Category: Behind the Screen (GM Tips)
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Beyond the Binary: Variable Skill Checks
We’ve all felt that heartbreak: a player rolls one point under the DC, and a vital plot point vanishes into the ether. But by using Variable Skill Checks you don’t have to “fudge” the numbers to keep the story moving.
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Pull disengaged players back in.
Phones down, dice up. We’ve all dealt with disengaged players, but before you take it personally, let’s look at the foundation and make some small changes to draw them back to the table.
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Changing Systems – When changing it up can make it fun again.
I’ve spent thirty years mastering one system, but I realized my ‘groove’ had become a rut that was holding my creativity hostage. Sometimes you have to stop clinging to the ‘old reliable’ tools and ask yourself: is the math supporting the story, or is it just a speed bump? Here…
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Game Master Tip #8 – What’s in a name?
“Garth and Janet” doesn’t quite have the same ring to it as “Romeo and Juliet.” Whether it’s a legendary villain or a random goblin, a good name builds your world—here are four rules for naming your NPCs without breaking immersion.
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Map software!
From browser-based builders to high-end software, we’re looking at the tools used to map out the Trials of Everrun. It’s funny looking back at the early days of Roll20—before it became the “gaming empire” headquarters it is today.
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Game Master Tip #7 – Keeping Players’ Attention
Smartphones, work emails, and “angry birds” are the natural enemies of immersion. To keep your players focused on the Dark Necromancer instead of their notifications, you have to think like a public speaker—and maybe a carnival huckster.
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The Communication Barrier a.k.a The Game Master’s Screen
A Game Master’s screen shouldn’t be a castle wall to hide behind; it should be a stage curtain that enhances the performance. By shrinking the height and moving the screen to the side, we can kill the “podium effect” and reconnect with the players.
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Game Master Quick Tip: Dungeon Map Resources
A great map transforms a standard fight into a legendary encounter. From the Wizards of the Coast archives to creative commons dungeon maps, these were the “go-to” resources that defined the geography of the Trials of Everrun.
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Game Master Tip #6 – Choosing a Space
Where you play is nearly as important as what you play. From managing laptop glare to the “bedsheet trick” for protecting rulebooks, creating a professional and comfortable environment shows your players you’re serious about the performance.