DMing

About DMing, in Joe's own words:

I've been asked a few times this week how I prepare for DMing a game so here you go. I should probably preface this with the fact I usually DM about every 3-5 weeks, it it was a weekly game I'd have to cut back...

1. Firstly, I find set pieces. Whether I'm running a bought scenario or one of my own, if at the end of the night players aren't thinking "remember when...?" Then I'm not doing my job right. Book, films, comics, podcasts, adventure books; all are ripe for the picking.

2. Become familiar with the material, if it's a bought scenario I'll read it 2-3 times before making notes. If it's my own I'll have info on NPCs, plot and locations prepped. I'll also think about which crappy accent I'll use with each NPC and maybe even try an learn a new voice

3. Notes notes notes... for a 4-5 hour session I usually type out around 2000 words of deacriptions, names, motivations and organise them in boxes or flow charts. That way if things happen in an unexpected order or the unexpected happens I can easily roll with it; quickly finding information about what would logically be the next step if say a play throat punches a major NPC or the players choose to explore a different lead. If I'm using roll20 I'll usually create or find a few maps for encounters where they'd help

4. Check the rules. I usually read through the class rules for any characters in my games, including the spells they use and what they do, how powers like a monks flurry of blows works, divine sense etc. This speeds the game up but more importantly helps me create set pieces which allow each player to shine... ever had a power and never got to use it? Annoying isn't it...

5. Finally, minimize everything, close my books, grab a beer or a cup of tea and he fun. If it ain't fun, you're not doing it right.