rpg

3210 readers

11 users here now

This community is for meaningful discussions of tabletop/pen & paper RPGs

Rules (wip):

Do not distribute pirate content
Do not incite arguments/flamewars/gatekeeping.
Do not submit video game content unless the game is based on a tabletop RPG property and is newsworthy.
Image and video links MUST be TTRPG related and should be shared as self posts/text with context or discussion unless they fall under our specific case rules.
Do not submit posts looking for players, groups or games.
Do not advertise for livestreams
Limit Self-promotions. Active members may promote their own content once per week. Crowdfunding posts are limited to one announcement and one reminder across all users.
Comment respectfully. Refrain from personal attacks and discriminatory (racist, homophobic, transphobic, etc.) comments. Comments deemed abusive may be removed by moderators.
No Zak S content.
Off-Topic: Book trade, Boardgames, wargames, video games are generally off-topic.

founded 2 years ago

MODERATORS

submitted 1 year ago by [email protected] to c/[email protected]

45 comments fedilink hide all child comments

What's your favorite tip or trick for running games?

you are viewing a single comment's thread
view the rest of the comments

[–] [email protected] 5 points 1 year ago

I like the investigation plot generation technique from TechNoir. Basically you have a 6x6 table of random plot points (people, places, rumors, things, factions, and items). Pick 3 randomly, and that is the seed of the plot. The PCs are pulled into it with a hook (in TechNoir the players pick 2 people from the list that their PC is connected to.) Then each time they would uncover a lead, another random element from the table is added in.
For my current Electric Bastionland game, I am using the Wikipedia list of car manufacturers as my name list. Previously, I had printed the Name of the Year brackets and used those.
Whimsy cards are awesome to add a bunch of mayhem to the game. I used them for the first time last Sunday, and my players loved them.
Every time the dice are rolled, there should be a consequence. If the PC has time and resources (and the action is possible in the world) it is done. If they are trying to pick a lock, and there is no consequence for failing, don't roll. A failed roll at this point would just bog down the game with more rolls.
Don't hide traps from the players. Solving the puzzle of how to defeat the trap is more fun than stumbling blindly into damage.

Edit: A word