RPG Superstar Season 9 Top 8
|
| 1 person marked this as a favorite. |
Hi all, I'm new to posting on the PFS GM boards (I wrote a guide elsewhere on the Paizo boards a while back), but since I'm a fairly new PFS GM, but after reading through some threads (namely the Pig one) this seemed like a great place to get help for a growing concern I'm having.
A bit of backstory: I live in a small college town, that neighboors another smaller college town. Between the towns we have maybe 50,000 people and only 2 real gaming shops. A little over a month ago I printed off the 1 page guide on "how to start PFS in your area" and now we have a consistent two tables (10-14 people) that meet once a week.
I'm over the moon. It is awesome, I love organizing it and getting people to play that have never rolled dice before. I post up our games, help people make characters, introduce them to the world of PFS and the factions, all that jazz. Right now, I run one table and my friend (an avid pathfinder as well) runs the other.
That's the great part.
The downside is that now my GM-leveled character is level 3 and I want to play him for a session or two instead of GMing. I asked the players last week and only one person said they would be ok with trying to GM a session. He has played 3.x a bunch and picked up Pathfinder a few months back but has never GM'd anything that lasted longer than a session or two in his life.
So my question for y'all is this: what would be a good scenario to start him out on? Should I sit down with him and explain some things to him? If so, what? I'm thinking about picking a scenario I've already done, so if he gets lost or has questions I can help, but at the same time I don't want the guy to get discouraged about GMing or think that I'm trying to second-guess his decisions. Any thoughts?
|
So my question for y'all is this: what would be a good scenario to start him out on? Should I sit down with him and explain some things to him? If so, what? I'm thinking about picking a scenario I've already done, so if he gets lost or has questions I can help, but at the same time I don't want the guy to get discouraged about GMing or think that I'm trying to second-guess his decisions. Any thoughts?
What I have done before is pick a scenario that I already know/have run and give that to the new GM. Then after they've had time to read it talk through it with them. Ask them questions about it, tell them things you've done when running it. Basically share your specific experience with that scenario with them. It's similar to playing it first then running it to me. You've got some basis for how things happened at your table as a player, so you've got some basis for how things might happen at your table as a GM. But, in fairness, players are trixy.
|
RPG Superstar Season 9 Top 8
|
| 1 person marked this as a favorite. |
*snip*
What I have done before is pick a scenario that I already know/have run and give that to the new GM. Then after they've had time to read it talk through it with them. Ask them questions about it, tell them things you've done when running it. Basically share your specific experience with that scenario with them. It's similar to playing it first then running it to me. You've got some basis for how things happened at your table as a player, so you've got some basis for how things might happen at your table as a GM. But, in fairness, players are trixy.
Players are trixy. That sounds like a plan then: I'll give him something that I've had a good time running and show him a couple pointers after he's read through it. I'm thinking Assault on the Kingdom of the Impossible or the Slave Pits of Absalom. Both of those were a blast for both me and the players.
|
|
| 1 person marked this as a favorite. |
I'm thinking Assault on the Kingdom of the Impossible or the Slave Pits of Absalom. Both of those were a blast for both me and the players.Assault is one of my favorites too. Mists of the Mwangi is a very straightforward scenario to run.
Assault, Pits, and Mists are all great for new GM's
I would also add to the list:
The Frostfur Captives (for the fun with Goblins)
and
The Hydra's Fang Incident (Yarrr there be pirates in this one aplenty)
Both are great fun for players and the GM.
|
So my question for y'all is this: what would be a good scenario to start him out on?
Ideally he'd GM something he's already played, because he already knows the story.
I also wouldn't correct him during the game on anything scenario related, it will erode his confidence (every GM has their own version anyway). If there is a major rules transgression, point that out but be silent otherwise imo.
Should I sit down with him and explain some things to him? If so, what?
Explain to him how you prepare for games, step by step. Show him what you use to make games run smoothly. Teach him any "tricks". Provide him with any maps, so he doesn't have to buy/make them. Minis too.
I could give you examples, but they would be how I prepare for tables and my tricks.
|
As a local coordinator, I am *not* shy about asking or pushing people to judge.
For me, once they have a character at lvl 3, they can judge. It's a matter of doing it and learning as you go. No matter how well you prep them, they will learn most by doing.
And I'm even less concerned when that new judge is judging more experienced players...because most gamers will have a friendly, open and helpful attitude towards the new judge and will actually help to balance out most inexperience issues.
Let 'em loose!
Also, you should point them to the discussion/spoiler thread in the GM Discussion section and, of course, Painlord's How to be a Better PFS Judge.
-Pain
No matter how well you prep them, they will learn most by doing.
That was much the same thought as my GM had with me. I've been running games in other systems for years now, but never in PFS. I am a little nervous about learning to color inside the lines, and I've never run a pre-made before, but my GM assures me that it's not too tough.
|
Hi all, I'm new to posting on the PFS GM boards (I wrote a guide elsewhere on the Paizo boards a while back), but since I'm a fairly new PFS GM, but after reading through some threads (namely the Pig one) this seemed like a great place to get help for a growing concern I'm having.
A bit of backstory: I live in a small college town, that neighboors another smaller college town. Between the towns we have maybe 50,000 people and only 2 real gaming shops. A little over a month ago I printed off the 1 page guide on "how to start PFS in your area" and now we have a consistent two tables (10-14 people) that meet once a week.
I'm over the moon. It is awesome, I love organizing it and getting people to play that have never rolled dice before. I post up our games, help people make characters, introduce them to the world of PFS and the factions, all that jazz. Right now, I run one table and my friend (an avid pathfinder as well) runs the other.
That's the great part.
The downside is that now my GM-leveled character is level 3 and I want to play him for a session or two instead of GMing. I asked the players last week and only one person said they would be ok with trying to GM a session. He has played 3.x a bunch and picked up Pathfinder a few months back but has never GM'd anything that lasted longer than a session or two in his life.
So my question for y'all is this: what would be a good scenario to start him out on? Should I sit down with him and explain some things to him? If so, what? I'm thinking about picking a scenario I've already done, so if he gets lost or has questions I can help, but at the same time I don't want the guy to get discouraged about GMing or think that I'm trying to second-guess his decisions. Any thoughts?
Coordinators, should never be afraid to ask for help from the fellow players to keep the society going. Definitely push the bonuses we GM's get for running it (Full XP, Gold and PA) and that usually helps, because a player will always win if they GM, just as if they want to play.
One of the things that we did at our society, is we had a GM's workshop, where we took a retired module, and each GM took a part to run. In doing so, the GM's-in-training were able to ask questions on how to read modules, how to interpret the characters and we even got to give tips to each other on how to help each other with our weaknesses. And in running this "fake" module, gave plenty of room for us to build each other up and make a solid unit. And then you guys get to know each other and how to have fun with each other.
Also for great modules to run, I would recommend all of the above as well as 0-01: Silent Tide/2-13 Murder on the Throaty Mermaid. The Intros would also be good if you haven't already run them for Season 3 yet as well.
Hope that helps!
|
RPG Superstar Season 9 Top 8
|
Thanks for all the responses! After reading through them I can tell that there's a wealth of GM experience on these boards, which is exactly what I was hoping for.
I'll see which of the scenarios mentioned he'd rather run, since I think I've played or GM'd through all of them, and then talk with him after he's read it and see if he's got any questions.
I passed Pain's link over to him and he's been reading up on the info there - as have I - thanks Painlord! And he just hit level 3 in regards to what you were saying, so he's pretty familiarized with PFS.
One of the things that we did at our society, is we had a GM's workshop, where we took a retired module, and each GM took a part to run. In doing so, the GM's-in-training were able to ask questions on how to read modules, how to interpret the characters and we even got to give tips to each other on how to help each other with our weaknesses. And in running this "fake" module, gave plenty of room for us to build each other up and make a solid unit. And then you guys get to know each other and how to have fun with each other.
I really, really, REALLY like this idea. A lot. I also like the fact that it's a "fake" session so that people who would normally never feel comfortable GMing might give it a try, since there's nothing to be lost. It would also put everyone on the same page for how to efficiently run initiative ordering, combat, and all the record keeping at the end.
|
RPG Superstar Season 9 Top 8
|
Update time!
The other table played last night and everything went great. The new GM did an amazing job, although there were a few slip ups, but nothing to major. He ran the Frostfur Captives (since he'd been in the session of it I'd run), and it was a blast to play through, even though I'd already seen it done before.
Thanks to all for the helpful suggestions, and he's actually looking forward to GMing in the future, so that's good.
Thanks again, cya around the boards, all!
|
|
I'm reviving this old thread cause I'm in the same boat, encouraging a new GM to take a turn behind the screen. He's got some GM experience, but is newer to Pathfinder. What are some of the scenerios from the last couple seasons (4 & 5), that would work well for someone GMing a PFS game for the first time? May end up suggesting Frostfur Captives, but interested to get some thoughts from the newer stuff.
RPG Superstar 2009 Top 32, 2010 Top 8
|
Confirmation is pretty straight forward.
I'd actually suggest season 1 and season 2 for a new GM. They're Pathfinder RPG, and benefit from using just the CRB (Season one) and APG (Season 2) so the GM doesn't feel overwhelmed with choices.
Also the sharepoint. Gods point him to the sharepoint.
If he wants an arc to run, I highly recommend The Devil We Know. four low tier scenarios all linked.
(I'm amused that the thread was started by a now five start GM. They grow up so fast! *sniff*)
|
|
(I'm amused that the thread was started by a now five start GM. They grow up so fast! *sniff*)
That struck me as amusing as well.
I will +1 the thought of earlier 1-5's as well. I must say that many of the older seasons have some great stories to them. Everyone I have run it for seemed to love Black Waters from season 0. Plus it's an easy one to play and run. Down side is it uses 3.5e... but this can be a chance for a more trained GM to help a new GM find suitable conversions or just how to figure CMD/CMB quickly.
Venture-Captain, Washington—Spokane
|
I was amused by the fact that not only was the thread started by a now 5 star GM but a now Venture-Captain as well.
I will have to agree with The Confirmation and add that I have started GMs with scenarios that they have already played as it helps to already have that familiarity.
|
It appears someone already beat me to the requisite "they grow up so fast" comment. Dammit.
If I'm introducing a friend of mine to it, I'll usually give them a couple of the less complex, more complete scenarios from my own collection. S'a lot easier to run them if you don't need seven different content books and all the info is right at your fingertips. I also like to participate in their first few games, if possible (even if it's only as a pregen to fill a spot), so I can give them some helpful advice after the fact. ... Also so I can shoot glares at other players that try to prey on their inexperience and give'em the run around. >_>
