Results 1 to 19 of 19
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2010-04-15, 09:41 PM (ISO 8601)
- Join Date
- Jan 2010
- Location
- Colorado
- Gender
To DM, or not to DM, that is the question.
Hi, I'm not new to DnD but this is the first time I'm actually considering sitting down and playing it. (I'm a big fan of fantasy RPGs and make and understand most DnD jokes thrown at me. I'm a geek without being a geek.) I am considering if i want to be the DM or not.
I have NO expierence under my belt but I have a head for storytelling and have a head for numbers. I also like to roleplay my own character. ( I am a player in IFGS, a LARP.) What should I do playgrounders?Currently RPG group playing: Endworld (D&D 5e. A Homebrewed post-apocalyptic supplement.)
My campaign settings: Azura; 10,000 CE | The Frozen Seas | Bloodstones (Paleolithic Horror) | AEGIS - The School for Superhero Children | Iaphela (5e, Elder Scrolls)
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2010-04-15, 09:53 PM (ISO 8601)
- Join Date
- Apr 2010
- Location
- I live by a Mountain
- Gender
Re: To DM, or not to DM, that is the question.
Well, I'm new at the DM'ing myself.
What made me decide to 'go for it', was the lack of good story among the group I played with and the lack of fun we were having. So I threw my hat in the ring.
So you have a story?
Do you know who you are playing with and the grief they will give you?
Do you have the main books and what edition are you playing?
And is it fun?
No matter what the game or how good the story, if it's not fun you might as well burn it.
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2010-04-15, 09:56 PM (ISO 8601)
- Join Date
- Jun 2005
- Location
- TN
Re: To DM, or not to DM, that is the question.
Were I in your position, I would give it the simplest of tries. In the potential group, offer to run a one shot game. You can decide how close to the rules of actual D&D you want to stick. You have the option of running it by the book, or what would appeal to me were I in your shoes, a free-form game where its roleplay oriented and D&D flavoured. The idea of this type of game is let the player's imagination run wild and just enjoy collaborative storytelling in that atmosphere. If you find yourself enjoying it, begin the slow process of learning the rules(slow in order to fully understand them) and start creating characters, as this is a great way to understand the effects of the rules towards the players.
My couple o'kb.Spoiler
If you put water into a cup, it becomes the cup. You put water into a bottle and it becomes the bottle. You put it in a teapot it becomes the teapot. Now, water can flow or it can crash. Be water my friend.
Proud owner of a Ceikatar! (Jealous much?)
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2010-04-15, 09:57 PM (ISO 8601)
- Join Date
- Nov 2009
- Gender
Re: To DM, or not to DM, that is the question.
The way I got into DM'ing was by playing in a group where I was dead certain I could be a better DM than our DM... >_>
In any case, I would highly recommend you play a system as a player before you try to take it on as a DM/GM/Keeper/Storyteller, etc. Aside from being able to pick up some neat tricks or solid house rules, you can also use your previous DM as a baseline to think about what you would or would not do.It always amazes me how often people on forums would rather accuse you of misreading their posts with malice than re-explain their ideas with clarity.
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2010-04-15, 11:17 PM (ISO 8601)
- Join Date
- Dec 2009
- Gender
Re: To DM, or not to DM, that is the question.
If you can find someone else to DM, try being a player first. At the very least, you'll have a more solid grasp of the rules (and what makes things fun from a player's side). If, after playing for a while, you want to try DMing, go for it. Run a one-shot to see if you like it; if you do, run a campaign.
If you can't find someone else to DM, your question is answered. It's you or nothing.Some things I do that you might enjoy:
Chaotic Shiny - Random generators of all types for gaming and writing (including characters, names, taverns, cities, pantheons, languages, and 60+ more)
Chaotic Shiny Productions - Flavor-packed D&D supplements (mostly 4e), plus some systemless free products and software
Latest: Kingdom Builder Generator Pack II
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2010-04-15, 11:24 PM (ISO 8601)
- Join Date
- Apr 2010
Re: To DM, or not to DM, that is the question.
It's hard to DM. I'll say that much. And it can be dangerous.
In my group, I am a DM. That means more than I just run games, it means that the other guys EXPECT me to run games. And they expect to play in games.
It can be a rather vicious, self-defeating cycle, if your not careful.
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2010-04-15, 11:28 PM (ISO 8601)
- Join Date
- Oct 2008
Re: To DM, or not to DM, that is the question.
Play first, is my advice.
Avatar by Assassin89
I started my first campaign around a campfire, having pancakes. They were blueberry.
My homebrew(updated 6/17):
SpoilerIn progress:
Prolonged Spell(Fix for Persistent spell)
Weapon Training(replaces Weapon Focus chain)
Shelved:
Ascendant Feats.[New content!]
Finished:
Belts of potionade
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2010-04-15, 11:31 PM (ISO 8601)
- Join Date
- Jan 2008
Re: To DM, or not to DM, that is the question.
DMing is HARD!
Helps if you know your players though. Though that brings its own problems. Set my GF, her sister, and dad through a plot twist, where they made the choice I really hoped they would and thus allowed the princess to be most easily re-kidnapped under their noses, and afterwards (they had found out) I couldn't resist doing the "it worked it worked" dance. And now they're finally actually motivated in the direction I wanted them to go rather than following kings orders etc. They wanna get that spoony bard who tricked them.
But yeah, a lot of work preparing fairly balanced encounters, statting important npcs as much as need be, planning the world, etc.
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2010-04-16, 01:26 AM (ISO 8601)
- Join Date
- Nov 2007
- Location
- In my own little world...
- Gender
Re: To DM, or not to DM, that is the question.
Read this.
Custom Melayl avatar by my cousin, ~thejason10, used with his permission. See his work at his Deviant Art page.
My works:Need help?SpoilerNational Suicide Prevention Lifeline (USA)
1-800-273-TALK (8255), 24/7
www.suicidepreventionlifeline.org
In Australia: Lifeline, 13 11 14, 24/7
Reach Out Australia
Beyond Blue, 1300 22 4636
The Samaritans (UK too) UK: 08457 90 90 90, ROI: 1850 60 90 90
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2010-04-16, 02:03 AM (ISO 8601)
- Join Date
- Feb 2007
- Location
- Southern Germany
- Gender
Re: To DM, or not to DM, that is the question.
This. But it can also be very rewarding and fun.
Still, you have to begin somewhere, so I say give it a try. I can only add to the advice already given here, keep it simple to begin with, talk to your players, make sure that everyone is on the same page.
You don't have to know all the rules flawlessly, but if you, for example, don't know much about the magic rules, try to keep the magic in your campaign low rather than just making up stuff the way you feel like it, a common mistake I've found in newbie GMs. It just makes those players feel cheated who do know the rules and keep to them.Last edited by Delta; 2010-04-16 at 02:04 AM.
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2010-04-16, 02:21 AM (ISO 8601)
- Join Date
- Feb 2006
- Location
- Lost in L-Space
Re: To DM, or not to DM, that is the question.
Indeed, but still fun. You can be very creative there, especially if you develop your own adventures or even a whole campaign world.
That said, I DM since more than 10 years but I'm not a skillful DM, almost every other DM I played with is better than me. But it is still fun ! Well, for me, my players might sometimes disagree.The Countess of Mispelling hath returned !__________________________________________________ _________Behold my magnetoresistance !
Outer Sphere__________________________________________________ _______________Inkatar !__________________________________________________ _______________Starship
Spoiler
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2010-04-16, 05:41 AM (ISO 8601)
- Join Date
- Apr 2009
- Location
- Montreal-ish
- Gender
Re: To DM, or not to DM, that is the question.
I am absolutely astounded no-one had done this yet, so I'll have to give it a go.
To DM or not to DM-- that is the question:
Whether 'tis nobler in the mind to suffer
The slings and arrows of outrageous monsters,
Or to take arms against a sea of Players
And, by opposing, end them.
I'm not creative or brave enough to continue.
In reply to the OP's question, I'd say go for it. You'll screw up for sure, but if you start things at level 1 and perhaps have someone to help you along, you'll get through and hopefully have fun.
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2010-04-16, 05:49 AM (ISO 8601)
- Join Date
- Oct 2009
Re: To DM, or not to DM, that is the question.
I would advise to play first too, but if you really feel you are up to the challenge make yourself some note cards with the basics rules for fights.
grapple Rules
Dispel checks
etc
or use one of the better dm screens where those basics are printed on the back
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2010-04-16, 05:49 AM (ISO 8601)
- Join Date
- Feb 2007
- Location
- Southern Germany
- Gender
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2010-04-16, 05:59 AM (ISO 8601)
- Join Date
- Apr 2010
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2010-04-16, 06:09 AM (ISO 8601)
- Join Date
- Apr 2009
- Location
- Montreal-ish
- Gender
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2010-04-16, 06:12 AM (ISO 8601)
- Join Date
- Apr 2010
Re: To DM, or not to DM, that is the question.
You kidding me, that's the best Shakespeare I've heard all semester. And from Hamlet no less. :P
On a side note, and to the OP/anyone who's checking in for advice. Becareful with the monsters you use.
8 zombies in an open field is not the same threat level as 8 zombies in a closed off, chocking, no escape hallway.
I ered on the open field side of that scale.
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2010-04-16, 10:14 AM (ISO 8601)
- Join Date
- Jun 2008
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2010-04-16, 03:50 PM (ISO 8601)
- Join Date
- Jan 2010
- Location
- Colorado
- Gender
Re: To DM, or not to DM, that is the question.
That was wonderfull, and on my first real thread nonetheless.
Thank you for the advice all who have posted, I have already been GMing my own homebrew game for quite some time now but it is a game where everything, including the encounters you see is drawn in pencil on paper in my own crappy style. It's not nearly as hardcore as DnD.
I will continue to be a player in whatever DnD games I might get a chance to hop in on. I think I'll just sit back, pick up a set of dice, and enjoy the roleplaying experience untill I feel I'm up to forming my own group or asking my group If I could try to run the game a session or two.Last edited by Cealocanth; 2010-04-16 at 03:54 PM. Reason: the quote didn't work
Currently RPG group playing: Endworld (D&D 5e. A Homebrewed post-apocalyptic supplement.)
My campaign settings: Azura; 10,000 CE | The Frozen Seas | Bloodstones (Paleolithic Horror) | AEGIS - The School for Superhero Children | Iaphela (5e, Elder Scrolls)