Wow where to start. So i am creating a home brewed setting on a low magic template with five rival powers at the seat of power across a vast realm and i am one week from the opening session, I've got butterflies! My nervousness is getting in the way of the planning phase. Given I've had some terrible players in the past. One of which gave me a huge public lashing on the wotc boards over the fact that I used a higher level monster to scare the crap out of the party. (No really it was just huff and puff to scare the party) and i ended up being really punished for it in a very negative social light. (One might even use slander as the correct term) now i know the guy ( we'll just call a bad subway customer turned harvy birdman: rules lawyer) is gone but i'm finding after a number of years im still really deeply affected by what the guy did. Are there any tips for getting my head back in the game?
Make sure you know them well enough as people, before ever sitting down to actually try playing, to have confidence that they are going to want the same things from the gaming experience that you are, and will enjoy the same style and mood as you will.
It's really easy to get past the nerves and on to the excitement when you can believe that nobody is going to spoil the night for you, or worse.
If you already know the players well enough, but are still nervous about how things will go, I suggest sitting down and talking it out with them. Tell them you're nervous, and why. If they are worth having at your table, they'll do what they can to get you through your nerves, and make the fun of the game overtake those bad memories.
One of which gave me a huge public lashing on the wotc boards over the fact that I used a higher level monster to scare the crap out of the party. (No really it was just huff and puff to scare the party)
Easy as it gets... I dont have a refrence for what you are asking, but i can compare it to something low level out of dragon magazine. Fire spells against undead. It was practically a treasure give away in a gnomish lair.
In HoDQ, I believe a human form dragon walks into the town and challenges the characters to a duel with swords (no magic). After a few rounds, he "sees something in you" and leaves. Haven't actually run it, but I think that's how it goes.
CoS has a number of high CR encounters that the players aren't supposed to win, but they are mostly huff and puff, unless the players really want to push the issue.
One thing that I might suggest is to stay away from social media platforms where you can be "raked over the coals." ^_)^
Another thing you need to remember is everybody makes mistakes. No DM has EVER run a flawless campaign where every question gets answered, every magical item was perfectly accounted for, every encounter was perfectly balanced, etc. Let's say, once upon a time you screwed up. I know you don't think you did, but subway-mc-rules-lawyer (I hope you don't mind, but I shortened his name) does, and he was able to argue it on WoTC.com. SO WHAT? You'll probably screw up again. It's not the end of the world.
Wow where to start. So i am creating a home brewed setting on a low magic template with five rival powers at the seat of power across a vast realm and i am one week from the opening session, I've got butterflies! My nervousness is getting in the way of the planning phase. Given I've had some terrible players in the past. One of which gave me a huge public lashing on the wotc boards over the fact that I used a higher level monster to scare the crap out of the party. (No really it was just huff and puff to scare the party) and i ended up being really punished for it in a very negative social light. (One might even use slander as the correct term) now i know the guy ( we'll just call a bad subway customer turned harvy birdman: rules lawyer) is gone but i'm finding after a number of years im still really deeply affected by what the guy did. Are there any tips for getting my head back in the game?
JB.
Screen your players.
Make sure you know them well enough as people, before ever sitting down to actually try playing, to have confidence that they are going to want the same things from the gaming experience that you are, and will enjoy the same style and mood as you will.
It's really easy to get past the nerves and on to the excitement when you can believe that nobody is going to spoil the night for you, or worse.
If you already know the players well enough, but are still nervous about how things will go, I suggest sitting down and talking it out with them. Tell them you're nervous, and why. If they are worth having at your table, they'll do what they can to get you through your nerves, and make the fun of the game overtake those bad memories.
"Any society that would give up a little liberty to gain a little security will deserve neither and lose both" -- allegedly Benjamin Franklin
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Easy as it gets... I dont have a refrence for what you are asking, but i can compare it to something low level out of dragon magazine. Fire spells against undead. It was practically a treasure give away in a gnomish lair.
I took your advice and talked to my group. They were really cool about it. Thanks!
In HoDQ, I believe a human form dragon walks into the town and challenges the characters to a duel with swords (no magic). After a few rounds, he "sees something in you" and leaves. Haven't actually run it, but I think that's how it goes.
CoS has a number of high CR encounters that the players aren't supposed to win, but they are mostly huff and puff, unless the players really want to push the issue.
One thing that I might suggest is to stay away from social media platforms where you can be "raked over the coals." ^_)^
Another thing you need to remember is everybody makes mistakes. No DM has EVER run a flawless campaign where every question gets answered, every magical item was perfectly accounted for, every encounter was perfectly balanced, etc. Let's say, once upon a time you screwed up. I know you don't think you did, but subway-mc-rules-lawyer (I hope you don't mind, but I shortened his name) does, and he was able to argue it on WoTC.com. SO WHAT? You'll probably screw up again. It's not the end of the world.
A thousand times, I agree! Though in truth i was never present to defend myself. Ive only actually started using the boards here.