DM Forge: Session Preparation (D&D Tips & Tricks)

[@MastertheGamerpg]

Not sure why you got a thumbs down on your video because this stuff is great. Wish I had videos like this to watch when I was just getting into RPGs (1997). Would have made things so much easier for me when it came to prep.

[@MemoryOfGravy]

I wish we could have been able to watch the actual session, to see your prep work in action and see how you filled in the blanks.. but regardless I got a lot out of this video. You make it look so easy.

[@Nerdarchy]

Great vid Matt. Thoroughly enjoyed it. -Nerdarchist Dave

[@aFistfulofDice]

Nerdarchy Thanks Dave!

[@MurdocK-BR]

Rolling die sounds like a nice way to have ideas for a game. I saw a site once which randomly selected a few Magic cards to make a story... There was a card for a scenery, one for a problem, one for a solution, one for a helper and one for an antagonist. I ended up with Blood Rites being performed in Grim Backwoods by Ulvenwald Mystics, the helper was a Mausoleum Guard and the solution was Lifetap, so I thought it would make for an interesting quest.

[@greedow]

can you link it?

[@MurdocK-BR]

***** Sure. The site is in Portuguese though, but the cards are in English. The words for scenery, problem, solution and antagonist are very similar in English and Portuguese, so I think that won't be a problem. Just click the blue button "Sortear cartas" in the top right corner and it will generate the cards for you, and if you want to change an specific card just click it and the site will generate a new one. Site: gerador . ultrav . com . br

[@greedow]

nveresdf e o site é em portugues? foda vlw cara ^^

[@MurdocK-BR]

***** De nada. Huehue BRBR

[@aFistfulofDice]

nveresdf I've used Magic cards in the past. I did a video on it a while ago, but it didn't turn out, so I ended up not posting it.

[@marlenat6089]

My husband was never willing to DM if it was just one person in the campaign. He didn't think it would be fun. After I showed him this vid, he was willing to give it a chance. Thanks! Had alot of fun!

[@aFistfulofDice]

Marlena T I'm so glad to hear that!

[@MastertheGamerpg]

I may steal the Treasure Chest being opened at Sunrise after a Crescent Moon. I will plant seeds many sessions ahead of time and then use a crescent moon logo on the walls where the box is found.

[@WASD20]

As a pretty new DM this is really good for me to see and it seems like a great method. My prep so far has been pretty similar, but I've perhaps scripted things out a little too much and like how you leave things more loose, because players rarely follow where you think they will so far in my experience :) Would you also have stat cards for monsters, traps and stuff, or do you just bookmark them in the books?

[@aFistfulofDice]

WASD20 I usually just bookmark them, but if I have a lot of monsters in an encounter that are located in different places, I might jot down their attack, HP, and AC, or even make a photocopy of the page. I'm also prone to change monster stats, so writing it down or making a photocopy allows me to make the changes right there on the paper (i.e. changing their weapons/armor, giving them spells or different abilities, etc.).

[@sometimesghost]

This persuaded me to buy those story cubes. Handy lil' tools, thanks.

[@jammiequijano9491]

Great video! Just wanna let you know that you are my favorite D&D based KZbinr and I appreciate your knowledge. Helped me a lot for the 7 Sea's campaign I am prepping for.

[@nickdelancey3520]

Super helpful! I'm working on my first homebrew setting/campaign now and spent so much time worldbuilding I haven't even thought about the adventures until last week. I thought it was going to take forever to get ready but this method will really help speed the process along. Thank you.

[@aFistfulofDice]

Jester X I'm glad it helped!

[@BobCain2006]

Who are the 2 people that gave this video a thumbs down? One of the most helpful videos I have seen on KZbin.

[@aFistfulofDice]

Bob Cain Couple'a Debbie Downers, is who!

[@InspiretheStory]

Great, great, great, great, great, GREAT video.

[@ConspiciousCultist]

How many Barkers would you rate it?

[@InspiretheStory]

Conspicuous Cultist 11/10. Easy.

[@aFistfulofDice]

BeABetterGameMaster Thanks man. Glad you enjoyed.

[@madz3531]

Thank you so much for this, I’ve been the DM for three sessions and all of them were bad because I sucked but we had a fun time nonetheless (we are all new but since I’m the one who came up with the idea of playing it I had to be the DM lol) I hope this helps

[@Bergmax1691]

Great work! I used to go crazy with the index cards, sometimes totaling over a dozen. I have gotten better lately but this video has inspired me to try your 3 card method in my current campaign. Keep up the great work and happy dming!

[@aFistfulofDice]

Chris Wilson Sometimes, less is more! Thanks for the comment.

[@nealzeypoo1534]

Awesome vid. I use one shots for level 2 4 8 12 17 and 5 for some classes. Another words when a major change happens to a player based on race and or class. I am also an avid fan of the note cards. I actually took the time and place all monsters that we encounter on yhe cards via name tag sticker for quick reference. Also keep a journal for which players encountered that monster. I also reward new players at level 2 with their own set of dice. And another off good point I find is, on the first 2 encounters, I take down my DM board so they can see. Gives them insight on what I am doing. I find that helps keep players on and let's them focus on role playing. But good vid.

[@Blackmagickz]

Nice, this will actually help alot. I'm currently doing a 5e campain where I have it open ended to the point players can hop in and out of the game without effecting the story in a negative way. This is mainly due to some players only being able to play on 1 day and other on another. So being able to quickly make up one-shot games will be perfect for that.

[@aFistfulofDice]

Blackmagickz Glad it will help!

[@RichardHaywardMelbourne]

I really appreciated this video - you encapsulated what is important in creating a well rounded one-shot adventure. I really like the way you used those dice and the tables to rapidly create interesting game content. That really is an efficient method. And the ornithopter was a stroke of inspirational genius that I didn't see coming!

[@UncleRiotous]

I'm relying on bought adventures at the moment (which sounds like we're not enjoying them, actually they're awesome) but I need to start mixing them up with original stuff. This is amazingly helpful, thanks for sharing.

[@aFistfulofDice]

UncleRiotous Nothing wrong with pre-built modules! I've had a lot of fun with them as well.

[@tomcuran1075]

this is actually one of my favourite videos ever. I love your stuff

[@XimCines]

NICE! I always wanted a video like this. In fact last year I came to your channel looking for this info. I´m bookmarking it and looking forward for the Provokers video on the same theme.

[@BehindTheGMsScreenOnYouTube]

Great stuff. I always look forward to seeing what you come out with.

[@aFistfulofDice]

Behind The GM's Screen On KZbin Thanks man!

[@erichoeft5824]

I love the ideas you shared! I can't believe I haven't subscribed to your channel sooner, but I've now happily rectified that. 😄

[@GarrKhan]

When you rolled the Face the house and the crab I thought to myself "A Grumpy House Crab... and Hermit Crab.... a Hermit! Possibly a druid?"

[@magnusanderson6681]

When he rolled the plane, gears, and mag. glass, I thought "dwarves(what I assumed was the tech savviest) are building a flying machine and the pc needs to search for one of its parts(maybe more than one?)

[@TheOfflineRaider]

Great stuff here, felt the video could have been a bit shorter, but I appreciated seeing your thought process. Always something your videos have done well.

[@aFistfulofDice]

The Offline Server It's definitely a longer video. I tried to trim it down as best I could while still retaining most of the info. Thanks!

[@KarelKratochvil80]

Mate, what a nice video! It give me a lot of ideas, how to prep. Im looking forward next prep videos:)

[@aFistfulofDice]

Karel Kratochvíl Thanks! Glad it's helped.

[@Donbro]

Doing my very first bullet point session , am a little concerned as i like my net... (DON'T TAKE AWAY MY NET!) , But yeah i am nothing if not game to try new things and my new players are beginning to understand 'their' part in all this, i am a believer in your only as good as your players , so im excited...also it takes a lot of time out of the process so if all goes well i can see myself doing this more regularly. I'm usually the 4 a4 sheets full per session kinda guy and tbh it takes up a lot of time i could be using to flesh out the world more. I'll report back after the session -Donbro

[@FatNinjaDM]

Great vid as always,keep up the awesome work.

[@aFistfulofDice]

Christopher Simmons Thanks!

[@bodywhey8]

Awesome Vid, Matt. Thanks!

[@BrentGodfistEarnestBES]

Did you record the session?

[@Stratoleox]

i love this video, excellent tips

[@GINTegg]

I use paper cards and put them in a pokemon elite trainer box and use them from left to right

[@sea_triscuit7980]

I have a magic the gathering collector box and you just gave me a great idea! Thank you!!

[@danielbutler1578]

Never thought it would be that easy to set up but what a neat little way to go about it. The picture dice that you use is cool where can I find them. I have been a fan but only as a player so trying to grab as much knowledge as possible to be able to dm one day. Thank you your videos are always helpful!

[@jonathanm6764]

Hey Matt, any chance you'll make a video to go over your Greek Mythology inspired setting? It sounds pretty cool and would love to hear more about it.

[@aFistfulofDice]

Jonathan M I may do some videos on it, yes. I'm also planning on running a one-shot or two in the future within the setting.

[@zacherythomas8168]

First! also whats the music at the begining i want to use it for music in my game of d&d

[@XyviusScales]

Story Cubes = The New Tarot cards... lol

[@carterhorton6130]

I watched all of the provokers videos today and am so impressed and was just wondering when are you going to finish the provokers series?!?!

[@aFistfulofDice]

Carter Horton We're playing again this Sunday.

[@carterhorton6130]

OMG I cant believe you responded!!!!!! You are the reason I am an AVID DM. I feel likeI am talking to a celebrity. Keep up the awesome work!!!!! :)

[@aFistfulofDice]

Carter Horton I try to respond to as many comments as I can. I'm also just a dude with a webcam, but thank you for the kind words. :)

[@MasterDude1568]

i was prepping with tht exact same mechanical pencil

[@Axiie]

Thanks for sharing the video. Index cards have always been a favourite of mine, great for quick session notes, both for prep and actual in game. Do you store any of your prep stuff in digital tools, things like Word Doc's or Scriviner?

[@aFistfulofDice]

***** I use Google Docs for most of my stuff.

[@playalot86]

Great video, man.

[@ryanfriant8260]

I also like using Evernote because it syncs across my devices, but is available offline... there was another software that let you suuuper index and cross reference things by letting you hyper link, which is great for the "long game" of world & campaign building. I'm gonna look for the name of the software ASAP. I heard about it on Happy Jack's. ***** -Nerdarchist Ryan

[@luckycross1569]

I am wondering if you ever found the name for that other software?

[@Nerdarchy]

+Lucky Cross It was Microsoft One Note! I've yet to get around to using it- I live between Mac & PC. I just saw this in my Social e-mail tab! -Nerdarchist Ryan

[@luckycross1569]

Nerdarchy thanks Ryan. it's all good!

[@pnzontle]

hi first of all thanks for the awesome video!!!. second by any chance do you remember what are your dice sets called?, they look awesomeand would love to get some like them.

[@aFistfulofDice]

Tipo .. They're called Rory's Story Cubes. Unless you're talking about my regular dice -- those are from Q-Workshop.

[@IndustryOfMagic]

Hello again, thank you for sharing your preperation. I would like to know how do you keep track of time while in-game with the PC's and also how do you deal with lightning when it's night time. (since there's no electricity, how does light emits on streets, inside houses, etc)

[@aFistfulofDice]

IndustryOfMagic Time is pretty loose in my game. I just use common sense and say, "It's been about an hour" or whatever. As for lighting in the darkness, there are always torches and lamps.

[@xwfloki]

this video was great i feel a little more confident in being able to build a session - i tried a few months ago and was very overwhelmed but this was very well explained and extremely clear now of course id like to ask that if i have any questions may i contact you directly?

[@acm4bass]

Good job, I liked the video. I think the index cards are a great idea. I didn't love the story dice, seems like inspiration can come from a number of places though. How are you producing your title credits and intro?

[@aFistfulofDice]

Alexander Maxwell Thanks! And yes, inspiration can be found just about anywhere. The intro was produced for me through Fiverr, and I do everything else with my editing software.

[@acm4bass]

Any particular software? The provoker intro was awesome too.

[@aFistfulofDice]

Alexander Maxwell I use Corel Video Studio. The Provokers intro was done by Tim Kearney over at *****, and I believe he used After Effects.

[@acm4bass]

aFistfulofDice is fiverr the name of the company or program?

[@aFistfulofDice]

Alexander Maxwell It's a service.

[@Freakiermoth]

Really late, but how did the session go, like with your prep. as far as I'm aware, you never uploaded the actual session. but just wondering.

[@arcanejesse2490]

matt, your cool. great vid. I thought that the chest was I piece of toast.

[@collinbienvenu2915]

where can I get some of those dice?

[@husseinmohamed5447]

When you have six players, do you do it in order? Does everyone get a move each turn? And the creatures and encounters, are thry from the book? Or do I make them up?

[@aFistfulofDice]

Hussein Mohamed Usually you only do combat in order. Outside of combat, players can act as they wish within reason. As for your second question, it depends. I prefer to run my own adventures.

[@bsmiller1234]

Could you post this session of play to show how it comes together?

[@aFistfulofDice]

bsmiller1234 I don't record my home games. Sorry about that!

[@husseinmohamed5447]

Do you then make a map? Do you make those fancy tiles? And what are the dice for?

[@aFistfulofDice]

Hussein Mohamed Sometimes I use a map, but I'm comfortable running a game using theater of the mind as well. Which dice are you referring to? The dice with images are used for inspiration. The dice with numbers are used for rolls during the game.

[@husseinmohamed5447]

I'm sorry about my endless questions, but I knew about the game today. Err....what are the rolls during the game for?

[@husseinmohamed5447]

aFistfulofDice basically, I just want the steps of playing. From the planning of the game and setting to the playing if possible. Thank you.

[@aFistfulofDice]

Hussein Mohamed That's a BIG question, man. But basically, games like D&D allow a group of people to tell a story together, using dice to determine the successes and failures of the characters. Each player takes the role of a character, and one person takes on the role of the game master, who oversees the game and facilitates the rules. I'd recommend checking out some of my other videos for a better idea of what the game entails!

[@husseinmohamed5447]

Thank you!

[@xezzee]

we had amazing white baby dragon vs 6 kobolds and 3 players . . . player's said they are going to watch their back as the kobolds capture the baby dragon . . . once the dragon breath frost and freezd one of the Kobold our Warlock asked if the mind talking spell would work with the dragon and based on the rules I said yes . . . he managed to beat the deseption agains the dragon and made it think that he was his self conscience xD GG made the dragon feel bad and the baby dragon started to cry in happiness xD Well done Warlock, you saved like 3 other kobolds that I was going to murder brutally and force you to kill the baby dragon XD darn

[@lucianrex1528]

What about when you know the general areas and adventure but you don't know how to properly write it down and organize it?

[@husseinmohamed5447]

Can I use the fourth edition player's hadbook while using the fifth edition dungeon master's guide? And if there are six players, do they get a move each turn? Thank you.

[@aFistfulofDice]

Hussein Mohamed No, you cannot. Fifth Edition and Fourth Edition are very different games. The basic rules for 5E are available free online. I suggest you check those out! The game flows fine with six players and one DM. And I believe I answered your question in your previous comment.

[@ralbhat]

Hey Matt, I was wondering if there's like a place where we can ask you some questions for advice and stuff like that. I'm a first timer DM and my players are first timer players and honestly it's going okay-ish but I realize I need some help with upcoming sessions. So lemme know ^^ Also, great video!

[@aFistfulofDice]

Rahul Bhatnagar I do live Q&As from time to time. You can also just send me a private message or leave a comment and I usually try to answer the questions within a few days.

[@RAZORGAMINGrmw]

Hey, where did you get the dice and special tools you used to prep

[@aFistfulofDice]

Richard You mean the Rory's Story Cubes? They're available on Amazon.

[@husseinmohamed5447]

How dles the game go with six players? Please answer as soon as possible. Thank you.

[@aFistfulofDice]

Hussein Mohamed Please don't spam the same question over and over again in the comments. I answer comments when I have time.

[@husseinmohamed5447]

Sorry! I thought it didn't get sent. Thank you!

[@aFistfulofDice]

Hussein Mohamed No worries, man. Take care and happy gaming!

[@damian3182]

15:48 Brilliant. :)

[@cloudsRniceC0M3]

warning: lame joke... her character is called al qaida? - i bet she's the bomb...

[@aFistfulofDice]

Alkaia. It means "Mighty One."

[@daraghhollman3820]

isn't Artemis the Goddess of the moon?

[@arwynstar]

Daragh Hollman Artemis has many aspects while Selene seems more dominate in just the Moon aspect. so yes, Artemis is a goddess of the moon, but also the hunt, natural environment, and chastity.

[@diarmuidbalfe7264]

wait the ancient Greeks had steam power?

[@michaelanderson2166]

+Diarmuid Balfe yes... to some degree. The temples to the gods often had complex and advanced things that simulated magic to the ignorant.

[@diarmuidbalfe7264]

Michael Anderson I meant did he say the ancient Greeks had steam power? I suppose my sarcasm doesn't come across in writing :-P

[@aFistfulofDice]

+Diarmuid Balfe Steam power was first developed in Alexandria around 50 AD. Check out the "hero engine." Pretty interesting stuff.

[@diarmuidbalfe7264]

aFistfulofDice thanks it was really interesting :-) only took another 1700 years before it was rediscovered :-P