DM Tips for Character Progression and More w/ The DM Lair

[@TheDungeonCoach]

Check out the continuation of the collaboration over on Patreon! 💜 Become a Patron: www.patreon.com/thedungeoncoach

[@landonweaver3864]

I have heard a lot about the new module you are making but when is it becoming available?

[@henning7491]

0:58 - Develop character arcs, aka. involve your PCs characters personally. 6:18 - The game does not revolve around every desire, aka. you don't DM *just* to please the players, have fun too (and don't give them everything they want, always). 10:28 - make the PCs feel weak early on. 15:09 - not all players are the same. 21:37 - give the players time to shine.

[@AuntLoopy123]

My niece is a dedicated doodler. If she's actively engaged, she's engaged. If she's doodling, she's engaged. If she's doing neither, then I'm concerned.

[@williamjohnston5315]

I agree with tip one, but say, instead of "weave around", "weave IN" backstory. What if the kidnapped friend is actually a prophet of the frost maiden, replacing a character IN the story. Its an easy switch that doesn't mess up the DM story while also engaging and acknowledging the players work. I'm doing this now to great effect in the Against the Slave Lords.

[@socialjihad5724]

Yeah, I think this is definitely a superior method, if available. The thing is, while a player reuniting with their long lost brother might be interesting to them, the rest of the party probably won't care. Detailed back stories that motivate a player to participate and get immersed in the game are good; self-indulgent back stories that derail the plot and bore all the other players are not

[@doctorlolchicken7478]

Variety is the key. Even in a dungeon, not all encounters need to be combat or traps (this is an issue I have with many D&D modules, particularly old ones). I usually have NPCs who live in a dungeon, perhaps a monster that is not hostile or a ghost or a witch. Or you have a room or object that triggers a dream sequence or “time travel” where the PCs suddenly find themselves in a social situation.

[@danielandelin2046]

Regarding weaving backstory in, we had a character death in the Lost Mine campaign, so we rolled up a member of the RB with a family tie to a surviving character. Having that connection between the party and a major campaign element led to some great immersion.

[@TheDungeonCoach]

Immersion! Yes! love the family tie connection there!

[@RIVERSRPGChannel]

I always try to use the character’s stories in the campaign.

[@TheDungeonCoach]

Same here!

[@dovahchicken935]

I always make campaigns about backstories, my players are very picky on what types of quest their willing to do and also the motivation

[@andrewtomlinson5237]

Use the "I know a guy" rule to help players develope some background that immediately has a tangible benefit to the player. When creating characters, either before the "Session Zero" or during. Each player gets their own "Lando Calrissian". Someone they can turn to for assistance that comes out of the blue to the rest of the party. Maybe it's a specific area of expertise, like "I know a guy who can find a buyer for just about ANY stolen goods..." or more vague, "I know a guy who works in the Mayor's office, and he gets to hear all sorts of things that people want to keep quiet..." The player has to give them a name, and the nature of their relationship. Of course, the "Guy" immediately becomes a DM run NPC, and is not a general "Get Out of Jail Free" card. But they allow the player to have actual input into the design of the campaign world, and a personal link to it, without having to worry about what species murdered their parents, or kidnapped their sister, or why they have such an almighty chip on their shoulder. "I know a guy..." stage one of character background complete... My players often spend as much time coming up with their "Guy" as they do on their own characters...

[@timothyhayes2726]

I literally made my entire campaign around my players backstories. All of their backstories had a tie of family and issues with them. I have been able to tie them all together while still giving them each a story arc. There is one main theme and a big bad that they are still trying to figure out who it is but it's been fun surprising them with personal arcs and giving each player their moments in the spotlight.

[@BubblingBrooke]

Making sure my players have fun, does provide fun for me. It makes me happy to know I did a good job to facilitate fun. However I do have my own dm 'staple' that helps me have fun on my side of the table, that being interesting npc encounters cause my players' reactions to them brings me joy.

[@MrOwl-mw3fb]

A pleasure to see your collab with Luke in the DM Lair. Keep up the good work. Great job on the quick start on Kickstarter.

[@a1ken693]

Awesome tips, i am currently dming a fully homebrew campaing and u help me a lot. Thank you and greetings from Argentina

[@schylerfontenot7358]

Great video and great tips Coach! Helped me get some ideas for my campaigns!

[@y3lnats392]

Oh look I arrived when no none is here yet.... Anyways thanks for the help coach you've been the biggest help for my first time dm-ing

[@TheDungeonCoach]

Its a big task but someones gotta do it! Just trying to make it less intimidating and let you have as much fun as possible!

[@seymourfields3613]

I started my players off with so little, I had mentioned to my cleric something about his amulet and he told me he didn't take one because he couldn't afford it. He thought I was the most compassionate DM in the world when I told him that no, his order gave him one before sending him out.

[@Patches2212]

On the first point- we've always done character arcs, since they help give a break from the main arc as well. However, then we get this one player in our current campaign who hasn't sent us anything (we asked in session 0 for backstories to fill in nooks in the world), but then got upset with us for trying to still go e him an arc, because that arc "didn't fit into his character". Well you didn't give me anything, so I don't care if you're now suddenly claiming his family were nobles and very wealthy, or that his brother is a "Vampire lord" (even though the players know vampires work differently in our world). His mini arc was the least enjoyable for us as DM for this particular reason, because we really tried to make one that he could feel invested in, just for him to complain the whole time (even though he gave us nothing to go on and we were trying to make him not feel left out)

[@SelwynClydeAlojipan]

If such a player keeps complaining with everything the party does for him, ask him how he'd like to go by himself on a single adventure where no one will be able to help him. But he has no control what dangers or monsters he'll have to face. Then ease him out of the story of the rest party to let him know that they abandoned him as too difficult to work with.

[@Almquist87]

These colabs is what made me follow you!

[@erikboge7445]

I like these videos where several people discuss, better than when one tells their own thoughts on a topic. 1 + 1 = 4

[@jadamgreen]

I've loved just letting them buy what they want and scaling the threat to match. Waterdeep has every magic item you can find in meta for sale, and excellent custom enchantment services that aren't cheap. It solves the too much gold problem, the not enough cool loot problem, and lets them really build the character they want. Plus, it scales. Make very rare much more expensive and make them advance through plot for the big payouts. I've thrown loads of gold and loot at them and they have yet to buy a legendary item and they're now at 14th level. Instead, they bought land are are building a stronghold. Great money sink. The balance hasn't been meaningfully affected, because I can adjust the encounters dynamically and reactively.

[@PeakMax]

Love it when y'all collaborate. Keep up the high level work! If the game isn't fun for BOTH the players and DM then you're doing it wrong.

[@dovahchicken935]

18:10, I needed that as a dm

[@fasthandshero85]

My campaign I had a general idea of the beginning and ending, then my players and their backstories filled in the entire story. It’s working well so far.

[@JackOfHearts42]

Great discussion! I agree with everything 100%.

[@shaunsaggers]

kick start er kickstarter!

[@TheDungeonCoach]

I can feel the chant!

[@dovahchicken935]

Me who always writes campaigns off of backstories, I wrote a good campaign and the player showed up with a chaotic evil character and did the megamind "more like under new management"

[@valasafantastic1055]

great stuff, thanks!

[@jakeand9020]

I don't require any type of back story. However, if one or more players do decide to build back stories I'm definitely going to use them.

[@zionich]

I use the Xanthars rules for how much per a tier, magic items, my players get but also randomly roll for what they will find in the world.

[@arcadis]

I'm personally one of these generous type dungeon master but, as I usually run 5e as a really modular gaming system, I can also create challenge on par with what I give. I would admit though that reaching that kind of balancing demand patience, a good grasp of how the game work, a lot of experience and the willingness to experiment. But, if you plan to run a module without changing too much or doing an homebrew, especially for less experienced player, it's better to be less generous OR, you can be more generous with one use items like potions and scrolls, just to open them to various options without going overboard.

[@seymourfields3613]

Our group of four has two outspoken make players and two more timid female players. The other guy and I talk constantly about tactics and stuff in game. The DM asked me to make sure to include the girls. So now we all the girls for advice, input, etc, when making plans. Now the DM says there's too much time taken with discussion. So DMs, make sure you don't get mad when everybody is included.

[@silverhawk3189]

How would you homebrew the dual wielder feat? Also love your content

[@stephanshaw6201]

I am a new DM & I already planned the campaign around the backstories 🤣🤣

[@stephanshaw6201]

It starts next week, I'll change the story 😅

[@johncollie4544]

Would like to hear your input on creating and running businesses in down time. The dm manual is a bit vague on it.

[@seymourfields3613]

I've got a loose plot on a semi sandbox game for my players. I told them to write a paragraph or two for backstories. I got none. One had a bond for an enemy he made by stealing something from a powerful somebody. So I hashed it out with him, the wizard's spellbook he actually stole from a powerful wizard. Later, he'll get to learn the powerful wizard became an evil wizard, and the spellbook that was stolen obviously wasn't a full book of all the spells. Gotta wedge backstories into a main plot. Give them a reason to adventure.

[@jamesm2577]

Great to see a spotlight on the dm needing to expect fun of their own rather than being a servant or something. 5e is really bad about treating the gm like and giving players the expectation of "I showed up so don't expect anything more" as not only acceptable but som kind of gold standard

[@KnicKnac]

I don't delve deep into backstory as a player. That is difficult part for me to write. I'd be open to work with a DM to assist me how I could fit into that world. Your Kickstarter book reminds me of a mix between PH2 from 3.5 and Pathfinder 1E exploration/skill challenges

[@drinksanddice6428]

My new campaign I am going to start them out with only simple weapons and short swords. So martial weapons are going to feel like cool loot.

[@kingsfan2099]

These are sweet...

[@stevegruber4724]

as a player who never comes up with backstory, I get why I always feel like someone's sidekick

[@bryankia]

Luke is the worst. Just kidding. You guys are great together like chocolate and peanut butter. Seriously once a month you nerds should do something like this. Be well

[@andy2069]

I don't agree with forcing a character arch on a backstory. It makes the DMs job a bit heavier to imagine it for them. But just start telling the story, just because the playing didn't give much to start with doesn't mean they won't engage with what you provide in your interpretation of their character.

[@blazedehart2748]

My entire playgroup all throw magic items out as dm’s. We love overpowered pc’s because it lets us make overpowered encounters. I don’t want to have a 30 minute Combat session of 4 farmers trying to fight a wild dog with their sticks. Lol

[@F2t0ny]

Heeeeeeeeeyyyyy

[@TheDungeonCoach]

Wow your up early!!!

[@N8Maple01]

But, but, but... engagement?

[@Leniathan]

🤙🏽

[@johnathanrhoades7751]

But...but. I do have fun when my players have fun 🙁 I do play with players who have a similar idea of fun to me. So. I guess that's a thing. If they had fun murder hobo-ing and running with PVP and only enjoyed combat...that would be a different story.

[@oniminikui]

I admit: I'm a DM who doesn't like giving magic items. I do, but I don't like it. I want the players to rely on what they can do and not what they have. I feel magic items can be too much of a crutch for players.

[@cmoore6547]

I tried incorporating a characters background into the game then his schedule changed and he had to leave the game just as it came time to it.

[@drokangel]

This comment is for the algorithm.

[@DemonGenomeProject]

I want to see you two kiss.

[@Sabowie]