I'm pretty new to DMing and was wondering if anyone could give me any pointers on how to do it properly. I've already gotten use to most of Avrae's controls.
DMing really doesn't require much, on the most basic level. As long as you can share audio with your players, everything else can be handled offline. The other players don't even need dice, if you roll for them. Start simple, and build up from there.
For playing online, I'd recommend using Roll20, or some other VTT, and the Beyond20 chrome extension, if you can. That has dice and map controls all built in. It also has it's own voice/video chat utility, but not everyone is a fan.
There are a number of 'How to' videos on YouTube and other places. Watch some of them. I love Critical Role, and seeing the transition to online is neat.
My main advice is just talk with the players. Set clear expectations. Ask for quite and clarity while you give descriptions. Commanding the room as a DM can always be a... skill, but online it require a bit more player buy in. Establish the social contract and you will do fine!
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Remember there are Rules as Written (RAW), Rules as Intended (RAI), and Rules as Fun (RAF). There's some great RAW, RAI, and RAF here... please check in with your DM to determine how they want to adjudicate the RAW/RAI/RAF for your game.
Slyflourish has a few very informative videos on YT on the subject of setting up and running games via discord. He even has a basic DM discord template somewhere. As for a VTT, you don't actually need one to successfully run D&D via discord. I've done it as simple as theater of the mind while using Avrae for roles. You could even snap pictures of say the map or the room the PCs are fighting in for reference. In discord, I like to have a channel that's for maps, typically regional and town maps when they find new locations. I also like to have a channel that's for important NPCs so my PCs can have a visual reference to look at. One last little discord tip I stole from another DM that I love is having a private PC journal for each player, so it's just you and the player able to talk out of game/out of character stuff like lore and background, etc. I hope some of these tips help! Discord I've found is an amazing tool to use for D&D. If you ever have any questions or want more tips, feel free to reach out to me. GL and may the roles be ever in your favor!
If you and the rest of the group is comfortable with it, sharing video gives a very noticeable positive boost to everybody whenever I'm playing on Discord (which is a lot these days). Other than that, don't be afraid or embarrassed to do wacky stuff! I always make gestures and voices and things like that, even if my gf on her computer right behind me hears and occasionally pokes fun.
But most importantly, it's all about enjoying the game. If these suggestions don't suit you, toss them out the window and do what you like. Just remember: you will improvise 200% more than you think you'll have to. The players, almost by convention, never do what the DM plans. It's always better to just roll with it and see what happens.
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I know what you're thinking: "In that flurry of blows, did he use all his ki points, or save one?" Well, are ya feeling lucky, punk?
One tip that also matters when you’re DM’ing in person. Pay attention to which players are talking and make sure that you ask players who aren’t talking very much, “What are you doing?”. It engages everyone better and makes the game more fun for players who are shy and don’t speak up naturally.
I'm pretty new to DMing and was wondering if anyone could give me any pointers on how to do it properly. I've already gotten use to most of Avrae's controls.
DMing really doesn't require much, on the most basic level. As long as you can share audio with your players, everything else can be handled offline. The other players don't even need dice, if you roll for them. Start simple, and build up from there.
For playing online, I'd recommend using Roll20, or some other VTT, and the Beyond20 chrome extension, if you can. That has dice and map controls all built in. It also has it's own voice/video chat utility, but not everyone is a fan.
Thank you, I'm pretty nervous since the campaign I'm holding would be my first
There are a number of 'How to' videos on YouTube and other places. Watch some of them. I love Critical Role, and seeing the transition to online is neat.
My main advice is just talk with the players. Set clear expectations. Ask for quite and clarity while you give descriptions. Commanding the room as a DM can always be a... skill, but online it require a bit more player buy in. Establish the social contract and you will do fine!
Remember there are Rules as Written (RAW), Rules as Intended (RAI), and Rules as Fun (RAF). There's some great RAW, RAI, and RAF here... please check in with your DM to determine how they want to adjudicate the RAW/RAI/RAF for your game.
Slyflourish has a few very informative videos on YT on the subject of setting up and running games via discord. He even has a basic DM discord template somewhere. As for a VTT, you don't actually need one to successfully run D&D via discord. I've done it as simple as theater of the mind while using Avrae for roles. You could even snap pictures of say the map or the room the PCs are fighting in for reference. In discord, I like to have a channel that's for maps, typically regional and town maps when they find new locations. I also like to have a channel that's for important NPCs so my PCs can have a visual reference to look at. One last little discord tip I stole from another DM that I love is having a private PC journal for each player, so it's just you and the player able to talk out of game/out of character stuff like lore and background, etc. I hope some of these tips help! Discord I've found is an amazing tool to use for D&D. If you ever have any questions or want more tips, feel free to reach out to me. GL and may the roles be ever in your favor!
If you and the rest of the group is comfortable with it, sharing video gives a very noticeable positive boost to everybody whenever I'm playing on Discord (which is a lot these days). Other than that, don't be afraid or embarrassed to do wacky stuff! I always make gestures and voices and things like that, even if my gf on her computer right behind me hears and occasionally pokes fun.
But most importantly, it's all about enjoying the game. If these suggestions don't suit you, toss them out the window and do what you like. Just remember: you will improvise 200% more than you think you'll have to. The players, almost by convention, never do what the DM plans. It's always better to just roll with it and see what happens.
I know what you're thinking: "In that flurry of blows, did he use all his ki points, or save one?" Well, are ya feeling lucky, punk?
One tip that also matters when you’re DM’ing in person. Pay attention to which players are talking and make sure that you ask players who aren’t talking very much, “What are you doing?”. It engages everyone better and makes the game more fun for players who are shy and don’t speak up naturally.
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