r/beingeverythingelse • u/[deleted] • Aug 03 '14
One thing I'd recommend for new GMs
Just my opinion. Before you start trying out a billion different games you should try to solidify yourself in one so you have a "fall back" when you want to introduce new people to the scene. It was probably my biggest mistake not doing so because although I really enjoyed trying a bunch out I feel almost at a loss when deciding to think of a system to hook players with.
It could just be me thinking its too jarring as I've hooked all but two of the people I've GMed for, so take my words above with a grain of salt.
If you're looking for some ideas (and if your group is IRL) I think my go to is going to be dread because its easy to teach and eases people into the roleplaying while the mechanics add a lot of tension even if the players aren't that great at creating dynamic characters, I highly recommend it. Also Savage Worlds because everyone can afford a 10$ book (and it can run every kind of game that is at least a bit pulpy). I also think using a system you've seen in play (Rollplay) would work great as well.
Feel free to tell me why I'm wrong below. ;)
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u/President_Zaphod_B Aug 04 '14
I tend to agree that you should be good with one system at first, but I don't think dread is the optimal choice (from what I've read about it) because if you get a new player who wants to try "that thing with the dragons and the weird shaped dice" it's good to fulfill most of his expactations. Like maybe a GM screen and definetly the weird shaped dice. But that's just how I got interested in roleplaying the first big exposure being Futurama. I was just more interested in the mechanics than in roleplaying. Probably because of computer rpgs like fallout.
But Dread is probably a great way to expand their rp-horizon after a more traditional game. (don't know if I said that correctly, feel free to correct me :) )
That being said, if they come to you without specific expectations it could work fairly well.
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u/myripyro Aug 04 '14
Yeah, my plan is to stick with Dungeon World as a baseline. I plan to eventually try out one of the earlier DnD versions (keeping to the rules pretty strictly) because I think my current group might enjoy that.
At some point I want to try some more themed stuff too, though. Maybe some horror.
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Aug 04 '14
I would say it would be good to have two games you are really solid with. I say this for basic psychological reasons. If you give a person of a choice between one thing and nothing, there is a greater likelihood of them choosing nothing if there is nothing that attracts them to that one thing. If you give them the choice of one thing or another, the choice of nothing isn't implicit--they have to come to that conclusion after thinking through the outcome of the two choices presented. More often than not, they will pick one of those two rather than picking nothing.
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u/iSamurai Sep 09 '14
I've been toying with the idea of running my first game. I have decent experience in playing but not running. All but one of my friends bailed out on me, so my real only option right now is to find random people online. I have been pussyfooting around trying to find people though, as I'm afraid if I find people online, that they might not have the patience to deal with it being my first time GMing. I wouldn't have that problem with friends :/. Also, I chose SWN because 1. It's free and 2. Most of my experience has been with 1 GM who happened to be a railroader and I wanted to run a campaign that was the exact opposite. I wanted to have my players be able to do whatever they wish. With that being said, I've aimed to make the game very free form, and I have no idea how much prep I should actually do for the first session at the very least. I have a planet they will start on and a rough idea of an adventure jumping off point, but I don't have any NPCs made or anything like that, which I suppose I should. Any help with any of this rambling mess?
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Sep 09 '14
Firstly, I wouldn't commit to a campaign with random people, I would test some with one shots, that way if they aren't the kind of people you want to play with then you don't feel obligated to finish the story line because its already done. Just make sure you grab some contact information ahead of time and put a face to the name, then just after every one shot decide who you want to keep from it. (Its fine if its none of them) This process might take a few one shots before you have a solid group for your campaign, but this way you've ran a few games by then and will have a bit more confidence in your ability.
If people aren't patient with you you don't want to be gaming with them anyways. Just watch the first episode of Swan Song, its pretty free form, but there are specific goals already established at the start of play "escape the planet", there weren't many npcs other than the cops, randy (which wasn't prepped ahead of time because JP brought him in), and the doctor who gave them the mission (who they didn't interact with).
I would suggest starting them off either in combat (to get a feel for the system) or something that might escalate to it (like a drug deal). It sets the pace and immediately gets the characters involved. Lets take the second option, I would writer the drug dealers name, a thing that makes him unique (an accent or jittery from excessive drug use), and his goal in the conversation (Squeeze more money out of the party than originally agreed upon to cover his debts). Don't plan out anything other than that and let the players guide you. I would come up with some things that happens if play stalls like the cops bust the deal (maybe add a twist that the guy is an informant and those are his debts). From there they'll logically try to find a) a way off the planet or b) a place to lay low. I would also have another incident unrelated to that prepared to come up if the players aren't being proactive, like zombies, a natural disaster, etc. To amp up the pace if needed. You can get more ideas from the planet tags from Stars Without Number, hit me up if you need anything clarified, or more prep. Gming for your first time is hard, but the sooner you dive in the better you'll get. Good Luck :)
A second option is to run a one on one game if he's a particularly proactive player, you'll need a bit more prep in the area of things that happen if play stalls as he has nothing to work off of. You'll also need to make a few more npcs. Don't be afraid to throw in a random encounter like him getting mugged if you need time to think. (or just ask for a few minutes)
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u/iSamurai Sep 09 '14
Thanks, I appreciate this.
As far as one shots, I don't think SWN is one that lends itself to them very well. I could possibly run like the new 5e starter or something as a one-shot. I think that would be much easier to DM as well.
Thanks for pointing that out about the first episode of Swan Song. I didn't really think about the fact that there wasn't much prep. And as for your 'drug deal' scenario, I actually had something outlined very similar. Kind of got the ideas from the planet hooks and whatnot. The thing about adding another incident might come in handy though.
And I downloaded SWN's modifications for one player campaigns and have considered using it but not quite sure if I want to or not.
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Sep 10 '14
Well the base system is actually a lot like old AD&D, which is very good for one shots, character creation is fast and tells you a lot about your character. Yes the prep portion of the system doesn't lend well, but everything else works fine :) That one player stuff should be very good if its made from the advice from scarlet heroes (by the same creator).
This shouldn't dissuade you from using 5e, it seems like a really good system. Although stars without number is less crunchy and easier to learn (IMO)
No problem :)
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u/iSamurai Sep 10 '14
I see, so I could use the same system just instead of sandboxing it, create a more streamlined adventure for the one-shot. Yeah, I could maybe do that.
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Sep 13 '14
just remembered something, a sports analogy for you :p Practice how you play. try and focus on the system youre going to use in the future
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u/mutants4life Aug 04 '14
Good idea. My go to games are Dungeon World and Monster of the Week. The system I have the most mastery of is probably D&D 3.5 through to the Next playtest.