Tag: Dungeon’s Master

D&D Encounters: Search for the Diamond Staff – Report Card

Post author By Ameron (Derek Myers)
Post date August 15, 2013
6 Comments on D&D Encounters: Search for the Diamond Staff – Report Card

We have once again concluded another season of D&D Encounters. The season 14 adventure, Search for the Diamond Staff, had its ups and downs and we’re going to look at many of them today as we put together our report card on the season.

This report card will follow the same format I’ve used many times before; I’ll start with the good and then move on to the bad. However, as this was the first time we used the D&D Next rules for D&D Encounters I’ll do a special good/bad breakdown of the elements unique to the playtest rules.

Without further ado here are our thoughts on season 14 D&D Encounters: Search for the Diamond staff. Let us know your thoughts on the season as a whole in the comments below.

Tags 4e, D&D, D&D Encounters, D&D Encounters: Search for the Diamond Staff, D&D Next, Dungeon's Master, Dungeons and Dragons

Player Resources

In Anticipation of GenCon: 10 Things I Learned at Worldwide D&D Game Day

Post author By Ameron (Derek Myers)
Post date August 13, 2013

Many people try role-playing games for the first time at their FLGS or at a gaming convention. Events like D&D Encounters and D&D Game Day present great opportunities for curious observers to sit at the table and join in the fun.

This weekend at GenCon and at FLGS in the U.S.A. and Canada, the Murder in Baldur’s Gate launch weekend event provides the perfect opportunity for new people to try D&D for the first time. As experienced gamers it’s up to us to act as ambassadors for the gaming community and welcome these new members into the fold.

A someone who knows what it’s like to wear the gaming ambassador hat on a regular basis I’d like to offer some suggestions on how we can all work together to ensure that new gamers have a good time. These tips are valid for any public play game including D&D Encounters, Game Day, or GenCon.

Originally published on May 25, 2009, Dungeon’s Master once again presents 10 Things I Learned at Worldwide D&D Game Day.

Tags 4e, D&D, D&D Encounters, DnDNext, Dungeon's Master, Dungeons and Dragons, GenCon 2013, Player Resources

Player Resources

In Anticipation of GenCon: 7 Appalling Things I Witnessed at the Gaming Table

Post author By Ameron (Derek Myers)
Post date August 12, 2013
1 Comment on In Anticipation of GenCon: 7 Appalling Things I Witnessed at the Gaming Table

Many gamers assume that people who share their hobby also share their sensibility regarding what’s considered socially acceptable at the gaming table. Regrettably this is not always the case. From time to time during public play games (such as those run at conventions) players will be clueless about what’s expected of them when it comes to the social contract. I’m not even talking about matters of personal hygiene, although that’s an issue too. I’m talking about what most consider to be acceptable behaviour and the line that’s cross all too often.

This article was written following my personal experiences at GenCon a few years ago. I have rerun it every year since as a reminder that a little bit of courtesy and common sense go a long way at the gaming table. As you read this article make note of the offenses you think you might be guilty of this year at GenCon and do your best to avoid committing any of these violations.

We ran this as part of our Great Hits 2011 at which time I wrote a new intro for it. I think that the new intro is just as important as the original article so I’ve decided to include it with today’s re-post.

Originally published on August 12, 2011, and then again on December 19, 2011, Dungeon’s Master once again presents:

Tags 4e, DnDNext, Dungeon's Master, Dungeons and Dragons, GenCon 2013, Player Resources, social contract

Player Resources

In Anticipation of GenCon: Don’t Be a Dick – 4 Tips for Following Wheaton’s Law

Post author By Ameron (Derek Myers)
Post date August 11, 2013

With only a few days until GenCon, many of the gaming blogs will be sharing their list of dos and don’ts for making your GenCon experience great. Today and tomorrow Dungeon’s Master offers some tips on what you can do to help make everyone else’s GenCon experience great.

While you’re busy trying to enjoy the best four days in gaming make sure that you’re not ruining someone else’s. Although most gamers I’ve met are pretty well behaved, there are some who are completely oblivious and don’t realize that their poor behaviour will have a negative impact on those around them. So be mindful of others when you’re at GenCon (or at your local FLGS for that matter) and give this article from the archives another once over.

Originally published on July 16, 2012, Dungeon’s Master once again presents Don’t Be a Dick – 4 Tips for Following Wheaton’s Law.

Tags 4e, D&D, DnDNext, Don't be a Dick, Dungeon's Master, Dungeons and Dragons, GenCon 2013, Player Resources, Wheaton's Law

D&D Encounters Player Resources

In Anticipation of GenCon: 8 Things I Learned at D&D Encounters

Post author By Ameron (Derek Myers)
Post date August 10, 2013

I’m going to share some important words of wisdom with all the DMs out there – running a public play game is very different than running a home game. So for everyone who’s going to be running a game at GenCon next week I suggest you read on and take notes.

Public play games are certainly a lot of fun. Personally I think I’ve become a better DM since I started DMing public play games (LFR, D&D Encounters, and Lair Assault). But improvement wasn’t immediate, it took time for me to learn the dos and don’ts of DMing public play games. To help the uninitiated I complied a list of tips that I think you’ll find helpful. Many of these tips will be especially relevant if you happen to have younger or brand new players at your table. Good luck!

Originally published on September 12, 2011, Dungeon’s Master once again presents 8 Things I Learned at D&D Encounters.

Tags 4e, D&D, D&D Encounters, DnDNext, Dungeon's Master, Dungeons and Dragons, GenCon 2013, Player Resources

D&D Encounters D&D Next

D&D Encounters: Murder in Baldur’s Gate – Preview

Post author By The Average Joe (Joe Lastowski)
Post date August 9, 2013
40 Comments on D&D Encounters: Murder in Baldur’s Gate – Preview

Next week begins season 15 of D&D Encounters: Murder in Baldur’s Gate. August 14 is the week 0 character generation session, with things kicking off officially with the D&D Launch weekend event August 17-18. There are a lot of changes this time around, so read on for a preview of what to expect.

Today Dungeon’s Master welcomes our newest contributor, Joe Lastowski (a.k.a. The Average Joe). Joe has over 20 years of gaming experience and has participated in the public play program including D&D Encounters for many years now.

Normally I write the D&D Encounters preview article each season, however, changes to the program now require the DMs to purchase the materials. My FLGS hasn’t yet received their copies, but as luck would have it Joe got his hands on the materials earlier this week. I think Joe does a great job of explaining what’s in store during season 15 and I think his initial impression of the materials aligns with mine (based on what I’ve seen and read so far). We welcome your feedback and encourage you to leave your comments below.
– Ameron

Tags 4e, D&D, D&D Encounters, D&D Encounters: Murder in Baldur’s Gate, D&D Next, DnD Next, Dungeon's Master, Dungeons and Dragons, Murder in Baldur’s Gate, Player Resources

D&D Encounters D&D Next

D&D Encounters: Search for the Diamond Staff (Week 8.)

Post author By Ameron (Derek Myers)
Post date August 8, 2013
11 Comments on D&D Encounters: Search for the Diamond Staff (Week 8.)

During last week’s session the PCs ventured into the Vault of Song. After they figured out how to open the sealed doorway by manipulating the statue of the five Elf maidens, they faced off against a gargantuan Uvaeran Dragon. With the Dragon’s defeat the PCs took a quick breather before proceeding onward to the final chamber.

We had a good showing for the final session at Silver Snail in Toronto. The 4e table had seven players and my D&D Next table had seven players. My party consisted of a Human Fighter, Elf Ranger, Elf Wizard #1, Elf Wizard #2, Human Wizard, Halfling Rogue (re-skinned as a Bard), and Half-Elf Paladin.

Although a new playtest packet was released over the weekend, we decided not to adopt any of those changes for the final encounter. We’d played with these rules for seven weeks and we didn’t see the value in changing now.

Actual Play Podcast at Harry T North (Season 14 Week 8) Play Now | Play in Popup | Download

Actual Play Podcast at Silver Snail (Season 14 Week 8) Play Now | Play in Popup | Download

Tags 4e, D&D, D&D Encounters, D&D Encounters: Search for the Diamond Staff, D&D Next, DnDNext, Dungeon's Master, Dungeons and Dragons

DM Resources Player Resources

In Anticipation of GenCon: Convention Tips 6 for Players, 6 for DMs

Post author By Ameron (Derek Myers)
Post date August 7, 2013
2 Comments on In Anticipation of GenCon: Convention Tips 6 for Players, 6 for DMs

In one week throngs of gamers will descend upon downtown Indianapolis for GenCon 2013. Although the best four days in gaming doesn’t officially begin until Thursday, August 15, most convention goers will arrive on Wednesday. We’ve searched through the Dungeon’s Master archives and everyday leading up to GenCon we’ll share articles that provide tips for players and DMs that are specifically related to conventions and public play. Of course these tips are often just as valid in your home games so even if you’re not going to GenCon we think you’ll find these tips applicable. Be sure to visit Dungeon’s Master every day between now and GenCon to see what kind of tips we’re sharing.

Tags 4e, D&D, DM Resources, DnDNext, Dungeon's Master, Dungeons and Dragons, GenCon 2013, Player Resources

Adventure Hooks DM Resources Friday Favourites

Friday Favourite: Traps & Hazards: The Sword in the Stone

Post author By Ameron (Derek Myers)
Post date August 2, 2013
4 Comments on Friday Favourite: Traps & Hazards: The Sword in the Stone

On Friday we comb through our extensive archives to find an older article that we feel deserves another look. From May 19, 2010, Dungeon’s Master once again presents: Traps & Hazards: The Sword in the Stone.

What do you do when you discover an ancient red dragon living in your neighbourhood? You get adventurers to kill it, of course. But what happens if the adventurers don’t kill the dragon? It will be angry that you tried to kill it and it will likely destroy your village. If only there was a way to keep sending adventurers against the dragon while avoiding the dragon’s wrath after each failed attempt. The inhabitants of Burrow’s Scar have come up with just such a plan. Unfortunately for your PCs, they are likely to be the next heroes tricked into face the dragon.

Tags 4e, D&D, DM, DM Resources, Dungeon's Master, Dungeons and Dragons, Friday Favourite, Sword in the Stone, Traps & Hazards

D&D Encounters D&D Next

D&D Encounters: Search for the Diamond Staff (Week 7)

Post author By Ameron (Derek Myers)
Post date August 1, 2013
9 Comments on D&D Encounters: Search for the Diamond Staff (Week 7)

During the last session the PCs fought Chitines (spider-creatures) in the Elvin ruins of Uvaeren. After defeating the monsters the heroes discovered a doorway. Heaps of fresh earth and discarded picks and shovels indicated it was cleared recently. This must be where Phoedele and the Zhentarim soldier went; underground into the lost Vault of Song.

The heroes were in no shape to continue so they returned to the old plaza with the statues and the pillars. They felt that they’d be safe resting there since the Chitines clearly didn’t come near the ancient residual Elvin magic. After a long rest the party leveled up (to level 6) and proceeded down the stairs.

This week at Silver Snail in Toronto we ran one table of 4e and one table of D&D Next. The 4e table was once again packed (eight players) while I had six players at my D&D Next table. The party consisted of Elf Ranger, Elf Wizard #1, Elf Wizard #2, Human Wizard, Halfling Rogue (re-skinned as a Bard), and Half-Elf Paladin.

The Zhents had a huge head start on the party. It didn’t really make sense for the party to stop and rest when they did, but mechanically speaking it was necessary. To account for this I tweaked the encounter a bit.

Actual Play Podcast at Harry T North (Season 14 Week 7) Play Now | Play in Popup | Download

Actual Play Podcast at Silver Snail (Season 14 Week 7) Play Now | Play in Popup | Download

Tags 4e, D&D, D&D Encounters, D&D Encounters: Search for the Diamond Staff, D&D Next, DnDNext, Dungeon's Master, Dungeons and Dragons, Search for the Diamond Staff