Man, this is some truth right here. I remember when I made the switch from playing to DMing almost full time because I was so desperate to play. Lucky I had a background in improv which made it easier for me, but not everyone is as wired to just respond to player insanity.
I think most people who DM can relate to this feeling. I have been DMing for years and even now I still sometimes worry can I actually DM for this group. Am I actually good enough. I started DMing because there was no one else to and I hope things go well for all the others who face these fears and worries.
I think it’ll go a lot nicer for Brett this time, if he lets himself go with it.
Hell, he even has a big cheat that takes years for most folks behind the screen to home and learn—he knows, or is perceptive of, his players wants and desires. With the exception of maybe the wife having some empowered immunity, he should be able to walk that fine line between challenging them as players and offering them up the story that they want to be in.
Therein we find the real hard spot when running a game, that desire to “win” yet the wisdom to know that the win is in a good story that challenged them. Anyone can TPK, turn a pichinko machine into a die roll that’s voice activated, the hard part is lining up the danger and convincing them to run into it because their character would think it’s worth the risk. 😉
I actually did GM for a 6 week one shot whilst one of our regular players was away (small 3 player group). It’s even scarier when one of the people you’re GMing for is a D&D vet of 2e AD&D.
It actually worked, even the part where I put the CR4 party against a CR7 monster that was down a well. I also subverted the trope of “dungeon down a well”. The monster (black pudding in case you’re interested) did serve the purpose of clueing the players in that the NPC Paladin may not have been human as even he thought (a young 17 year old Aasimar).
I subverted another famous trope of “useless town guards”. Most of the guards (Paladins of Heironeous) were either dead from a recent and massive lycanthropic Gnoll invasion (templates are so fun), too injured from the aforementioned, or off trying to hunt these lycanthropic Gnolls in the nearby desert.
I did a fair bit of improv (no theatre background to fall back on there) and it seemed to go pretty well. Knowing your players is a key part of this. Sometimes a session 0 of asking the players what they want can help avoid misunderstandings.
But yeah the important rule is to have fun and don’t stress it. Most players will let little rules mishaps slide.
If I can do it (with all my anxieties and shizz) then I’m sure Brett can. Sometimes the best ideas come when you least expect it.
I wasn’t part of the game but the DnD game next to my group had a DM that said/did something that made players get up and leave. Why I only play with friends, some gamers just don’t see the other people in the room and can really ruin your day.
Seriously, this can’t be anything close to the stress Brett must have felt when he first realized that he would have to do the job of Santa Claus. No pressure there.
And yet, he carried it off. He can do this, too.
He has virtues in the area, a chief one being an allergy to stuff that doesn’t hold together well in a story, or setups with big holes in them. His scenarios will be airtight.
/>
Man, this is some truth right here. I remember when I made the switch from playing to DMing almost full time because I was so desperate to play. Lucky I had a background in improv which made it easier for me, but not everyone is as wired to just respond to player insanity.
Hold lightly onto thy plans, oh Master of Dungeons.
I know this well. Working on a one-shot adventure for my first serious go at DMing.
So, yep, cheering Brett on here 😀
If I succeed, I’ll hopefully have earned the right to wear that T-shirt 😉 hehe.
I think most people who DM can relate to this feeling. I have been DMing for years and even now I still sometimes worry can I actually DM for this group. Am I actually good enough. I started DMing because there was no one else to and I hope things go well for all the others who face these fears and worries.
I think it’ll go a lot nicer for Brett this time, if he lets himself go with it.
Hell, he even has a big cheat that takes years for most folks behind the screen to home and learn—he knows, or is perceptive of, his players wants and desires. With the exception of maybe the wife having some empowered immunity, he should be able to walk that fine line between challenging them as players and offering them up the story that they want to be in.
Therein we find the real hard spot when running a game, that desire to “win” yet the wisdom to know that the win is in a good story that challenged them. Anyone can TPK, turn a pichinko machine into a die roll that’s voice activated, the hard part is lining up the danger and convincing them to run into it because their character would think it’s worth the risk. 😉
I’m actually feeling for Brett here. Looking forward to his story.
Brett is forgettint the most important rule in gaming here. Just habe fun and dort Stress it, always worked for me and my group
I actually did GM for a 6 week one shot whilst one of our regular players was away (small 3 player group). It’s even scarier when one of the people you’re GMing for is a D&D vet of 2e AD&D.
It actually worked, even the part where I put the CR4 party against a CR7 monster that was down a well. I also subverted the trope of “dungeon down a well”. The monster (black pudding in case you’re interested) did serve the purpose of clueing the players in that the NPC Paladin may not have been human as even he thought (a young 17 year old Aasimar).
I subverted another famous trope of “useless town guards”. Most of the guards (Paladins of Heironeous) were either dead from a recent and massive lycanthropic Gnoll invasion (templates are so fun), too injured from the aforementioned, or off trying to hunt these lycanthropic Gnolls in the nearby desert.
I did a fair bit of improv (no theatre background to fall back on there) and it seemed to go pretty well. Knowing your players is a key part of this. Sometimes a session 0 of asking the players what they want can help avoid misunderstandings.
But yeah the important rule is to have fun and don’t stress it. Most players will let little rules mishaps slide.
If I can do it (with all my anxieties and shizz) then I’m sure Brett can. Sometimes the best ideas come when you least expect it.
I wasn’t part of the game but the DnD game next to my group had a DM that said/did something that made players get up and leave. Why I only play with friends, some gamers just don’t see the other people in the room and can really ruin your day.
I feel his pain. I want to DM, but like everything else in my life, I just will not put the planning time in. Gotta know your limitations, you know?
Oh, no! Sam Syndrome!
Seriously, this can’t be anything close to the stress Brett must have felt when he first realized that he would have to do the job of Santa Claus. No pressure there.
And yet, he carried it off. He can do this, too.
He has virtues in the area, a chief one being an allergy to stuff that doesn’t hold together well in a story, or setups with big holes in them. His scenarios will be airtight.
The DM’s burden in three panels
This whole moment is my spirit animal.