I'm a new Dm with all new players and we are running our first campaign through Tyranny of Dragons.
At the moment my players are in the hedge maze of Xonthal's Tower and at the last sundial they are stumped on what to do. They went trough all 6 rooms as written in the book and some own created puzzle rooms and they are just choosing paths at the sundial even knowing that it probably will be wrong.
Should I make an NPC or a room that gives them a hint at the sundial? or should I just continue making puzzle rooms/recycle old rooms?
Also keep in mind that if the players are stumped at a puzzle that does not mean that a character would be. It is perfectly acceptable for a player to ask "Can I make an Intelligence check to solve the puzzle?"
That is one of the beauties of D&D, you get to play things that you as a player are not normally good at. I am not an overly strong person, but I can role play as one... Likewise, someone who is not incredibly intelligent can have just as much fun playing a highly intelligent wizard. Sometimes the player's own limited understanding can hold back a character's (much more) vast understanding of situations within the fantasy world.
Also keep in mind that if the players are stumped at a puzzle that does not mean that a character would be. It is perfectly acceptable for a player to ask "Can I make an Intelligence check to solve the puzzle?"
That is one of the beauties of D&D, you get to play things that you as a player are not normally good at. I am not an overly strong person, but I can role play as one... Likewise, someone who is not incredibly intelligent can have just as much fun playing a highly intelligent wizard. Sometimes the player's own limited understanding can hold back a character's (much more) vast understanding of situations within the fantasy world.
I have thought about this, but since we are all kinda new we don't always think about all our options.
They either flat out forget that they can make checks or they go out of character and say "I do a perception check" I usually respond with "what are you searching for? you can't just say you do a perception check." and if one fails the other goes "I don't believe him and make a perception check of my own" xD
I have tried to make them remember they can make checks but I have a feeling I haven't been clear enough and I could step up my game.
My druid even "forgets" he can use wild shape, I have reminded him he can do it and even what it does and how it would help. But I think he just wants to be a nature wizard because he tend to only cast spells.
I'm a new Dm with all new players and we are running our first campaign through Tyranny of Dragons.
At the moment my players are in the hedge maze of Xonthal's Tower and at the last sundial they are stumped on what to do.
They went trough all 6 rooms as written in the book and some own created puzzle rooms and they are just choosing paths at the sundial even knowing that it probably will be wrong.
Should I make an NPC or a room that gives them a hint at the sundial? or should I just continue making puzzle rooms/recycle old rooms?
Thank you all in advance for the feedback :)
If they get stuck at a puzzle, you can give the players hints in the form of clues their characters figure out.
Also keep in mind that if the players are stumped at a puzzle that does not mean that a character would be. It is perfectly acceptable for a player to ask "Can I make an Intelligence check to solve the puzzle?"
That is one of the beauties of D&D, you get to play things that you as a player are not normally good at. I am not an overly strong person, but I can role play as one... Likewise, someone who is not incredibly intelligent can have just as much fun playing a highly intelligent wizard. Sometimes the player's own limited understanding can hold back a character's (much more) vast understanding of situations within the fantasy world.
I have thought about this, but since we are all kinda new we don't always think about all our options.
They either flat out forget that they can make checks or they go out of character and say "I do a perception check" I usually respond with "what are you searching for? you can't just say you do a perception check." and if one fails the other goes "I don't believe him and make a perception check of my own" xD
I have tried to make them remember they can make checks but I have a feeling I haven't been clear enough and I could step up my game.
My druid even "forgets" he can use wild shape, I have reminded him he can do it and even what it does and how it would help. But I think he just wants to be a nature wizard because he tend to only cast spells.
Since you’re all new, it’s alright to help educate players with how checks are intended to be used.
Also, you could call on someone to make an int check against the puzzle, too.