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General Tabletop Discussion
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Things I learn from being a DM for 400 Adventure League sessions.
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<blockquote data-quote="Oofta" data-source="post: 8946420" data-attributes="member: 6801845"><p>While I haven't done AL judging, I used to do quite a bit of DMing for public games in LFR and LG. So the OP has some great thoughts, I'll add a few that I can think of off the top of my head. </p><p></p><p>Every group is different, pay attention to what they respond to and enjoy. </p><p></p><p>Don't be afraid to act out a bit. I feel like i get a little carried away sometimes with accents and characterizations sometimes but people seem to enjoy it. Don't just tell them "these are the rumors", have them talk to someone who is drunk, another bored, another crotchety old man that's hard of hearing*. </p><p></p><p>Don't be afraid to change the fluff a bit. Instead of a swarm of ravens, it's a swarm of black butterflies with sun glinting off their razor sharp obsidian wings.</p><p></p><p>I adjust difficulty of encounters for the group based on what they are enjoying and how well they are doing. At the start of an encounter I'll beef up or drop HP, add a few points to their attack bonuses, use different tactics. </p><p></p><p>Be clear and concise about disagreements on rules. I listen but rarely look up or discuss during the game, we will talk after. Mention this before the game starts. </p><p></p><p>Remember to have fun.</p><p></p><p>*<em> That one is getting easier and easier of late for some reason <img class="smilie smilie--emoji" loading="lazy" alt="🤔" title="Thinking face :thinking:" src="https://cdn.jsdelivr.net/joypixels/assets/8.0/png/unicode/64/1f914.png" data-shortname=":thinking:" /> </em></p></blockquote><p></p>
[QUOTE="Oofta, post: 8946420, member: 6801845"] While I haven't done AL judging, I used to do quite a bit of DMing for public games in LFR and LG. So the OP has some great thoughts, I'll add a few that I can think of off the top of my head. Every group is different, pay attention to what they respond to and enjoy. Don't be afraid to act out a bit. I feel like i get a little carried away sometimes with accents and characterizations sometimes but people seem to enjoy it. Don't just tell them "these are the rumors", have them talk to someone who is drunk, another bored, another crotchety old man that's hard of hearing*. Don't be afraid to change the fluff a bit. Instead of a swarm of ravens, it's a swarm of black butterflies with sun glinting off their razor sharp obsidian wings. I adjust difficulty of encounters for the group based on what they are enjoying and how well they are doing. At the start of an encounter I'll beef up or drop HP, add a few points to their attack bonuses, use different tactics. Be clear and concise about disagreements on rules. I listen but rarely look up or discuss during the game, we will talk after. Mention this before the game starts. Remember to have fun. *[i] That one is getting easier and easier of late for some reason 🤔 [/i] [/QUOTE]
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