HunterOfJello
2010-12-10, 08:25 PM
I have two fairly broad questions about DMing 3.5e D&D that could probably apply to most RPGs. I'm DMing a gestalt 3.5e game right now for 2 friends and am trying to improve the way I do things. I've run two campaigns before this one, but this campaign has lasted significantly longer and has been more fun overall.
1. What are some effective ways to run a hack and slash campaign?
I've pretty much determined that the players enjoy hacking and slashing far more than other game elements. Puzzle solving is alright as long as it doesn't last too long and isn't some type of trap that would normally require a scouting rogue to avoid. It is an evil campaign, and the players seem to have a tendency to show respect to evil NPCs and a desire to masacre all good or netural NPCs. (It's amusing to watch sometimes.)
Right now I'm going to try to improve my battle descriptions during fights to spice things up, work on creating more varied settings for encounters to take place in, and try to set up better combinations of enemies for them to fight against. What other elements are important for a fun hack and slash game?
~
2. How can I make DMing or playing d&d as a DM more fun for myself?
In the long tradition of DM's since the beginning of time (or 1st edition), I happen to be stuck in the role of the eternal DM. I enjoy DMing the games, but I never get a thrill out of it and I never enjoy it anywhere near as much as the handful of times that I've gotten to participate as a PC.
DMing can often turn into a headache with game issues or become stressful when I'm not as prepared as I wish I was or not able to make up new characters, places, information, or descriptions on the fly.
It's hard to tell if I have problems that are stopping me from enjoying the game, am simply missing out on some key aspects that would make the game more fun for everyone (DM included) or if I'm just not cut out to be a DM.
I put extra time into the last two sessions, but once they came around I didn't enjoy myself at all. Hanging out with friends and providing entertainment can be good, but if things continue to be consistently less enjoyable per session, I'll probably end the campaign.
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TL;DR
1. What are some effective ways to run a hack and slash campaign?
2. How can I make DMing or playing d&d as a DM more fun for myself?
Makes more sense with the explanations, but answers are appreciated either way.
1. What are some effective ways to run a hack and slash campaign?
I've pretty much determined that the players enjoy hacking and slashing far more than other game elements. Puzzle solving is alright as long as it doesn't last too long and isn't some type of trap that would normally require a scouting rogue to avoid. It is an evil campaign, and the players seem to have a tendency to show respect to evil NPCs and a desire to masacre all good or netural NPCs. (It's amusing to watch sometimes.)
Right now I'm going to try to improve my battle descriptions during fights to spice things up, work on creating more varied settings for encounters to take place in, and try to set up better combinations of enemies for them to fight against. What other elements are important for a fun hack and slash game?
~
2. How can I make DMing or playing d&d as a DM more fun for myself?
In the long tradition of DM's since the beginning of time (or 1st edition), I happen to be stuck in the role of the eternal DM. I enjoy DMing the games, but I never get a thrill out of it and I never enjoy it anywhere near as much as the handful of times that I've gotten to participate as a PC.
DMing can often turn into a headache with game issues or become stressful when I'm not as prepared as I wish I was or not able to make up new characters, places, information, or descriptions on the fly.
It's hard to tell if I have problems that are stopping me from enjoying the game, am simply missing out on some key aspects that would make the game more fun for everyone (DM included) or if I'm just not cut out to be a DM.
I put extra time into the last two sessions, but once they came around I didn't enjoy myself at all. Hanging out with friends and providing entertainment can be good, but if things continue to be consistently less enjoyable per session, I'll probably end the campaign.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
TL;DR
1. What are some effective ways to run a hack and slash campaign?
2. How can I make DMing or playing d&d as a DM more fun for myself?
Makes more sense with the explanations, but answers are appreciated either way.