Running a game is a lesson in balance. There are so many dials and mechanics that you need to manage while also focusing on being what Gary Gygax referred to as “the Shaper of the Cosmos.” Anyone who has started running games or been running for decades has found hacks to make running the game that much easier and streamlined. In this episode, Tony, Chris, and Dave discuss their favorite DM hacks that we’ve employed in our games.
1 :30 Hack# 1: Where are we going next? Focusing your prep.
2:30 Hack# 2: Session Prep Notes
5:20 Hack# 3: Create a Session Prep Template
7:00 Hack# 4: Outline your session – create scenes
8:15 Hack# 5: Write down your recap – Previously On…
10:00 Hack# 6: Players recapping the adventure – taking the
campaign’s temperature
12:00 Hack# 7: Recording your recap – cranking up the drama
15:40 Hack# 8: Google Docs
17:00 Hack# 9: Secrets, Clues, Scenes & Encounters – The
Quantum Ogre Campaign
19:00 Hack# 10: Streamline your Stat Blocks
20:50 Hack# 11: Static Damage… who wants to add up 40d6 damage?!?
23:10 Hack# 12: Delegate the DM duties – Return of the
Monster Wrangler!
25:00 Hack# 13: Static Initiative?
27:20 Hack# 14: There’s an app for that – using technology
to your advantage
28:30 Hack# 15: Spell crib notes when running your
spellcasters
31:30 Hack# 16: Scripting Monster Tactics – Monster Shorthand
38:10 Hack# 17: Adjusting the hit point dial… start with maximum
hit points
42:20 Hack# 18: Get a sense of your party’s Damage per Round
50:00 Final Thoughts