DM Tips Twitter Archive: April 2011

by Mike Shea on 13 May 2011

Below is an archive of all of the Sly Flourish DM Tip Twitter posts for April 2011. Get daily DM tips at http://twitter.com/slyflourish!

#dnd tip: Try designing puzzle encounters that have set goals in set time limits such as "bloody all foes in 30 minutes".

#dnd tip: Playing hardcore or #fourthcore? Have players bring spare sheets and sub-in new PCs when old ones die.

#dnd tip from @neuroglyph: Embrace mobile devices at your table as sources of telekinesis or a system for secret messages.

Another awesome epic solo by @rjschwalb http://j.mp/jaUY2U Not crazy about dominates, though. Prefer "slide 5 and attack friend". #dnd

#dnd tip: Your villains shouldn't be sitting around waiting for your PC's to show up. What evil quests are they working on right now?

Added some #dnd photos http://t.co/J2ZtZz0 including the Murder Pits http://t.co/m8oYgCB

.@kudakeru Speed up #dnd 4e combat: http://t.co/G1ywUxh http://t.co/I8oTGLp http://t.co/300KcuO http://t.co/fD67Okp

#dnd tip: Pay attention to and mix up which players get hit with which status effects. Being dazed three rounds in a row is no fun.

#dnd tip: In case you missed it, my Monster Makeover: Shademaw the 26th lvl black dragon, is on the #dnd website: http://bit.ly/gIKPxe

#dnd tip: Think about ways to build your battle map in three dimensions instead of just two.

Excellent review of Gloomwrought and Beyond by @Bartoneus. Looking forward to running a mini-campaign with this: http://j.mp/gbWS3W #dnd

Excellent article by #dnd sage @rjschwalb on how easily the exception-based rules of 4e leads to broken combos: http://j.mp/gsEhyF

#dnd tip: Inherent Bonuses instead of magic items work well for one-shot characters. Give them one awesome item instead of a big pile.

#dnd tip: A few small focused skill challenges will run better than a big vague one.

#dnd tip: Sometimes your group just wants to beat the crap out of a bunch of stupid guys. Give them those opportunities.

Just a reminder to check out friend and #dnd author @matt_james_rpg's Kickstarter project, American Soldier: http://j.mp/ftkk1X

Pretty powerful epic tier lurker beastie from friend @Squach on At Will: http://j.mp/gGxq1b #dnd

#dnd tip: In case you missed it, my Monster Makeover: Shademaw the 26th lvl black dragon, is on the #dnd website: http://bit.ly/gIKPxe

#dnd tip: Add big nasty environmental effects to a single high level elite monster for a nice fast battle.

My first Monster Makeover article, Shademaw (lvl 26 black dragon), just got published to the @Wizards_DnD website! http://j.mp/idTUxw #dnd

Thinking about some sort of class unlocking system for my upcoming Shadowfell game. #DnD

#dnd tip: Instead of just figuring out what your battle environment is, think about what it USED to be to add another layer.

#dnd tip: Try combining skill checks, combat, roleplaying, puzzles, and physical props into one uber-encounter.

#dnd tip: For fast Gamma World con games, consider writing up some pregen characters. Just do the basics, leave the details to the players.

@ArrogantFool @newbiedm Paragon is a great time to start getting out of the main world and into the Shadowfell and Feywild.

#dnd tip from @eugenekats: Use binder clips and black construction paper to block off rooms on the Red Box poster map. Great con trip.

#dnd tip from #pax houserules seminar - http://j.mp/dQm2t8:Take a tip from WoW and advance beyond level 30 with item and story rewards.

#dnd tip: Don't forget to assign a rules lawyer to the best potential candidate at your table. Knowledgeable and fair are required.

Ran two skill challenges with fully open DCs, successes, failures, advantages, and what not. Ran much better than normal for my group.

#dnd tip: Consider spelling out a few potential options for skill challenges to give players ideas of what they can do.

More awesome epic tier beasts from @rjschwalb: Mercane (http://j.mp/hkH7ot) and the Brain Collector (http://j.mp/gXFMtP) #dnd

#dnd tip from @davethegame: Jenga can make for a great physical puzzle prop.

In case you missed it, here's a free Gamma World adventure from Sly Flourish: http://j.mp/gPB6Gd #dnd

#dnd tip from #pax houserules seminar - http://j.mp/dQm2t8: Justify buying other RPGs by squeezing them for ideas for your current game.

I dig the Bloody Mist encounter effect in this Gloomwrought preview: http://t.co/n2sGNJW

#dnd tip from #pax houserules seminar - http://j.mp/dQm2t8: Don't write house rules when you're mad.

#dnd tip from #pax houserules seminar - http://j.mp/dQm2t8: Don't make house rules in a vacuum. Discuss and design with your players.

In case you missed it, "Getting Published in Gaming": http://bit.ly/hBsSRz

#dnd tip from #pax houserules seminar - http://j.mp/dQm2t8: When you say combat is too long, ask yourself what you're really looking for.

#dnd tip: Be like Perkins: Think of a campaign as a TV season, create an episode guide, write one-line future episode summaries.

#dnd tip: Follow @rjschwalb's ruling guideline: if it smells like poop, it is probably poop: http://bit.ly/fF1N2Y

#dnd tip: A mix of Watchmen, Tron Legacy, 300, and the Social Network soundtracks makes for a great instrumental gaming playlist.

#dnd tip: don't reveal your "out" too early. Give your players a chance to discover how a battle works before revealing the victory states.

#dnd Avoiding the Early Out http://goo.gl/fb/pxCXP

#dnd Tip: Need a powerhouse brute to threaten your epic tier PCs?, check out @rjschwalb's excellent Adamantine Golem: http://bit.ly/hbgEqc

I have weekly flavor text stated as "last week, on Children of Blood". I also use it for Obsidian Portal summaries.

#dnd tip: Spend a couple of minutes summarizing the current story at the beginning of your adventure. Use it to turn on "game mode".

In case you missed it, I talk Epic Tier #dnd with @sarahdarkmagic and @squach on this week's Tome Show: http://bit.ly/eIsO8P

#dnd tip: Give your players choices for their next adventure at the end of your current session. Make them choose before they leave.

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 Dungeon Master’s Kit, the Monster Vault, the Heroes of the Fallen Lands 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.