Hey guys or gals im a first time Dm looking for experiments..... Uhh i meant players to test my dm skills on i only need 3 or four people. I just want honest feedback.
I would suggest posting in the looking for players and games section. You are likely to find a bunch of willing test subjects who will be patient and provide solid feedback. If you are looking for advice then this is the place.
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As for me, I choose to believe that an extinct thunder lizard is running a game of Dungeons & Dragons via Twitter!
Before I begin: Welcome to the hobby, I wish you many grand adventures.
Now for a minor rant:
Forgive the cynicism and all but, that's the wrong way to enter this hobby. When a DM starts the game trying to be "Chris Perkins", "Matt Mercer", or "Matthew Colevile", then we are cheating ourselves out of a wonderful experience.
A DM has a desire to share the table with friends trying to give an experience that emulates fantasy novels or movies, where the possibility of epic deeds are still real. We are, each of us, vastly different as DMs, players and spectators. We all enjoy different things and we all think differently, without that we'd be really boring. Watch Chris Perkins, listen to Matthew Coleville, read Angry Gm's blog, check out Nerdarchy and Aquisition Inc, broaden your horizons. Then, remember Lord of the Rings, Harry Potter, Percey Jackson, Eragon and all those other books turned movie and what it is that made them good. Take in every "how to play", "what makes a good DM", and read these forums about DM thoughts, problems, and solutions. Take all of that, smash it into that cranium of yours, swirl it around, and then spit it out as your own epic tale of awesomeness that your friends will talk about decades down the road.
After all of this, or without any of this, you'll start to DM and I guarantee, 1000% guarantee, you'll never be a Matt Mercer level DM. The voices, the charisma, the miniatures, the maps, the stories, all of those pieces that Matt Mercer uses, figure out what you like, what you don't, and use them. As you continue to DM you'll figure out how to make them your own and make them work. You'll be you, you'll get better, and Matt Mercer will fade into the background as you become the only DM that matters. It's your table, you'll figure it out, you'll have your own style, and don't worry about living up to any expectations.
There's nothing wrong with aspiring to be really good at what you do, and nothing wrong with having role models at first :)
But, I'd refer to to Matt Collville on this one.
In his introductory videos for Running the Game ( I'd recommend looking it up and watching it ) he says about DM'ing - and I'm paraphrasing - "At first, you'll be terrible at it. That's OK. Eventually you'll be good, and perhaps even great - and learning to be better is something that never stops. But don't sweat it! You and your players will have fun when you're terrible, and you'll have fun when you're great at it".
IMO, there is no such think as a "Matt Mercer level DM" universally. There's "Matt Mercer level DM" ability to handle your table.
Absolutely watch successful DMs ( if you enjoy watching them ), and learn from what they're doing - and incorporate the things you like into your style. Eventually you'll find a style that works for you and your group, and you'll all be having fun with it - and Matt Mercer would do a worse job handling your players than you would.
Disclaimer: This signature is a badge of membership in the Forum Loudmouth Club. We are all friends. We are not attacking each other. We are engaging in spirited, friendly debate with one another. We may get snarky, but these are not attacks. Thank you for not reporting us.
Disclaimer: This signature is a badge of membership in the Forum Loudmouth Club. We are all friends. We are not attacking each other. We are engaging in spirited, friendly debate with one another. We may get snarky, but these are not attacks. Thank you for not reporting us.
one thing to note. for some playing D&D is what some people do while waiting for the pizza, so don't sweat it.
The one advice I will give is read the player's handbook and all character options, this is important you don't get blindsided by soma ability or spell during an encounter.
Hey guys or gals im a first time Dm looking for experiments..... Uhh i meant players to test my dm skills on i only need 3 or four people. I just want honest feedback.
Zenashi Kekashi
I would suggest posting in the looking for players and games section. You are likely to find a bunch of willing test subjects who will be patient and provide solid feedback. If you are looking for advice then this is the place.
As for me, I choose to believe that an extinct thunder lizard is running a game of Dungeons & Dragons via Twitter!
Awesome I'm trying to be a matt mercer level dm!!
Zenashi Kekashi
Before I begin: Welcome to the hobby, I wish you many grand adventures.
Now for a minor rant:
Forgive the cynicism and all but, that's the wrong way to enter this hobby. When a DM starts the game trying to be "Chris Perkins", "Matt Mercer", or "Matthew Colevile", then we are cheating ourselves out of a wonderful experience.
A DM has a desire to share the table with friends trying to give an experience that emulates fantasy novels or movies, where the possibility of epic deeds are still real. We are, each of us, vastly different as DMs, players and spectators. We all enjoy different things and we all think differently, without that we'd be really boring. Watch Chris Perkins, listen to Matthew Coleville, read Angry Gm's blog, check out Nerdarchy and Aquisition Inc, broaden your horizons. Then, remember Lord of the Rings, Harry Potter, Percey Jackson, Eragon and all those other books turned movie and what it is that made them good. Take in every "how to play", "what makes a good DM", and read these forums about DM thoughts, problems, and solutions. Take all of that, smash it into that cranium of yours, swirl it around, and then spit it out as your own epic tale of awesomeness that your friends will talk about decades down the road.
After all of this, or without any of this, you'll start to DM and I guarantee, 1000% guarantee, you'll never be a Matt Mercer level DM. The voices, the charisma, the miniatures, the maps, the stories, all of those pieces that Matt Mercer uses, figure out what you like, what you don't, and use them. As you continue to DM you'll figure out how to make them your own and make them work. You'll be you, you'll get better, and Matt Mercer will fade into the background as you become the only DM that matters. It's your table, you'll figure it out, you'll have your own style, and don't worry about living up to any expectations.
/rant
Thanks for the advice. And i never said i wanted to be Matt Mercer just his level of dming skills. Lol but thank you kindly for the advice.
Zenashi Kekashi
There's nothing wrong with aspiring to be really good at what you do, and nothing wrong with having role models at first :)
But, I'd refer to to Matt Collville on this one.
In his introductory videos for Running the Game ( I'd recommend looking it up and watching it ) he says about DM'ing - and I'm paraphrasing - "At first, you'll be terrible at it. That's OK. Eventually you'll be good, and perhaps even great - and learning to be better is something that never stops. But don't sweat it! You and your players will have fun when you're terrible, and you'll have fun when you're great at it".
IMO, there is no such think as a "Matt Mercer level DM" universally. There's "Matt Mercer level DM" ability to handle your table.
Absolutely watch successful DMs ( if you enjoy watching them ), and learn from what they're doing - and incorporate the things you like into your style. Eventually you'll find a style that works for you and your group, and you'll all be having fun with it - and Matt Mercer would do a worse job handling your players than you would.
Have fun! :)
My DM Philosophy, as summed up by other people: https://drive.google.com/file/d/1rN5w4-azTq3Kbn0Yvk9nfqQhwQ1R5by1/view
Disclaimer: This signature is a badge of membership in the Forum Loudmouth Club. We are all friends. We are not attacking each other. We are engaging in spirited, friendly debate with one another. We may get snarky, but these are not attacks. Thank you for not reporting us.
Yeah my group of players atm have no idea the main villain is turning the children they're having to help into vampires!!!! Bwahahaha
Zenashi Kekashi
I'm reminded of the little girl from Interview with a Vampire...creepy...just creepy man.
Oh no lol these are lost boys type of vampires. Very cruel, vicious blood thirsty monsters.
Zenashi Kekashi
So was she, smart, tactical, brilliant mind, she was ancient, and a blood thirsty little tyke...
Play them well, and keep it dark, I love a good vampire story!
Its been awhile since i saw it. Lol but yes they are in for a horrendous surprise. 😂😂😂😂
Zenashi Kekashi
Claudia :D
My DM Philosophy, as summed up by other people: https://drive.google.com/file/d/1rN5w4-azTq3Kbn0Yvk9nfqQhwQ1R5by1/view
Disclaimer: This signature is a badge of membership in the Forum Loudmouth Club. We are all friends. We are not attacking each other. We are engaging in spirited, friendly debate with one another. We may get snarky, but these are not attacks. Thank you for not reporting us.
one thing to note. for some playing D&D is what some people do while waiting for the pizza, so don't sweat it.
The one advice I will give is read the player's handbook and all character options, this is important you don't get blindsided by soma ability or spell during an encounter.
I will do that kind sir/ma'am and thank you for the advice.
Zenashi Kekashi
I'm a new DM too my first game starts in a week. Good luck scaring your PC's.