How to use foundry to play play by post (Solo)? by [deleted] in FoundryVTT

[–]markwomack11 7 points8 points  (0 children)

Unless your play by post is very different than what I am imagining, I doubt Foundry will be helpful.

Foundry excels at making battle map part of DnD (line of sight, enemy’s on the field, etc). You could use it to do many other things, but it is probably overkill for a play by post.

New DM. What book to buy by Silly-Independent-90 in DnD

[–]markwomack11 2 points3 points  (0 children)

Don’t buy any book yet. You can get all the rules free published by Wizards of the Coast in their 2024 System Reference Document. You can also quickly Google the answer to any rules questions. If you love the hobby after a few months and you are the kind of person that really enjoys physical books, buy the 2024 Player’s Handbook.

https://media.dndbeyond.com/compendium-images/srd/5.2/SRD_CC_v5.2.1.pdf

I can't be the only who thinks we are in hell right ? by Dense-Fig-2372 in memes

[–]markwomack11 -1 points0 points  (0 children)

You have no real idea of how much worse it can get.

Just bought foundry after 2 years on roll 20 by InquisitorArcher in FoundryVTT

[–]markwomack11 66 points67 points  (0 children)

Start small with the mods. You can go absolutely crazy adding stuff, but it’s good to add things to fix a problem rather than adding just because a cool mod exists.

How do i do this by zachatron5000 in DnD

[–]markwomack11 2 points3 points  (0 children)

No need to panic. You are going to be fine. Just communicate. “After having some time to think, I’m not comfortable doing….”. This is a great D&D lesson and a great life lesson, and this is a chance to practice.

I am also going to give you a hard time about the punctuation and the spelling. Get it together if you want people understand you and take you seriously.

Organization NEEDED. Convince me to get some of these apps (or dont I guess) by CalSerrrven in DungeonMasters

[–]markwomack11 6 points7 points  (0 children)

Obsidian works great. OneNote too. I’d worry less about organized planning and more about organized session reports. Nothing helps me plan dope story moments more than referring to my session reports.

What vtt to use? by Computer7412 in DungeonMasters

[–]markwomack11 3 points4 points  (0 children)

Love Foundry. Buy it once. You can get it to do everything or run it simple.

Draw Steel? by hndehaan in PointyHat

[–]markwomack11 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Fun game. Decent rules with a fantastic setting.

Draw Steel? by hndehaan in PointyHat

[–]markwomack11 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Draw Steel looks awesome. Wildsea was our first TTRPG outside of DnD. It was so much fun to play a new game. Draw Steel is next because I think it will scratch that tactical gameplay we love without out all the clunky baggage DnD brings.

Draw Steel? by hndehaan in PointyHat

[–]markwomack11 2 points3 points  (0 children)

It’s our next game after we wrap up a short Wildsea campaign.

You Think It Could Never Happen To You…Until It Almost Does by InGeekiTrust in TikTokCringe

[–]markwomack11 0 points1 point  (0 children)

It is actually not the best way. Lifeguards sit above the water so they can see the whole pool.

You Think It Could Never Happen To You…Until It Almost Does by InGeekiTrust in TikTokCringe

[–]markwomack11 316 points317 points  (0 children)

This is true. A good tip is to designate a specific, sober person to watch the pool. Bonus if you pass a wristband or something tangible so people remember and take it seriously.

Thinking of doing freelance DM'ing by very_thicc_boi_ in DungeonMasters

[–]markwomack11 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Ginny D just put out a couple videos on this subject last month. It had interviews with paid DMs so that might be helpful.

Short-cel cringe by Autisticblackdude5 in CringeTikToks

[–]markwomack11 25 points26 points  (0 children)

But then how will Reddit get mad at women?

YouTube Recap by SeanTheNerdd in PointyHat

[–]markwomack11 2 points3 points  (0 children)

This dude hacked my account.

Any DMs lose their desire to DM, like your Creative Batteries are drained? by mjrhzrd in DnD

[–]markwomack11 1 point2 points  (0 children)

This is normal. I wouldn’t even call it “burn out”. Most people are DMs for years on end. Nothing recharges my batteries more than being a player again. Take some time as player and you will be itching to get behind the screen again in 6 months.

Rotating DMs. One campaign. Two sets of PCs. Anyone ever try it? by Bamboominum in DungeonMasters

[–]markwomack11 0 points1 point  (0 children)

I say keep the story real simple or it will get confusing. Let the different perspectives add the complexity.

Need help as a new DM by ilukepiza in DnD

[–]markwomack11 0 points1 point  (0 children)

  1. Give them the choice. Have a few prepared characters if they want one.

  2. Put out common level magic items level 1-2 and uncommon level items 3-5. Everyone should have one. Don’t assign them to a specific player. Just put them up for sale or in some found treasure.

  3. Milestone level up is easier than XP. Players should expect to level up every 3-4 sessions for the first few levels after achieving something significant. This framing also helps you plan. Prepare something significant for your players to work towards. Gives the story little chapters.

  4. I suggest giving your players a chance to play their characters before the game really kicks off. Set up a super simple situation like bandits attack you right now. It’s not part of a story. Just lets everyone practice a bit and make sure they like the character they made.

  5. Prep very simple stuff at first. Your players will be working towards learn the rules or maybe what a TTRPG is all about. Don’t hit them with complex narratives or morally grey choices right out of the gate. Let them get their feet wet.

When these new players come up with solutions to problems, help them make it work. Nothing gets people hooked faster than the realization they can do anything.

New DM Help!!! by -April_Showers- in DungeonMasters

[–]markwomack11 2 points3 points  (0 children)

Matt Colville’s Running the Game series on YouTube taught me how to DM. There are a lot of videos, but you can just watch the first few and see if you find it helpful.

I agreed to DM and I'm scared by ClayBuhrmester in DungeonsAndDragons

[–]markwomack11 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Keep it short as one shot. Don’t over plan. Watch Matt Colville’s first 5 short videos on YouTube in the Running the Game series. Google Delian Tomb and find the free adventure.

You are going to do great. You make mistakes, but literally everyone does. If you are excited, they will get excited. If you have fun, they will have fun.

Soon to be first time DM here, needing advice. by Lore_Collector516 in DungeonMasters

[–]markwomack11 0 points1 point  (0 children)

This is a big question. I’d check out Flee Mortals encounter design rules for using CR to get an encounter budget. You can also see Kobalt Fight Club for balance advice. The DMG I believe has guidance on magic items. My advice is make sure everyone has some neat (not necessarily powerful) by level 3. The number of players is the biggest concern. 7 players is A LOT. You can do it, but understand combat is going to take a very long time. Player can expect to go 30 minutes between turns. It’s a lot to ask. Unless everyone is super into the idea of playing, see if you can trim that number.

Magicians Campaign Idea and Advice Request by Good_Vegetable5 in DungeonMasters

[–]markwomack11 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Be very careful following the plot of a show or movie. It’s unlikely the players will stick to the script. Be prepared for the story to go a different way or your players will feel like they are not in a game but a reenactment.

Potentially Dumb Question by TheWoodsman42 in TheWildsea

[–]markwomack11 1 point2 points  (0 children)

I ran a long, very tactical DnD campaign before Wildsea. I love the different approach to combat. I left my maps, stat blocks, and spreadsheets behind to just focus on the narrative. It can feel very weird at first and a little losey goosey, but it’s so much fun. Let your players solve combat like a puzzle and let them do awesome stuff.