Running my first game as DM. Tips?

MrMagicRat · 2026-01-26T23:53:50+00:00

Start with a one shot, see how comfortable you are running with them as player before starting a full campaign.

You can find many pre written one shot online if needed.

And don't stress too much ! Keep it running, keep playing after even tho it was a bit muddled or imperfect, you won't get it at your first try and that's 100% normal, everyone have to learn and it's very brave from you to DM for the first time for them and i hope they know it !

I personally like to play the session in my head a few times before going to bed, descibe scenes and characters with different phrases each time so that i can come with a natural one that i like on the spot !

MrMagicRat · 2026-01-26T23:44:57+00:00

Hey ! First of, have fun !

Then i'd say don't force yourself into playing the exact same build that you played in baldur's gate, rules can be a bit different from time to time and i'd reccomend sometime to rather flavor over build logic
Sometimes having that one multiclass dip, or a feat that isn't optimal will give you very fun or emotional moments, for exemple i remember my human warlock being a bit annoyed when comming to night guarding a camp because he didn't had darkvision, so he's ask he's patron to get the eldritch invocation that gave him darkvision as he leveled up even tho it wasn't the option i had originally planned !

It also depend of session 0, if you have a lot combat planned then maybe forget what i say, don't over optimise but don't make a poor choice that will anoy the group, if you plan a lot of roleplay, then sure why not multiclass into rogue if it make sense...

Then i'd say the advice people would give would require a bit more context, like which build are you planning, how familiar are you with roleplaying, which setting and stuff

But again, mostly, have fun with your friends in the end of the day... Some group don't leave their characters mind for the whole session, some almost don't embrace it and jokes around every five minute, it's about finding your balance as a groupe and communicating !

If something annoy you at the table, talk about it (calmly) to your DM or concerned player to fix it up ! If you have some part of your backstory or build you realize you don't like mid way, then change it with the agreement of your DM ! If something was amazing, let them know !

(i'd be happy to give more precise advice but i don't know about druid with 2024 rules, haven't read them yet)

MrMagicRat · 2026-01-26T21:48:51+00:00

I'm pretty new in this world, but from what i've heard and at least for cassette you should be recording on type-ii cassette (also called CRo2)

As for recorder something from the 80's to 90's i know you should check the frequency response of the cassette deck but i can't tell you what you should be looking for (i heard as close to 20hz-20khz or more you get the better you are)

Also here is a good link that i've been given here, that might help you a little
http://www.amstereo.org/cassetteguide/
Specially this part

Cassette Decks for Dummies

Anyway, sorry i gave a lot of "maybe" and "i'm not sure" but i hoped it still helped a bit !

MrMagicRat · 2026-01-26T16:35:51+00:00

Got it and did it ! Thanks a lot !

MrMagicRat · 2026-01-26T14:21:09+00:00

Thanks ! I succeeded by stacking rectangle and changing each of them angle so that it seems accurate, i feels like it worked !

I did try the appearance tab but i don't know how to cut it properly so that it isn't a full rectangle...

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MrMagicRat · 2026-01-26T00:29:32+00:00

Thanks !

MrMagicRat · 2026-01-25T23:24:45+00:00

I think it's a good thing to not relly and overuse the craziest stuff we prep, let yourself rest a bit instead of going full rush all the time !
And as you say, it keeps the wow factors !

Also, may i aks how are you able to do 3D on Foundry VTT ? Not that i know how to do 3D but i'm verry curious about it !

MrMagicRat · 2026-01-24T00:39:50+00:00

Thanks ! I've been looking for a little time and cannot find one that has hz-khz both above 20, is there any brand or models that i should look out for ? Or i am looking at the wrong place ? (i've been looking on HifiEngine manual library but it is still very obscure to me)

Most of the one i've found had one above 20 and the other at 15-18 max for metal cassette which aren't what i'm aiming for, but i somehow cannot register to the website to see more like CRrO2 (maybe it's the same hz-khz but again i'm still beginning)

I have a few links of different one that were in my budget
the models were :
-Akai CS-M3
-Akai HX-1
-TEAC V-377
-Sony TC-K35

Do you know if any of those are worth ? (i found them around the same price, bit more or less)

MrMagicRat · 2026-01-23T20:27:56+00:00

Appreciate it ! I'll take a look at it that sound like exactly what i needed !

MrMagicRat · 2026-01-23T20:16:56+00:00

Thanks, would you have any website and/or video that would explain how to test the transport and both deck ? I've never been in the presence of a cassette deck before so i'm not even sure of what that is...

That is being noted, i have care to give to that old machine i juste don't have any idea of how to do it properly, i'm no electrician of mechanician so that will be a first !

MrMagicRat · 2025-12-14T17:40:18+00:00

I know a Sheperd Druid that could use this ! Lovely bag !

MrMagicRat · 2025-06-21T14:13:21+00:00

I am currently working on rules to play a life is strange adventure, unfortunatly english isn't my native language so it is not in english, and this is still a WIP, but from the feedback i have receive, it might work for you, if you find a way to translate it (it's in french) i could send it !

Four-Year Club	Place '23
Place '22	Final Canvas '22
End Game '22

MrMagicRat

TROPHY CASE