Any good DM books with tips and advices how to run a game? And to become a better DM?
Creating adventures, creating a good campaign, how to help a character see the world you are creating (I had read about using visual aids), any book you've read that you believe helped you as a DM. Thank you!
I found these books very helpful. They are more directed to the mechanics of running a game than creating adventures or campaigns:
- Angry GM's book
- Verner's How to GM like a Fucking Boss
Most useful I ever read was "What is Dungeons and Dragons?" from 1983.
Greetings!
1E AD&D's Dungeon Master's Guide, by Gary Gygax.
Get it.
Read it. Slowly. Chew on it, and ponder every section. Let your imagination soak up what Gygax discusses in the pages.
As you take notes, and begin to build your campaign, go back to Gygax's Dungeon Master's Guide, and re-read sections, again. I guarantee you will gain new inspiration and pick up new insights that you missed in your previous reading.
Semper Fidelis,
SHARK
Role Playing Mastery By Gary Gygax.
I have had this book for years and I really like it.
Books that have helped me as a game master:
For adventure design:
Dungeons & Dragons Basic Rulebook 1981, Gygax, Arneson, edited by Tom Moldvay. This 32-page book has a really nice section on how to run a game. And how to design simple adventure scenarios. Also there is some instruction on how to solve interpersonal issues with the party, take that particular advice with a grain of salt. Everything else is great mostly.
Lamentations of the Flame Princess Referee Book, James Raggi IV. Avalable as a free download on Drivethru rpg. Raggi goes into great detail on how to be a referee (i.e. Dungeon Master) including how to create monster and NPC stats, design scenarios, where to get inspiration, and how to describe things. This books is vectored toward a horror oriented game, but still highly useful for fantasy.
Advanced Dungeons & Dragons Dungeon Master's Guide, Gygax 1979. This book has it all! Unfortunately it is scattered throughout 239 pages, and the font is tiny. Reading just a little bit of this book everyday will teach you something new. Be patient though, the 1e DMG is the Finnegan's Wake of RPG books, or as I like to call it...The GEEKONOMICON.
Steal this Plot: A Writer's Guide to Story Structure and Plagiarism, 1985, June Noble, William Noble.
This book helps fiction writers idetify plot types and change them so that they appear to be your own original creation. This book was recommended in the Mega-Traveller Referee's Book as a source for creating adventures.
For in-game description reading the works of the following writers have helped me immesurably with describing things, and events in my games:
Robert E. Howard: This guy was the master of fast-paced pulp fiction. He created heroes like Conan the Barbarian, Red Sonja, and Solomon Kane. Other writers have tried to emulate his style and tell the stories of his characters, but they pale in comparison to Howard himself.
Bernard Cornwell: A British historical fiction writer who's adventure novels cover many time periods. Of particular note to fantasy GM's are his Arthurian Trilogy: The Winter King, Enemy of God, and Excalibur.
Howard Phillips Lovecraft. Creator of the Cthulhu Mythos. His work endures to this day.
Poul Anderson: check out The Broken Sword, and Three Hearts and Three Lions. You will see many things in these books that became a part of D&D. Note how the author uses language to describe them.
Steven Pressfield: Gates of Fire. A hard-bitten retelling of the battle of Thermopyle from the point of view of a Spartan helot. The writing is gritty and decriptive. The story will suck you in and transport you back to the Ancient World.
And finally:
Webster's Dictionary! Not the online version. Go to a flea market or used bookstore and buy a pre-2000 copy of the HUGE book. There's something about searching through a multi-thousand page tome for the definition to a word that will automatically broaden your vocabulary. When you look for one word, you will see ither words and learn their meanings as well. Something that a vectored internet search just can't give you.
Good Luck!
Quote from: S'mon on April 11, 2023, 01:21:11 PM
Most useful I ever read was "What is Dungeons and Dragons?" from 1983.
By John Butterfield?
Quote from: SHARK on April 11, 2023, 01:35:37 PM
Greetings!
1E AD&D's Dungeon Master's Guide, by Gary Gygax.
Get it.
Read it. Slowly. Chew on it, and ponder every section. Let your imagination soak up what Gygax discusses in the pages.
As you take notes, and begin to build your campaign, go back to Gygax's Dungeon Master's Guide, and re-read sections, again. I guarantee you will gain new inspiration and pick up new insights that you missed in your previous reading.
Semper Fidelis,
SHARK
;D ;D Ok I'll do it. Thank you
Quote from: Svenhelgrim on April 11, 2023, 01:50:46 PM
Books that have helped me as a game master:
For adventure design:
Dungeons & Dragons Basic Rulebook 1981, Gygax, Arneson, edited by Tom Moldvay. This 32-page book has a really nice section on how to run a game. And how to design simple adventure scenarios. Also there is some instruction on how to solve interpersonal issues with the party, take that particular advice with a grain of salt. Everything else is great mostly.
Lamentations of the Flame Princess Referee Book, James Raggi IV. Avalable as a free download on Drivethru rpg. Raggi goes into great detail on how to be a referee (i.e. Dungeon Master) including how to create monster and NPC stats, design scenarios, where to get inspiration, and how to describe things. This books is vectored toward a horror oriented game, but still highly useful for fantasy.
Advanced Dungeons & Dragons Dungeon Master's Guide, Gygax 1979. This book has it all! Unfortunately it is scattered throughout 239 pages, and the font is tiny. Reading just a little bit of this book everyday will teach you something new. Be patient though, the 1e DMG is the Finnegan's Wake of RPG books, or as I like to call it...The GEEKONOMICON.
Steal this Plot: A Writer's Guide to Story Structure and Plagiarism, 1985, June Noble, William Noble.
This book helps fiction writers idetify plot types and change them so that they appear to be your own original creation. This book was recommended in the Mega-Traveller Referee's Book as a source for creating adventures.
For in-game description reading the works of the following writers have helped me immesurably with describing things, and events in my games:
Robert E. Howard: This guy was the master of fast-paced pulp fiction. He created heroes like Conan the Barbarian, Red Sonja, and Solomon Kane. Other writers have tried to emulate his style and tell the stories of his characters, but they pale in comparison to Howard himself.
Bernard Cornwell: A British historical fiction writer who's adventure novels cover many time periods. Of particular note to fantasy GM's are his Arthurian Trilogy: The Winter King, Enemy of God, and Excalibur.
Howard Phillips Lovecraft. Creator of the Cthulhu Mythos. His work endures to this day.
Poul Anderson: check out The Broken Sword, and Three Hearts and Three Lions. You will see many things in these books that became a part of D&D. Note how the author uses language to describe them.
Steven Pressfield: Gates of Fire. A hard-bitten retelling of the battle of Thermopyle from the point of view of a Spartan helot. The writing is gritty and decriptive. The story will suck you in and transport you back to the Ancient World.
And finally:
Webster's Dictionary! Not the online version. Go to a flea market or used bookstore and buy a pre-2000 copy of the HUGE book. There's something about searching through a multi-thousand page tome for the definition to a word that will automatically broaden your vocabulary. When you look for one word, you will see ither words and learn their meanings as well. Something that a vectored internet search just can't give you.
Good Luck!
Very interesting that you mention Webster's Dictionary :D Thank you for the other recomendations.
Quote from: Cathal on April 11, 2023, 05:33:17 PM
Quote from: S'mon on April 11, 2023, 01:21:11 PM
Most useful I ever read was "What is Dungeons and Dragons?" from 1983.
By John Butterfield?
Butterfield, Parker & Honigman - "Eton Schoolboys who are masters of the game" per the back cover. ;D
https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=What_Is_Dungeons_%26_Dragons%3F&oldid=1036526972
In addition to the 1e DMG, I'll shill Arbiter of Worlds by Alexander Macris (author of ACKS).
He recently started a YouTube channel. Check out this episode to learn how WOTC gives you syphilis: https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=iRXoGci1pBE
Quote from: atomic on April 11, 2023, 10:45:31 PM
In addition to the 1e DMG, I'll shill Arbiter of Worlds by Alexander Macris (author of ACKS).
He recently started a YouTube channel. Check out this episode to learn how WOTC gives you syphilis: https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=iRXoGci1pBE
I'll second that -
Arbiter is good, better than Gygax's
Roleplaying Mastery I think, and I definitely agree with AM's take on fudging.
The most significant gamemastering book for me personally has been the Robin´s Law of Good Gamemastering,
by Robin D. Laws
Granted, if you are allergic to the publishing company itself, this may not suit you well. In any case, the book is
really small and very well condensed in to nothing but the core of the craft, which helped me to structure the
adventure design and play process back in the day. Everything else has been building upon that rock in question.
Might suit you, might not, though it is very cheap and you can read it in half an hour tops so it might be worth considering.
Quote from: atomic on April 11, 2023, 10:45:31 PM
In addition to the 1e DMG, I'll shill Arbiter of Worlds by Alexander Macris (author of ACKS).
He recently started a YouTube channel. Check out this episode to learn how WOTC gives you syphilis: https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=iRXoGci1pBE
Quote from: S'mon on April 12, 2023, 04:45:13 AM
Quote from: atomic on April 11, 2023, 10:45:31 PM
In addition to the 1e DMG, I'll shill Arbiter of Worlds by Alexander Macris (author of ACKS).
He recently started a YouTube channel. Check out this episode to learn how WOTC gives you syphilis: https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=iRXoGci1pBE
I'll second that - Arbiter is good, better than Gygax's Roleplaying Mastery I think, and I definitely agree with AM's take on fudging.
Thanks! Subscribed :) I was reading his post about "Simulationism". I like it, specially as beginner I found it useful to see the difference. The first time I tried to learn D&D everything was heavy on narrative and I dislike it, I almost quit the entire hobby because of that. I was thinking what is the point to use dice? they never "play a game", they never lose and everything is like a collective story. I quickly realize D&D was not about narrative, after studying the D&D story and RPGs for me was very clear, those games are "story games" more than RPG. Maybe I'm wrong? :-\
Quote from: Angry Goblin on April 12, 2023, 08:27:10 AM
The most significant gamemastering book for me personally has been the Robin´s Law of Good Gamemastering,
by Robin D. Laws
Granted, if you are allergic to the publishing company itself, this may not suit you well. In any case, the book is
really small and very well condensed in to nothing but the core of the craft, which helped me to structure the
adventure design and play process back in the day. Everything else has been building upon that rock in question.
Might suit you, might not, though it is very cheap and you can read it in half an hour tops so it might be worth considering.
Thank you! not only Robin but Steve Jackson too, he made Fighting Fantasy one of the early gamebooks.
How about the books from Gary Gygax? he made two books "Master of the Game" and "Roleplaying Mastery".
In other forums I see some people recommend DM books The Lazy Dungeon Master, or books from "James D'Amato"? They are any good? On Amazon the books have 5 star.
I bought a Mike Shea/Sly Flourish book, was not impressed- you get at least as much in his blog posts. Which still have major issues esp as he does not allow comments. DMDavid and Monsters and Manuals are my favourite RPG blogs.
Quote from: Cathal on April 12, 2023, 10:03:49 AM
How about the books from Gary Gygax? he made two books "Master of the Game" and "Roleplaying Mastery".
I mentioned it earlier. I have had it since I started gaming so many users ago.
I need to reread it and brush up on his advice.
Quote from: GhostNinja on April 12, 2023, 11:31:37 AM
Quote from: Cathal on April 12, 2023, 10:03:49 AM
How about the books from Gary Gygax? he made two books "Master of the Game" and "Roleplaying Mastery".
I mentioned it earlier. I have had it since I started gaming so many users ago.
I need to reread it and brush up on his advice.
oh ok I thought you were referring to AD&D 1E DM
Quote from: Cathal on April 12, 2023, 11:37:49 AM
Quote from: GhostNinja on April 12, 2023, 11:31:37 AM
Quote from: Cathal on April 12, 2023, 10:03:49 AM
How about the books from Gary Gygax? he made two books "Master of the Game" and "Roleplaying Mastery".
I mentioned it earlier. I have had it since I started gaming so many users ago.
I need to reread it and brush up on his advice.
oh ok I thought you were referring to AD&D 1E DM
Rereading what I posted, it wasn't clear what I was mentioning. My Bad.
*edit* Fixed my entry to be totally clear
Quote from: atomic on April 11, 2023, 10:45:31 PM
In addition to the 1e DMG, I'll shill Arbiter of Worlds by Alexander Macris (author of ACKS).
He recently started a YouTube channel. Check out this episode to learn how WOTC gives you syphilis: https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=iRXoGci1pBE
;D I was watching his video, one of his stories resonate with me, to roll at the open. One of my game, I decide to let my friend roll a couple of dice for me. She was very curious "what is D&D" so we played couple of times.
In the last game I decided to let her draw their own destiny ;D. Suddenly she was more aware of the situation, playing better than the last time. I let her fudge a couple of dice while we were laughing, until at one point she was consecutively rolling bad dice. I tell her hey! You are cheating while we laugh, at the third failed die, I said to her, sorry, but you are so dead haha she never took it badly, she liked it.
Quote from: Cathal on April 12, 2023, 11:53:27 AM
;D I was watching his video, one of his stories resonate with me, to roll at the open. One of my game, I decide to let my friend roll a couple of dice for me. She was very curious "what is D&D" so we played couple of times.
I liked his advice but the video really didn't need to go for 15 minutes. A lot of repeating and his flexing about how long he has been gaming like anyone really cares. I hate arrogant people, especially when they are arrogant about things that don't matter. If you are a good GM/DM fine. Keep it to yourself.
Otherwise his advice is spot on.
"Listen Up, You Primitive Screwheads!" from R Talsorian Games has helped me out countless times.
Btw. has anyone read books by the "Great GM"? (the host of the YouTube channel etc.)
I´v got lot of good GM advice from that channel in the past (haven´t watched the channel for a while)
though haven´t read his books yet.
Quote from: jeff37923 on April 12, 2023, 12:14:47 PM
"Listen Up, You Primitive Screwheads!" from R Talsorian Games has helped me out countless times.
I am looking through this now. There is no such thing as too much information.
+10 to Robin's Laws of Good Game Mastering by that guy.
Graham Walmsley's Play Unsafe: How Improvisation Can Change The Way You Roleplay.
John Wick's Play Dirty and the sequel, Play Dirty 2 - Even Dirtier.
For world building and adventure crafting the Sine Nomine books have a crapton of tables and you can get the no-art PDF for free in DTTRPG.
How about the Kobold Guide to Gamemastering? I read in a blog that the book have a weird chapter with American politics in it, besides that, the rest of advices in the book are good? In the cover have the names Frank Mentzer and Dave Cook.
Quote from: Cathal on April 12, 2023, 10:22:59 PM
How about the Kobold Guide to Gamemastering? I read in a blog that the book have a weird chapter with American politics in it, besides that, the rest of advices in the book are good? In the cover have the names Frank Mentzer and Dave Cook.
I have the book on my shelf and I´v read it, though only thing that comes to my mind about it is that it was nothing special so I can´t help you
with a detailed answer, sorry!
AD&D DM's guide. Rules aside (not that there's anything wrong with them) I learned more from Gary's advice, recommendations, and writing style about being a good gamemaster than I have from any other book. Which is not to say that you should take everything as gospel - there are points I disagree with. But even the stuff you don't agree with is useful to think about and figure out exactly why you don't agree with it.
I'll agree with everyone else that the 1e DMG is essential reading/browsing/inspiration. It is best to read it alongside OD&D The Underworld & Wilderness Adventures though - Gygax seems to have assumed that everyone reading the DMG would have already read OD&D! So the essential megadungeon campaign stuff in OD&D is pretty well all missing from the 1e DMG. OD&D also has some important snippets about creating a domain, eg typical initial number of hamlets & population, missing from 1e.
Quote from: Cathal on April 12, 2023, 10:03:49 AM
In other forums I see some people recommend DM books The Lazy Dungeon Master, or books from "James D'Amato"? They are any good? On Amazon the books have 5 star.
I agree with everyone; AD&D DMG is hard to beat.
Lazy Dungeon Master I found good, not great. Review here:
https://methodsetmadness.blogspot.com/2022/09/return-of-lazy-dungeon-master-review.html
FWIW, I wrote lots of tables and short essays about specific dark fantasy aspects (the dark fantasy line) and a book about generating, understanding and role-playing D&D monster types that I'm really proud of (Teratogenicon). But most GM advice I share is in my blog.
https://www.drivethrurpg.com/browse/pub/12430/Chaos-Factory-Books
BTW, here is an interesting book on GMing from a friend:
https://methodsetmadness.blogspot.com/2023/01/the-disoriented-ranger-talks-musings.html
Quote from: S'mon on April 11, 2023, 01:21:11 PM
Most useful I ever read was "What is Dungeons and Dragons?" from 1983.
Thank you for the recommendation, it is a very interesting book. Specially because is from 1982, I found a similar book "Dicing with Dragons" from Ian Livingstone (You may know the name) same year, from 1982.
Do you know other similar books from those years?
Quote from: Cathal on April 13, 2023, 06:24:20 PM
Quote from: S'mon on April 11, 2023, 01:21:11 PM
Most useful I ever read was "What is Dungeons and Dragons?" from 1983.
Thank you for the recommendation, it is a very interesting book. Specially because is from 1982, I found a similar book "Dicing with Dragons" from Ian Livingstone (You may know the name) same year, from 1982.
Do you know other similar books from those years?
Well if you've not read Moldvay Basic D&D from 1981, I highly recommend it. It's the cleanest explanation of the D&D play loop there is, I think.
If you can get hold of PDFs of White Dwarfs from that era, there is a lot of great stuff. Best of White Dwarf Articles have great series on GMing, notably The Dungeon Architect" by Roger Musson; Lew Pulsipher's stuff is good too.
Quote from: rytrasmi on April 11, 2023, 12:46:44 PM
I found these books very helpful. They are more directed to the mechanics of running a game than creating adventures or campaigns:
- Angry GM's book
- Verner's How to GM like a Fucking Boss
+1 for the Angry GM. Even if you've been DMing forever, his advice on action resolution and structures is useful. I reread it every so often as a reminder not to slip into bad habits.
Quote from: S'mon on April 14, 2023, 02:13:07 AM
Well if you've not read Moldvay Basic D&D from 1981, I highly recommend it. It's the cleanest explanation of the D&D play loop there is, I think.
If you can get hold of PDFs of White Dwarfs from that era, there is a lot of great stuff. Best of White Dwarf Articles have great series on GMing, notably The Dungeon Architect" by Roger Musson; Lew Pulsipher's stuff is good too.
Thank you, yes sure, I read Basic D&D 2E (Moldvay) but I'm not interested. I know it is a little off-topic. What caught my attention from the book you recommended, is that it is from that era and is focused on beginners to teach you how to play an RPG and how to DM without the "modern" influence.
Lately I have been interested in RPGs history and this book will become part of my reading list. Actually I already started reading it :D
I'll try to search for White Dwarfs. BTW, is it a magazine?
Thanks.
Another AD&D DMG rec...it's like if you want to learn quantum mechanics so someone says check out the Richard Feymann lectures. Yeah, it's gonna be hard and incomprehensible at times, but you WILL learn how to be DM and you will be the best.
Mentzer Red Box is #1A. Holds your hand, and if you're in 7th grade your dad is showing you how to shoot a buck or catch a bass. Some people think it's condescending, when in reality it's some older guy trying to make sure his offspring carry on the legacy.
Quote from: Cathal on April 14, 2023, 09:47:41 PM
I'll try to search for White Dwarfs. BTW, is it a magazine?
White Dwarf is a magazine, for about the first 100 issues it was the UK's premier RPG magazine. Then it became Games Workshop's Warhammer minis battle magazine.
Quote from: Brad on April 14, 2023, 09:58:11 PM
Another AD&D DMG rec...it's like if you want to learn quantum mechanics so someone says check out the Richard Feymann lectures. Yeah, it's gonna be hard and incomprehensible at times, but you WILL learn how to be DM and you will be the best.
:o I'll do it, so I need Richard Feymann to help me in the process? ;D ;D
Quote from: Brad on April 14, 2023, 09:58:11 PM
Mentzer Red Box is #1A. Holds your hand, and if you're in 7th grade your dad is showing you how to shoot a buck or catch a bass. Some people think it's condescending, when in reality it's some older guy trying to make sure his offspring carry on the legacy.
Mentzer for teaching to someone with none experience in RPG is one of the best, the other one is Lamentation of the Flame Princess. Everything else expects you to have knowledge. For instance, me, I grow up playing different games, never an RPG in my life, during 2022 For some reason I heard about OD&D did my research, the PDFs, read the history, etc.... Suddenly I fell into OSR community, which is a growing mess. I asked their recommendations, then all the bots OSE, OSE, OSE for Christ's sake. Then I read the downvoted comments (Lamentation of the Flame Princess) and the lowest votes (Mentzer), I did try the original B/X and OSE as a beginner of course, truth be told those games are not for beginners. I asked a couple of times similar result then I move to other communities. Anyway long story short after that I played different games and system now, even Holmes ;D I'm not influence by any other RPGs or modern Editions.
Quote from: S'mon on April 15, 2023, 02:44:31 AM
Quote from: Cathal on April 14, 2023, 09:47:41 PM
I'll try to search for White Dwarfs. BTW, is it a magazine?
White Dwarf is a magazine, for about the first 100 issues it was the UK's premier RPG magazine. Then it became Games Workshop's Warhammer minis battle magazine.
Oh man I think is not possible to find that magazine anymore. I read there is a compilation "The Best of White Dwarf" maybe this will my best chance.
If you know where to find it please send me a message.
Greetings!
Yes, I still have my collection of White Dwarf magazines, all original, all in mint condition. They are a valuable treasure for sure!
Semper Fidelis,
SHARK
Quote from: Cathal on April 15, 2023, 11:32:54 AM
Oh man I think is not possible to find that magazine anymore. I read there is a compilation "The Best of White Dwarf" maybe this will my best chance.
If you know where to find it please send me a message.
The PDFs seem to have been removed from the Internet, which is ironic as Games Workshop does not own copyright in the articles, and their typographical arrangement right expired after 25 years, long ago now.
Alas pdfs of White Dwarf Magazine from 70s exists in depths of internet. Just seek them.
Quote from: Wrath of God on April 19, 2023, 10:58:40 AM
Alas pdfs of White Dwarf Magazine from 70s exists in depths of internet. Just seek them.
Anakin: "Is it possible to download these PDF's?"
Palpatine: "Not from Games Workshop."
Quote from: rytrasmi on April 11, 2023, 12:46:44 PM
I found these books very helpful. They are more directed to the mechanics of running a game than creating adventures or campaigns:
- Angry GM's book
- Venger's How to GM like a Fucking Boss
Thanks, hoss! I just came out with a follow-up to that book, yesterday, in fact. Here's a link to
Advanced Game Mastering Like A Fucking Boss: https://www.drivethrurpg.com/product/434328/Advanced-Game-Mastering-Like-A-Fucking-Boss
Quote from: Palmer Eldritch on April 14, 2023, 06:32:38 AM
Quote from: rytrasmi on April 11, 2023, 12:46:44 PM
I found these books very helpful. They are more directed to the mechanics of running a game than creating adventures or campaigns:
- Angry GM's book
- Verner's How to GM like a Fucking Boss
+1 for the Angry GM. Even if you've been DMing forever, his advice on action resolution and structures is useful. I reread it every so often as a reminder not to slip into bad habits.
Angry is very good at putting into words stuff I already knew, but didn't realize I knew and was acting on.
And that is useful, because being able to put it into words and examine it helps you do it better.
Quote from: VengerSatanis on April 19, 2023, 03:14:18 PM
Quote from: rytrasmi on April 11, 2023, 12:46:44 PM
I found these books very helpful. They are more directed to the mechanics of running a game than creating adventures or campaigns:
- Angry GM's book
- Venger's How to GM like a Fucking Boss
Thanks, hoss! I just came out with a follow-up to that book, yesterday, in fact. Here's a link to Advanced Game Mastering Like A Fucking Boss: https://www.drivethrurpg.com/product/434328/Advanced-Game-Mastering-Like-A-Fucking-Boss
The most interesting bit to me in the original, and I find it funny in contrast to you in your videos, is you discussions of applying professional work standards to yourself when DMing.
And, yeah, I started paying attention to what I was wearing and being more formal in approaching my role after reading it.
The book that leveled up my GMing was Dungeon World. It clearly spells out what a DM is supposed to do at the table and away from the table with little guesswork as to what to do next.
Quote from: Wrath of God on April 19, 2023, 10:58:40 AM
Alas pdfs of White Dwarf Magazine from 70s exists in depths of internet. Just seek them.
Done ;D
Quote from: ronwisegamgee on April 19, 2023, 06:17:10 PM
The book that leveled up my GMing was Dungeon World. It clearly spells out what a DM is supposed to do at the table and away from the table with little guesswork as to what to do next.
I agree. I'd say any well-written PbtA game does this with the Gamemaster moves system.
Like I said about the Angry GM above, it isn't anything you don't know and do, but by putting it as a list of actions, and if you compare multiple PbtA games genre specific as well as general ones, it gets you think.
Quote from: PulpHerb on April 19, 2023, 07:21:46 PM
Quote from: ronwisegamgee on April 19, 2023, 06:17:10 PM
The book that leveled up my GMing was Dungeon World. It clearly spells out what a DM is supposed to do at the table and away from the table with little guesswork as to what to do next.
I agree. I'd say any well-written PbtA game does this with the Gamemaster moves system.
Like I said about the Angry GM above, it isn't anything you don't know and do, but by putting it as a list of actions, and if you compare multiple PbtA games genre specific as well as general ones, it gets you think.
::) Sorry for the beginner question, but a GM book for Pbta is useful for a D&D/OSR system?
Found this book: Through Dungeons Deep: A Fantasy Gamers' Handbook by Robert Plamondon.
Did anyone read it?
[/quote]
::) Sorry for the beginner question, but a GM book for Pbta is useful for a D&D/OSR system?
[/quote]
Absolutely. It's largely system-neutral advice that is either easily transferable to D&D/OSR or can be extrapolated into D&D/OSR jargon.
In Dragon #40 there is an article, "Even Fantasy Has Reality," that is written towards a very specific fantasy playstyle, but it has interesting ideas adaptable in a lot of ways beyond it. For over 40 years, it has shaped my fantasy gaming and even some non-fantasy.
Specifically the environment meter reflecting the ground state of the environment in mythic and metaphysical terms, how play actions change it, and how it returns to ground state are useful and adaptable. They readily adapt to politics, for example.
Castles & Crusades CKG (Castle Keepers Guide) 4th printing.
AD&D Dungeon Masters Guide, of course.
Quote from: Eric Diaz on April 13, 2023, 04:05:22 PM
Lazy Dungeon Master I found good, not great. Review here:
https://methodsetmadness.blogspot.com/2022/09/return-of-lazy-dungeon-master-review.html
Sounds interesting. Can you give me some of the good, the bad and the ugly of this? What you think is good and what you dont like?
I am always looking for books to check out.
Quote from: SHARK on April 11, 2023, 01:35:37 PM
Greetings!
1E AD&D's Dungeon Master's Guide, by Gary Gygax.
Get it.
Read it. Slowly. Chew on it, and ponder every section. Let your imagination soak up what Gygax discusses in the pages.
As you take notes, and begin to build your campaign, go back to Gygax's Dungeon Master's Guide, and re-read sections, again. I guarantee you will gain new inspiration and pick up new insights that you missed in your previous reading.
Semper Fidelis,
SHARK
I agree 100%. DMG was a masterwork and 2E blew it by not just using the same DMG and slapping "also good with 2E" on the cover.
Quote from: Cathal on April 19, 2023, 09:00:35 PM
Quote from: PulpHerb on April 19, 2023, 07:21:46 PM
Quote from: ronwisegamgee on April 19, 2023, 06:17:10 PM
The book that leveled up my GMing was Dungeon World. It clearly spells out what a DM is supposed to do at the table and away from the table with little guesswork as to what to do next.
I agree. I'd say any well-written PbtA game does this with the Gamemaster moves system.
Like I said about the Angry GM above, it isn't anything you don't know and do, but by putting it as a list of actions, and if you compare multiple PbtA games genre specific as well as general ones, it gets you think.
::) Sorry for the beginner question, but a GM book for Pbta is useful for a D&D/OSR system?
Not a GM book, but one of the core rule books.
And yes.
They formalize DM actions in a list of "GM moves".
They aren't anything you don't learn, but by listing them with small definitions it gets you to think about them instead of just using them by gut.
And, in general, good GM advice, unless rules advice, is system neutral. I tell anyone reading anything to read the original DMG because of the gems in it. Same for "Listen Up You Primative Screwheads" if just for the niche protection section alone.
You guys mean this one?
https://www.dungeonworldsrd.com/gamemastering/
Quote from: Ruprecht on April 22, 2023, 11:41:56 PM
Quote from: SHARK on April 11, 2023, 01:35:37 PM
Greetings!
1E AD&D's Dungeon Master's Guide, by Gary Gygax.
Get it.
Read it. Slowly. Chew on it, and ponder every section. Let your imagination soak up what Gygax discusses in the pages.
As you take notes, and begin to build your campaign, go back to Gygax's Dungeon Master's Guide, and re-read sections, again. I guarantee you will gain new inspiration and pick up new insights that you missed in your previous reading.
Semper Fidelis,
SHARK
I agree 100%. DMG was a masterwork and 2E blew it by not just using the same DMG and slapping "also good with 2E on the cover).
Greetings!
*Laughing* So true, huh? "Also good with 2E!" That made me roar with laughter! Fucking awesome!
Semper Fidelis,
SHARK
Quote from: Cathal on April 23, 2023, 05:50:58 PM
You guys mean this one?
https://www.dungeonworldsrd.com/gamemastering/
That is the DM section, yes.
Read the moves. Good DMs do those instinctively. But here they are listed out so you can read and think about them instead of discovering by trial and error.
Quote from: PulpHerb on April 24, 2023, 12:53:46 AM
That is the DM section, yes.
Read the moves. Good DMs do those instinctively. But here they are listed out so you can read and think about them instead of discovering by trial and error.
Thank you
Thanks everyone :) Because I need to prioritize and after thinking about it. I'm going to read the old books first, some are short. I will go with:
- Advanced Dungeons & Dragons Dungeon Master's Guide, Gygax 1979
- What is Dungeons and Dragons? by Butterfield, Parker & Honigman 1983
- Through Dungeons Deep: A Fantasy Gamers' Handbook by Robert Plamondon. 1982
- Best of White Dwarf Articles by various authors. 80s
- I have in mind two other books one from the 80s and one from the 90s. I have not decided. I think DMG by Gygax will take me a long time to read it.
However I need to take a look more in deep with the other recomendations, there are so many books. Some that I have in mind are:
- Robin´s Law of Good Gamemastering, by Robin D. Laws 2002
- Lamentations of the Flame Princess Referee Book, James Raggi IV
- Arbiter of Worlds by Alexander Macris 2019
Please if you know other GM Books throw it here ;D I'm gonna check it
For DM advice, there are many excellent articles in Dragon Magazine, which you can dig around through via the DragonDex at https://www.aeolia.net/dragondex/articles-subject.html
Some of my favorites include:
All by Gary Gygax:
- "D&D Is Only As Good As the DM" in Strategic Review #7
- How To Set Up Your Dungeons & Dragons Campaign" in Europa #6-8 (and archived at http://gygaxslegendarium.blogspot.com/search/label/How%20to%20Set%20Up%20Your%20Dungeons%20&%20Dragons%20Campaign (http://gygaxslegendarium.blogspot.com/search/label/How%20to%20Set%20Up%20Your%20Dungeons%20&%20Dragons%20Campaign))
"Making Monsters Meaningful" in Dragon #42
- "Founding Greyhawk" in Dragon Annual #2 (itself an expansion from his Polyhedron #12 article, "Setting the Milieu"---or maybe it was expanded into Forge a Fantasy World, perhaps?)
- "To Forge a Fantasy World: Greyhawk's Creation" in Horsemen of the Apocalypse (and archived at https://web.archive.org/web/20140703092712/http://gygaxslegendarium.blogspot.com/2012/04/to-forge-fantasy-world-greyhawks.html (https://web.archive.org/web/20140703092712/http://gygaxslegendarium.blogspot.com/2012/04/to-forge-fantasy-world-greyhawks.html))
- his two non-fiction books, Role-Playing Mastery and Mastering the Game
All by Ed Greenwood:
- "From the City of Brass to Dead Orc Pass: the Theory and Use of Gates" in Dragon #37
- "The Merry Month of...Mirtul?" in Dragon #47"
- "Down-To-Earth Divinity" in Dragon #54
- "Plan Before You Play" in Dragon #63
- "Law of the Land" in Dragon #65
There are plenty of others, but they're a good start :D
Allan.
Thank you! Noted! Nice recommendation man.