Greetings adventurer's! I've forced to send this message from the comfort of my tower, seeing as the Mayor has enforced his quarantine through his emergency powers. Hopefully this finds you and your guild in good stead! I find myself having to occupy myself with my vastly increased spare time and have been trying my hand at new skills. One of my new pursuits I fear may be a bit beyond my reach and I was therefore hoping to ask for your guidance as, I vaguely recall, this is more your field?
Short Version - What would your advice be to someone who has never used Theatre of the Mind for combat?
Long Version - So with the Coronavirus forcing self-isolation, some of my groups are considering going online. I've played one as a player but have yet to DM online, and have not done combat online as either a Player of a DM. Whilst I'm considering trying out DM-ing online for the first time, I'm apprehensive about how to specifically handle combat. The issues I'm thinking of are:
1. With a map and minis, there are no arguments when it comes to 'Area of Effect' things like spells as to whether something hits or not - if I get the template out and anyone is in the AoE, they're hit. No controversy there. If it's online, how do you judge who is/isn't affected by such a thing when there isn't a visual aid? Do you use a map but send a picture to the players? Mental tracking/note taking?
2. I feel I would struggle to remember who was where during combat - with minis and scenery on a map, you can't forget that info. If it's all taking place in the collective imagination, both myself and my players could have different interpretations of where the characters/NPC's are in the space, depending how well (or poorly!) I describe the area. With enough to keep track of in terms of running a combat, this would add more to the DM's responsibility. My character may have +3 Intelligence, I certainly don't!
3. Following on from point 1 + 2, I wouldn't say this would definitely happen with my players as they're a very honest lot, however what happens when I dispute arises over whether "that enemy wouldn't be able to see me from there - I'm behind the 3 stacked crates from his angle" -- or say "no that's not right, I was definitely 15ft from him" -- alternatively 'sorry I'm definitely out of the breath weapon's range as I only went ##ft toward the creature earlier". Because there is no 'concrete' reference over where the characters are, some players could dishonestly twist the narrative in the interests of saving/buffing there characters, and I could potentially judge in their favour so as not to seam unfair. This could cultivate an attitude amongst the players that they can use my uncertainty of the 'mind narrative' to influence events that happen in combat. Or worse, I twist the narrative as the DM.
4. You don't get to use your cool minis. Ok, not really a strong point that needs to be argued, but it's a point nevertheless!
So I'm looking for advice on doing combat online; physical maps and minis are clearly my comfort zone so I'm turning to the community for advice; what are your ways to make a relatively drama/rules-debate free online combat? Do you tweak combat so that things like AoE's hit or miss under your own system? Does it come down to 'mental tracking' or, for lack of a better term, guess work? Or is there an online tabletop feature that you use instead and discard Theatre of the Mind altogether?
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Probably not the best advice as I've been dming only a couple of months and there are articles online that could help you a lot more, but this is what works for me.
Remember this is a game and fun with friends should be the priority, not how good of a dm you are.
1. When I dm a game with TotM, I usually use a map of my own, drawn a map on paper and use small trinkets to track location or even ms paint but that gets messy, recently found shmeppy.com, really cool website for easily drawing maps, but haven't had the chance to use yet, there I keep track of where characters and monsters ~may be~, it isn't of course a 1:1 of how a combat with minis would be but helps. I would advise agains't sending them a picture, If that were the case you might as well use roll20 or I guess shmeppy could also be used this way.
2. and 3. B4 the game, I agree with my players that I'll do my utmost to explain locations and where the monsters and characters are in that location, and my ruling is final on their position, as in, a player says: "I want to stand behind the pillar and cast firebolt at the goblin", I drawn a little colored ball, or use some other trinket when on a paper to mark his position behind the pillar. I often don't follow the exact movement speed for monsters and characters, I use "near", "mid" and "far" or even "long" distances (near is close enought to attack with a meele weapon; mid is walking distance, ussualy about 30ft; far is more than walking distance; and long for more than), and I also start every turn saying what their characters are seeing followed by a "what are you doing?" ("You see Jon attacking the goblin at walking distance from you in the middle of the cavern as you stand behind the pillar, what are you doing?") as it helps me keep track of things when saying them out loud. Try to narrated more like a movie rather than a combat with minis, e.g., treat battlefiled as small scenes, the fighter and a goblin fighting in the middle of a cavern, the wizard hiding behind the pillar casting firebolts, a goblin on top of crate on the far wall shooting arrows, if the barbarian wants to help the fighter in the middle of the cavern, he enters that scene. And ~never~ screw them over when there's a chance they could scape because, ultimately it would be your fault not theirs if their character dies this way because of poorly description on your part, e.g., if the goblin is near the wizard and the fighter, give them some lenience, and attack the fighter, maybe saying he parried the goblins sword towards him or something like that.
I think it works best when there are less monsters and players to keep track of, but if needed, improvise, you don't need to but I like to (not always) give the characters some "plot armor" if they are just at the edge of a fireball as they're the heroes of the story. Also if there is a horde of monsters I like to use one huge HP pool por all monsters and if players deal dmg equal to one of the monsters max hp, one of the monsters dies.
Here are a few articles I have on my favorites that might help:
TLDR; 1. Drawn a small map only for you and always take note. 2. Description is everything, if needed take a little more time to describe whats happening and where things are happening, it even helps you keep track by saying it out loud. 3. Your the DM, your word is final, come to terms with the players before starting the game that you will do your best to not screw them over with enemies' fireballs, but if it happens, they won't complain... too much.
Greetings adventurer's! I've forced to send this message from the comfort of my tower, seeing as the Mayor has enforced his quarantine through his emergency powers. Hopefully this finds you and your guild in good stead! I find myself having to occupy myself with my vastly increased spare time and have been trying my hand at new skills. One of my new pursuits I fear may be a bit beyond my reach and I was therefore hoping to ask for your guidance as, I vaguely recall, this is more your field?
Short Version - What would your advice be to someone who has never used Theatre of the Mind for combat?
Long Version - So with the Coronavirus forcing self-isolation, some of my groups are considering going online. I've played one as a player but have yet to DM online, and have not done combat online as either a Player of a DM. Whilst I'm considering trying out DM-ing online for the first time, I'm apprehensive about how to specifically handle combat. The issues I'm thinking of are:
1. With a map and minis, there are no arguments when it comes to 'Area of Effect' things like spells as to whether something hits or not - if I get the template out and anyone is in the AoE, they're hit. No controversy there. If it's online, how do you judge who is/isn't affected by such a thing when there isn't a visual aid? Do you use a map but send a picture to the players? Mental tracking/note taking?
2. I feel I would struggle to remember who was where during combat - with minis and scenery on a map, you can't forget that info. If it's all taking place in the collective imagination, both myself and my players could have different interpretations of where the characters/NPC's are in the space, depending how well (or poorly!) I describe the area. With enough to keep track of in terms of running a combat, this would add more to the DM's responsibility. My character may have +3 Intelligence, I certainly don't!
3. Following on from point 1 + 2, I wouldn't say this would definitely happen with my players as they're a very honest lot, however what happens when I dispute arises over whether "that enemy wouldn't be able to see me from there - I'm behind the 3 stacked crates from his angle" -- or say "no that's not right, I was definitely 15ft from him" -- alternatively 'sorry I'm definitely out of the breath weapon's range as I only went ##ft toward the creature earlier". Because there is no 'concrete' reference over where the characters are, some players could dishonestly twist the narrative in the interests of saving/buffing there characters, and I could potentially judge in their favour so as not to seam unfair. This could cultivate an attitude amongst the players that they can use my uncertainty of the 'mind narrative' to influence events that happen in combat. Or worse, I twist the narrative as the DM.
4. You don't get to use your cool minis. Ok, not really a strong point that needs to be argued, but it's a point nevertheless!
So I'm looking for advice on doing combat online; physical maps and minis are clearly my comfort zone so I'm turning to the community for advice; what are your ways to make a relatively drama/rules-debate free online combat? Do you tweak combat so that things like AoE's hit or miss under your own system? Does it come down to 'mental tracking' or, for lack of a better term, guess work? Or is there an online tabletop feature that you use instead and discard Theatre of the Mind altogether?
#Open D&D
Have the Physical Books? Confused as to why you're not allowed to redeem them for free on D&D Beyond? Questions answered here at the Hardcover Books, D&D Beyond and You FAQ
Looking to add mouse-over triggered tooltips to such things like magic items, monsters or combat actions? Then dash over to the How to Add Tooltips thread.
A virtual table top like Roll20 (free or paid) or Foundry VTT (paid) will provide you with tools to upload and use maps.
Otherwise you can either have the DM use paper to track where people are, or just use rough estimates.
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Hello Lamoon01 :)
Probably not the best advice as I've been dming only a couple of months and there are articles online that could help you a lot more, but this is what works for me.
Remember this is a game and fun with friends should be the priority, not how good of a dm you are.
1. When I dm a game with TotM, I usually use a map of my own, drawn a map on paper and use small trinkets to track location or even ms paint but that gets messy, recently found shmeppy.com, really cool website for easily drawing maps, but haven't had the chance to use yet, there I keep track of where characters and monsters ~may be~, it isn't of course a 1:1 of how a combat with minis would be but helps. I would advise agains't sending them a picture, If that were the case you might as well use roll20 or I guess shmeppy could also be used this way.
2. and 3. B4 the game, I agree with my players that I'll do my utmost to explain locations and where the monsters and characters are in that location, and my ruling is final on their position, as in, a player says: "I want to stand behind the pillar and cast firebolt at the goblin", I drawn a little colored ball, or use some other trinket when on a paper to mark his position behind the pillar. I often don't follow the exact movement speed for monsters and characters, I use "near", "mid" and "far" or even "long" distances (near is close enought to attack with a meele weapon; mid is walking distance, ussualy about 30ft; far is more than walking distance; and long for more than), and I also start every turn saying what their characters are seeing followed by a "what are you doing?" ("You see Jon attacking the goblin at walking distance from you in the middle of the cavern as you stand behind the pillar, what are you doing?") as it helps me keep track of things when saying them out loud. Try to narrated more like a movie rather than a combat with minis, e.g., treat battlefiled as small scenes, the fighter and a goblin fighting in the middle of a cavern, the wizard hiding behind the pillar casting firebolts, a goblin on top of crate on the far wall shooting arrows, if the barbarian wants to help the fighter in the middle of the cavern, he enters that scene.
And ~never~ screw them over when there's a chance they could scape because, ultimately it would be your fault not theirs if their character dies this way because of poorly description on your part, e.g., if the goblin is near the wizard and the fighter, give them some lenience, and attack the fighter, maybe saying he parried the goblins sword towards him or something like that.
I think it works best when there are less monsters and players to keep track of, but if needed, improvise, you don't need to but I like to (not always) give the characters some "plot armor" if they are just at the edge of a fireball as they're the heroes of the story. Also if there is a horde of monsters I like to use one huge HP pool por all monsters and if players deal dmg equal to one of the monsters max hp, one of the monsters dies.
Here are a few articles I have on my favorites that might help:
TLDR;
1. Drawn a small map only for you and always take note.
2. Description is everything, if needed take a little more time to describe whats happening and where things are happening, it even helps you keep track by saying it out loud.
3. Your the DM, your word is final, come to terms with the players before starting the game that you will do your best to not screw them over with enemies' fireballs, but if it happens, they won't complain... too much.
Someone else made a thread on the same topic a few days ago:
https://www.dndbeyond.com/forums/dungeons-dragons-discussion/tips-tactics/61028-tips-from-players-and-dms-on-theater-of-the-mind