When it comes to running a game, there are so many things to worry about (especially if it's your first game). "Have I prepared enough?" "Do I know the rules for this?" "Will the players need to be railroaded?" etc. And on top of that, you then have to worry about, whether you are any good, are you fun and energizing, are you creative enough. No matter how you look at it, there are just too many things to worry about as a GM. You start looking at streamed games (especially those with celebrities) and you worry you are not skilled enough to do the game justice. Let me tell you right now. You got this. Sure, you need some simple math skills and being creative and full of energy helps. But there is one skill above all others that matters most. Teamwork. Teamwork as a player comes naturally for most. Whether you're swinging a sword or slinging a spell, most groups of adventurers find the best way to overcome a threat, is to tackle it head on a...

Need a new puzzle to drop into your next D&D, Pathfinder, or other RPG system session? Remember last year when I first released my  Primary Wall of Force Puzzle  and been dying for a new one? Many D&D DMs and Pathfinder GMs, and players alike went berserk trying to solve the answer to my 'simple' puzzle last time. It was probably my most successful GM Tip to date. Well, I know it has been forever and a half since my last posting. I felt it was time to start making new puzzles to drop into your RPGs. (Perhaps one a little more memorable). Below you will find the puzzle. I will post the solution next week; however, if you need the answer so you can use this puzzle for your weekend game, then e-mail , tweet , or post on my facebook page . The rules for this puzzle are simple. Follow the logic train. If you use this in a game, make sure you reserve the name spellings. That's your first hint! Name Persistence Valyrie L. and James C. are of equal persistenc...

The Perfect Aide for Beating Writer's Block Today's RPG product review is on Rory's Story Cubes . (You can visit the company's  Home Page  here). [This post contains affiliate links] "Now wait a minute! These aren't an RPG product," I am sure some of you are thinking already. You're right. These were made as solitaire/party game.   Rory's Story Cubes  were designed to be a story-telling board game for 1-12 players. There are 9 d6s with a total of 54 different images. The Story Cubes are a multi-award winning product, including Dr. Toy "10 Best Games Winner." There are many different ways to play this game, and I am sure you will find more information on board game review sites (such as  https://boardgamegeek.com/boardgame/20545/rorys-story-cubes ). So... how do these relate to RPGs and Writer's Block? (Review & Usage Notes) Rory's Story Cubes  make a claim that there are over 10 million combinations. Let me do some...

or... The Long Over Due Answer... So, three months ago I put up a puzzle for the masses to work out. The Primary Wall of Force Puzzle used the three primary colors (of pigment: blue, red, yellow) as well as the three most basic shapes people learn (circle, square, triangle). In addition to these simple concepts, a combination of levers and walls of force-esque effects to create a simple yet complicated puzzle. A few brave souls out there tried their hand at solving the puzzle. Some were very close, pretty much solving it the same way I envisioned a party of adventures, while others assumed there was no answer. So what is the answer? Stockvault image: by  Jack Moreh Well, there are quite a few ways actually. I'll just list the two most pertinent ones so that there is room for creative juices. The first way (or, the way it would most likely be solved by a party), is to just have one party member elected to cross the walls as they are dropped and placed b...

Paving the Road to Hell Are your players laughing too much? Do you wish that sometimes you could just get them to stop reveling over their latest exploits? We can fix that, but it will take a commitment from you to withhold your sympathies from those sycophantic rule-hawks for a bit. Pull up a chair, grab a drink and hold your digital screen just a little closer…we’re going into the mindset of a player… [Empty Space] Players, like anyone else, are products of their environment. Where & how they grew up, what went on during their week before they arrived at gaming, ands personal peculiarities are all 100% out of your control (unless you can lock them up in a closet). I say this because you need to take the advice with the proverbial grain of salt; messing with players’ heads may have some unforeseen results. I will not be held responsible for bloody noses or bad tempers. [The first rule of RPG Fight Club is…. We’re not LARPing! This is serious, mom!] Think abo...

Sometimes games and sessions can become stale and monotonous. All the skill checks, hacking and slashing through enemies that don't measure up to min-maxed characters— you name it, sometimes you'll get bored with it. So how can you create a challenge without creating an arms race? Today's GM Tip is all about showing you how you can make simple puzzles that seem challenging. Sometimes just by making a simple puzzle seem complicated, it can stump your players for a period of time.  The best part, characters can still use their rolls to aid them, but there is no auto-success. What this means is that you aren't trying to blunt off the head of a nuke (somewhat pointless).  Let's dive right into a quick puzzle and so you can get a better idea. Primary Wall of Force Puzzle Primary Wall of Force RPG Puzzle This puzzle works at any level. The puzzle itself is a made up of six different magic items (one for each color and symbol). Doesn't seem so scar...

The Art of Storytelling (The Hero’s Journey) (Post may contain affiliate links). How do you make a good story for your adventure? Your campaign? Do you have great original ideas, but players get bored before they ever reach them? Whether you are a novelist or just a guy wanting to make his own adventures for his group, you need to understand what makes a good story. Gotcha covered. Today’s GM Tip is on storytelling (or more accurately: story-crafting). You can read Part V here. The art of storytelling has gone on longer than recorded history. Before there was writing language, stories were told over and over again. Think Beowulf . Telling a good story is less amount showmanship and originality, and more about following different formulas. Wait, what? Formulas >>> originality? That can’t be true. Well, it is. Get over it. I know that it seems a bit contrary, but stay with me. No matter how original your idea, no matter what “new spin” you thin...

Simple Ways to Introduce New Characters I know this is straying from where we left off on the " So You Think You Can GM? " series (long overdue update coming soon), but it is a fair GM tip nevertheless. Today's GM tip is all about how to introduce new characters to your games. Recently, I have made my grand return to actual tabletop RPG sessions IRL (as opposed to play-by-posts only). It had been over a year and a half since I last made a session and closer to two and a half, maybe even three years since I attended regularly. That's a long time. My return was a bit... not so spectacular. (To avoid a long story, skip to "Getting to the point...") I am not criticizing my friend for his GMing style, he is a good GM (normally). Perhaps explaining the situation might improve understanding. My last session in the campaign was close to two years ago. The party had changed quite a bit. I arrived late (as I normally do...) ,and knew very well that there ...