DM Tips Twitter Archive: January 2012

by Mike Shea on 03 February 2012

Below is an archive of all of the Sly Flourish DM Tip Twitter posts for January 2012. Get daily DM tips at http://twitter.com/slyflourish!

Here's to a new year of dice rolling and monster slaying! Happy new years, my friends!

Question for math nerds. What would Mastermind be like with only three potential slots and four potential colors? How much faster to solve?

I'd really like to see @Wizards_DnD spend more energy getting groups together to play regardless of whether it's at a game shop or not.

Limiting Lair Assault and #dnd Encounters to game shops hurts. Why can't local library groups order such things? Community centers?

By the way, I agree with my friend @newbiedm that marketing RPGs to kids and families is a good future route. If he goes public, I'd invest.

#dnd tip: Ask your players what they enjoy the most and the least in your games. Always seek to tweak and improve your game.

@EldritchReverie My resolutions are similar: Help DMs run better games and help more people find games to play in.

You could probably assign certain feats at certain levels and thus streamline character progression and reduce the large number of feats.

#dnd tip: A small number of monsters at a higher level can be easier to manage and makes for a faster yet still challenging encounter.

The pathfinder beginner box pretty amazing. Dry-erase map, stand-up tokens, awesome pregen char sheets. Lots to love: https://t.co/zmSLeWYr

I actually think it's a great time to be a tabletop gamer. There are a lot of excellent high-quality options.

I'd like Pathfinder more if I thought it wouldn't fall apart above level 10 - of course, most of them seem to, but 3.5 was the worst for me.

The dry erase poster map in the Pathfinder Beginner box is my new DM kit default: https://t.co/Pzoc6DM3 http://t.co/6IZaQJgs

Check out Chris Perkins's adventure outline format for his home game. Cuts right to the important parts: http://t.co/QGofsCVB #dnd

#dnd tip from @erikscottdebie: Keep a page or two of random NPCs around for your sandbox games. http://t.co/1EGDY5QL

.@KatoKatonian @jelmore Setting up a map index is worth doing. I use mine all the time when planning adventures. http://t.co/W6GxNE90 #dnd

Here's how a pro like @TheIdDM runs a #dnd game: http://t.co/zX0mPmek

Excellent pregen character library from Dungeon's Master: http://t.co/iGlivMA3 #dnd

#dnd tip: Keep some maps and tiles of generic rooms, inns, streets, and wilderness encounters for on-the-spot encounters.

Good advice for #dnd DMs if you reverse the tips from @Mongonius: http://t.co/rQKxWnaQ

The more I read @alphastream's words, the more impressed I am with that guy. Consider this my #ff even though I don't believe in such things

Wizards of the Coast announces the upcoming open playtest of the new edition of Dungeons and Dragons: http://t.co/WuXhGV8G #dnd

New York Times on 5e #dnd: http://t.co/8x0fsFFw and Forbes: http://t.co/m50bRBwi

"Combat was quick and satisfying" Yay! #dnd: http://t.co/T384MoYn

Here's to hoping some of my wishes get addressed: http://t.co/u1E1iDee

The Escapist on the new edition of #dnd: http://t.co/bEX2sisT

If you want more detail into what they might be thinking for the new #dnd, read the Legends and Lore compilation: http://t.co/4xRlqXqv

CNN on the new #dnd including quotes from yours truly: http://t.co/ZAiClo4u Special thanks to the awesome @SarahDarkmagic for the intro.

By the way, in case anyone cares, I plan to continue writing 4e stuff short term and move into the new edition as my passion desires. #dnd

#dnd tip: Want some extra threat and a way to deal with so many multiple attacks? Give your monster a fire shield that hits back!

@4eblogs just renamed itself to @dndblogs and a new domain for the site has been acquired. http://t.co/TsRXID96

#dnd new edition designer, @rjschwalb, speaks! http://t.co/a5XuoQPA Given his previous posts and criticisms, I'm very excited.

Best combined news source about #dndnext I've seen: http://t.co/8WIcQxgb Thanks @Morrus!

4eBlogs is now officially DnDBlogs! http://t.co/TsRXID96

So what are some ways we've played #dnd 4e modularly? I know selecting specific source books for character creation is one way. Others?

So to make life easy for your #dnd 4e group, choose a default point buy of 16, 16, 12, 10, 10, 10 as your default ability scores.

.@SarahDarkmagic Short campaigns are the most fun I've had. 3 to 6 level mini-campaigns is very rewarding and allows for modularity. #dnd

A good conversation on #dndnext with @Squach, @SarahDarkmagic, and @DMSamuel: http://t.co/QNPk7wPP

@matt_james_rpg Best names ever: http://t.co/56qEWt5W

I like my wizard duel idea: best of 3 rounds. D20+arcana. High wins. Play rock, paper, scissors each round for a +4 bonus. #dnd

Think Saruman and Gandalf's duel in Two Towers.

Sponsored Tweet: For a true epic-threat, check out the Pathfinder Huge Black Dragon at Troll and Toad: http://t.co/WCQbGuWC #dnd

Pathfinder minis apparently to be released tomorrow: http://t.co/E56KfFUa Thanks @Hzurr

The upcoming map packs may very well be my favorite tabletop accessory this year: http://t.co/3xh1bz6x I love poster maps. #DnD

#dnd tip: When building monsters, keep them to only the most important powers. Keep them lean and simple at the table.

@PennyArcadeFeed: News Post: The Way Forward http://t.co/m0Pyvfz7

@jelmore http://t.co/rVcI2X3r but thats ALL tweeters. http://t.co/QdN1dxtE is my secret stat page.

Between the new #dnd miniatures coming out by WOTC and the just-released Pathfinder minis, it's a good year for minis! http://t.co/E56KfFUa

Ran an epic essentials+ game last night: Fast combat, tons of damage, good monster threat, generally happy players. #dnd

One thing about my essentials+ epic tier game last night: it was like pee-wee soccer. So many melee folks chasing one dude down. #dnd

#dnd tip: Not every boss needs to be a solo. Elites, and even normal monsters, can work well as humanoid bosses.

Is that Cryonax on the cover of Heroes of the Elemental Chaos? Sure looks like Cryonax: http://t.co/V1l0uqes Does @rjschwalb know?

Nerd #dnd question for the day: What is your favorite D20 and where did you get it?

#dnd tip: Turn a normal creature into an elite easily with twice the hit points and an extra standard action each round.

Probably one of the best articles I've read on #dndnext by @shawnmerwin: http://t.co/8sVGooJo

My simplified level 12 slayer #dnd character sheet: http://t.co/oi4IMAC7

Add a second little patch of the toolbox liner to keep your acrylic sheet stable on your tiles. #dnd http://t.co/tcoUtCCI

#dnd tip: Poster maps and a 24" by 36" polycarbonate sheet are the best encounter props you can get.

Nice to know I wasn't the only one having problems challenging epic PCs. @cwgabriel felt much the same: http://t.co/DskSm0bD #dnd

Considering my #dndnext campaign: Temple of Elemental Evil, Queen of Spiders, Tomb of Horrors, and the Bloodstone adventures. Level 1-100!

Sponsored Tweet: Check out the new Pathfinder Heroes and Monster minis at @trollandtoad: http://t.co/GMqgfh4X #dnd

@SithLordYoda The game went a lot faster and the threat to the PCs was high. I'd definitely recommend essentials only for high level play.

#dnd tip: Mix and match your mini collection and the D&D Adventure Board Game minis to make the most of both.

My order from @trollandtoad came in! Look at that lich! http://t.co/TfF0MZdi

Here's a close up of the lich. http://t.co/PF2aLoTb

An important community announcement upon which we should all take heed from the @dungeonbastard: http://t.co/hQLWM9wL #dnd

#dnd tip: For an easy Combat Out, tie brutes or skirmishers to artillery or controllers. If either group dies, the others break down.

Tonight the Heroes of Shadow make a hard visit to the Raven's Eyrie in Gloomwrought. Blood will very likely spill. #dnd

Wow. @Wizards_DnD is releasing a reprint of the 1st edition #dnd books: http://t.co/hxe4OUUD

#dnd tip: Granting combat advantage is a nice clean nasty status effect to give to a monster's attack or aura.

#dnd tip: Don't force a story. Think what the main NPCs in your campaign are doing right now as they react to the PCs' actions.

Still heavily considering adding a "daze, stun, and dominate end at start of turn" to all solos and elites. So simple and powerful. #dnd

Here's a question: has finding a good #dnd group gotten any easier over the past 4 years?

@Bartoneus It's funny because I thought @davethegame had a whole posse who mocked me for complaining about WOTC's lack of Mac support.

Interesting to look at my first take on 4e #dnd: http://t.co/hqENLvPv questionable scaling, fast NPC generation, fun powers, long battles.

@wizards_dnd I hope there's a list there of "things we shouldn't go back to" somewhere on @MonteJCook's white board.

#dnd definitely needs some mechanical tweaky bits but it should stay simple enough to roll up a character on paper in under 15 minutes.

Here's a useful chart for any version of #dnd you might be playing! d100 NPC traits! https://t.co/7RHOkCLm

Fantastic article by @TheIdDM on the psychology of change as it relates to #dndnext: http://t.co/tefFMZJG I hope @Wizards_DnD reads this.

Running Talon of Umberlee. http://t.co/iTaXZhge

My group beat the Lair Assault easily. Stealthed through first encounter. Went right for the Baron in the second. Baron flubbed attacks.

Great list of #dnd twitter personalities curated by @morrus: https://t.co/fgEW5dBE

#dnd tip: Pull out some fun old adventures for inspiration into your current 4e game.

@2Dskillz It's actually Perkins's Instant Monster: http://t.co/b5T5PVoW

Your @trollandtoad Tuesday miniature of the week: The Giant Caveweaver Spider! An excellent #dnd monster at any level. http://t.co/1347nRWf

#dnd tip: For your more open-ended games, having about three possible paths the party might go and don't fall in love with any one of them.

#dnd miniature of the week, the Balor! One of the best boss minis you'll ever have. http://t.co/prHjNfDN available at @trollandtoad.

Just got the Haunted Temples map pack. It comes in a nice folio: https://t.co/vHQ2bXkN http://t.co/3oJepsdi

Haunted Temple Map images uploaded to my WOTC map index. They're the first six in the album. https://t.co/6Jmuge4s #dnd

Three of the haunted temple maps feel heroic-tier to me. Three of them feel paragon-epic tier. Nice mix of temple types. #dnd

I still love how @TheIdDM's article statistically shows that @wilw takes too long on his #dnd turns. http://t.co/4cvwbePk

DDXP travel kit. http://t.co/vpxsZaf0

#dnd tip: Keep a list of favorite supporting characters in movies you liked for ad-hoc NPC roleplaying.

@DrNathanJPanke My cheat sheet, an old delve, pregens, 3x5 cards, pathfinder map, starter set map, monster tokens, hero minis.

DDXP side one of the main hall. Beautiful place but probably not as nice as @newbiedm's house. http://t.co/4EgOJwGE

The seminar area of the main hall. A secret meeting already takes place. I see @Trevor_WotC there. http://t.co/NOIiW317

A mini vendor lane finishes up the virtual tour: http://t.co/QFld0QTx

The quiet before the storm. http://t.co/LJYCcr09

@gregbilsland: Game of #dndnext here at#ddxp being run by @Alphastream. http://t.co/7FzNTexH My arms are in that pic!

#dnd tip: Build out your story, then refine it to the most cool piece of it.

@mikemearls @MonteJCook and Jeremy Crawford preparing for the first #dndnext seminar. Follow @criticalhits for news. http://t.co/aS2zcKjB

@newbiedm. Guess who else has a Moleskine notebook? @MonteJCook! I'd take a pic but it would probably get me killed.

Our adventurers are leading a clan of orcs against a clan of kobolds. My well-placed fear spell role the Orc chief's resolve. #dndnext

Awesome game with @MonteJCook, @geeksdreamgirl and others. Played #dndnext twice and it was totally different each time.

Pic from the game I was in earlier with @geeksdreamgirl @MonteJCook and friends. #dndnext http://t.co/poszp0eZ

Seeing a 4e solo's "wipe any effect" from the player side, its definitely a cheesy monster effect. #dnd

The MV dragon's daze and stun mitigation is good but won't help with other oppressive effects like marks, weakened, or stunted movement.

Dungeons & Dragons Roleplaying Game Official Home Page - Article (Unfinished Business) http://t.co/n9ulzjq0

#ddxp day 2. Thinking about status effects, solos, and high-level play. Guess I could have said that for four years. #dnd

Excellent DDXP 2012 Report by @geeksdreamgirl: The First Glimpses at the New Edition of Dungeons & Dragons http://t.co/lsF65fKN #dndnext

#dnd tip: While you can get away with tokens for monsters, invest in a good set of PC miniatures. http://t.co/eumz5gQ5

Great lunchtime question from @RosaMoonshadow. What keeps you engaged in a #dnd game as a player?

Random encounter with @rjschwalb. I asked him about poor gimpy solos. His reply: "we've got you covered". #dndnext

@rjschwalb spoke on the value of Charm Person being 10.5 points of damage to balance it at level one. Interesting. #dndnext

From my #dndnext game. Guess what mod we're playing! http://t.co/I9OxzaL2

Ran my first #dndnext game. Like Bilsland showed yesterday, I ran both with and without a tactical map in the same game. Worked great!

Cool news on the next set of Pathfinder minis. I loved the first set. http://t.co/JVZJWoAc #dnd

"We enter the room in a standard burst 1 formation." That never gets old. #dnd http://t.co/QYM4v5hq

My berserker barbarian dice. Guess which set is my rage dice. #dnd http://t.co/44EH1osb

My barbarian is in his happiest place. He's the one with the fur cloak and fire hair. #dnd http://t.co/LAeH8mFV

.@dmalenda said his play group had a maneuver they called "the dolphin" that he never understood. Definitely a 4e #dnd game.

I haven't cracked it open yet but "traps galore" sold me on this Cathedral of Chaos #dnd dungeon tile set. http://t.co/soI4LEEP

Ran into my first SF DM cheat sheet in the wild when @rosamoonshadow and I met @tirionalexander at Champions across from #ddxp.

Last day of #ddxp. Everyone is looking a bit rough around the edges but the dice will still fly! I have one more #dndnext game to run.

Pretty epic pic of the #dndnext team at Champions last night taken by @BruceCordell http://t.co/cOTGnFYj

Finished my final run of #dndnext. Group had a blast. That's three games I ran and two I played. Good times.

It's really nice to see ability scores actually matter in #dndnext. In 4e, the score was pretty meaningless.

.@rjschwalb hopes skill challenges die in a fire. He prefers a series of skill checks to remove a rigid rule set.

After playing it five times, I think the core system of #dndnext is very solid. Still needs a lot of content and polish, but lots of fun.

@Wizards_DnD The core mechanics of #dndnext was my favorite thing. The focus on attributes and the shallow bonus curve are great.

@TheIdDM: Critically Hit by Mike Shea http://t.co/vkI1dcQl I was interviewed by @mshea for the @criticalhits podcast. Take a listen! #dnd"

#dnd tip: It's easy to wipe people out in Gamma World. Plan accordingly.

.@enworld's #dndnext roundup continues to be the best source for 5e info: http://t.co/8WIcQxgb

.@Alphastream's initiative system for #dndnext worked really really well: http://t.co/WmVREBGO

Here's a great list of NPCs for your Deadwood-based sandbox #dnd game: http://t.co/NdqA7Hzc

Good talk on powers in this weeks rule of three. #dnd http://t.co/GCpnYzZh

#dnd tip: Stick to two to three different kinds of monsters in an encounter. More than that gets too complicated to run easily.

Another excellent introspective #dnd article by @TheIdDM on the Arena: http://t.co/YS0pV2XK

Troll and Toad Tuesday #dnd mini: Everyone needs a great-axe wielding half orc barbarian in their hero pile: http://t.co/mDULBZ38

Good looking printable maps for your #dnd Gamma World games: http://t.co/elLPmyNf

If you enjoyed these tips, take a look at Sly Flourish’s Dungeon Master Tips book or Sly Flourish’s Running Epic Tier D&D Games. You can also use these links to purchase the Heroes of the Fallen Lands, the Dungeon Master’s Kit, or the Monster Vault or bookmark this link to buy anything from Amazon.

Need some battle maps? Pick up some Gamemastery Flip-Maps from Troll and Toad, an official Sly Flourish sponsor.

Send feedback to mike@mikeshea.net.