DM Tips Twitter Archive: August 2012

by Mike Shea on 7 September 2012

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

In case you missed it, @wizards_dnd published my latest article, Denizens of the Demonweb Pits: http://t.co/iHxK8QCy #dnd

#dnd tip: Be prepared for the PCs to drop fast, all at once. Give them room to come back or be prepared for their defeat.

In case you missed it, @Wizards_DnD published my epic-tier #dnd adventure, The Sword Collector: http://t.co/2J2WCToG

#dnd tip: Instead of building encounters, prepare the tools you need to build encounters at the table.

Loving this weeks Tome Show with @SarahDarkmagic hosting a #dnd next game: http://t.co/xVYbmJPq

Watch the master DM, Chris Perkins, plan the final days of a 30 level #dnd campaign: http://t.co/iv9cl2ar

#dnd tip: Keep the book from the DM Kit handy to reskin traps and quickly pick some fantastic terrain: http://t.co/dzvgDXCx

Pics from my final Gardmore game. The Deck Hands face the Gray Blades for the final cards of the deck: http://t.co/KpBtHtdu #dnd

#dnd tip: Write down the goals and quests of the PCs and review them before planning each game for tie-ins.

In the final battle of Gardmore Abbey the Deck of Many Things manifests itself into a dracolich! http://t.co/U7xdlNoU #dnd

The #dnd "boss template" worked well for the Gardmore dracolich I ran. Movement inhibitors = -2 to speed; action inhibitors = CA and vul 5.

BTW, @SarahDarkmagic's game at the beginning of Tome Show 200 was as enjoyable to me as the PA ones: http://t.co/fQnymUnj #dnd

The seeds of a new mini-campaign swirl around in my head. Pirates and slavers and dragonshards. #dnd

I think I'm setting my next #dnd Next playtest in Eberron's Lhazaar Principalities with seeds from the Slave Lords adventures. #dnd

#dnd tip: Keep old dungeon maps handy in case your PCs go off the path.

Second draft complete! #dnd #lazydm http://t.co/gS4iQtjw

Old article from the archives: Getting Ideas for #dnd: http://t.co/hpYGlsbs

#dnd tip: Use the generic tiles in the Dungeon Tile Master Set instead of drawing featureless rooms: http://t.co/uno86u1d

Just got the Pathfinder Lodge poster map from Gamemastery. Beautiful! #dnd http://t.co/P1F38omh

#dnd tip: Keep things running smooth at your table by putting out all the accessories beforehand: pencils, dice, paper, init cards, etc.

Interesting observation: My whole 4e group unanimously requested we move to the #dndnext playtest.

#dnd tip for you #dndnext playtesters, things can be quite a bit more lethal. It will take you by surprise. Stay cautious.

Added six Gamemastery Flip Mats to the D&D Map Index: http://t.co/WYkfRGnq #dnd

Picked up the Heart of Cormyr Dungeon Command set. Great looking minis. I hope they release another hero set soon: http://t.co/5Hs3Eh4b #dnd

Interesting, pointed, and direct conversations on #dndnext by @mikemearls, @tychobrahe, @cwgabriel, and @pvponline: http://t.co/bVoGXllv

Enjoying some fine #dnd Dungeon Command. http://t.co/1LIySFPe

A big Dungeon Command skirmish. Very fun minis game. Still feels like #dnd even without dice. http://t.co/BzwsRmqv

Second #dnd Dungeon Command battle, just before my Drider took 100 damage : ( http://t.co/Gvd3Okga

I'm digging the look of @montecook's new game, Numenera: http://t.co/G1ngvw0E

From the #dnd article archive: Three Motivations for your Villians: http://t.co/mFVMt3lC

Salvatore on @Wizards_DnDs handling of the Forgotten Realms and #dndnext: theyre doing everything right.

RA Salvatore on His books and the future of the Realms on the Tome Show. Great listen. http://t.co/2rFHGnE0

An evening game of Dungeon Command before dinner. @RosaMoonshadow isnt feeling it yet: http://t.co/j948F3tg

#dnd tip: Is the battle losing steam but you still have a couple of monsters left? Give them extra standard actions each turn.

Interesting article by @rjschwalb but I think inherent bonuses does a good job of solving math woes. http://t.co/CI0oEXhZ

Chris Perkins on beginnings and endings. Reminds me of the intros and endings in Breaking Bad: #dnd http://t.co/YF1Sj0dZ

#dnd tip: #dndnext's "Advantage" and "Disadvantage" work very well for ad-hoc environmental effects. Add them to your lazy bag of tricks.

Xkcd eyelash wish log: so great for #dnd. http://t.co/As62tpSR

#dnd tip: Want a more even 4e skill experience? Houserule a free feat, Bard of All Trades, that gives a +3 bonus to untrained skills.

My 11th level character was killed when my wife broke the BoVD Mirror of Life Trapping with him trapped inside. Thanks a lot @rjschwalb.

Im not convinced @RosaMoonshadow and @rjschwalb didnt have some sort of multi-state conspiracy to kill my poor druid. #dnd

@dmalenda a two hour fight isnt bad if its planned to be that way. Hard to keep interest that long though.

#dnd tip: When building a soundtrack for your game, mix big hits with classical soundtracks.

#dnd tip: Consider using #dndnext's "advantage" as a terrain benefit. Unlike "disadvantage", it speeds up combat instead of slowing it down.

MUCH better experience downloading the latest #dndnext playtest packet. Congrats, @Wizards_DnD! http://t.co/UXEW3iNJ

#dndnext fighter combat maneuvers are definitely cool. Very Book of Nine Swords in a great way. http://t.co/UXEW3iNJ #dnd

#dnd tip: Consider a "boss" template that lets bosses remove status effects but grants "advantage" to all enemies instead.

@PennyArcadeFeed: News Post: D&D Next Podcast http://t.co/cmCGhdBk

Lets try this again: my #gencon ultralight packing crap: http://t.co/TgFt1IUz

Seriously useful #dnd Gamma World resources by @bandofmisfits: http://t.co/Cex3vwAi

Stealing relationships for my Gamma World game from Fiasco: The Fallout: http://t.co/YKFzCluI

New @dwarvenforge video for the Catacombs. Light-up pieces included! http://t.co/lc3ypvoX #dnd

#gencon packing tip: use a two gallon zip lock bag, smash it down and seal it by lying on it, and it packs much nicer. http://t.co/2VTPyZ4X

#dnd tip: Sort your minis so you don't have to bother setting them aside for game day. Just grab your "orc" box and go!

Argon Blackscar, dwarven cleric. Spent a year in a Drow slave pit. Face half melted by acid. Collects forbidden lore. http://t.co/QacPPdSA

Worshipping Lolth. http://t.co/lndop55r

New Dwarven Forge crypt set: #dnd #gencon http://t.co/wqnoJpEz

At the Creating the Core panel with @wotc_rodney, @mikemearls, and Jeremy Crawford. #dnd #dndnext #gencon http://t.co/fMV6b9aZ

Photobombing my own pic of the venerable @matt_james_rpg #gencon http://t.co/tWUv6LL4

Me with @TheIdDM at the Creating the Core seminar before it began: #gencon http://t.co/zaxnHTYC

@newbiedm @TheIdDM Im a photobombing two-timer

#dnd tip: Keep poster maps for roads, inns, dungeon rooms, castles, and overland forest areas handy for improvised encounters.

The dark elves didnt even wait for the enemies to fall before turning on each other: #dnd #gencon http://t.co/w6NEBX1z

#dndnext will begin by focusing on the Forgotten Realms. http://t.co/PEHuli88

#dnd backlist products released digitally in 2013. Finally!

So the big news: #dndnext in 2014, digital back catalog early 2013, FR as default setting with Sundering. #dnd

.@MerricB I plan to rip the Slave Lords series apart for my Eberron #dndnext pirate-themed mini campaign.

Jeremy Crawford just talked about the entitlement of players in 4e for magic items. I wonder if hell have 700 angry posts on the forums.

No more pilosophy on if its published, its core. The assumptions will be lean and we DMs use the options that fit our story.

#dnd tip: When running Gardmore, always consider what the NPC adventurers are up to as the PCs move forward.

The Pathfinder Monster Token box. A good accessory for any version of #dnd. http://t.co/qYk2t21m

Heres an Amazon link for those stand-up Pathfinder tokens: http://t.co/lGv0Leaf #dnd

Im a horrible fan. I had no idea that the @dungeonbastard was Doug in Fear of Girls: http://t.co/kHISLYNu

The upcoming Tyranny of Goblins set from #dnd Dungeon Command. http://t.co/1l9E2gEW

The cover of the new Dungeon Command set. http://t.co/7tAu7RNf

Horned devil is kicking my ass in Dungeon Command. http://t.co/EckXv3xL

Chris Perkins and @TheOtherTracy on the Gamer to Gamer podcast show: http://t.co/0JwQYjav

Clockwise from lower left: @deadorcs @Squach @metadm @onlinedm1 no handle @TheIdDM @dndjester @RosaMoonshadow #gencon http://t.co/kLHzKGsp

On @bandofmisfits's suggestion, I increased the number of items on http://t.co/1zfZPLb0 to 30. Enjoy!

Just upgraded my Numenera kickstarter to "The Real Deal". Too many good things to pass up. Good luck @MonteJCook! http://t.co/LGIjGCZs

Pics from my #gencon trip. My head is still spinning: https://t.co/u30ELoTD

Of Gygax's #dnd DMG Appendix N fiction, what are the top 5 must reads? http://t.co/hCvQPT6e

Great #gencon report by @Neuroglyph http://t.co/qycqksV4 #dnd

Great article on using in-game books in your #dnd campaign: http://t.co/UvcbvbDT

#dnd tip: Work with your players to find interesting ways to feed the PC's story into the game world. It isn't YOUR story, it's the group's.

Good advice for you freelancers on working with your editors: http://t.co/LGnXNztU

We don't always agree but this #dndnext article by @Neuroglyph is worth the read. http://t.co/0zQ5iNMl

Ordered me a bunch of the PC-style minis from the Pathfinder Rise of the Runelord minis: http://t.co/cXpSZLyL

#dnd tip: Battles with a single monster type run much faster than with multiple monsters. Use them for in-between fights.

Watch all the #gencon #dnd videos on the @wizards_dnd website: http://t.co/V9LDQmpa

Ran our #dndnext Eberron game tonight. Mostly group storytelling, roleplaying, and a bar fight. Got a good base for adventure, though.

.@SnarkKnight1 Minis and a grid for #dndnext is optional and mostly dependent on how complicated the environment is. Ill do both.

The most powerful #dnd accessory according to Perkins: your brain. A coffin of minis doesnt hurt though. http://t.co/YUe3BIBX

#dnd tip: With the length of 4e battles in mind, make sure every battle has its own story to tell and a part in the big picture.

Perkins says that most Dungeon adventures are not ran but instead inspire #dnd DMs. Are they designed right for this use?

Really enjoying the Penny Arcade / #dndnext podcast. http://t.co/3Jhv2X7u

.@Alphastream @newbiedm do you think the current adventure design ones itself to inspiration? Is there a better way?

Became a vampire backer of the Reaper kickstarter: http://t.co/YTuWWNYC

I love this pic because it clearly shows how excited @TheIdDM is at sitting near me: http://t.co/jhycRmfR

Here's @obsidiancrane's article on speed painting. Still looks hard to me: http://t.co/JekPq11r

Help out our friend and #dnd artist / writer, Jared von Hindman: http://t.co/djGrRpkp

So my Lazy DM mantra didn't pass the @Squach test. I've refined it: Spend your time on the activities most beneficial to your game.

In #dndnext, is a Rogue's Skill Mastery with a trained skill an automatic success on hard DC checks of 16? Seems overpowered.

#dnd tip: The 1e Dungeon Master's Guide contains a wealth of charts and tables useful for any D&D game. http://t.co/mZiYYoAz

If you read no other article this week, read this one from Perkins on improvisation: http://t.co/YUe3BIBX #dnd

Didn't go Lazy DM for this week's #dnd game. Full-table sized Dwarven Forge caverns: http://t.co/S89KDvlp

.@OnlineDM1 The map is extensive. The rest is all Lazy DM. 3x5 card of enemies, 3x5 card of hooks, 3x5 card of NPCs, 3x5 card of city locs.

Good analysis by @MonteJCook on the Reaper Kickstarter and why it worked so well: http://t.co/6uwl1yPS

Good post on what we can expect from our Reaper miniatures: http://t.co/HkcsfIwI

Good suggestion by @diversionArch on adding skill challenges to zone-wide effects. Added it to the article: http://t.co/BW4yf6B2 #dnd

#dnd tip: when running gridless combat, favor the attacker.

Aside from initiative and surprise rules, the 1e DMG is an amazing book. http://t.co/QQJrvCVv

#dnd tip: No leader in your group? Give everyone a once-per-encounter minor-action healing surge use they can use on themselves or...

#dnd tip: Run a smaller multi-room dungeon as a single encounter with monsters running in at different times.

#dnd tip: Short rests don't always need to be 5 minute breaks. Maybe the PCs drank some refreshing Fey-water for an instant recharge.

Ran our second session of our #dndnext Eberron adventure last night. In my experience, next makes dungeon crawls much more viable.

A pic of the kobold cave dungeon crawl in our #dndnext Eberron game: http://t.co/njpSWyle

You can find all my #dnd photos at: http://t.co/pSRIoazw

#dnd tip: Where you can remotely justify it, give your melee-based monsters a ranged attack in case they get pinned down.

Will you Kill the Wizard or will the Wizard Kill You?? http://t.co/edKw8aMP #dnd

Here's @theiddm's latest blog article in a single picture. http://t.co/VDHGYqG3

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.

Send feedback to mike@mikeshea.net.