Ten Ground Rules for Becoming a Great Game Master | Part 2
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- เผยแพร่เมื่อ 3 ก.ค. 2024
- This is a continuation from last week's part 1 video on the 10 ground rules that every game master, dungeon master and role-player should be familiar with before starting their roleplaying game. Fleshing out these 10 rules with everyone at the RPG table will not only set your campaign up for success but also ensure that you have fun while doing it. These rules are applicable to anyone who is playing Dungeons and Dragons, Star Wars, Pathfinder or Call of Cthulhu.
To pre-order your copy of The Practical Guide to Becoming a Great GM - click here: bit.ly/3EDNbmK
Timestamps:
00:00 Introduction
00:14 The game should be fun
02:11 You don't need anything to role-play
04:58 Not everyone will like you(r) game
06:26 You will make mistakes
07:46 Play multiple roleplaying systems
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Beyond just playing multiple roleplaying systems, I think it's helpful to play multiple roleplaying genres. I had given up on roleplaying games because I was no longer interested in the swords-and-sorcery genre. And I had played multiple systems, but they were all in the swords-and-sorcery genre.
Then I discovered a group that used GURPS, and that played in many of the genres that GURPS supports (modern espionage, Vikings, swashbuckling, time travel, space, Robin Hood, Bunnies & Burrows, old west, etc., etc., etc.).
I heartily agree. I've got two d&d games I run and they're often most interesting when they veer off into horror, noir, etc. And my 3rd game bounces between a number of systems and genres, which can be a breath of fresh air each week.
honestly I don't like to say it because I know it's controversial, but I think D&D is a pretty bad ambassador for RPGs. it's kind of... boring? bad? I don't think it lends itself to showing people the interesting things they can do with role-playing, it's closer to a tactical combat game than anything.
I find being the forever DM gives me to creative outlet i desperately needed in my life... Our games are so fantastical they are a true escape from the daily grind
Playing multiple different systems is probably one of the best tips I can suggest. I've been running a D&D-esque system that has a fair amount of numbers, stats, and keeping track of inventory. Inspiration points were used as a simple "I want to reroll that last roll" get-out-of-jail free token, and those were rewarded for playing your character as they would act, or doing something really cool.
Recently, I started playing in a system called FATE, which is a very loose system where anything can happen. You make up and change "aspects" about the scene as you go. For example, if theres barrels in a warehouse, you can say "I want to spend one of my tokens to make these barrels be explosive". Boom, barrels are officially filled with explosives.
The idea behind it is so fun, that I decided to incorporate a "lite" version into my current campaign. So now, PCs can say "well, can I spend an inspiration token to say that ______ is now a thing?". Keep in mind, I do this on a smaller scale, but its opened so many doors and options for them, that they've been thinking on a newer level than just "oh I wanna reroll that 1 I just rolled". It added so much depth I didnt even know I was missing until I discovered it.
Had a party sneak into a fortress by spending inspiration points to say that tonight was the "supply delivery night" and there was a wagon convoy on it's way in in a few hours. They subsequently snuck into the convoy, and poisoned the food (with poison they already had), making all the guards easier to fight. It was quick thinking on their part to improvise their own plan using their well earned points, but still required good thinking and stats to pull it off.
Interesting. How do you prevent the players from misusing the system? Like "gaming" their way out of whatever situation you had planned?
@@joellehtonen1812 Honestly? I have good players. They understand that I'm not going to just make things appear out of thin air for them on the spot. It's probably something they have to plan and account for.
For my example that I used above, they already had a contact in the area who "knows things" before the inspiration point even came into play. It also makes sense that a place like that would be getting supplies, so all the token really did was change the supply night to that night. They still needed to sneak into the wagon (capture it and pose as the delivery crew, or hide yourself under the supplies?). It didn't create the wagon out of thin air, it just... nudged it in their favor. They still needed to make the appropriate rolls to stealth inside, AND rolls to poison the supplies, AND still had to find what/who they were looking for inside.
It isn't really a "get out of jail free" card anymore. But it does help "nudge" the scene in an appropriate direction. And if the nudge is a bit too big, I simply tell them no, and tell them that that is a bit too big of an ask. I'll normally find a middle ground between us in that situation if I can. It's not like they'll give me a token and say "I want this cart to be full of rifles and gatling guns and ammo", but I might find the middle ground of "there's an extra rifle hiding among the supplies". That's just a random example I made up, but you get the idea. A supply wagon in the setting I'm in might happen to have a rifle in it. So even if it "changes the scene", it still makes sense in the context of the scene / world.
It might feel a bit broken, but I like to do 2 things at my table. Firstly, rewarding RP with a decent reward past a pat on the shoulder. Secondly... I want to have fun. And just telling them "no, can't do that" tends to deflate that feeling. They're the heroes. I can elp them nudge the odds in their favor... if they've earned their inspiration tokens.
Finally DM’d my first session a few weeks ago, and I loved it! Now that I know DMing is a thing I enjoy, I look forward to the advice this series will provide. Keep up the good work. 👍
This is so awesome. I want to GM my first session in about a year. So this fits right up my alley. Thanks so much for doing this. :)
You planing to run in a year?
Do it now! Owlbearrodeo, upload map and go!
You will be as stressed in a year then you are now, trust me friend... after watching great gm and sly flourish ist started and the fear vanished...
Why wait a year? Just do it mate, you won’t regret it.
Word of advice pick a model campaign it does not have to be a book or anything like that my first campaign was FF4 but not as the main heros but as the other guys the reason I did that was I know almost everything about that world and story that there is so I threw them in just before the start of the actual game it was obscure enough that none of my group knew much about it so that helped then I did some small modding as needed based on what was happening
Pick a quick game module, read it through a couple times. Make some notes, and just jump in. It sounds stupid, but seriously you're still going to feel nervous running a year from now.
How did it go? :)
*Thanks for watching!* Let us know in the comments below if you agree with this and if we have forgotten any other ground rules to know before starting to role-play.
If you're interested in The Practical Guide to Becoming a Great GM - take a look at the pre-order store here: bit.ly/3EDNbmK
Find each chapter of the video easily by clicking on the timestamps in the description.
Im with you Guy. I'm still in love with running and playing D&D 3.5 games.
Just noticed the mistakes part having that typo on that lower third, nice touch :D. Simple tips but gold!
Love the video, but wanted to leave a note on "you can't roleplay by yourself." Oh yes you can, and it shouldn't be looked at negatively. There are systems with 1 or small groups in mind--Ironsworn is the first one to come to mind. There is a youtube channel called Me, Myself, and Die! who's entire channel is on the premise if SOLO roleplay. If you have fun with it, there's nothing wrong with it.
I agree with all your ideas here. I got a lot better when I started playing other systems. I also think 3.5 is so much better than 4.0 or 5.0. I am sure 5.5, when released will be all the rave, but I most likely won't bother. Thanks, Guy, for another great vid.
hey don't dare say your old!!! im 53, and picking up the game after 40 years and GM-ing! OMG has the game changed. Your videos have been great in helping pick it up again and step it up! Thanks!
Having fun is fantastic advice. Sometimes I forget how much I really enjoy running games. Pre-ordered your book today! Looking fwd to reading it. Cheers Guy!
I recently saw a tapestry of a cow that shoots fire from its but Hey I think this will bring some much-needed comedy to everyone’s game
Warhammer fantasy is so great for short adventures or oneshots! Easy to learn and very horrific, players loose thier mind or limbs all the time...
Great video guy
Your right about not have anything but a rudimentary grasp of the mechanics to play a game. My friend had a Champions character that he loved. I have never played that game before. But, after he told me is character's backstory, I came up with a story line for his character. I GMed and we played for 5 hours with no dice, no character sheet, no maps, no minis, nothing but our imagination. We talked everything though and can up with the most logical outcome. We did this while driving from St Louis to Cincinnati. It made the 5 hour trip seem like it was only an hour.
Starting a new game this Sunday as a GM. My second game in fact. Thanks for your great suggestions and help.
Took me a real rough game with toxic player to realise that if a player is not here to have fun with the others but by annoying the others, the GM cannot do anything, and that a GM can not please everyone. The "it's fine" took me about 2 year of break to digest and accept. Hope you touch the subject of separation between the game and the GM's feeling, so many GMs I knew and me included had a rough time accepting that "we are not the game". If a game wasn't great, it might just be a bad day for everyone and that it happens, no use to cultivate guilt over what should be a fun experience for everyone.
I didn't start with D&D but likewise played my first system for several years before trying something new. It was eye-opening to see the different approaches, different types of adventures, different genres and so forth. The most significant turning point in 20 years of role-playing for me.
Awesome, thanks, Guy!
Been playing for a couple decades. Started with my dad DMing for myself and my three brothers at 8, using the 2nd ed starter kit. One of my brothers has been DMing ever since. Now, I want to try, and all I thought of was comparing myself to my brother. This series is helping me see a very different way to do things, that works much better for me. Thank you from a long time player, baby DM.
Yesss! Loving this series so far, thank you so much Guy!
So much good advice, thanks!
Awesome Info! Thanks again for imparting your wisdom upon us.
Hard agree! 3.5 is yet to be topped imo
Great video, keep making more
As always, thanks, Guy, for sharing this knowledge to help us all have more fun at the table!
I agree, 3.5 was my fave too. I started out in Role Master then went to Marvel, Werewolf, Rifts, and then ADnD before 3e and onwards. 3.5 felt the most complete and adaptable to me. It had so much more depth than other systems I've played. But my friends only want to play 5e, so that's what I run.
Even though I GM Call of Cthulhu and not D&D, I still get a lot out of your videos, Guy. I was glad to hear your view about experiences with other systems. I sometimes see posts with comments like “such-and-such is a bad system,” which I tend to interpret as “the system I do not play and like is a bad system.” I think it makes sense to borrow from whatever will make for the best game for you and your players.
Counterpoint: GURPS
;^)
@@BoojumFed Oof.
Thank you, Guy! I am loving these videos and am looking closely at getting your book!
I am "late to the party" and went to your pre order link. I looked at your awesome book and I was thinking- WOW, how long is it going to take to absorb that stuff. Then I saw an Audio book option and took it. I just saw the September 2022 due date. I hope we are still on track for that!
Thanks for making the lazy (audio book) option available!
Great content! thanks! For a time, my group which mainly plays D&D, decided to play a no system campaign that we could play on horseback multi day trips, and was really cool to create and develop characters without a system railroading it, and even gauging the enemies level of power was different. It was cool and liberating
I would love to play other systems with my group, I've suggested Open Legend, Blades In The Dark, Starfinder, and Scum & Villainy. Tried pitching all these to my players and while they enjoy a huge variety of board and video games, they always refuse to play anything other than D&D 5e because they don't want to learn a new rule system (occasionally to placate me, they'll say "Yeah we'll do that sometime" and sometime never arrives).
It's mildly frustrating and pretty disappointing, I'm super excited to run games using these other systems but I'm having trouble imparting that enthusiasm to my players.
BitD is a really fun world with a very simple mechanic. Shame your group isn't into giving 'er a test run, but you may be able to find an online table.
That being said; if they're having so much fun with what you're doing, you're doing it right. ;^)
Run a one shot featuring an alternative system. Try featuring a setting that is distinctive in tone from your 5e game. This allows you to try with no real commitment from your players.
Needed this series. I just ran my first campaign last week and I feel like I haven't done nearly enough learning 😅
*Nearning. :) The majority of stuff you'll be nearning will be by GMing over MANY many many sessions. You don't learn to build a car the first time you install the car door.
Interesting your point about playing multiple systems. My group have played lots of systems (dnd, whfrp, pendragon, traveller etc) - but I now realised played them all the same.
Last year I downloaded the new Mech Warrior game which introduced a totally different mechanic for who does what via “rotating the narrative” - so everyone did a bit of the DMs job. First time in years I have seen something that actually changed the experience- not just the background.
Now we are playing dnd again (yes it fits our core escapist need like a peanut butter sandwich) but the Mech Warrior experience of playing with the shared story telling game approach has totally changed what people expect to be able to do and how the line light is shared.
You played Lone Wolf! I love the world of Magnamund! Great setting. Glad to hear you've tried it!
can totally relate to the 'Was that really a good session?' thing... It's tough to get past x.x But then when we have difficulty scheduling the next game my players are always so enthusiastic about trying to make the timing work... That's typically what gets me out of the self-doubt x) I mean if it wasn't fun, why would they do so much to make sure games happened.
One of your best.
One of my friends was wondering how to effectively design and plan combat that isn't super easy to beat
This is a good push for me to get into more systems and genres to expand my abilities and understanding. It goes back to the previous video, I have a fear that I need to know it all before I start running the game. I'm gonna set a goal to try out new systems/genres this year! Thanks so much for the advice and nearning Guy!
-Dan
As a new GM I am learning that the game is fun when everyone is having a good time, not just one or two players. It would be great if you could do a video on note taking as the GM. I’m trying to record everything as it happens during the game and the players say it takes too long, breaks immersion, slows down gameplay, etc. So what do I absolutely need to record and what things should I let go of and not write down in my notes?
very good viedo thanks
I know for a fact all you need to RP is another person. I've done it for years in a text based format. The closest thing we have to a system is a general set of rules which mostly boils down to "don't be 'that guy'" As we went on it got a bit more structured and we have rules to a setting, but that's it.
+50 EXP
Total: 300 EXP
Agree about escaping… 👍🏻
Or sometimes you're burning out because quite a few of your players argue and snipe at each other all the time, interrupt before you can finish a simple description, argue with your calls, correct you on your knowledge of the rules (which, admittedly, has gotten crappier as I've gotten older) during the combat, etc... :)
Play multiple RPG systems
You WILL have fun, fun is mandatory ;)
I completely agree 3.5 is the best version
Hope everyone reading this has a great day!
Multiple RPG systems - all great and shiny, but not when you have (as I do) sessions every other week at best. In that case, each system change means a monthly break in the main campaign.
6 and 8 Yeah, I've literally had to kick players out 3 times now, over 5~ years though, for ruining the fun or contributing nothing to it despite our best efforts.
Also... man... I wish I could not RP between myself and myself but my players get a kick out of making me do it from time to time so I'm talking to myself with the NPC's, they're having fun and love the game and NPC's so w/e I can deal with the awkward feeling of talking to myself from time to time.
Man the amount of flak I've gotten from people who are so damn brand loyal to dnd 5e for my playing/running and liking other systems is absolutely mindblowing. I've played 5-7 systems at this point and I do have one I favor but I absolutely have found flaws in it and have taken bits and pieces from other systems including 5e that I liked to rectify them. I really dislike when people pick one system as their be all end all and just don't move on or try to diversify... especially when they add on a dozen improvements and such to it that it's basically another system that's out there with just one rule difference.
I also think 3.5 was the best, this is why i play pathfinder
it's not that I particularly disagree with point ten, but here's the thing: reading and learning rules is no fun to me. Not at all. And where I sit, I have to be the GM and I have to be the rules guy, because it's either that or no game at all. And given the time constraints that come from getting old (and I'm probably a tad older than you are), I'm just not willing to expose myself to new rulesets all the time. heck, I'm not even willing to expose myself to the ruleset that I'm actually using at the moment. And all that together makes sticking to the rules I already know much more appealing and is a big part of why I never really went with 4E (ok, those rules I actually heavily disliked at that time) or 5E (those I don't dislike but I still can't bring myself to at least glance over them).
“You can in theory replay with yourself, but I would advise that you limit that…”
But but Guy, you told me to bark at myself in the mirror!
I must say I am sad that DnD get so much more attention then any other system. So I really love your 10th rule here.
(Maybe I am just uninformed how great DnD is - I play TTRPGs for 20 Years now - and still haven't played DnD.)
nearn from those mistakes
You do not need a book
[remembers he wrote some]
you want a book
I use Lego people as minis. XD
Have you try fate core? did you enjoy it? It's a system then i would realy try someday.
👍👍👍
Role playing with yourself is called writing a story.
It's not just a soft spot for 3.5, I'd say it is objectively better than 5e. 5e is graceful, it's not as clunky as Starfinder or Pathfinder 2, but the change from 3.5 to 5e (simplifying rules, etc) doesn't make a better game.
i run 3 games a week, 1 is high fantasy, deep roleplay ect, the second is a very serious game of thrones typre political drama, the third is my younglings group that is a bunch of magic and fart jokes. all 3 are wildly different and i enjoy them all if they were all the same i'd get burnt out and quit
If we clicked the like button on each video we've watched, do we get bonus xp? 🤔
Do I earn bonus XP because this was my birthday? If I have to tell my age, then I'll pass. Thanks.
I just started being A DM for my kids and I'd love to chat with you at some point and pick your brain
I have a player in my group that I usually DM for who has real trouble
role-playing. We've been playing with this guy for over a year now.
They've even DM-ed for us twice.
This player is TERRIBLE at Role-playing and also very bad at combat too.
I can let the combat thing slide, but right now I'm running a campaign
which has a lot of political intrigue in it and requires some roleplay.
Every time I pitch the player a role-playing ball like "Sir paladin of
vengeance knight, what should we do about the traitor who killed your
family?" the game comes to a complete and grinding halt as the player
struggles to think of an answer and 5 minutes later informs me and the
rest of the party that he's forgotten the question.
How do you get a guy like that to role-play better?
I've tried asking leading questions like: "How does your character feel about this betrayal?"
or "What would a paladin of vengeance's opinion be about mercenaries who serve evil?"
Sometimes I get an answer but most of the time I get frustrated by how long its taking and I just say "okay lets move on"
I could just politely ask him to leave the game since I do lose my
patience, but I do believe that he can do it. After all he DM-ed for us
twice and his Improvisation skills when it comes to NPC dialogue were
operational at the time.
Should I keep trying? How?
just want to point out that warhammer fantasy does not have role playing in it
The TTRPG? Not the miniatures game :)
Wait, imaginary arguments in the shower doesn't count as roleplaying by yourself?
People that run 6 games a day. Each one of those games suck, trust me. None are quality.
Hope everyone reading this has a good day!