Best day of my week is when I see either Matt Coleville or Jim Murphy have some wisdom to impart unto me. With any luck, I'll get both in the same day at some point
Jim just wanted to let you know that you inspired this young adult to start painting and collecting minis! I mostly DM for my friends online but I enjoy the painting nonetheless! Been DMing for almost 2.5 years now due to you and Matt. Thank you.
there's definitely a spirit of improv and serendipity that comes out when you're really relaxed and down to just have fun with it rather than trying to craft the perfect story. most ppl reading this know what i'm talking about. the story will find a way to make sense when you're all willing to make the connections in the moment and get rid of expectations. i really like that about your DM style, thanks!
1975 I was 8 and playing Avalon Hill games. I did not discover TSR D&D until 78. Wow! it was on! I love and always enjoy listening to you tell your stories from games you played with friends back in the day. Thank you my friend for what you do for the Hobby! I owe you a painted mini.
I'm a simple creature of culture I see Game Methuselah I listen to his sage of wisdom and happiness and click the like button. Thank you for your helpful insight into another banger of a vid Jim. Please be safe and well my mentor.
This is such a great point. DMs ability and opportunity to bring bright spark, fun, distraction to players when life might not be as fun. So powerful and wonderful.
I had a really fun experience like this last week. I realized that there wasn't any treasure in this dungeon they were exploring for plot reasons and that would be disappointing. So on the fly I added a little extra rubble to map. Behind one of the piles of rubble had been a secret exit, so they'd decided to dig through the rubble and I figured "why can't this be the treasure room?". But I didn't have treasure in the room yet so I let the players roll on the hoard tables and, knowing the history of the structure, I used the rolls they had on the table to built a theme as I specified each treasure. Including a big tapestry that I described in panels as I came up with it. Very fun
19:03 Matt Mercer actually has some pretty neat "rules" for evolving (legendary) magic items, that were published in "Explorer's Guide to WIldmount". Basically they have 3 stages: Dorment, Awakened, and Exalted. And depending on the story/campaign progress, the character development or the locations they visit the magic items move from one stage to the next one. All decided by the DM of course. Stages can be inclusive or mutually exclusive, meaning the either replace all the magic the item had in other stages, or the stack on top of each other, e.g. the to hit bonus increases each stage, which is a nice way to not make a weapon obsolete in "late game". This is less exciting as the players already know what the weapon may do in the future, but sometimes I don't tell my players these items have more stages, then we get were you are.
Thanks for this! Always good to have a reminder that the end of goal of them game is to have fun with other people! "at least game peace" was reassuring as well.
next month I'll be DMing my first campaign for two years now and I'm at the point now where making it up as I go when needed comes way more easy to me. Coming up with new ways to use old stuff that is already in the game is one of my favorite ways to build up excitement because players seem to get way more invested in their stuff when they discover more interesting ways they function. One player of mine has a ring they found from a siren that is actually a cursed ring that makes you more vain, and also more of an asshole by giving you the ability to cast charm and incentivizing you to become more egomaniacal as your power grows - that item's scope grew over time and she never sought a way to get rid of it because her character loves the power it brings (which is fitting because the ring also wants to be worn). Originally I planned that ring to be just a bit of a charisma enhancer but it became it's own story and helped my newbie friends and I get more into the characters. Seeing things you threw in on a whim and watching them take on a life of their own as you sprinkle in more details here and there is a magical thing, and so is gaming. Thanks to you and Matt for all the advice and perspective, it continues to be invalueable!
Improvisational DMing is kinda my jam. When you know your setting well enough, content flows from the imagination to the table. I stepped in to cover the table of another DM recently, and at the last minute. Absences meant that the regular game could not be run, so I offered to run a improvisational one-shot. It's the third time I've run the weird, alien dungeon "Illthraxxus", all from memory. Three hours later, they were ready for another session. I'm hoping this break gave the regular DM the break she needed to refresh.
True tbh... Took a lot of steps and planning ESPECIALLY in the beginning but I can have a large variety of stories and situations that just seen to fit come out on the fly, in the moment... Risks too... One session had 0 prep but it turned out fantastic... It was because the elements for a story were already decided upon and I drew from there.
My version of the “Teeth of the Dragon” borrow mostly just the name. They are 7 magical swords wielded by the dragonborn knights that guard the tomb of Bahalva’at, the Dark Lord of Lies. Maybe one day, he’ll be free, and those swords can be used by players!
I actually came across dungeon crawl classics last month in a book store and picked it up because I was looking for an OSR game to run. it's a great game in my opinion because instead of trying to BE the old dungeons and dragons, it's just trying to be like them. personally the only thing really missing in my opinion is an experience table for people who want to run with gold as experience, but that's an easy fix
Hey Jim, I have heard about the strange- and otherworldliness of your elves several times now. Would you be willing to give some examples? I really dig the idea, but find it hard to grasp. Maybe a future video? Love your content and enthusiasm!
Dcc is pretty cool, I've played alot of OSR systems, I'm currently running some Swords and wizardry complete and Stars without number. Been trying to embrace improvising with what I've been running and im pretty happy with the results
Just an off topic rant here . . . I hate that in most systems a rapier does less damage than a broadsword ("Medieval Arming Sword"). They weigh the same. The rapier is the nimbler of the two, due to its point of balance. The rapier also has a significant reach advantage. Stabs are also quite often more fatal than cuts. Unless, you lop someone's limbs or head off that is. Often a stab-wound will get infected and cause a nasty death later on. Everything you said was cool though. I used to be really good at flying by the seat of my pants and being a minimalist GM. One needs to be careful though. You can't be too Monty Hall. It is a lot easier to be heroic in D&D than it is to be so in TFT (Mêlée). However, contrary to my previous belief, wizards (Spell Casters) in TFT (Mêlée) are actually more powerful than low level D&D 5e wizards (Spell Casters). because in a few minutes they get all their fatigue back and can go back to casting. In D&D 5e they have to take that long rest. The D&D 5e spells are deadly though perhaps. I was thinking about making a new game system. Attributes would be on a percentile basis. Sanity and Courage would be in there. It would be skill based, but would also have some class-based point buys. Combat would be rock-paper-scissors gritty, but not too complicated. Maybe I will make it before I die.
@@jimmurphy1591 I did some Japanese Kenjitsu for a while. I would like to get into HEMA, but it is expensive and there is no one really doing it right where I live our gas prices have gone up to $10 a gallon, so driving around outside of work just for fun is not really in the old budget anymore. Yeah, in games you have to abstract things a bit. We have a lot of home brew rules for TFT that make it a bit more survivable for the sake of RP-ing and we have implemented some rock-paper-scissor style weapon and armor interactions. I like that armor stops damage in TFT, but in reality armor also makes you harder to hit, so in our games it now does both. Certain weapons like war hammers, pole axes, polearms and to some extent maces, flails and axes are anti armor weapons. Their advantage is that you just have to hit the armor with them, so you are not as many minuses to hit "hard" armor types with them. With a sword you have to take the minuses, because you need to aim at a gap in the armor. I want to make a new system though that incorporates the elements of all the other engines that I like. I like the bell curve of TFT, but the mathematical room afforded by a percentile system. Tying it all together is rough though, that and giving it a name! When you have been around as long as we have all the good names seem to be taken.
One of the best pieces of advice I've heard. Things like this separate a good GM from a great one. A fun night vs. A lifelong memory.
That’s when I feel I did a good job
Best day of my week is when I see either Matt Coleville or Jim Murphy have some wisdom to impart unto me. With any luck, I'll get both in the same day at some point
Jim just wanted to let you know that you inspired this young adult to start painting and collecting minis! I mostly DM for my friends online but I enjoy the painting nonetheless! Been DMing for almost 2.5 years now due to you and Matt. Thank you.
Your welcome…a lifetime addiction but worth every miniute
This might be one of the most important videos you have ever made. Keep the magic of roleplaying alive.
Thanks
Cheers for the wholesome message in these mad times.
My pleasure
there's definitely a spirit of improv and serendipity that comes out when you're really relaxed and down to just have fun with it rather than trying to craft the perfect story. most ppl reading this know what i'm talking about. the story will find a way to make sense when you're all willing to make the connections in the moment and get rid of expectations. i really like that about your DM style, thanks!
Always love hearing from you Jim!
1975 I was 8 and playing Avalon Hill games. I did not discover TSR D&D until 78. Wow! it was on! I love and always enjoy listening to you tell your stories from games you played with friends back in the day. Thank you my friend for what you do for the Hobby! I owe you a painted mini.
Don’t forget to sign it
@@jimmurphy1591 absolutely Sir!
I’ll send you some old ones
In these dark times, these words of wisdom shine like a beacon. Thanks for doin what you do :)
The part about making it on the fly is so good. I'm trying to trust that more as I can't put the time into prep I always did.
Great advice as aways!
I am on a deep DM dive this morning and Jim Murphy is always on that list!
I'm a simple creature of culture I see Game Methuselah I listen to his sage of wisdom and happiness and click the like button. Thank you for your helpful insight into another banger of a vid Jim. Please be safe and well my mentor.
This is such a great point. DMs ability and opportunity to bring bright spark, fun, distraction to players when life might not be as fun. So powerful and wonderful.
I had a really fun experience like this last week. I realized that there wasn't any treasure in this dungeon they were exploring for plot reasons and that would be disappointing. So on the fly I added a little extra rubble to map. Behind one of the piles of rubble had been a secret exit, so they'd decided to dig through the rubble and I figured "why can't this be the treasure room?". But I didn't have treasure in the room yet so I let the players roll on the hoard tables and, knowing the history of the structure, I used the rolls they had on the table to built a theme as I specified each treasure. Including a big tapestry that I described in panels as I came up with it. Very fun
So so so glad to see another DM video from my favorite grognard. Thanks Jim!
saw 27min got very very happy instantly
Same. This made my day.
19:03 Matt Mercer actually has some pretty neat "rules" for evolving (legendary) magic items, that were published in "Explorer's Guide to WIldmount". Basically they have 3 stages: Dorment, Awakened, and Exalted. And depending on the story/campaign progress, the character development or the locations they visit the magic items move from one stage to the next one. All decided by the DM of course. Stages can be inclusive or mutually exclusive, meaning the either replace all the magic the item had in other stages, or the stack on top of each other, e.g. the to hit bonus increases each stage, which is a nice way to not make a weapon obsolete in "late game".
This is less exciting as the players already know what the weapon may do in the future, but sometimes I don't tell my players these items have more stages, then we get were you are.
Sony da awesome
Sounds
Thanks for this! Always good to have a reminder that the end of goal of them game is to have fun with other people! "at least game peace" was reassuring as well.
Love your advice, Jim. Never stop sharing your experiences. It's RPG (Role Play Gold)!
Jim this channel is great. You got yourself a new sub
Thanks for this video. It was just what I needed.
next month I'll be DMing my first campaign for two years now and I'm at the point now where making it up as I go when needed comes way more easy to me. Coming up with new ways to use old stuff that is already in the game is one of my favorite ways to build up excitement because players seem to get way more invested in their stuff when they discover more interesting ways they function. One player of mine has a ring they found from a siren that is actually a cursed ring that makes you more vain, and also more of an asshole by giving you the ability to cast charm and incentivizing you to become more egomaniacal as your power grows - that item's scope grew over time and she never sought a way to get rid of it because her character loves the power it brings (which is fitting because the ring also wants to be worn). Originally I planned that ring to be just a bit of a charisma enhancer but it became it's own story and helped my newbie friends and I get more into the characters. Seeing things you threw in on a whim and watching them take on a life of their own as you sprinkle in more details here and there is a magical thing, and so is gaming. Thanks to you and Matt for all the advice and perspective, it continues to be invalueable!
Good discussion Jim! I love minis as well. Keep these videos coming!
I love DCC its amazing system one of the very best. I also love Basic Fantasy RPG.
I've always loved the idea of magic items that grow with the players, but I've never known how to satisfactorily implement them
It’s not that hard. See about talking about it in some videos
Fight me youtube algorithm fight, because I hate peace!
Thanks for the video, king.
Improvisational DMing is kinda my jam. When you know your setting well enough, content flows from the imagination to the table.
I stepped in to cover the table of another DM recently, and at the last minute. Absences meant that the regular game could not be run, so I offered to run a improvisational one-shot. It's the third time I've run the weird, alien dungeon "Illthraxxus", all from memory. Three hours later, they were ready for another session.
I'm hoping this break gave the regular DM the break she needed to refresh.
True tbh... Took a lot of steps and planning ESPECIALLY in the beginning but I can have a large variety of stories and situations that just seen to fit come out on the fly, in the moment...
Risks too... One session had 0 prep but it turned out fantastic... It was because the elements for a story were already decided upon and I drew from there.
My version of the “Teeth of the Dragon” borrow mostly just the name. They are 7 magical swords wielded by the dragonborn knights that guard the tomb of Bahalva’at, the Dark Lord of Lies. Maybe one day, he’ll be free, and those swords can be used by players!
Everyone ideas are cool. That’s what makes these games great
I actually came across dungeon crawl classics last month in a book store and picked it up because I was looking for an OSR game to run. it's a great game in my opinion because instead of trying to BE the old dungeons and dragons, it's just trying to be like them.
personally the only thing really missing in my opinion is an experience table for people who want to run with gold as experience, but that's an easy fix
Jim at last
Hey Jim, I have heard about the strange- and otherworldliness of your elves several times now. Would you be willing to give some examples? I really dig the idea, but find it hard to grasp. Maybe a future video? Love your content and enthusiasm!
Dcc is pretty cool, I've played alot of OSR systems, I'm currently running some Swords and wizardry complete and Stars without number. Been trying to embrace improvising with what I've been running and im pretty happy with the results
👍🏼👍🏼👍🏼
I disagree Jim, a dollar a gallon is unthinkable these days
Just for the opposite reason 🤣
True
Just an off topic rant here . . .
I hate that in most systems a rapier does less damage than a broadsword ("Medieval Arming Sword").
They weigh the same. The rapier is the nimbler of the two, due to its point of balance.
The rapier also has a significant reach advantage.
Stabs are also quite often more fatal than cuts. Unless, you lop someone's limbs or head off that is.
Often a stab-wound will get infected and cause a nasty death later on.
Everything you said was cool though.
I used to be really good at flying by the seat of my pants and being a minimalist GM.
One needs to be careful though. You can't be too Monty Hall.
It is a lot easier to be heroic in D&D than it is to be so in TFT (Mêlée).
However, contrary to my previous belief, wizards (Spell Casters) in TFT (Mêlée) are actually more powerful than low level D&D 5e wizards (Spell Casters). because in a few minutes they get all their fatigue back and can go back to casting. In D&D 5e they have to take that long rest. The D&D 5e spells are deadly though perhaps.
I was thinking about making a new game system.
Attributes would be on a percentile basis. Sanity and Courage would be in there.
It would be skill based, but would also have some class-based point buys.
Combat would be rock-paper-scissors gritty, but not too complicated.
Maybe I will make it before I die.
I fenced Sabre intercollegiate. But, with the armor reduction, the faster weapons with good reach took over. Games, just make there own reality.
@@jimmurphy1591
I did some Japanese Kenjitsu for a while. I would like to get into HEMA, but it is expensive and there is no one really doing it right where I live our gas prices have gone up to $10 a gallon, so driving around outside of work just for fun is not really in the old budget anymore.
Yeah, in games you have to abstract things a bit. We have a lot of home brew rules for TFT that make it a bit more survivable for the sake of RP-ing and we have implemented some rock-paper-scissor style weapon and armor interactions.
I like that armor stops damage in TFT, but in reality armor also makes you harder to hit, so in our games it now does both.
Certain weapons like war hammers, pole axes, polearms and to some extent maces, flails and axes are anti armor weapons. Their advantage is that you just have to hit the armor with them, so you are not as many minuses to hit "hard" armor types with them. With a sword you have to take the minuses, because you need to aim at a gap in the armor.
I want to make a new system though that incorporates the elements of all the other engines that I like. I like the bell curve of TFT, but the mathematical room afforded by a percentile system. Tying it all together is rough though, that and giving it a name!
When you have been around as long as we have all the good names seem to be taken.
@@manfredconnor3194 love it