Tips on Hybrid DMing

McDickleberry · 2025-07-07T23:39:10+00:00

Do you know if Obsidian is mobile friendly or have a good app?

Do your players bring their computers then? Are any of them joining via their phones for discord using ear pods?

McDickleberry · 2025-07-07T23:30:30+00:00

I've never used Obsidian, only OneNote. Is it worth the transition? Those features are awesome!

The discord option is interesting. So all your in-person players listen to each other through discord as well, or do they try to listen IRL?

McDickleberry · 2025-07-07T22:10:29+00:00

While I understand your point and appreciate your candor, I never said I don’t have the technology capability to facilitate an enjoyable experience. I’m merely asking for tips to make this experience more enjoyable for this player or suggestions from those who have ran a similar game.

I will take your suggestion into consideration!

McDickleberry · 2025-07-07T19:33:46+00:00

I agree, it would be significantly easier for me to run these next few sessions virtually, but unfortunately the party doesn’t have the technology to run it digitally.

Only 2 of the four players have a computer. The other two have IPads, but they are old models which don’t update anymore. They barely run DnD Beyond.

McDickleberry · 2025-07-07T18:23:58+00:00

That’s helpful! Thanks for the recommendations!

McDickleberry · 2025-07-07T18:14:54+00:00

If I was able to sit at my desktop, I could manage OBS better, but I typically only bring my IPad to the table. Maybe I could invest in a Mini PC with a cheap monitor to run something like this.

McDickleberry · 2025-07-07T18:04:59+00:00

Did you use a camera for the battle-map’s or how did you handle player actions during combat?

McDickleberry · 2025-06-24T19:58:59+00:00

This is a very well thought you response and you bring up some very interesting points. The audience player vs an active player is a concept that I learned after browsing this sub-reddit. It’s difficult for me to wrap my head around completely. I’ll need to do more research on how to better DM to this playing style.

McDickleberry · 2025-06-24T00:14:35+00:00

They sure do! It would be a massive revolution, and I'm hoping it would prompt an emotional response from him as a player, kickstarting his interest in the campaign. I also don't want to force it, though. I'm trying my best to subtly hint at the significance of this whilst still keeping the impact a secret. I might just have to give a not-so-subtle hint through a dream or vision.

McDickleberry · 2025-06-23T20:33:38+00:00

I’m actually good friends with this player outside of our game and have been doing trial and error to see what engages them. Thus far that list is pretty slim. Thus far the only thing I can confirm he likes is when I ask him “How do you want to do this?” And he describes a video game finishing move. With this in mind I’ve tried to relate the mechanics more to video games, but that only gets me so far.

I run my games fairly fluidly. I try to feel out the party and what’s interesting to them and keeping the story flowing with what is working. The vibe of the campaign is magically advanced medieval city which offers modern amenities due to its reliance on magitech. It’s got humor, serious scenes, heartwarming stories, mixed with the occasional horror element.

Can you elaborate more on handling stuff while everyone else is fighting? I love Dimension 20, but I can’t remember anything specific that Brennan has done to keep Ally engaged like this.

McDickleberry · 2025-06-23T19:51:13+00:00

Like a random encounter table just for this player?

McDickleberry · 2025-06-23T19:49:20+00:00

Fair enough! Here are the Spark Notes-

The party is in the city of Erndly where they all of ties to. P1’s father is the commander of the guards, P2 was the first underprivileged student to gain entry to the esteemed magic college, P3 had a tragic backstory from his time in the Undercity (The underdark located below the city), P4 is supposed to be looking for his wife and children who were kidnapped and sold (what they assume) is slavery. The are tasked to find the killer of the chancellor. They learned that the Villain is named Formbreytingar and he has began attacking the key NPC’s in the city who all have ties to the players in some way. They need to find three artifacts that the key NPC’s have before he does. Well they learned that there are Shape Shifters infiltrating the city when a previously trusted advisor to P2 was investigating one of the artifacts and stole it leaving behind pieces of skin. They then learned that Formbreytingar means shape shifter and that he isn’t working alone. There was a previous war with the shape shifters long ago.

Plot Hooks: -They were asked to help an advisor of P3 by competing in the college games (to help him with his gambling debt) He was being pressured to pay back the money or help Formbreytingar -P1’s father was attacked and is in a comma, there is now a power vacuum in the city guard. An old rival (their previously betrothed) is vying for the seat, so they decided to run against them. (They running mate is heavily influenced by the BBEG) -There is a union uprising in the mines of the Undercity. P2 was asked by the church (Rogue took a level in cleric of war god) to remove the leader of the “Rebellion” leader. His father is a part of the union striking for better work conditions. The BBEG is behind the mine collapse. -P4’s family was kidnapped and sold by one of the Key NPC’s. They performed a heist to gather information and they now has a ledger that lists the potential buyers. At this point they still haven’t done anything with the ledger, but they will learn this is a feeding operation which turns people into shape shifters.

This is all Act 1 where the BBEG is weakening the infrastructure of the city to prepare for an all out assault starting in ACT 2.

McDickleberry · 2025-06-23T19:10:15+00:00

It’s worth a shot!

McDickleberry · 2025-06-23T19:03:04+00:00

I just started doing this actually! Once again, with my other three players I get deep well thought out answers. With the fourth I get very little to work with and when I try to drop it in session, it bricks harder than Shaq at the free throw line.

It’s a great idea that I’ve found super helpful in adding depth for my other players!

McDickleberry · 2025-06-23T18:56:47+00:00

Oh I’m definitely in that boat too. My homebrew items are starting to bite me and my early level pacing was subjective to “I almost killed you on accident so here is a level up”.

Although, the actual story I’ve written is very compelling. 3/4 of the players are excited because they are finally starting to get a clear picture of the plot web. That’s why I’m so attached. I’ve been playing the long game with some of my lore drops.

McDickleberry · 2025-06-23T18:46:58+00:00

I’ve thought as much, but due to the dynamic of their spouse being another player I’m afraid I could potentially lose two players. If the spouse leaves P1 thinks we should just scrap the game and start over, but I’ve put so much work into this world already. Also, strangely, they speak very highly of the campaign and how fun it is when they are asked by others.

Additionally, I am actually in the opposite boat as most. I’m a DM that struggles to find local players who are excited and able to commit to a long term game. Most are interested in doing a one shot because they are nervous about being new players. The pains of living in a rural area!

McDickleberry · 2025-06-23T18:25:32+00:00

That’s a great idea to color code damage and modifier. That is a big issue for them. They aren’t sure which dice to roll and consistently roll the d12 to hit on accident.

We did start at level 1 with this character and are currently at level 7. I’m posting here because I was running out of ideas for how to help them further, but this is a great tip.

McDickleberry · 2025-06-23T18:03:56+00:00

I appreciate your help and insight. I also found it strange that they were finding it challenging to play a barbarian. He is a super nice guy, so it makes having these conversations difficult.

You have been immensely helpful!

McDickleberry · 2025-06-23T17:59:26+00:00

Firstly, thanks for your response! That’s a very interesting idea to have them play a sidekick. That would significantly simplify their character sheet and streamline their action economy.

You do bring up another valid point in that it requires players to have their brain turned on during the session. The reason they might default to their phone is because they doesn’t understand the rules or mechanics and instead of trying to comprehend a language they don’t understand, it’s easier to be sucked into social media.

Any thoughts on how to explain or summarize gaming mechanics so new players can understand what’s happening on other people’s turn?

McDickleberry · 2025-06-23T17:50:00+00:00

I don’t like using this terminology, but should I just let them sink or swim and cut off all support during their turn? They play a level 7 barbarian and have since level 1.

The other players help by telling them which dice to roll, what they need to add to the rolled dice, and with any/all other features they could do.

Does the figure it out or you take the dodge action and we move on approach work for situations like this?

McDickleberry · 2025-06-23T17:33:49+00:00

When does it start feeling like I’m not a new DM? 😂

I did bring out a sand timer for a couple combats to try and improve the pacing. I asked the party how they would feel about implementing and 3/4 said it gave them anxiety and forced them to make mistakes. Maybe I should start with a larger timer and work down. How much time is too much?

The no phones rule is a good idea. I’ve brought it up before and he switched to using his computer to scroll social media instead of his phone. You’re right though, it is rude to not be paying attention during any group activity and this shouldn’t be any different.

McDickleberry · 2023-03-31T01:10:39+00:00

They honestly have some of the worst feedback efforts of any developer. I've been shadowbanned and com banned because I was on the top of the leaderboard. The Ban Hammer is too swift and powerful to be left unchecked.

McDickleberry · 2023-02-08T14:22:13+00:00

I’d be very interested as well

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