forum skin....

[sblock]I hope everything works out, LMK. Things are pretty hectic here too. We've spent 6 weeks of hard work into a play, and when it comes time to pull it off, things seem to fall apart and the 6 weeks seems a complete and total waste. I hope everything pulls through, for both of us.[/sblock]

If you plan on starting a group, it's best to get a DMG. It is essential to any DM. If you don't quite have the $30 for a 3.5 DMG, you could still get a 3.0 version for $20. I really like the 3.0 version too, and it's pretty compatible with the other 3.5 rulebooks, I believe.

 

[Mordmorgan the Mad]

Ok I actually do have a real question. What would be the best next book to get for someone who *sigh* STILL doesn't have a group but might be starting one soon? I've got a PHB, do I get a DM Guide or a supplementary book or what? Limited funds and all that...

I find that the DMG is quite helpful. I don't use mine that much, but that's just because I've read it so many times, I don't need to reference it as often now. The Monster Manual is also handy to have, but much of its contents can be found in the SRD. If possible, ask for books for birthdays and holiday gifts.

As for first time DM tips, all the standard ones will surface, I'm sure:
-Have fun
-Go slow
-Show your PCs you're not afraid to kill them (IC and OOC)
-Etc.

@Dyne: There should be a little scroll bar down at the bottom left of the page that will allow you to change the background. IIRC, there's one that looks like WotC's Light Parchment & Leather.

 

[Dyne]

I just checked my options. It seems there are now three options for skins:

Forum Default
Default
Stealth

Yech. Forum Default and Default have little difference, if any, and Stealth is worse than either of them. Too bad. I was rather fond of the Parchment and Leather skin....

 

[Mordmorgan the Mad]

Ick. You're right, "Stealth" is awful. I searched around for the old skins in the Options menu, but only found Default and Stealth. Maybe a PM to the mods is in order?

 

[BSF]

Michael Morris isn't doing much work on the stylesheets right now. He is working on other portions of the code for the site. Along with the server upgrade, EN World also upgraded VBulletin software and began consolidating all the databases. That requires also revamping the code base for several sections of the site. Go check the Meta forum for updates on the latest changes & bug fixes at any given time.

LilMissKittyn, if you are ever looking to run a game, the DMG is worthwhile. There are plenty of folks that run games without ever dipping outside the core 3 books. And if you prefer humanoid opponents, it would be possible to get away without the Monster Manual. Fortunately, you could just download the SRD for all the monsters and do fine on a shoestring budget for a long time.

 

[ChaosEvoker]

My Ravenloft game can be found here.

Feel free to post any comments about it here, or at the game's OOC thread

@ChaosEvoker: I didn't really think it would be up your alley, as my Ravenloft games are super low powered and don't have much combat.

What are you tlaking about?? I just played Call of Cthulu with a group of friends and it was AWESOME. I didn't attack a single thing either. I run alot of combat becuase my players typically like it. I love all kinds of campaigns.

 

[Nightcloak]

Ok I actually do have a real question. What would be the best next book to get for someone who *sigh* STILL doesn't have a group but might be starting one soon? I've got a PHB, do I get a DM Guide or a supplementary book or what? Limited funds and all that...

I thought you guys would be the ones to ask. You get to brag on your favorite supplement books.

I also thought perhaps you'd have some tips for me on first-time DMing, if I do get the group started I'll probably be running it. We'll see.

Material:
As has been said, the DMG is your best bet. It's full of info you will need/find useful plus there is also some good tips on running a game. Even Gary Gygax praised the book as a role-playing aid. For creatures, follow BSF's lick to the SRD for free downloads. If you pick up a little cash, I've bought copies of 3.0 books on ebay for friends cheap (got the DMG and Monster Manual for $18.00 combined). And start plugging B-days and xmas for things you want! As far as things of the future, you need to find your style and what you like. I'd recommend combing through the reviews section here at ENWorld for details of what is available.

Gaming Tips:
Start small. Don't overwhelm your self with trying to create tons of detail and a huge campaign. You don't need to create the Forgotten Realms Campaign Setting or run your players through Return to the Temple of Elemental Evil. Start in a small town in the middle of a large woods or a valley and jot down notes of the surrounding area. Leave yourself room to expand beyond the starting point later. Keep a note book and just start writting in it cool ideas you like. Something sounds fun, write it down. Cute, cool, evil, or whatever, write it down.

By the time you run a couple of adventures at the starting point, you'll be brimming with ideas and be ready to expand the map to easily accomidate all those ideas. Mapping is easy, if you know what you want.

The principle is, keep it simple and don't do more than neccessary. Same with adventures. You've read a lot of fun things here that DMs have done, but remember those games were already in action and probably were running for quite a while (in my case years). Those games didn't just start that way. They worked into it as the players and the DM get to know each other. The play builds upon itself. But the first adventure or two is always a little slow as the new characters learn to work together and the DM learns what that particular group can handle.

Finally, always remember you're the boss. Rule 0. You do what's comfortable for you. You are a player too.

If I can help more, just ask. Good Luck!

 

[Morbog of Ghetto D]

lil Miskittn/lil mis kim

Yo,

In support of my fellow DM's opinions...

YES DMG is esential....need cash? See if you can hit up up your players...
No players? Beg, Borrow, Steel. But get a DMG. EBAY etc....some fools even scan all the pages of the core books into PDF's.. Paladin Man says, "Egads ! Deplorable!..Illegal!....and against all that is good and lawful!"

I'd recommend Dungeon, and Dungeon back issues...(cheaper). You can buy the whole campaign "shackeld city" ... All the monsters and encounters are already done..
no work for you....read and play... Many Game Stores will have current and some back issues. Plop it down anywhere, there are developed NPCs and cool maps!
There are even instructions for decreasing the CRs of encounters.--Woohoo

Im a "book nut" so I buy alot of supliments... Always read reviews and ask other players before plopping down coin. NOTE: You can down load most of the rule changes between 3.0 and 3.5 on WOTC..so buying the the 3.0 books is a good bargain

Old 2nd edition AD&D products can be found in a box near the garbage can @ almost every game store...Buy that stuff, convert to 3.5 and play... (The store near my house has a in the box, original plastic Greyhawk Wars....Somewhere a gaming geek is breathing heavy)


Should Buys- DMG 3.5
PHB...3.5/3.0
Monster Manual 3.5 preferably /3.0 This provides "guidelines" for making your own monsters..

Non esentials -rated 1-5 stars
NOTE Anything by Monte Cooke is "Mana from Heaven"
Book of Vile Darkness -5 stars -very dark,dsiturbing, non for the young or low Fort Saves
Exhakted Deeds-4 Stars-not as good as BVD, but a good complement to BVD
Libris Mortis-5 Stars, matched with BVD and you can kiss your mortal soul good bye.
Dragonomicon-4 stars. really nice.

Necromancer Games products are "really cool"
"tome of Horrors II"-5-stars- monsters for killing
My players are pretty familar with "standard" D&D monsters so alternate monster manual suplliments help me "spice it up"

"Living Fantasy"-by G. Gyax 4 stars-was an excellent resource, and I gleened alot. really helps campaign/world building. There is a too muchof "cut-and-paste" entries...though.. (trolllord)
Hi
The Ravenloft 3.00 DMG has great information and tips for running a campaign.
"Toolbox" AEG- 5 stars-Helpful references for quick campaign elements.
"monsternomicon"-really cool monsters adaptable to non-gun poweder settings.

Note: Manual of the Planes is a "good" reference, but a basic understanding of the planes is in the DMG,..Also buy the 3.0 version to save cash....Planes is planes!
Dont Buy-Complete Warrior, WOTC Arms and Equipment, Unearthed Arcana WOTC.


DUDE, WHEN ALL THE WOTC STORES CLOSED IN MICHIGAN I SCOREd TONS OF GAMING STUFF
DIRT CHEAP....Nah Nah nah nah Nah Nah-ha ha ha ha ha hah! I was like acrack fiend on "free crack Day"

Good Stuff Guideline

AEG-Alderac- Most suplliments are really Good
Kenzer & Co- Kingdoms of Kalimar setting is really well done, though needs better organization
Malhavoc press-Great Products, Solid Gold
Necromancer Games-Every purchase has been Awesome! No complaints
Iron Kingdoms-Nice products....Very slow to churn out product. Very focused on miniature combat-

Suppliments I use every game session
AEG "Toolbox"
Monster manual
DMG
PHB


Is all good..