Greetings,
I run two tabletop games.
One game runs smoothly, we get a lot done and still have room for the B.S. that's inherit in all but the most hard core of gaming groups. The PC's in that group are very prepared. They have printouts of their special ability as well as printed lists of their spells and what page number of what book they belong to. They roll their damage dice with their attack dice. They review their characters to make sure they fully grasp what they're capable of to avoid flipping through the book for ten minutes in the middle of combat. They even have a simple rule wherein you must use the restroom before initiative is rolled for going to the bathroom during combat is not allowed.
While combat isn't over and done before I can blink this Player Preparedness helps things move quick and smooth.
The other group provides a study in contrasts.
Until recently we rolled initiative every round. I put my foot down and started using static initiative. The speeds things up a little (I've even timed) but not much. I've tried to convince them to help me out in this field but to no avail. It could be that the players are just more casual gamers compared to the above group. It could be I just fall into old bad habbits as this group holds two of my oldest friends whereas the above group I only just started gaming with in the past couple months.
Anyone have any tips and tricks I might use to keep gameplay flowing relatively smoothly in spite of the Players themselves? I'm running Legacy of Fire if that is of any assistance. Anything from techniques on how to speed up combat to DM preparedness would be welcome. There are some ideas floating about in my head but I am curious as to what I can get from the community itself.
Thank you for your help.
Recently the DM of my group brought out one of those sand timer things which has about 30 seconds. When it comes around to your turn you have that time to declare what you're going to do. If you do it before it runs out you get +1 to any d20 roll for the turn. Made people speed things up quiet a bit.
Hmm, that might work... my players in the second group are a fickle lot. Negative reinforcement would only serve to push them away but something like that might encourage more out of them without making them feel like they'll be punished for taking their time.
You also might want to encourage they play the "simpler" classes. Warlocks and Sorcerers are a lot easier to run than clerics or wizards, or especially druids.
Start noting where the slower group is having road blocks and address those issues specifically. There is no way you are going to get around inexperience, unless you offer advice from a pro.
But if you offer small suggetions repeatedly to help improve their knowledge of the game, it will get better over time.
However, there are people that need a little nudging, so worse case, implement a time limit.
Change games with the slow group.
There are faster systems that are just as rewarding, and it seems like a more casual group.
Try savage worlds, or 4e, or something more streamlined. No gamer should restrict themselves to a single system, it ain't healthy for the brainmeats.
Change games with the slow group.
There are faster systems that are just as rewarding, and it seems like a more casual group.
Try savage worlds, or 4e, or something more streamlined. No gamer should restrict themselves to a single system, it ain't healthy for the brainmeats.
Alas they like the PRPG system so switching systems isn't exactly an option. I'd really like to avoid the hassle of converting the Legacy of Fire to another system anyway.
I may try and shake things up a bit by starting next session In Medias Res (sp?) however, see if that sparks new interest or something.
Any way for the new group to observe the old group?
Not really. The logistics and scheduling would be a pain. I'd also have to generate interest of group B in observing group A. That and that small house would get crowded. :P