Always Split the Party! | Advanced Gamemastery

[@bl00dywelld0ne]

Can confirm, it's a great book. I'm on my second read through as we speak

[@TheAlexandrian]

That's an amazing endorsement! Glad you've enjoyed it so much!

[@dulon90]

As someone who plays a lot of jack of all trades characters, letting the second best person actually roll skills is so huge, it gets so boring just being the aid-another guy because everyone else minmaxed and you don't have the highest number in anything.

[@lorenzomoro1970]

I ALWAYS split the party in my Call of Cthulhu games. It helps to build tension. And, also, I'm a video editor so, as you said... CUT!

[@TheAlexandrian]

Setting up those cliffhangers in horror games is HUGE!

[@sirkarlf]

Mine always split themselves... I'm not sure, but they are either very good, or very bad at horror.

[@SuperCaleb283]

I was just a hair too late and my order got stalled by the book selling out so quickly. Thank you for reminding me to go looking for a copy again!

[@TheAlexandrian]

May you search soon lead you to the treasure!

[@WhizzarD44]

Absolute Gold. Once again you made me realise what I do at the table and why, so I better understand. A feast of recognition. Two weeks ago the party split up into Druid upstairs, two wizards and a bloodhunter in the basement. BUT the aboleth mind-controlled both the wizards, presenting them with illusions of their experiences. So for instance I would describe what the necro wizard would see, they would say what they would do, and I would then describe how that looked to the other wizard within their illusion, and to the bloodhunter in the real world, and what the druid would hear or notice upstairs. It was such a great moment where the whole party was split into single personal experiences, but as players they could see the whole picture. Such a great session. Thanks for the video.

[@TheAlexandrian]

That sounds like an awesome session!

[@jamesrizza2640]

It amazes me how you don't have more subscribers to your channel. I have been a DM for over 40 years and I still find your channel and website informative and interesting. The most important thing I learned from this video was the running combats simultaneously through initiative, I have never thought of that before. I now use VTT's more than anything else and I believe your approach would work well with VTT's.

[@ForeGeorgeman]

Glad to see more videos coming out!! I agree with this sentiment. The control over pacing, dramatic irony, and just mixing up the party dynamic is so powerful that I prefer when the party is split up.

[@TheAlexandrian]

Been a rough few months for the video pipeline, but I'm getting healthier and we've got more videos moving forward now.

[@buttponcho101]

After coming back from running 2 games where the party was split up (while exploring cities/towns and doing their thing), I can say that the hardest part of splitting the party is the downtime between scenes, so it's a really important skill to know when to switch it up.

[@lorenzomoro1970]

I often refer to video editing. As Alexandrian said: CUT! Think about how it is done in cinema or TV shows.

[@Jason-96]

The product placement is amazing!!! I approve 1000%...

[@TheAlexandrian]

Thanks! I try to at least make it entertaining. ;)

[@houndsandjackals]

Any worthy villain knows - divide and conquer!!!!! Hence many of my villains from Cthulhu, to Fantasy to Espionage always find ways to split the party up..... also gives EVERYONE that chance to do a solo shine experience!!!!!

[@Quillhook]

When I first saw your KZbin channel I thought 'Wow, this guy is so good at what he does - Not only is he able to give really practical advice, he can also explain it clearly and concisely.' Then I realised I'd seen your website in the past and had also been really impressed by your advice on adventure structure. I bought your book as soon as I saw it was available. Thank you for your tips, from me and my gaming group!

[@TheAlexandrian]

Thanks! Hope you enjoy the book (and you gaming group benefits from it)!

[@burtonmiller]

I gotta say, as a 44-year GM, I thought this idea was crazy when I clicked on the video. But your points about timeslicing to cut out the dull moments and creating cliffhangers are very insightful. I will say that this does feel like an advanced technique, requiring more finesse and coordination than keeping the party together. And I did just buy your book -- looking forward to reading it:)

[@TheAlexandrian]

Thanks! I hope you enjoy the book!

[@dsfouquet1]

Love the book! On my second read through and also just got the Kindle version to read on the go as well. Glad to see another video!

[@TheAlexandrian]

Thank you so much for grabbing multiple copies! And your enthusiasm! You're every author's dream reader. ;)

[@NickPoulimas]

Great topic. I especially like the suggestion of keeping one initiative order and jumping back and forth between groups to create dramatic tension. Very fun advice. I ordered your book 📖 after watching your video. Seems like it’s full of cool advice to spice up my games. Very much like a dramatic TV scene or movie. Can’t wait to read the book.

[@TheAlexandrian]

Thanks! I hope you'll find the book equally rewarding and surrpising!

[@Oðrun]

Super clever marketing while simultaneously spreading useful information? Just sold another book, my man. 😁

[@TheAlexandrian]

Thanks! I hope you find the book as clever as the marketing!

[@Oðrun]

@@TheAlexandrian I have no doubts that it will prove enlightening. I enjoy your insights on all things RPG.

[@oliviasimkinsbullock8421]

Congrats on the successful book launch! Delighted to see a new video from you. Great topic.

[@TheAlexandrian]

Thanks!

[@StephaniePlaysGames]

This was one of my favorite parts! Although honestly I can say that about basically the entirety of the book 😂 I've never discouraged splitting the party - but I always dreaded it because I worried about too much "dead air". Great tips, I'm definitely much less worried about managing the split-party swing play now!

[@TheAlexandrian]

Glad to hear it helped! Come back and let us know how it works out at your own table!

[@Klikkable]

I have no insight or wisdom to this topic, I just want to say I am happy to see your book doing well and your channel growing, Justin. You provide some of the best DM advice out there.

[@TheAlexandrian]

Thanks, Klikkable! It's great to have you as part of the community here! And great to know that the videos are helping you make the best game!

[@bigeye6606]

I agree. With years of experience I am no longer afraid of splitting the party and I did and so so often. In one case though one player asked me and the other players to please not split the party anymore because as soon as he is not involved he stops paying attention and loses all interest.

[@TheAlexandrian]

Learning how to take joy from the audience stance is one of the best skills a player can have, but not all of them do, and that's OK. It's also great to have a player who can express themselves like yours did. One thing you can do for a player who's struggling to stay interested in what their fellow players are doing is to give them things to do in the opposing scene. Something like Sidekick On Your Left can be a campaign-wide structure for this: kzbin.info/www/bejne/iIWUlnR7Yp6ha5o You can also give them an NPC to run.

[@twistedturns65]

Loved the book, listened to it on audio at work, slowly reading through it at home.

[@TheAlexandrian]

That's great! I'm glad you've enjoyed it! Good luck with your games!

[@TheQrstOne]

Your talk about "constant cliffhangers" brought pulp fiction stories to mind, which I think is a big part of TTRPGs being so huge. Maybe that could be a topic for the next video?

[@cohortus]

Just got that book in the mail, right in time for D&D day.

[@TheAlexandrian]

Now that's what I call a celebration!

[@direden]

Great Stuff! I do this too. I certainly enjoy cutting back and forth from scene to scene. And the book is great too!!!

[@TheAlexandrian]

Thanks! Glad you're enjoying the book, too!

[@0num4]

Solid book, Justin. It's the one on my night stand, which I read before bed. Probably the only Xmas gift I got this season which I actually use.

[@TheAlexandrian]

Glad to hear it has such a place of honor in your home!

[@exmachine11]

Justin, thank you for the video! it would be extremely interesting to see you take a look at your own previous works. For instance, maybe there are some advices that you can give on running the Infinity RPG, or what mechanics you think could be done differently (taking a look back from the present day), or how particular mechanics in your books illustrate some of your specific ideas?

[@TheAlexandrian]

Interesting idea! Thanks for the suggestion!

[@jrpipik]

The problem with splitting the party is verisimilitude. The two or more groups of PCs will all know what the other group of PCs is doing, which doesn't really make "in world" sense. You could send half the players out of the room at a time or set them up in separate areas and jump back and forth, which might be impractical (or maybe fun). If that's not particularly important to you -- and depending on the circumstances, I might agree -- then splitting the party is not a problem.

[@w.i.t.c.h.q.u.e.e.n]

Splitting the party also allows the GM to temporarily assign NPC roles to players, allowing for much more complex interaction than just everybody talking to a single GM.

[@estebanrodriguez5409]

I was thinking about what you said, we are always talking about how best to start a game and I think "in media res" with the group split on two difficult situations can be a really good scenario.

[@TheAlexandrian]

I've had a lot of success doing that! When launching a Technoir one-shot or campaign, I've even had frequent success pointing the PCs at each other (e.g., one group of PCs is hired to deliver a package and other is hired to steal it from the first group of PCs). You need players who can handle that dynamic, of course, but it's created some truly amazing moments at the table.

[@MagiofAsura]

Just got my copy in today!

[@TheAlexandrian]

Hope you love it!

[@UrbanVerse69]

Just got my copy of the book in today!

[@TheAlexandrian]

I hope you love it!

[@minimoose7890]

Been a while since we saw you here on this channel --must've been too busy splitting the party on other creators' channels gracing them with your interview presence. ;-P

[@upsidely]

How about a video on engaging players to avoid the passive mode situation. One player in my group is more passive naturally, and often sits back and watches everyone else do all the rolls and roles

[@TheAlexandrian]

That's a good idea! Thanks!

[@Marcus-ki1en]

Not to throw cold water on the concept, but ideally the split group would be in different rooms so they don't acquire unearned knowledge, especially if there is combat or intrigue involved. It is fun as a GM when the groups reassembles and doesn't quite share everything they have learned with the other group, at least right away.

[@jonathanmasters5442]

Still waiting for my pre- order copy of the tome of All Wisdom to arrive......

[@TheAlexandrian]

International shipping is the true villain.

[@poisonivy2677]

My copy of SYWtbaGM arrives on the same day as a new Alexandrian video? Can't miss!

[@TheAlexandrian]

Awesome day! ;)

[@Thegn]

Good vidya, much better than that rollforcombat guest spot you were in. I was GREATLY interested in seeing Alexandrian-centric content for that one. Don't really care about the latest DnD controversy. It's a great book, by the way. 2/3 through it.

[@OpenWorldAddict0]

First of all i want to mention that i just got your book. Only read a little of it, though. I have one question, do you have any advice for creating one shots that are around 3 hours long for groups which are slow due to everyone in the group are living with disabilities.

[@TheAlexandrian]

This article is going to be overkill (it looks at 30 minute games), but it'll discuss some techniques you can probably use to zero in on this: thealexandrian.net/wordpress/50458/roleplaying-games/quick-shots My general rule of thumb for a 4-hour one-shot is to have 5 meaty interactions. I'd probably cut that down to 2-3 for what it sounds like you need. That doesn't give you a lot of scenes to work with, though, so you may be better off aiming for 1-2 meaty interactions and then 3-4 quick interactions (an NPC you talk to briefly, for example; an investigation scene that's just one room you can quickly check out; that sort of thing).

[@browncoat73]

Obviously a genius.

[@gendor5199]

I can see some issues for the cutting away while group A is thinking over something, and it is more or less unusable for online gaming, and even at-table gaming, two groups trying to talk around each others would make a mess unless the other group can step away from the table. and even then, I find some players want to find out what the other group is up to at the same time too! But, it cajn work with the right group I suppose.

[@lorenzomoro1970]

When I'm a player I use the chat. When I run online Call of Cthulhu games the more I split the party, the better. Lonely characters in a haunted house is the best option to raise tension.

[@gendor5199]

@@lorenzomoro1970 We play very different games if you play CAll of Cthulhu, but I more or less agree, it's more about the right group and making it work.

[@EduardoLock]

Hey Justin! Ty for the excelent content!🎉 Just finished to read your book cover to cover🥸 and was wondering what game estructure would be appropiate for adventures like protecting a caravane or escaping collapsing ruins🤔

[@TheAlexandrian]

Ooh! I like those ideas!

[@matthewfall207]

Justin, can you do a video on fudging dice rolls? You mention off hand in "So You Want to be a Game Master" that it's not good to fudge dice rolls, but never explain why.

[@TheAlexandrian]

That's a great idea!

[@Marpaws]

great video^^

[@TheAlexandrian]

Thank you!

[@KrustalHersh]

Would having always on initiative be a good way to balance between split scenes?

[@PyramKing]

Actually - there is a good reason to split the party, in fact it should be manditory as Seth outlined here: kzbin.infobdghW1WtAYE?si=7idnhzHZ8-vmbaRt 🤣

[@TheAlexandrian]

Oh, Seth... 🤣

[@cadenceclearwater4340]

Got mine the other day 😊 Do you also sell time? Or clones?

[@TheAlexandrian]

My temporal clone refused to give me a time machine. Blah-blah-blah paradoxes or something.

[@cadenceclearwater4340]

@TheAlexandrian Darn. Maybe I should give Mr Cthulhu a call.

[@rogerwilco2]

I like the advice but it would confuse my players to no end.

[@cyoung3216]

Great video, thanks! Do you have any tips or tricks for running a game with a large group of people (8 to 10)? The Internet tells me this is a bad idea,l and I understand the logistical problems with doing this, but I have a large group of friends that want to play together and think there must be good creative ways to run a large game even if some parts are suboptimal.

[@TheAlexandrian]

I have an article that talks about this! thealexandrian.net/wordpress/50279/roleplaying-games/gm-dont-list-17-too-many-players

[@cyoung3216]

Thank you!

[@Patoshlenain]

Hey Justin! Loving the book so far but I noticed recently I have a huge problem taking notes while running a game. Is there a chapter in the book I'm going to bump into that could help me figure that out? thanks!

[@TheAlexandrian]

That wasn't a topic I could squeeze into the book. I cheat, actually. I use something called a Livescribe pen, which digitally records what I'm writing and syncs it to an audio recording. This makes it easy for me to go back and review what happened in a session, even when I didn't keep perfect notes.

[@DanielSouza-km9vd]

I missed your videos

[@TheAlexandrian]

Me, too!

[@xandostres]

Is the book available in pdf or some other way to access it from Europe without any of the listed bookstores?

[@TheAlexandrian]

E-books are available from the places where you'd expect to find mainstream e-books, but not specifically in the PDF format.

[@paladinpariah325]

I usually love your advice and find it some of the best around, easily as good if not better than the likes of Colville and the Lazy DM. But like almost everyone out there giving out DMing advice, you're missing one key element in this video. Player quality (and in many ways player maturity). The biggest reason why you can't split parties, isn't because the game master lacks the skill to do it. It's because most players are terrible at playing the game. Instances of good player splitting, like cutting to one half of the party while the other half role plays among themselves, only works if you have players who are capable of actually role playing among themselves. Most players can't do this or can't do it well enough that the other half who are equally terrible at being players can function as a sub group even under the direct attention of the game master. So this video presents some awesome theoretical material, that 99% of game masters will never be able to implement because of the quality of their players. About 9% of game masters will lack the skill to pull most of this off. Maybe the remaining 1% have players who will make these strategies work well.

[@MingDK]

Life hack: Don’t interact with immature people.

[@EugeneYunak]

this is just objectively wrong. i run an open table and played with some 50+ players, and I use this technique as often as I can since I love the tension it creates. i never had a problem, I can't even imagine what could the players possibly mess up in this situation?

[@paladinpariah325]

@EugeneYunak You are either extremely lucky or are so awful, you don't even notice how much of a dumpster fire everything around you is. Far more likely the former, but the latter would be fun to watch.

[@EugeneYunak]

@@paladinpariah325 it would be more useful if you gave concrete examples instead.

[@paladinpariah325]

@EugeneYunak There are plenty of great KZbin videos about terrible players out there. Seth Skorkowsky has a bunch. Most of my players have been almost cartoonish renditions of these classically terrible archetypes. Again, if you have no idea what I'm talking about or have never heard of these types of players before, then you're either incredibly lucky, or a walking dumpster fire.

[@noahholland6743]

First

[@TheAlexandrian]

Second.

[@karvatryst7424]

Wearing that shirt while still not providing evidence of Jennell's blessing to change the term to "Xandering", while there is question that the name change she wanted was actually "JacquaySing", and her wife has stated "It will always be known as 'Jacquaysing the dungeon'" really rubs me the wrong way. You've lost a fan, and I've no desire to refer to your work for my games.

[@TheAlexandrian]

Sorry to have lost you as a fan, but the expectation that I would provide "evidence" of something that I never claimed happened is utterly bizarre. Good gaming! I wish you the best!

[@TheOne-zm7wd]

Terrible advice for both players and GM. Never split the party. It decreases overall fun of all involved.

[@manicpixiedreambuoy]

Did you watch the video? Dismissing the whole thing with a vague and insubstantial comment about "decreasing overall fun" while not engaging with any of his points makes you look really dumb.

[@AdamPerry-yi2sz]

I've both GM'ed and played adventures where the party was split, and had fun in both cases. So have many of my acquaintances. (And yes, I've had some off days too, but I have those sometimes even when the party is intact.) So I don't think you can make a blanket statement like "[I]t decreases overall fun of all involved" with any authority, and you can't say it's terrible advice for anybody. It might not work for everyone and it might not work for you, but that's the nature of advice: you take it or leave it, but don't pretend to speak for others.

[@supremeplatypus7192]

Do you have an argument as to why?