Saw a #GMTip today reminding GMs to protect “their” adventure from failed rolls. Couldn’t disagree more. The adventure doesn’t belong to the GM, it belongs to the table. And if one roll breaks the story, the issue isn’t the dice.
June 18, 2025 at 1:54 PM
Saw a #GMTip today reminding GMs to protect “their” adventure from failed rolls. Couldn’t disagree more. The adventure doesn’t belong to the GM, it belongs to the table. And if one roll breaks the story, the issue isn’t the dice.
#GMTip #PlayerTip
A lot of players (most?) have been BURNED in the past by unfair, mercurial, confused, or antagonistic GMs.
Soothe them by [asking for input] whenever you'd otherwise [make a decision].
"What do we think happens if your character _?"
"Do we think _ sounds appropriate?"
#TTRPG
A lot of players (most?) have been BURNED in the past by unfair, mercurial, confused, or antagonistic GMs.
Soothe them by [asking for input] whenever you'd otherwise [make a decision].
"What do we think happens if your character _?"
"Do we think _ sounds appropriate?"
#TTRPG
January 29, 2025 at 3:24 AM
#GMTip #PlayerTip
A lot of players (most?) have been BURNED in the past by unfair, mercurial, confused, or antagonistic GMs.
Soothe them by [asking for input] whenever you'd otherwise [make a decision].
"What do we think happens if your character _?"
"Do we think _ sounds appropriate?"
#TTRPG
A lot of players (most?) have been BURNED in the past by unfair, mercurial, confused, or antagonistic GMs.
Soothe them by [asking for input] whenever you'd otherwise [make a decision].
"What do we think happens if your character _?"
"Do we think _ sounds appropriate?"
#TTRPG
#dnd #gmtip Attacks failing to connect do not have to be attributed to incompetence. An exchange of blows where every strike is parried can be interpreted as a showcase of mastery instead! You can use your narration to make high AC characters feel awesome, rather than to make NPC's look foolish.
February 1, 2025 at 8:11 AM
Have players submit rumors about their characters to share at the start of a game. I usually have them submit 5 -- 1 false, 2 true and positive about their character, 2 true and negative about their character. Don't forget some bar room exaggeration for fun. #GMTip #DMTip
January 22, 2025 at 8:50 AM
I completely agree with Rich.
If you don´t want to railroad your players in a obvious way, but you need them to engage or come agross a certain point for the history to progress, you could read about the Quantum Ogre method.
You can apply this to not only encounters.
#TTRPG #GMtip
If you don´t want to railroad your players in a obvious way, but you need them to engage or come agross a certain point for the history to progress, you could read about the Quantum Ogre method.
You can apply this to not only encounters.
#TTRPG #GMtip
As a DM, the biggest thing to avoid is railroading your players. Once you start forcing your story down the players' throats, you are no longer a real DM and should just go write your book you wannabe novelist!
youtu.be/yBlDrdVRUKs
#D&D #dnd #dmtips #ttrpg #rpg
youtu.be/yBlDrdVRUKs
#D&D #dnd #dmtips #ttrpg #rpg
How to Not Railroad Your Players
YouTube video by The Laughing Tavern
youtu.be
September 16, 2025 at 8:59 AM
This is a neat way of establishing connections between the PCs & getting a head start on roleplaying. (#InvisibleSunRPG does something similar in that the players help decide what weird neighbors live near each others' characters, which makes everyone invested in everyone else's characters.) #rumors
May 1, 2025 at 4:39 AM
This is a neat way of establishing connections between the PCs & getting a head start on roleplaying. (#InvisibleSunRPG does something similar in that the players help decide what weird neighbors live near each others' characters, which makes everyone invested in everyone else's characters.) #rumors
#DmTip #GmTip
If a race/species/monster/character is not as interesting as you would like them to be, then make them be that interesting, it's your world. Rules as written are overly limiting. Things shouldn't be so black and white, nothing is.
#ttrpg #DM #GM #RAW #Imagination🌈✨
If a race/species/monster/character is not as interesting as you would like them to be, then make them be that interesting, it's your world. Rules as written are overly limiting. Things shouldn't be so black and white, nothing is.
#ttrpg #DM #GM #RAW #Imagination🌈✨
February 16, 2025 at 4:05 AM
#GMTip for #TTRPG enthusiasts: Want better combat? Make your turns feel important.
"I hit it with my axe... 13? 9 damage." is the least interesting thing in the whole entire world.
Bake into your turn what your PC/NPC is thinking, feeling, seeing, hearing, smelling - what they want to achieve.
"I hit it with my axe... 13? 9 damage." is the least interesting thing in the whole entire world.
Bake into your turn what your PC/NPC is thinking, feeling, seeing, hearing, smelling - what they want to achieve.
February 16, 2025 at 10:42 PM
#TTRPG #GMTip
Unfortunately, a GM cannot MAKE a game tense, scary, or unsettling. That power lies almost entirely with the PCs and the players.
The GM can supply tense moments, scary descriptions, or unsettling circumstances - but if the PCs are flippant and wacky, the game will be, too.
Unfortunately, a GM cannot MAKE a game tense, scary, or unsettling. That power lies almost entirely with the PCs and the players.
The GM can supply tense moments, scary descriptions, or unsettling circumstances - but if the PCs are flippant and wacky, the game will be, too.
a cartoon of spongebob laying in bed under a blanket
ALT: a cartoon of spongebob laying in bed under a blanket
media.tenor.com
October 23, 2024 at 5:41 AM
A necessary #TTRPG #GMTip.
If you want a tense, scary game having your PC act tense and scared is the only way to do it.
Your GM only controls ~10% of how PCs feel, act, and react, and that 10% demands trust.
Flippant PCs breed flippant stories—horrified PCs make horror stories.
If you want a tense, scary game having your PC act tense and scared is the only way to do it.
Your GM only controls ~10% of how PCs feel, act, and react, and that 10% demands trust.
Flippant PCs breed flippant stories—horrified PCs make horror stories.
November 28, 2023 at 5:13 PM
#GMTip - Keep each feature descriptions to 30 words or fewer, if you can. Short, evocative sentences leave room for imagination.
"The water's... very dark. Cold, and so very dark."
P: "Can we see land?"
"Almost, you think. Through this thick, greasy fog, it's... You've lost it."
"The water's... very dark. Cold, and so very dark."
P: "Can we see land?"
"Almost, you think. Through this thick, greasy fog, it's... You've lost it."
Waves Black Abstract Animation
Alt: Black and white abstract animation of ocean waves, gently lapping up the screen.
static.klipy.com
July 22, 2026 at 8:40 PM
#GMTip - Keep each feature descriptions to 30 words or fewer, if you can. Short, evocative sentences leave room for imagination.
"The water's... very dark. Cold, and so very dark."
P: "Can we see land?"
"Almost, you think. Through this thick, greasy fog, it's... You've lost it."
"The water's... very dark. Cold, and so very dark."
P: "Can we see land?"
"Almost, you think. Through this thick, greasy fog, it's... You've lost it."
I'm terrible about actually posting here, but...
#GMTip #TTRPG - Try and remember "SER" in your games: Support, Enable, and Reward the style of gameplay you enjoy.
Not just as a GM, but as a player - tell fellow players you enjoyed what they're doing. A little positive feedback goes a LONT way.
#GMTip #TTRPG - Try and remember "SER" in your games: Support, Enable, and Reward the style of gameplay you enjoy.
Not just as a GM, but as a player - tell fellow players you enjoyed what they're doing. A little positive feedback goes a LONT way.
July 22, 2025 at 9:13 PM
#TTRPG #GMTip and #PlayerTip
Listen to other players' turns in and out of combat.
It's SO BELITTLING to your fellow players when you only value the stuff that YOU do at the table.
Every game is an ensemble cast sharing spotlight.
I promise, if you ignore other players, they WILL resent you.
Listen to other players' turns in and out of combat.
It's SO BELITTLING to your fellow players when you only value the stuff that YOU do at the table.
Every game is an ensemble cast sharing spotlight.
I promise, if you ignore other players, they WILL resent you.
a woman says " okay no hard feelings but i hate you "
Alt: A redheaded woman says "okay, no hard feelings. But I hate you. Not joking. Bye."
media.tenor.com
November 11, 2024 at 10:12 PM
#TTRPG #GMTip and #PlayerTip
Listen to other players' turns in and out of combat.
It's SO BELITTLING to your fellow players when you only value the stuff that YOU do at the table.
Every game is an ensemble cast sharing spotlight.
I promise, if you ignore other players, they WILL resent you.
Listen to other players' turns in and out of combat.
It's SO BELITTLING to your fellow players when you only value the stuff that YOU do at the table.
Every game is an ensemble cast sharing spotlight.
I promise, if you ignore other players, they WILL resent you.
#TTRPG #GMTip of the day:
I'd say 90% of the time, you *should* let your party's plan work. Give them 1-2 obstacles, or 1-2 unexpected wrinkles, but if you consistently side-step or undercut the PCs' plans with subversions, you'll completely shred their confidence as players at your table.
I'd say 90% of the time, you *should* let your party's plan work. Give them 1-2 obstacles, or 1-2 unexpected wrinkles, but if you consistently side-step or undercut the PCs' plans with subversions, you'll completely shred their confidence as players at your table.
Pinky Brain's Battle Plan Unveiled
ALT: Pinky Brain's Battle Plan Unveiled
static.klipy.com
August 24, 2026 at 4:14 PM
#GMTip - Keep a list of things your party has accomplished that:
• they set out to accomplish
• wasn't an accident
• isn't something that happened TO them
It may be eye opening to realize you've played for 19 IRL months and you've given the party opportunities to accomplish
✨NOTHING✨
#ttrpg
• they set out to accomplish
• wasn't an accident
• isn't something that happened TO them
It may be eye opening to realize you've played for 19 IRL months and you've given the party opportunities to accomplish
✨NOTHING✨
#ttrpg
November 6, 2024 at 8:03 PM
My number one GMing tip is still "make sure all your players want to play the same game" because that Scooby Doo player is gonna harsh your A24 players vibe and vice versa.
#gmtip
#gmtip
August 10, 2026 at 8:11 PM
My number one GMing tip is still "make sure all your players want to play the same game" because that Scooby Doo player is gonna harsh your A24 players vibe and vice versa.
#gmtip
#gmtip
#GMtip #DMtip
Use what your players give you to build them into the world. Whether it be 5 words, or 5 pages, make them a part of the world.
Players/characters with no real ties to anything, will likely feel out of place.
PS - Trying hard to keep sanity, so watch for more of these.
#ttrpg #rpg
Use what your players give you to build them into the world. Whether it be 5 words, or 5 pages, make them a part of the world.
Players/characters with no real ties to anything, will likely feel out of place.
PS - Trying hard to keep sanity, so watch for more of these.
#ttrpg #rpg
February 2, 2025 at 9:48 PM
#GmTip #DmTip
Railroading.
Doing this in your game, isn't necessarily a bad thing. It just means you have specific plot points you want to happen in your story. The players can do whatever they want, while still getting to your plot point. Many rpg video games are like this too.
#ttrpg #DM #GM
Railroading.
Doing this in your game, isn't necessarily a bad thing. It just means you have specific plot points you want to happen in your story. The players can do whatever they want, while still getting to your plot point. Many rpg video games are like this too.
#ttrpg #DM #GM
February 17, 2025 at 3:50 PM