DM Tip Twitter Archive, October 2009

Below is an archive of all of the Sly Flourish DM Tip Twitter posts for October 2009. Get your own daily DM tips at twitter.com/slyflourish!

#dnd tip: For a change, have a monster that can switch between statues of itself placed throughout an encounter area.

@slashandcast Run delves below level 11. Simplify character design and char sheets. Keep it to three encounters or less. #dnd

#dnd tip: Always consider what possible terrain powers your encounter might provide. Use the powers on p. 63 of DMG2 as examples.

I used fake spider-webs and little wedding-chime LED lights from Michaels for the illumination and the ghosts. Tea-lights for the fire area.

Ode to @cwgabriel and @thekiko: My illuminated Dwarven Forge setup: bit.ly/w8wp4 bit.ly/1Tt5Sg #dnd tip: Every adventuring party needs a good party name. Let the group play a few adventures before choosing.

@EliodeGM I don’t worry about price for Ration Packs. It’s mainly to limit extended rests during an adventure.

#dnd tip: Have other players choose a PC’s surname or nickname. Try to steer away from out-of-character silliness.

@newbiedm DMG2 minions have higher damage than previous minions.

#dnd tip: Use the “self sacrifice” decision tree. Will your PCs sacrifice something they love to prevent a great evil?

What are your favorite #dnd soundtracks? I grabbed some Halo ODST tracks but I liked the Tarrantino “Inglourious Basterds” style last week.

#dnd tip: Need to make your players cry? Try puppies, deer, penguins, and unicorns. Disney’s been exploiting this for 50 years.

So besides using a heal check for a saving throwor using “aid another” to make a bigger guy hit. What is a third creative use for minions?

Great #dnd tip! Use a minion to give a dazed solo a save with a heal check. is.gd/4llN7 (via @Siliconwolf)

@Canageek Some want Harry Potter, some want Game of Thrones – I prefer Game of Thrones. I like realistic stories that grow organically.

@Canageek Superman CONSTANTLY makes painful choices. See the Superman movie or read Kingdom Come.

Great article about the 27th one-shot #dnd game I ran last week by @geeksdreamgirl: I really like Yax’s One Shot #dnd tips (bit.ly/yaxoneshot), particularly the open “cooperative storytelling” intro. I must use this.

Really unique and creative #dnd game setup by @cwgabriel: bit.ly/gabednd This might make a great halloween game!

#dnd tip: Use the “Needs of the Many” decision tree: Will your players save the city or the one NPC they’ve grown to love?

#dnd tip: Let some ongoing damage stack to break through PC resistances. Use sparingly.

I am but a facilitator for interactive storytelling. I don’t kill @Davethegame -ancient red wyrms do.

Putting a soundtrack together for my Blogger #dnd game this weekend. How many of you have effectively used music in your game?

#dnd tip: Update your minions with increased damage from the DMG2.

#DDI #dnd Compendium Monster Search for Iphones. vsxp.com/iphonecomp/ (via @newbiedm) Absolutely awesome!!!

@newbiedm Yeah, I asked about how to increase threat at paragon. The answer was to add a die of damage and / or add an aura. #dnd

Got advice from “Chris” (not Perkins) on the #dnd Hotline for adding Paragon threat: Add a die of damage and “all monsters deserve an aura”.

Seriously considering a #dnd “hard mode” where I add +1/2 level to monster damage. My 6-man group aced a dracolich and others pretty easily.

Trying out a new treasure system in #dnd 4e. PCs get awarded “primordial gems” which can be traded in magic items of their choice. Too WoW?

#dnd tip: Watch “Fifth Element” to get yourself into the mood and steal some details for Sharn, the City of Towers in Eberron.

@TheDailyDM Large group tips: let them pre-roll, announce who is on deck, ensure everyone sees initiative. #dnd

@KenofGhastria Read Robins Laws on Good Game Mastery for the goal chart. It’s a chart with player types, desires, goals, and quests. #dnd

#dnd tip: Have you reviewed your player goal chart today?

excellent #dnd tips from the article “What I learned Playing with Chris Perkins”: bit.ly/1p0Db – Never Say No

#dnd tip: Use minions for your battles without battle maps. They’re easier to run without seeing it on the table.

Really cool use of lasers and mirrors for #dnd by @thekiko: #dnd tip: Mix open map and dungeon encounters to give your players a variety of battlefields.

#dnd tip: When running a Demilich, remember the Soul Drain is the primary attack. Damage almost doesn’t matter. Keep Soul Draining! #dnd

#dnd tip: Consider the game “Mass Effect” for meaningful NPC dialog. It’s rare to see a game with such a widespread plotline.