I'll share a particular story from my past. I've played everything from D&D to Call of Cthulhu( my favorite) to Champions. Almost any game made, been playing since the late 70's. In my college days, a guy ran a D&D campaign that was a pure railroad experience. The only thing that could change for your PC was whether you lived or died. No decision you made could alter the course of the game in any way. Our group had played together with really good DM's and we didn't appreciate being railroaded. After three sessions, we all declined to play with him again. We brought him into the fold as a player, but wouldn't allow him to run any more. The players have to at least have the illusion of choice and the sense of the PC mattering to the story.
I did read about one game where the GM basically outlined the setting to the player characters that there was a huge lich-Lord thing that needed stopping because he was going to resurrect the dead in a HUGE area in order to create an army to take over the world, et cetera. The players decided to crusade for women's and gay rights, became heroes of the land, a parade was organised, they were knighted, and then the skies split in two and the dead began to rise.
I really liked the part on "non-classical" D&D adventures. As someone who played 100+ games with only one being from official Pathfinder book, I can say that those ones were much more interesting\original. We had great GMs in my hometown in Russia, who would come up with systems for playing anything from regular adventures(be in in fantasy\sci-fi or even reality-based setting) to something alike strategy(where each player would be in charge of a tribe ace\planet). We used point system where you would bargain with the GM to get yourself perks\skills and gain points by adding drawbacks to your character. I still remember playing as a blind Elf, who was a great archer, despite being blind, due to his other senses being enhanced.
This linear thing they seem to talking about just reminded me of a game a few weeks ago. I had this "awesome" storyline preppared.. and the gamers went "lets party hard and enjoy life in town!" so i just went with it.. after about 40 hours of playing (5-6 sessions) they started raiding the countryside and waylaying traders.. they soon found them selves fighting guards that started chaseing them, raising an army and laid waste to the kingdom and finaly taking over... they then dared the warrior in the group to fist fight a dragon and everything just went south from there. lol was the most fun game i GM'd so far.
I'm a 30-year vet. I remember trying to make those linear games and rail my players right to it. Now I basically run the sandbox. It's a lot better but I think that is hard for new DM/GM's to do. I always started new games when I got a new RPG. M&M and Dresden are both great games.
Could be a bit of fun to do a chat across the country like this for a "two sides of a coin" take on common problems or questions nerds have for gaming. I know I have a few valid points I would love to get your two copper pieces on.
Hi guys have really been getting into your channel after restarting with 5e after a fifteen year break! I'm in Yorkshire in the north of England, was just wondering where you guys are at as I've got family in the States but never visited... sounds like those kids are having fun in the background! For what it's worth I think 5e is the best version yet, I'm loving my human rogue/warlock A LOT! Keep up the good work lads
Been watching the channel off & on since 2014(didn't lose interest, I just watch more when I'm doing things more involved with RPGs), I think the first video I watched of you guys was your response to Noah Antwiler's 5th Edition "review." (Actually, I think your response was recommended, and that's how I found this channel.) Decided earlier to go back and watch some of your earliest videos, and I'm reminded and am reinforced in my thought that you guys gave, and still give, great advice & insight. I started listening to D&D and other RPG podcasts back in 2007-08, watching TH-cam videos on it maybe a couple years later, from players and DMs/GMs of different games, different editions, with different play styles, and from everyone I've listened to & watched online, I've learned the most, both for being a better player and better DM, from you guys. Just wanted to comment to say I love what you guys do, hope you keep doing it & have fun doing it. Game on.
I've tried writing a detailed plotline with everything all laid out...and the players prompted a bar fight/party. Players will deviate from the plan EVERY TIME so I discovered that it's best to have an idea of an over-arching plot but with other things for them to do. Players often need a nudge in the right direction but good players hate being dragged around by the nose.
Cool nice to know we are at least in the ballpark ;) , but seriously thanks for checking us out. It's nice to hear from another old head we are start to collect a few of them here at Nerdarchy. -Nerdarchist Dave
I know it's not the main point of the video at all, but since you mention XP, I found how PF and 3e handle it was just so awful I finally dropped it. Got much easier to handle leveling up in a more free-form way.
Ted and I have been doing the same. We shot a video about a monster today and I decided to check something that I haven't yet, because I'm so tired of people misquoting the CR system in 5e. The monster was CR 11 7,200 XP that equates to an appropriate XP budget for a party of 4-5 characters of 7th to 8th level. So a party of 11th level characters would totally crush that monster. -Nerdarchist Dave
Nerdarchy I'll definitely watch it once it's up, though, to be honest I've as of late been veering away from D&D territory to play other RPGs (however I haven't tried 5e yet and maybe I should give it a chance). Do you think it really even is all that helpful at all as concept (I mean CR)? D&D is the only RPG I'm aware of that uses it, and, really, after playing other RPGs that lack it, the lack of it really doesn't seem like an issue.
EmeraldToucanet It was a useful tool in 3rd and Pathfinder. At a glance you could know a monsters relative power to the parties. Now it seems useful for knowing what a druid can wildshape into, a spell caster can polymorph into, or what a ranger can take for an animal companion. On another note we also took a D&D hiatus for Mutants and masterminds before coming back to D&D for 5e. -Nerdarchist Dave
Nerdarchy that makes sense, though when it comes to those other usages you mention (and things like determining what things you could summon for that matter) I think perhaps it was not used up to its potential. Yeah, my group has been discussing playing Fate, and Mage the Ascension as of late. I'm sure we'll want to try some other games too, but not bent on what, other than that our next one is a homebrew system. Maybe after that I'll be feeling more like moving on to try 5e like you did. I haven't played Mutants & Materminds before, I'd be interested in it, but, the superhero genre isn't especially popular among the group when it comes to RPGs.
Nerdarchy I have been involved in this hobby since 1986. I can completely relate to the weekend game in which you were ostracised for missing a session. Seasonal work made life near unbearable with one DM :) I cannot tell you all how much I appreciate your work. Many thanks to you all
Hi guys. I have been watching your channel for a couple months and going back over some older videos. I have been gaming tabletop at least 15 years now. I have only been DMing roughly about 6 years. I have done a world of darkness vampire and werewolf game, and a D&D 3.5 campaign that lasted about a year plus. I am trying to get my older group together for a brand new 5 edition game, and wanted to see if you had any suggestions on how to better create stories or plots around the new background systems when you are designing a campaign.
It's not about the back ground as much as it is about the story they tie to it. Do a session zero where makes their character and just ask questions about the choices and decisions. If they talk about something that isn't in your game world I'd consider adding it in as long it to crazy. More you can connect them to the world the easier it is to tie stories to their back story and backgrounds. -Nerdarchist Dave
I just found your channel. It is nice to see other RPG channels out there. :) I'll share your channel with the RPG Brigade in the hopes that you guys get some more viewers. I like your conversational style.
Thanks Tim we appreciate it. We've been playing around with our style for a while now and we like the conversation approach. We're just 4 White and Nerdy guys enjoying nerdy stuff and sharing it here on TH-cam amongst other places. - Nerdarchist Dave
I’m creating a mirror world. Where Magic has broken reality and created this mirror world. Basically the players know that anything they create, invent, come up with, the mirror world will have an equal yet opposite of this. I’m still not sure what to do with this so my players are so far in suspense having to think about their choices while I sit here in the poo with no thoughts lol. But yeah the mirror realm lol.
i recently decided I wanted to start playing d&d but none of my friends play but one said if I dm theyd do it... so I tried to think something up- but another friend said you cant start in a bar, you gotta figure how theyd all be at the same place and all that... so iv been working on it for a while now- got a rough map, the big idea and a bunch of little ideas so it didn't matter if they wanted to go another way, thered still be something cool to do... but now im like, am I wasting all this time on something that will prob never be played :(
We live, we learn, and we have done exactly what you have, but no worries. First off if you enjoyed the process no loss. Second you may yet find a way to work the material you came up with in later. Third if you are new to running a campaign being over prepared will help you deal with unexpected surprises from your players. Look at the end of the day its game have freaking fun playing it. That is the most important part. You will get better with practice and figure out the best way of doing things for yourself. Also keep checking back here and hopefully we'll be able throw you some tips that will make it things a little bit easier for you. Also feel free to message us with questions or leave them in the comments.
the bit where they said that players story's are to big and players always do something to muck up the story you have in mind perfect example of this first ( and last time) I met the final boss of a campaign ow at least 5 years ago this demon lord had broke into the world a suppose we were supposed to stop him but we just wondered of and when we returned to town demons were running around eating people and he had broke out so he started to monolog about this world was his and he was god so on. as i a cleric rubbed my hands together and banished demon got a 20 puff demon lord gone dm was furious started yell you cant do that showed him the rules saying I could and he kicked my character from the game that is how a bad dm work I would have 1 made the other demons attack the party 2 assuming they live have this very powerful guy devoting the rest of are live to making us suffer and kill us would make for some funny times
In all fairness it's a rough break for any DM, but there are better ways to handle it. Having the demon vanish slowly but threatening the characters whole time especially if there are long lived races in the group. He would also threaten the descendants of that cleric. It's easy for a DM to get sucked into their own story and to forget the real purpose of a RPG and that's to have fun with your friends. Thanks for offering up your input and checking us out. -Nerdarchist Dave
Gamer ADD ie lets try.......I am Jealous....so much better than players who refuse to switch to anything but the same 4 games until you are utterly sick of them 5thed,Starwars,Exalted,Hackmaster. I would rather keep it fresh and not finish it than beat it until it tastes like dirt. (grass is always greener though)
I'll share a particular story from my past. I've played everything from D&D to Call of Cthulhu( my favorite) to Champions. Almost any game made, been playing since the late 70's. In my college days, a guy ran a D&D campaign that was a pure railroad experience. The only thing that could change for your PC was whether you lived or died. No decision you made could alter the course of the game in any way. Our group had played together with really good DM's and we didn't appreciate being railroaded. After three sessions, we all declined to play with him again. We brought him into the fold as a player, but wouldn't allow him to run any more. The players have to at least have the illusion of choice and the sense of the PC mattering to the story.
I did read about one game where the GM basically outlined the setting to the player characters that there was a huge lich-Lord thing that needed stopping because he was going to resurrect the dead in a HUGE area in order to create an army to take over the world, et cetera.
The players decided to crusade for women's and gay rights, became heroes of the land, a parade was organised, they were knighted, and then the skies split in two and the dead began to rise.
I really liked the part on "non-classical" D&D adventures. As someone who played 100+ games with only one being from official Pathfinder book, I can say that those ones were much more interesting\original. We had great GMs in my hometown in Russia, who would come up with systems for playing anything from regular adventures(be in in fantasy\sci-fi or even reality-based setting) to something alike strategy(where each player would be in charge of a tribe
ace\planet). We used point system where you would bargain with the GM to get yourself perks\skills and gain points by adding drawbacks to your character. I still remember playing as a blind Elf, who was a great archer, despite being blind, due to his other senses being enhanced.
This linear thing they seem to talking about just reminded me of a game a few weeks ago. I had this "awesome" storyline preppared.. and the gamers went "lets party hard and enjoy life in town!" so i just went with it.. after about 40 hours of playing (5-6 sessions) they started raiding the countryside and waylaying traders.. they soon found them selves fighting guards that started chaseing them, raising an army and laid waste to the kingdom and finaly taking over... they then dared the warrior in the group to fist fight a dragon and everything just went south from there. lol was the most fun game i GM'd so far.
Sometimes the adventures you don't plan are the best ones.
- Nerdarchist Dave
I'm a 30-year vet. I remember trying to make those linear games and rail my players right to it. Now I basically run the sandbox. It's a lot better but I think that is hard for new DM/GM's to do. I always started new games when I got a new RPG. M&M and Dresden are both great games.
Could be a bit of fun to do a chat across the country like this for a "two sides of a coin" take on common problems or questions nerds have for gaming. I know I have a few valid points I would love to get your two copper pieces on.
Hi guys have really been getting into your channel after restarting with 5e after a fifteen year break! I'm in Yorkshire in the north of England, was just wondering where you guys are at as I've got family in the States but never visited... sounds like those kids are having fun in the background! For what it's worth I think 5e is the best version yet, I'm loving my human rogue/warlock A LOT! Keep up the good work lads
and stay hydrated! =P
Been watching the channel off & on since 2014(didn't lose interest, I just watch more when I'm doing things more involved with RPGs), I think the first video I watched of you guys was your response to Noah Antwiler's 5th Edition "review." (Actually, I think your response was recommended, and that's how I found this channel.) Decided earlier to go back and watch some of your earliest videos, and I'm reminded and am reinforced in my thought that you guys gave, and still give, great advice & insight. I started listening to D&D and other RPG podcasts back in 2007-08, watching TH-cam videos on it maybe a couple years later, from players and DMs/GMs of different games, different editions, with different play styles, and from everyone I've listened to & watched online, I've learned the most, both for being a better player and better DM, from you guys. Just wanted to comment to say I love what you guys do, hope you keep doing it & have fun doing it. Game on.
I've tried writing a detailed plotline with everything all laid out...and the players prompted a bar fight/party. Players will deviate from the plan EVERY TIME so I discovered that it's best to have an idea of an over-arching plot but with other things for them to do. Players often need a nudge in the right direction but good players hate being dragged around by the nose.
I have been a Game Master since I was ten. Almost 25yrs. I can relate to a lot of what was discussed.
Cool nice to know we are at least in the ballpark ;) , but seriously thanks for checking us out. It's nice to hear from another old head we are start to collect a few of them here at Nerdarchy.
-Nerdarchist Dave
Nerdarchy
any time you need help let me know
Thanks so much for this video, DMing my first campaign in a few weeks and definitely needed to hear all this. You guys rock!
lm1289 Happy to be of service. Congrats on stepping up to run your 1st game.
Nerdarchist Dave
Love these videos. As a new dm and really new to d&d, this is really helping me improve my game play. best videos i found
I know it's not the main point of the video at all, but since you mention XP, I found how PF and 3e handle it was just so awful I finally dropped it. Got much easier to handle leveling up in a more free-form way.
Ted and I have been doing the same. We shot a video about a monster today and I decided to check something that I haven't yet, because I'm so tired of people misquoting the CR system in 5e. The monster was CR 11 7,200 XP that equates to an appropriate XP budget for a party of 4-5 characters of 7th to 8th level. So a party of 11th level characters would totally crush that monster.
-Nerdarchist Dave
Nerdarchy I'll definitely watch it once it's up, though, to be honest I've as of late been veering away from D&D territory to play other RPGs (however I haven't tried 5e yet and maybe I should give it a chance). Do you think it really even is all that helpful at all as concept (I mean CR)? D&D is the only RPG I'm aware of that uses it, and, really, after playing other RPGs that lack it, the lack of it really doesn't seem like an issue.
EmeraldToucanet It was a useful tool in 3rd and Pathfinder. At a glance you could know a monsters relative power to the parties. Now it seems useful for knowing what a druid can wildshape into, a spell caster can polymorph into, or what a ranger can take for an animal companion. On another note we also took a D&D hiatus for Mutants and masterminds before coming back to D&D for 5e.
-Nerdarchist Dave
Nerdarchy that makes sense, though when it comes to those other usages you mention (and things like determining what things you could summon for that matter) I think perhaps it was not used up to its potential. Yeah, my group has been discussing playing Fate, and Mage the Ascension as of late. I'm sure we'll want to try some other games too, but not bent on what, other than that our next one is a homebrew system. Maybe after that I'll be feeling more like moving on to try 5e like you did. I haven't played Mutants & Materminds before, I'd be interested in it, but, the superhero genre isn't especially popular among the group when it comes to RPGs.
Great TH-cam series in General I'm preparing to run my first game and this gave some helpful tips
Very enjoyable video to listen to. Thanks for sharing your story for us to enjoy.
No problem it's our pleasure to share our love of the hobby with any and all that willing to listen.
Nerdarchy I have been involved in this hobby since 1986. I can completely relate to the weekend game in which you were ostracised for missing a session. Seasonal work made life near unbearable with one DM :) I cannot tell you all how much I appreciate your work. Many thanks to you all
Hi guys. I have been watching your channel for a couple months and going back over some older videos. I have been gaming tabletop at least 15 years now. I have only been DMing roughly about 6 years. I have done a world of darkness vampire and werewolf game, and a D&D 3.5 campaign that lasted about a year plus. I am trying to get my older group together for a brand new 5 edition game, and wanted to see if you had any suggestions on how to better create stories or plots around the new background systems when you are designing a campaign.
It's not about the back ground as much as it is about the story they tie to it. Do a session zero where makes their character and just ask questions about the choices and decisions. If they talk about something that isn't in your game world I'd consider adding it in as long it to crazy. More you can connect them to the world the easier it is to tie stories to their back story and backgrounds.
-Nerdarchist Dave
I just found your channel. It is nice to see other RPG channels out there. :) I'll share your channel with the RPG Brigade in the hopes that you guys get some more viewers. I like your conversational style.
Thanks Tim we appreciate it.
We've been playing around with our style for a while now and we like the conversation approach. We're just 4 White and Nerdy guys enjoying nerdy stuff and sharing it here on TH-cam amongst other places.
- Nerdarchist Dave
Sounds good to me. :) I enjoy a good ramble and I am known in some parts to do the same. hehe.
Nerdarchy Correction, Not 4 White and Nerdy guys, 4 Nerdy guys that happen to be white. Please, guys....
Nope sorry it's "White and Nerdy"
Click the link and you'll understand.
th-cam.com/video/N9qYF9DZPdw/w-d-xo.html
I would LOVE to play a character, but it's easier to dm and create a group in perth wa
I’m creating a mirror world. Where Magic has broken reality and created this mirror world. Basically the players know that anything they create, invent, come up with, the mirror world will have an equal yet opposite of this. I’m still not sure what to do with this so my players are so far in suspense having to think about their choices while I sit here in the poo with no thoughts lol. But yeah the mirror realm lol.
i recently decided I wanted to start playing d&d but none of my friends play but one said if I dm theyd do it... so I tried to think something up- but another friend said you cant start in a bar, you gotta figure how theyd all be at the same place and all that... so iv been working on it for a while now- got a rough map, the big idea and a bunch of little ideas so it didn't matter if they wanted to go another way, thered still be something cool to do... but now im like, am I wasting all this time on something that will prob never be played :(
We live, we learn, and we have done exactly what you have, but no worries.
First off if you enjoyed the process no loss.
Second you may yet find a way to work the material you came up with in later.
Third if you are new to running a campaign being over prepared will help you deal with unexpected surprises from your players.
Look at the end of the day its game have freaking fun playing it. That is the most important part. You will get better with practice and figure out the best way of doing things for yourself. Also keep checking back here and hopefully we'll be able throw you some tips that will make it things a little bit easier for you.
Also feel free to message us with questions or leave them in the comments.
Nerdarchy haha your right- thanks guys
I am kinda liking the process :)
My character's inteligence score, is as high as it needs to be to legaly meta-game.
the bit where they said that players story's are to big and players always do something to muck up the story you have in mind
perfect example of this first ( and last time) I met the final boss of a campaign ow at least 5 years ago this demon lord had broke into the world a suppose we were supposed to stop him but we just wondered of and when we returned to town demons were running around eating people and he had broke out so he started to monolog about this world was his and he was god so on. as i a cleric rubbed my hands together and banished demon got a 20 puff demon lord gone dm was furious started yell you cant do that showed him the rules saying I could and he kicked my character from the game that is how a bad dm work I would have
1 made the other demons attack the party
2 assuming they live have this very powerful guy devoting the rest of are live to making us suffer and kill us
would make for some funny times
In all fairness it's a rough break for any DM, but there are better ways to handle it. Having the demon vanish slowly but threatening the characters whole time especially if there are long lived races in the group. He would also threaten the descendants of that cleric. It's easy for a DM to get sucked into their own story and to forget the real purpose of a RPG and that's to have fun with your friends. Thanks for offering up your input and checking us out.
-Nerdarchist Dave
Gamer ADD ie lets try.......I am Jealous....so much better than players who refuse to switch to anything but the same 4 games until you are utterly sick of them 5thed,Starwars,Exalted,Hackmaster. I would rather keep it fresh and not finish it than beat it until it tastes like dirt. (grass is always greener though)
Or a group that will only play one of two games: Pathfinder or D&D. Ugh