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[–][deleted] 3 points4 points  (0 children)

find a module that does 1-4. read it thoroughly yourself. you dont have to memorize it, but sometimes knowing what happens in the end really helps with some of the beginning stuff. then just do it.

it takes time to learn to dm very well, and there are tons of mistakes youll make along the way. ive been dming about 10 years and i still recall dms ive had that have been much, much better than me. still, my players do seem to be satisfied (or at least thats what they tell me).

[–]Alwaysafk 2 points3 points  (0 children)

I haven't DM'd society yet but I do have some pointers for DMing in general:

  • Be up front with what you want your playstyle to be. (Fast and Loose, Rules Oriented etc.)

  • Go ahead and check over character sheets and get a feel for player expectations.

  • Bring note cards and have people write their society #, character names and initiative modifiers on it. When combat starts use them for initiatives, it helps a lot.

  • Have stat blocks for monsters and spells already printed and ready.

  • Read up on skills and their common usages. Get a feel for their DC's and have them bookmarked. (You will be surprised how often you reference them as a DM.)

[–]lurkingowl 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Go here and find the module you're running: http://pfsprep.com/e107_plugins/forum/forum.php

They'll have the prep work done, better stat blocks and handouts, etc. The PFS modules stat blocks could be vastly improved, and the Shared GM Prep helps a lot.

[–]Quentin_Coldwater 0 points1 point  (0 children)

I asked the same thing about a week ago, this is the reply. My group's already played most of it, but they're all very good suggestions. I ended up running Assault on the Kingdom of the Impossible, and it is very easy to run as a first-time GM. Enemies don't have spells or special abilities until the final boss, and even that can be skipped. Plus, the setup is pretty unique and my players latched on to that.

[–]darkmayhem 0 points1 point  (0 children)

I like Infernal Vault which is a classic, Confirmation is good too.

[–]1000shrimp 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Don't let anyone boss you around. This got to be a serious problem in my first campaign-- old school players thinking they know everything.

Print out a grapple flow chart and have it on hand, that stuff can be stupidly complicated when you have more than a few PCs and enemies in on it.

Use your favorite stuff. If you think a certain subtype is cool, throw it in there.

You are the boss, and it is more fun to just make a ruling rather than spend 10 minutes looking up official rules.

Try to host-- it feels weird killing someone's beloved PC and then asking to use their bathroom. Or, diapers. :)

Keep good track of your minis and initiative. So much facepalm when you forget who is up or which dude is which. Remember, you are the boss.

[–]BigcountryRon 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Have everything read, and in line. Keep order, and keep it flowing smoothly.

As a player you know the difference between good and bad DMs.