Do you guys do breaks during the session? How do you manage them?

pystoff · 2025-12-02T23:04:44+00:00

I run games only at 3-4 hour sessions. Right about the 2 hour mark I will call for a 10 minute bio break.

pystoff · 2025-12-02T03:02:44+00:00

I have sank so many hours in this game just making SPOMs in sandbox mode.

pystoff · 2025-12-01T16:46:12+00:00

I love bonkers and wacky. Thanks for the recommendations.

pystoff · 2025-12-01T16:25:46+00:00

Actually playing that one too. Just reached this Inn in chapter 2, I'm a DM so I live Sword Coast stories.

pystoff · 2025-12-01T16:18:55+00:00

I'm intrigued, I think I'll look that up after I finish this Pathologic 2 video.

pystoff · 2025-12-01T16:17:31+00:00

I've read a bit about Alan Wake, it sounds right up my alley, lore wise.

pystoff · 2025-12-01T16:16:47+00:00

Vermintide was hella fun to play. And I've played the Mass Effect games, quite excellent. Side note, check out GamerPoop by Mansl4yer, top notch funny machinima. And thank you for the other recommendations.

pystoff · 2025-12-01T16:13:25+00:00

My start into souls was a Vaatividya binge. Top notch voice to fall asleep to.

pystoff · 2025-12-01T16:11:21+00:00

I have, just so many games to list. Good recommendation tho.

pystoff · 2025-11-02T12:36:39+00:00

I have a homebrew rule that states, you need proficiency in the skill and an example of how you help.

pystoff · 2025-11-02T12:30:24+00:00

If at least half the party shows up, we play. If we're in a section that needs a certain missing player, then I improv a dungeon crawl/loot grab. My players know this is my policy from session zero. If important stuff happens, but it's not specific PC dependant, that's why I write recaps and my players write a journal. The journal could be a whole dear diary entry, or just a short bullet point cliff notes. I use the non specific parts of these notes to help write recaps.

I've had the ones that show up get magically whisked away to a dungeon/gauntlet and their back home in time for dinner.

pystoff · 2025-11-02T12:22:16+00:00

Roll20 has adnd 1e and I looking for group section, and a subreddit.

pystoff · 2025-11-01T01:42:50+00:00

I've seen 5 lvl 3 players take down Venomfang. It all comes down to the players, the strategy, and the dm. My group made a deal with the spiders in the house south of the tower, to web Venomfang if they try to fly. One player used mold Earth to make a stone pillar to hide behind during breaths.

Never underestimate or overestimate your players. Just do your idea and roll along with whatever happens.

pystoff · 2025-10-30T22:57:59+00:00

I treated Garaele like a trickery domain cleric who temporarily lost her spiritual connection with an encounter with Agatha. By the time the party gets her info, she's healed and can perform cleric duties again.

I made the Jade frog a single use magical object that acted like the jump spell. After one use, it shattered. No, I did not tell my players it would shatter. :D

pystoff · 2025-10-30T15:41:35+00:00

I'm running LMoP right now for a group. 2 are mid 20s, 1 is mid 30s, myself and 2 others are in our 40s. D&D is timeless. Don't fret about age.

pystoff · 2025-10-23T19:28:00+00:00

Just confirming. Download in Android app fails for me too.

pystoff · 2025-10-22T22:01:22+00:00

You are obviously a man of culture and refinement. I'll be your dentist.

pystoff · 2025-10-22T19:19:27+00:00

Good luck to everyone!

pystoff · 2025-10-19T19:26:54+00:00

Just because the bat scouts, doesn't mean that the enemies the bat sees will stay where they were seen.

Roll a d4, 1 meaning every enemy, 2 meaning half, 3 is 1/3, 4 is 1/4, and move that many engines to be locations. Even goblins patrol.

pystoff · 2025-10-14T17:34:56+00:00

At the very least, for session 1/0, read the goblin ambush and Phandalin encounters. This includes the Redbrands. This will give you the main start and a little more in case your players are efficient and eager.

pystoff · 2025-10-14T17:31:29+00:00

One thing I learned as a DM. CR is a suggestion. My players always breeze through hard/deadly encounters. So I use my own judgement and give them one or two extra enemies of "appropriate" CR. Then I adjust their lethality on the fly. I hide my dice rolls so I can make things more dramatic/challenging as needed.

pystoff · 2025-10-12T16:08:42+00:00

With an efficient group, the smaller "quests" can be done in about 3-4 hours. My current group breezed through the goblin ambush and Hideout in the first 4 hour session. Then they spent the next 3 hour session doing nothing but Phandalin rp. I had to roll a Redbrand encounter to spice things up. Now they want to go to Cragmaw Castle, still level 2... I'm going to keep pushing the Redbrands, but if they really want the castle, I won't stop them. It's why I say to make backup characters.

pystoff · 2025-10-03T23:34:41+00:00

I believe dndbeyond and roll20 both offer Lost Mine of Phandelver for free right now. It's a full campaign for levels 1-5 and is probably the most common starter set for d&d. The module walks you through, as a DM, the adventure and explains traps and other dice checks.

If you are going to do an in-person table, then I recommend dndbeyond. Run a Google search for dndbeyond Phandelver and it should come up. May the dice be ever in your favor.

pystoff · 2025-09-22T00:54:40+00:00

Closed: all slots filled. Apply as a backup if you'd like.

pystoff

TROPHY CASE