#tabletop gaming tips

[legionofmyth]

Absolute Power: Are Your Items Powerful Enough to Change the Game?

What’s a superhero without the perfect tools? 🛠️ Absolute Power’s item creation rules let you craft gear tied to attributes and skills that bring your character to life! Whether you’re designing a tech-savvy genius or a mystic warrior, this video will teach you how to balance creativity with gameplay. Ready to elevate your game? 📺 Watch now! #AbsolutePowerRPG #TTRPG #TabletopGaming #SuperheroRPG #RPGGearCreation

Absolute Power: Book 1: System Absolute Power: Book 2: Essentials Tri-Stat Core Discover how Absolute Power’s item creation rules let you forge the perfect tools for your superhero adventures! Learn how to craft iconic items tied to attributes and skills that bring your character’s powers to life. Absolute Power by Dyskami Publishing Company provides an innovative system for creating unique items…

[geekghoulsmash]

Just a friendly reminder for DMs: Many brands of wrapping paper has a 1x1in grid on the back, the perfect size for d&d maps, and all the holiday paper is currently on sale

[vintagerpg]

What a pure delight this book is. This is Keeper Tips (2021): “Collected Wisdom on Running Games,” published in celebration of Call of Cthulhu’s 40th anniversary. The idea here is for a group of esteemed keepers and game designers to offer short snippets of advice. Those snippets were then organized into thematic groupings — Horror, Inclusivity, Monsters, Props and so on.

There is no attempt at uniformity. All the contributors run (and write) very different sorts of games, so their advice runs the gamut, sometimes one paragraph of advice being contradicted by the next. Better: all of it is uncredited in-line. They become, in aggregate, like Buddhist koans to ponder, puzzle over, embrace or discard.

Because that’s the thing, right: it’s all valid! Every group at every table has different needs and wants, so there isn’t a “correct” way to play or run any game, just the best way in the needs of the moment. That’s perhaps the wisest lesson of Keeper Tips.

[thirteene42]

if you're struggling to find a way to reward your players for silly things they do as a DM, make them Xbox achievements. If you look up Xbox achievement maker on most browsers it's at the top. they love it. it's enrichment in their enclosure.

[prokopetz]

Just hit 186 entries for the Random Milieux appendix in Star-spawned. Thirty more to go!

[madfishmonger]

Character Death in TTRPGs

Before you begin a new game session with a group, discuss how you plan to handle character death before you begin play. Waiting until a character dies is a bad time to bring it up as some people get attached to their characters and can get emotional. But before you discuss death, it helps to discuss the intended tone of the game. Are the players expecting a drama? Epic adventure? Comedy? Horror? A combination of two or more themes? Discuss this with the group first, as it will set the stage for choosing a theme-appropriate way to manage character death. A wacky cartoon with permadeath might be off-putting, or an epic adventure game might be less challenging without killing off characters, so knowing the intended tone gives you a good start. Sometimes the theme can shift as the game develops, but it's good to start in the same general mindset.

Here's a list of options for character death management to present to your group. You can choose one or several which can apply depending on the situation.

This list can also be used by a GM to consider alternatives to permadeath when the scenario presents itself.

When a character gains the dead condition as per the rules of the game...

the character dies, player creates a new one (permadeath)

the character dies, but with effort the party can resurrect them*

the character isn’t dead, but badly injured and needs time to recover before being playable*

the character goes out in a blaze of glory, dying in a way that helps the party and/or plot, the player makes a new character

no characters die, they are knocked out and can wake after a set time has passed (such as overnight)

no characters die, they are knocked out and pop back up at 1 HP after combat

the character loses a body part or ability due to the injury, but it is replaced with an alternative (e.g. a cybernetic leg or magical vision)

the remaining party band together in a dramatic and novel way to save the downed character

*The player gets to play some NPCs while they wait for their character to recover so they still get to participate.

The group/GM may occasionally want to revisit the rules under certain circumstances and allow for (consensual) exceptions.

For example, your game is a no-permadeath game but this particular boss fight sets a character up for a perfect blaze-of-glory death and the player is fine with it (the player may even initiate it), the GM can allow a permadeath for that scene, then go back to no-permadeath for the rest.

In another example, a new player joins a game with permadeath, but is killed in their first battle. The player put a lot of effort into this brand-new character and is very unhappy. The GM can choose to allow the character to survive so the player has a chance to actually play the character they worked on and continue the game.

I hope this helps, and if there are any other options for character death that you've played with, let me know! Edit: Just added two thanks to some feedback.

Obviously this doesn't apply to games like Die Laughing where your character is supposed to be killed off, but I think having this discussion (about the theme if nothing else) when you start a game can help prevent some issues later on.

Happy gaming!

[thatsgeeky]

Bringing Your NPCs to Life: Tips for Creating A Believable Character Backstory in D&D

As a dungeon master, one of the most important parts of your job is creating believable and interesting NPCs (non-player characters) for your players to interact with. These NPCs can range from shopkeepers and guards to quest givers and powerful villains, and they play a crucial role in bringing your campaign world to life.

However, creating NPCs that feel real and relatable can be a challenging task. In this blog post, we'll be discussing some tips and tricks for creating believable NPCs in D&D. From giving NPCs a backstory to making them react realistically to the players, we'll show you how to make your NPCs feel like real, living people. So whether you're a seasoned dungeon master or just starting out, read on to learn how to create NPCs that will keep your players engaged and invested in your game.

Family and Relationships

Family and relationships are an essential element of an NPCs backstory and can give insight into their personality and motivations. For example, an NPC who has lost a loved one might be more likely to be driven by grief and a desire for revenge.

Family and relationships can also provide hooks for the players to interact with the NPCs, creating interesting and dynamic interactions. It can also create conflicts for the NPCs and the players, and the NPCs can have different types of relationship with the player characters like friends, enemies, mentors, allies, and more.

Additionally, NPCs can have complex relationships, for example, an NPC who has a love-hate relationship with one of the player characters. Knowing the NPCs family and relationships can also help the DM to create a believable dialogue, as NPCs can have different roles in the family or society and it can affect their actions and motivations.

Childhood Experiences

Another crucial component of an NPCs biography is their early life, which has the power to influence their personality, worldview, and moral principles. An NPC who was raised in poverty, for instance, might be more motivated by a desire for money and status. Childhood memories can also serve as springboards for the players to engage with the non-player characters (NPCs), resulting in engaging and dynamic interactions. The early experiences of the NPCs might influence their beliefs, values, and worldview, and it can also lead to disputes between them and the players.

In addition, NPCs early life experiences can affect their talents and aptitudes; for instance, an NPC who grew up in a conflict zone may be better at surviving and engaging in warfare. Additionally, it can affect how they feel and think. For instance, an NPC who experienced abuse as a youngster may struggle with trust or develop PTSD. As NPCs can have diverse perspectives on life and the world based on their experiences, knowing the NPCs early experiences can also aid the DM in crafting believable dialogue.

Education or Training

An NPCs education and training can give meaning to their talents and abilities and are a significant part of their narrative. Knowing what an NPC has studied or received training in might help determine their level of skill and knowledge. A skilled wizard NPC, for instance, may be more motivated by a quest for power and knowledge.

The players' interactions with the NPCs may be made more fascinating and dynamic by means of education and training. As the education and training of the NPCs may impact their views, values, and worldview, it can also lead to disputes between the NPCs and the players.

Additionally, NPCs education and training can shape their career and occupation, for example, an NPC who is a trained engineer might be more likely to be a successful inventor or architect. It can also shape their social status, for example, an NPC who has received a noble education might be more likely to be a member of the upper class. Knowing the NPCs education and training can also help the DM to create a believable dialogue, as NPCs can have different perspectives on life and the world based on their education and training.

Career or Occupation

An NPCs career or occupation can also play a role in shaping their backstory and provide context for their skills and abilities. Knowing what an NPC does for a living can give insight into their skills, abilities, and motivations. For example, an NPC who is a shopkeeper might be more likely to be driven by a desire for wealth and success. A career or occupation can also provide hooks for the players to interact with the NPCs, creating interesting and dynamic interactions. It can also create conflicts for the NPCs and the players, as the NPCs career or occupation can shape their beliefs, values, and how they perceive the world.

The NPCs career or occupation can shape their social status, for example, an NPC who is a noble might be more likely to be a member of the upper class. It can also shape their reputation, for example, an NPC who is a notorious thief might be feared or respected by other NPCs. Knowing the NPCs career or occupation can also help the DM to create a believable dialogue, as NPCs can have different perspectives on life and the world based on their career or occupation.

Life Events

Life events that shape an NPCs personality are also an important element of an NPCs backstory and can give insight into their personality, beliefs, and values. For example, an NPC who has experienced a traumatic event, like a war, might be more likely to be driven by a desire for peace and safety. Life events can also provide hooks for the players to interact with the NPCs, creating interesting and dynamic interactions. It can also create conflicts for the NPCs and the players, as the NPCs life events can shape their beliefs, values and how they perceive the world.

Additionally, NPCs life events can shape their skills and abilities, for example, an NPC who has been through a shipwreck might be more skilled in survival and navigation. It can also shape their emotional and mental state, for example, an NPC who has suffered a great loss might have trust issues or PTSD. Knowing the NPCs life events can also help the DM to create a believable dialogue, as NPCs can have different perspectives on life and the world based on their experiences.

In Summary

Giving your NPCs a backstory is an essential step in making them feel like real and relatable characters

A backstory provides context for an NPC's actions and motivations, making them more believable and interesting to the players

Family and relationships are an essential element of an NPC's backstory and can give insight into their personality and motivations

Childhood experiences are another important element of an NPC's backstory and can shape their personality, beliefs, and values

Education and training are an important element of an NPC's backstory and can provide context for their skills and abilities

An NPC's career or occupation can also play a role in shaping their backstory and provide context for their skills and abilities

Life events that shape an NPC's personality are also an important element of an NPC's backstory and can give insight into their personality, beliefs, and values

By including these elements in an NPC's backstory, you can create characters that feel real and relatable to your players

Additionally, it will help you to understand the motivations and actions of NPCs, making the game more interesting and dynamic

[a-cool-stick]

DM tip to handle horny bards

Introduce fantasy STDs and STIs

This could be things that result in serious consequences or deal damage or they could be silly things that add a slight challenge or make for interesting roll play and the way it can be cured and how easily also depends on you

I have things like Genital Lycanthropy where you start rapidly growing hair on your genitals that won't stop unless cured and the rate of growth drastically increases during a full moon

You could have your players roll a constitution saving throw and on a fail, roll to see what they get from a list you made

Things can get very silly or very dangerous depending on what you come up with

Happy DMing

[coldairballoons]

hot take: your ttrpg worlds should functionally be able to exist without npcs. 

let me explain. 

i’ve had a dm in the past who prioritized the npc storylines over the actual player character storylines. this made every experience i had with him as my dm absolutely miserable, because you could tell that he only wanted to write a story, not tell one with other people. we were all just witnesses to his npc storytelling, very little more. it was less a game and more a one-man show, and this was not okay.

what i’ve learned in my time as a gm for various groups and various friends is this: people care about your npcs. but what they truly care about more is playing a game. they want to be involved. they want to tell their own stories and make their own choices. 

you should be able to run an entire session without the involvement of a single npc, because your party should be the priority. this isn’t to say that you can’t have npcs - in fact, good storytelling does oftentimes include other characters to push the story along. but the npcs should never overshadow the actual player characters.

that’s all 3am rant done

[kris-belleau]

Quick Tips Apply Transfers for tabletop wargaming miniatures #paintingwa...

[craigofinspiration]

Let the players be a part of the world!

[legionofmyth]

Fitting Martial Arts into your Palladium Megaverse game

Discover how to blend martial arts into any Palladium Megaverse setting! 🥋 Our video guide dives deep into integrating combat skills that will bring your RPG to life. 🌐 Join the adventure! #PalladiumRPG #MartialArts

Ninjas & Superspies Step into the vast realms of the Palladium Megaverse, where martial arts breathe life into every corner of your adventures. This video offers a detailed overview of fitting various martial arts into any setting within the Palladium Books universe, from the gritty streets of Rifts to the mystical lands of Fantasy. Enhance your campaigns with expert tips on incorporating…

[mystybelle]

agh jeez

making a pdf of a reality engine is like... Easier than creating a seed for a whole new world, but it is a lot of planning. I wanna go back to writing the actual rules again, that was more fun 💚T💜

[thedailydungeonmaster]

Character Backstory Bonanza: Strategies for Crafting Compelling and Engaging Player Characters

Dear Readers, in the world of Dungeons & Dragons, player characters are the heart and soul of the game. From brave warriors and cunning rogues to wise wizards and charismatic bards, the characters created by players bring the game world to life, shaping the narrative through their actions, decisions, and interactions. One of the most important aspects of creating a memorable player character is…

[starshinescribbles]

Come visit The Arvercim, a tavern that is super popular with wizards!

The first part of my new TTRPG The Arvercim [Compact Space - Fantasy #1]project is out today!

Inspired by toys like Polly Pocket, Compact Spaces are system-neutral locations GMs can include in their ttrpg campaigns!

Get it on Itch!

[tabletopresources]

Don't know if this is the right place to ask. I've been gifted DnD Castle Ravenloft for the holidays and I unpacked it last night... mother**** this thing is incredibly serious! Where do I begin? I want to teach my sons a love for DnD, but i can't afford R1900 just for the starter pack. Here in South Africa it is massively expensive.

How can I make this tabletop game into something they would like?

Thanks for the question! I’m so happy to see more parents considering D&D (and similar tabletop games) for their kids.

Honestly, I could go on and on forever on the many benefits of getting young people into the tabletop hobby but given you’re looking for guidance and not an entire treatise let me point you to some amazing resources, both for quickly jumping into a family-friendly game AND for more info for everyone on why to even bother.

First, I want to start with a few general resources that provide far more than I could (or probably should) here.

Level 1 Geek provides a whole article with info and resources on D&D for Kids. I was actually surprised to find they’d missed how effectively D&D (and similar) teach kids subjects like math without them even being aware they’re learning!

Wizards of the Coast provided a similar article of their own. They even provide free adventures with all you might need (including advice on best approaches for ages) called Monster Slayers: The Heroes of Hesiod. It was just the start of a great series.

DMing Dad has more resources and modules for you and your family as well!

I’m gonna rein myself in as that’s likely more than enough to get you and yours started. A few pieces of advice if I may:

Not all kids love combat and killing stuff. In fact, many don’t. So let them find animals they can befriend, help a goblin whose siblings are missing, gather wacky ingredients for a 50-story cake to celebrate an ancient dragon’s 1,000th birthday, etc. They love adventure. Let them eat cake, pet the displacer beast, and make some neat and strange friends.

Rule of Cool applies ALL THE MORE for kids. Let them use what rules they MUST (and those they like) to maintain some sense of structure and cooperation, but please at least consider encouraging and instilling in them an “anything fun for all is good for all” mindset. It’ll teach them the best part of D&D - we’re in this together.

Keep the statistics to a minimum. Use only the rules you need. The adventures sourced above use only the barest beats from D&D to tell a coherent story without it being bogged down in rules and the usual (admittedly) “character-stat-spreadsheet”. Keep it simple. Let THEM grow it outward from there as THEY see fit. And feel free to let them shrink it again when anything bigger or wider becomes unwieldy to them at all.

Start with excitement, keep it up, let THEM expand it. What you run for them CAN and likely SHOULD be simple and straightforward. Take cues from them when they want something to run deeper or get more complex. Your baddies don’t require complex gray morality. Your adventures can get by with few and even ZERO unexpected twists. Again, watch. Listen. Learn. Kids are very good at telling you, often and loudly, what they want.

Keep it short. Adults are better with longer sessions and adventure threads than kids usually are. Don’t be afraid to run a game no longer than an hour, or even less if they want to move on. Don’t take it personally. When they ask for another run plan a similar short one. If they beg for a little longer, reward them with just a teeny bit more. And repeat that as needed. Always keep them wanting more right?

Be kind and respectful. We’re all in this together. Manners can be learned and mastered around that gaming table and certainly shouldn’t stop there. This is true for adults too, but to each their own I suppose.

I hope that helps! Let us know how it goes!

And if this was interesting or useful to you at all, consider checking out Tabletop Gaming Resources for more art, tips, and tools for your game!