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4 months ago ::
Feb 02, 2013 - 8:40AM
#1
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Hey guys, im a new dm. (been doing it for about 2 months now) in 4e. I was just wondering how you guys chose to DM. To you tend to make things up as you go along or do you have a very strict plan for what you think the players journey syhould be. I tend to be more of the former. I usually plan out the major story and maps of the dungeon and throw in monster and baddies and loot where i see fit during the actual adventure. Do you think this is bad? Does it take away from the polished feel? Or does it add a level of true excitment to both the DM and the Players. I honestly dont know. Perhaps im the worst DM ever. So just wondering how you all deal with DMing
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4 months ago ::
Feb 02, 2013 - 10:07AM
#2
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Date Joined:
Oct 15, 2008
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Both methods work, and don't let anyone tell you otherwise. I generally over prepare, hoping to have an answer ready for anything the players might think of, but I've also played in games run by DMs who did practically no preparation whatsoever, and had a great time. So, run it in whatever way makes you most comfortable - that's the most important part of being a successful DM.
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4 months ago ::
Feb 02, 2013 - 10:16AM
#3
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Date Joined:
Jul 18, 2009
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What you do is quite common-plan the over arching story of what's going on in the world, without planning each detail. This means the players have a big impact on what goes on and won't feel like they're just characters in a story that's already written. In my game, I only ever plan dungeon layouts and the basic idea of an adventure. The actual plot of what's going on can change, as I add bits in on the fly when the players do something unexpected and then work out how they tie in with the plot in betweens sessions. This means that the situation I imagined at the start could be totally different to what's happening at the end. For example, the characters' first adventure involves investigating the disappearances of people in a city. They were being taken from the slums so the city watch didn't care much or even notice, and were to be sacrificed to open a portal to another plane. By the end of the adventure it had changed so that the Rakshasa opening the portal had a mutual agreement with a colony of drow living under the city in secret who had snuck over from anther continent where they had been persecuted. If the characters suggest something when talking to each other or discuss ideas on what they think is going on, use them. Whatever you do, don't think "Damn, I can't use that now because they've already suggested it so they'll see it coming." It's good to just sit back and listen to the players as they talk. They'll give you better ideas than you could ever come up with alone. As Acarg52 says, both methods work, each with their pros and cons.
I have never played 4E. Or 3.5E. Or 3E. Or 2E. Or 1E. Or OD&D. Therefore, assume all my posts are non edition specific.
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4 months ago ::
Feb 02, 2013 - 11:21AM
#4
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Date Joined:
Jan 16, 2013
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Definitely do whatever......
1) feels most comfortable to you, because as was mentioned both styles can work depending on the group.
2) Provides the most enjoyment for you and your players. If everyone at the table is having a good time then the method you are using is working for your group. If people aren't having fun, then it's time to look at what you can change, and communicating with your players as to what they would find fun and interesting is one of the best methods to incorporate changes that will enhance your groups gaming experience.
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4 months ago ::
Feb 02, 2013 - 11:50AM
#5
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Date Joined:
Jul 18, 2009
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Agreed. It doesn't matter how you're playing the game-if everyone is having fun, you're doing it right.
I have never played 4E. Or 3.5E. Or 3E. Or 2E. Or 1E. Or OD&D. Therefore, assume all my posts are non edition specific.
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4 months ago ::
Feb 02, 2013 - 12:27PM
#6
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Date Joined:
Nov 28, 2012
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Agree ... do what your players want.
Don't let anyone on this board influence your game. Unless they are playing in the game with you. You need to make your players happy first and foremost.
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4 months ago ::
Feb 02, 2013 - 12:39PM
#7
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Date Joined:
Jul 18, 2009
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True, but you also need to enjoy it yourself. Your enjoyment is just as important as that of your players. "Don't let anyone on this board influence your game." is a bit extreme, though I know what you mean. When people ask questions here they are looking for input to help improve and influence their game. Don't let people say "You're doing it wrong, you should do it my way".
I have never played 4E. Or 3.5E. Or 3E. Or 2E. Or 1E. Or OD&D. Therefore, assume all my posts are non edition specific.
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4 months ago ::
Feb 02, 2013 - 9:56PM
#8
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Talk to your players, find out how many prefer combat encounters or roleplaying encounters or exploration encounters.
Once you know that, you can tailor those types of encounters, either prepared in advance or on the fly or a combination of both. And they will be well suited for your group.
Also, don't forget that the DM should be having fun too!
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4 months ago ::
Feb 02, 2013 - 11:08PM
#9
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As a less experienced DM I initially used to be more strict. Now I would say that I try to mix both of those concepts into one. Here is an example:
- I create a main plotline with NPCs, and subplots in a location.
- Let's say that I have three basic ways to get there (for example three different routes, one main road, one wilderness route, and one sea route).
- I then create a number of subplots along different routes to that location. This includes other NPCs, encounters etc.
So the players understand that they need to get from point A to point B. They ask me about options, I give them some suggestions. If they come up with a totally different option I do my best to make stuff up on the fly. If the players decide to completely go in another direction of the original plot then I just go with the flow to the best of my ability. Once I had an entire campaign go in an entirely different direction because one character decided to woo a lady noble. The NPC had been sought after by numerous suitors but had denied them all for some strange reason. It was originally just a NPC concept. The character took it as a challenge. Initially he failed in his first attempt, he realized that he could succeed, but he was going to have to put more effort into wooing this woman than a simple bluff check. He kept finding excuses for the party to go back into this particular city. The party loved that city so they had no issue with it. At some point the other characters started doing some real digging on this lady noble and suspected that she might be some sort of "Black Window" sort of woman. Long story short the characters discovered that her late husband was a powerful undead who was extremely jealous of his wife seeing anyone else. In the end love conquered all. Character married the NPC and they started a totally plotline. You should always have a game in mind, even if it's a rough one in your head. But the players should dictate the pacing and the direction of the game. After all the game is about their adventures, not yours.
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4 months ago ::
Feb 02, 2013 - 11:56PM
#10
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Date Joined:
Jun 25, 2009
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Hey guys, im a new dm. (been doing it for about 2 months now) in 4e. I was just wondering how you guys chose to DM. To you tend to make things up as you go along or do you have a very strict plan for what you think the players journey syhould be. I tend to be more of the former. I usually plan out the major story and maps of the dungeon and throw in monster and baddies and loot where i see fit during the actual adventure. Do you think this is bad? Does it take away from the polished feel? Or does it add a level of true excitment to both the DM and the Players. I honestly dont know. Perhaps im the worst DM ever. So just wondering how you all deal with DMing
That's a pretty acceptable method of playing. Tried and true. Absolutely nothing wrong with it.  Have fun.
I tend to set up a world with points of interests and let the players explore. The world tends to evolve around them and events sometimes happen without their input or notice if they're not in the area. The major story points I want to hit are written in a way so they can be easily adapted to even the most random of choices by the players. Whether I get the players to the highlights or the highlights come to them, it's all a matter of time. Sometimes, they even miss big highlights I put in the game. And for the record, I don't mind this. I could use the same stuff again later on a different group, and you never know what will happen the second time.
I also do map out my dungeons and place loot and monsters.
Only thing I could recommend is maybe adding in random encounters.
Edit: For the record, there's not really a right or wrong way to play. Use what works for you. *prepares to do battle with Centauri and Iserith once more*
My username should actually read: Lunar Savage (damn you WotC!)
*Tips top hat, adjusts monocle, and walks away with cane* and yes, that IS Mr. Peanut laying unconscious on the curb.
http://asylumjournals.tumblr.com/
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