I’m a new DM, now what?By Mon Macutay, G&G Con May 29, 2016

About Me

Marketing Director2003 to 2013

The Challenges of being a new Game Master (GM)

1. RULES• Familiarity with the rules• Character Creation• Core Mechanic(s)• Combat

• Make Characters!• Do Playtest Sessions• How do you teach the rules?• Share the EXPERIENCE,

not the mechanics.

2. FURTHER LEARNING

• Online (Forums, Social Media, Youtube, Blogs, Game Supplements)• D&D Youtube Channel• Geek and Sundry• Gnome Stew• G&G Facebook• D&D Philippines• Phil Tabletop FB

• How do OTHER DMs do it?• Actual Experience is the BEST!

3. GM BLING (Gear)• Rule books, Supplements• Dice• Battle- Mat• Miniatures (source: board games, online, HeroClix, Paper Minis, DIY)• Laptop, Tablet• Speakers (for BGM)• Note taking (notebook, binders, index cards, binder clips)• Bags, storage

4. DIGITAL TOOLS1. ROLL20 https://roll20.net/2. Obsidian Portal

https://winterstwilight.obsidianportal.com/3. SRD (Systems Reference Document)

Bestiaries, Treasure, Magic Items, Resource4. Campaign Mapping: MashupForge (

http://mashupforge.com/)5. Wordpress (

https://thecrimsoncompany.wordpress.com/)

6. Facebook Groups – Campaign communication & Coordination

7. Google – Photos and Images of NPCs, Locations, Challenges, Villains and Monsters

8. Various iPad and Android Apps – Dice Generators, NPC names, Randomizers, Initiative Trackers… enjoy!

4. RUNNING THE GAME• Making adventures• Published• (Next “Level Up”): Make your own• 5 “Room” Dungeon

(Entrance/Guardian, Puzzle/RP Challenge, Red Herring, Climax, Plot Twist)

• Campaigns• One-Shots• Mini-Series (3 sessions)• Full-on Campaign

DEALING WITH PLAYERS

5. HOUSE RULES• Turn off (or silence) all mobile devices (except if you are using it for a gaming app or your character sheet).• Inform everyone in advance if you can’t make it (NO “Last-minute”)• Pay attention to the game and your DM.• The Character is NOT the player (don’t take Role-Playing personally). • Respect everyone’s time. Don’t be late.• Chip in for food and drinks.• DM will make a ruling now to move the game forward and then research on it later.

Different Player Types

Different Player Types1. The Powergamer – min,maxer. Wants his PC to be optimized as much

as possible.2. The Warrior – His definition of “fun” is always combat!3. The Mute (or significant other) – Is there just for the heck of it. Will

not be pro-active.4. The Storyteller – Cares more about his background and story more

than combat or mechanics5. The Looter – looking forward to the next loot so that his character

can get better6. The Explorer – Wants to “see the world”. Can’t resist going through

ALL the rooms!7. The Rules Lawyer – “DM, sorry… you’re WRONG!”

Final Tips

Tips for Newbie GMs1. Don’t Overplan or Over-detail – You can’t design everything at once.

Sometimes your plans will not be the players’ plans.2. Not YOUR Game – You have to be PC’s biggest fan. They are the heroes, not

you or your awesome NPCS!3. Set Expectations – It is a dungeon crawl? What rules? Role-playing heavy?

One shot? Low magic?4. Don’t Overemphasize on rules – Rules as guides. Don’t let game be bogged

down by it5. Learn to Shut Up and Lean Back – Give the PCs ample time to interact and

talk about it too.6. Don’t try to be TOO Original – You can borrow from movies, books, comics,

the web. Reskin, customize. Players won’t mind!7. Enable FUN – What’s a game if you’re not having fun?

Source: Dawnforgedcast on youtube

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