DM Tip Twitter Archive, October 2009

by Mike Shea on 19 November 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 http://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: http://bit.ly/w8wp4 http://bit.ly/1Tt5Sg http://bit.ly/2Fh35O

#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. http://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: http://bit.ly/bigbirddnd

I really like Yax's One Shot #dnd tips (http://bit.ly/yaxoneshot), particularly the open "cooperative storytelling" intro. I must use this.

Really unique and creative #dnd game setup by @cwgabriel: http://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. http://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": http://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: http://bit.ly/lasermirrors

#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.