D&D General Zero-Prep D&D Game?

[clearstream]

A lot of zero prep games actually lead to session zero.
PBTA has prep in the amount of sheets you need to print/laminate, and then two quite tiring hours of creating pcs, setting, relationships etc.

That makes me wonder when the clock starts and stops on prep? I mean that if you do prep things as part of the session of play, is it prep?

Lot of parlour type games that dont have GM prep but are very highly structured in their play and are a one off. ( Shab Al Hiri roach, witch: road to Lindisfarne, Kagametsu etc).
Players always need to prep ( know what your pc does, don't be drunk, smell nice, etc).

Raises the question whether designer prep counts? If I use a written adventure and pregens, is it prep? Is it only prep if I read the adventure before the session of play? If so, what about the game rules?

 

[Whizbang Dustyboots]

I've done no prep Shadowdark, but not D&D.

At game time, I grab several Dyson maps, based on where the PCs are heading on the sandbox. I have a general idea of what's in the region (towers once controlled by warring wizards) and then pick a vibe based on which tower they choose and what Dyson's design suggests to me and double-down on that flavor, adding in encounters periodically or where it makes sense on the map.

If my players knew it was a zero prep adventure (I just ran out of time that week due to work and family stuff), they didn't let on. And they seemed to enjoy the game.

 

[Reynard]

I've done no prep Shadowdark, but not D&D.

At game time, I grab several Dyson maps, based on where the PCs are heading on the sandbox. I have a general idea of what's in the region (towers once controlled by warring wizards) and then pick a vibe based on which tower they choose and what Dyson's design suggests to me and double-down on that flavor, adding in encounters periodically or where it makes sense on the map.

If my players knew it was a zero prep adventure (I just ran out of time that week due to work and family stuff), they didn't let on. And they seemed to enjoy the game.

Out of curiosity, would you do zero prep D&D if you were in a similar situation? Or is there a reason that you feel confident doing it with SD?

 

[The Soloist]

Well, when you play solo, there is no prep. You ask questions to an oracle and see where the adventuring day goes. The Mythic GM Emulator 2e explains the method. It uses a mix of tables and keyword association to generate the plot, clues and encounters. You work during play. You can use these methods with a group.

With a group, a starting situation, names a major NPCs, post-its in the MM, and a map, is all I need. The players talk too much and always give me ideas during play, and I adapt to what they say on the fly.

 

[Whizbang Dustyboots]

Out of curiosity, would you do zero prep D&D if you were in a similar situation? Or is there a reason that you feel confident doing it with SD?

Well, I have One-Shot Wonders, so I wouldn't need to do it for 5E. But I think it's doable, although my Shadowdark games tend to be more heavily into vibes than detailed adventures like I typically do in 5E.

But I also play 5E as more roleplay-heavy than I do Shadowdark, so I could also see just having a shopping adventure or making up a carnival or holiday celebration in the town where the PCs started last time and just winging it from there. I know just enough about various festivals around the world to be able to slap some D&D fantasy elements on them and let the PCs wander and browse.

 

[Misanthrope Prime]

Is anyone here running a zero-prep game of D&D (any edition or clone)? A game where you, as DM, just show up and start playing each session, and it results in a satisfying experience?

If so, can you please explain your approach, tools, etc?

I am playing a marijuana-mandatory comedic spelljamming game that's 95% improv. I have a folder of maps and when I have free time I add maps I yoink from the internet on Foundry, but when the game time comes me and my players are too stoned to plan so it's almost entirely random encounter tables. There is a slight overarching plot but 99% of that plot is basically just the players remembering the funniest bits from NPCs they've decided to bring along with them.

 

[marurun]

The whole idea of "no prep" or "zero prep" seems a lot less interesting to me than "low cognitive load". I tried to run a game with friends not too long ago and just being so tired at the end of the week kept me from feeling good about my GMing and wanting to continue GMing. I had some prep and the prep wasn't too bad but keeping track of all the players and stuff going on what what was too much mental work for me in my already worn down state.

 

[Whizbang Dustyboots]

I am playing a marijuana-mandatory comedic spelljamming game that's 95% improv. I have a folder of maps and when I have free time I add maps I yoink from the internet on Foundry, but when the game time comes me and my players are too stoned to plan so it's almost entirely random encounter tables. There is a slight overarching plot but 99% of that plot is basically just the players remembering the funniest bits from NPCs they've decided to bring along with them.

Other than the Spelljammer part, this could be the Nerd Poker podcast ...

 

[Misanthrope Prime]

Other than the Spelljammer part, this could be the Nerd Poker podcast ...

Never heard of it, I'll check it out and see if I can't crib anything from them.

I went with spelljammer just because it can justify almost any kinda setting. Right now we're doing a highschool AU set in the elemental plane of ooze because the plasmoid player in the party wants to court Bwimb II, elemental princess of ooze, and I decided the best way to do that was the mud prom.

 

[Distracted DM]

Is anyone here running a zero-prep game of D&D (any edition or clone)? A game where you, as DM, just show up and start playing each session, and it results in a satisfying experience?

If so, can you please explain your approach, tools, etc?

I've done it before, it's how I started one of my longer-running games. I should say that this was in-person. I have a hard time not prepping for online games because I need high quality tools maps etc. that all require some degree of prep for ME to enjoy the game. I need to put on a good presentation, and online requires time n effort.
Tools are standard GM stuff... game books etc. I have tons of awesome WotC and Wizkids minis. A big wet-erase chessex mat

It's basically just all improv; making sht up and sticking to it. It helps if you can lean on stuff that you already know/adventures you've run/tropes etc.

"You find yourselves in the town of Thisseldor, in the Blackram Tavern. A group of bounty hunters come in, scanning the taverns patrons, looking for their mark." Are the bounty hunters looking for an NPC, someone innocent-looking that the PCs might step up to help? "They walk over to Milton, the kindly near-sighted old scribe, and pull him up from his chair. 'We've been looking for you; the Black Baron's put a price on your head!'" Maybe the PCs will step up, if not then maybe some townsfolk will intercede on the old mans behalf. Or maybe the hunters are looking for the PCs! Could be a fight, or they could frighten off the hunters. Someone else said that they lean on the players- yeah this can be an instance where you ask the players who they know in the town, who's friends etc. to avoid a fight so no bystanders get hurt.

Go from there. Why's there a bounty on the scribe, or the PCs? If they don't bite on that, then maybe there's been an abduction in the night, or there are some goblins causing trouble, etc. Maybe someone saw a dragon and there are kobolds mischiefing.

Just get up, throw some sht out there, and go from there. Start worldbuilding as you play. It's all improv/confidence, selling the crud you're pulling out of the air as legit stuff that you definitely planned beforehand (that makes it worth more in most peoples minds).

edit: so I guess it depends on how you define "no prep." Because all of this ^^^ is only happening because I have previous knowledge of the game, system, monsters, etc.