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DragonsAion
2010-07-08, 03:49 PM
I'm thinking of running the Demonweb pits but I have never GM'd a game before. Any helpful tips?

Optimystik
2010-07-08, 03:55 PM
Stickied thread to the rescue (http://www.giantitp.com/forums/showthread.php?t=76474)

Radar
2010-07-08, 03:57 PM
It's good, to read this extensive guide (http://www.giantitp.com/forums/showthread.php?t=76474).

Apart from that?
1. Get to know your players beforehand - what kind of a game they want, what sort of characters they want to play etc. Adjust scenario accordingly.
2. It's totally ok to change the script on the fly if things go wrong, but try to do ti so that players won't notice (in general: try to make things belivable and don't retcon things).

edit: unarmed swordsage'ed. :smallsigh:

DragonsAion
2010-07-08, 04:05 PM
will look over the guides. I've been toying with the Idea of limiting the players to the core PHB's classes and then outfiting the mobs with classes from the other books.

Hyudra
2010-07-08, 05:40 PM
I'd personally shy away from limiting the game to core-only. This makes for a touchy subject, but core probably has the most balance problems in the game, and you may create an imbalanced party from the get-go, if you wind up with a wizard, cleric, rogue & monk.

Plus players like having options. It's one of the really strong points of 3.5.

IonDragon
2010-07-08, 06:21 PM
If you're going to limit resources, do so the same across the board.

Katana_Geldar
2010-07-08, 07:15 PM
I'll go with my first tip for all DMs.

Realise that your first encounter is going to be the longest and the most awkward as people are still learning to play. Keep it short and easy.

BritishBill
2010-07-08, 08:11 PM
be firm with your rules, make sure players understand any ruling you give, and remember its just a game! have fun

arrowhen
2010-07-08, 08:40 PM
You will make mistakes. Stupid, stupid mistakes.

When you've been doing it for almost thirty years, in five different editions of D&D and numerous other systems you will still make mistakes. Stupid, stupid mistakes.

Success doesn't come from avoiding mistakes, it comes from learning from them.

IdleMuse
2010-07-08, 08:42 PM
Don't be afraid to fiddle the hit points of the monsters. As long as it's not too obvious, cutting a fight short when it starts to get boring is an excellent move.

If the players leave the encounter satisfied, then it was a good encounter.

Knaight
2010-07-08, 09:43 PM
Don't be afraid to fiddle the hit points of the monsters. As long as it's not too obvious, cutting a fight short when it starts to get boring is an excellent move.

Surrendering and fleeing are also pretty awesome.

Lev
2010-07-08, 10:13 PM
http://www.feartheboot.com/
DM/GM help podcasts