RPG Tip: Turn mistakes into story. If you misread a rule, explain it as a magical quirk of the world. I do this all the time, and when it doesn’t work I just say I made a mistake. #DnD #TTRPG

RPG Tip: Have a “grab bag” of NPC archetypes ready. Merchant, soldier, noble, scholar, reskin as needed. It’s just a nice resource to have when your players zig instead of zag. #DnD #TTRPG

RPG Tip: If players zig, don’t force the zag. Follow their lead and see where it goes. The game has elements of improvisational play to it. Denying that is denying a strength of TTRPGs. #DnD #TTRPG

RPG Tip: Listen for offhand player jokes, especially the ones that are in world. Sometimes they hand you better ideas than your notes. #DnD #TTRPG

RPG Tip: You can repurpose unused prep. That dungeon map you didn’t use can appear later in the campaign. #DnD #TTRPG

RPG Tip: Give each scene one surprising element. A strange sound, an odd NPC, or weird weather can stick with players. #DnD #TTRPG

RPG Tip: Do not fear retconning small things. A quick correction won't really damage the game flow and can sometimes save it from falling apart. Also, if retconning a large thing helps put the game in a place that's better for everyone, do it. #DnD #TTRPG

We Have Bard Technology #dnd5e #ttrpg #dungeonmaster youtube.com/shorts/9hLan...

RPG Tip: It’s ok to use random tables. Roll when inspiration runs low or you want to be surprised. #DnD #TTRPG

RPG Tip: Re-skin monsters on the fly. A wolf stat block can become a clockwork hound or shadow beast. So useful. #DnD #TTRPG

RPG Tip: When stuck or wanting to create some space for players to interact, ask someone what they see. Then make their answer part of the fiction. #DnD #TTRPG

New Blog Post over on our Thac0 with Advantage Patreon for free. Talking about listening to yourself GMing, Legacy Board Games, and game feel. www.patreon.com/posts/sgs-sk...

RPG Tip: Let players invent or even build small world details. A favorite tavern drink or festival builds ownership. #DnD #TTRPG

Skritches is an Athroanimal Noir story about Crime, Comedy, and Drama. Think Zootopia meets Chinatown. Episode 1 is released. A Dearest Murder. A Listen at the link below or wherever you get podcasts. polygamero.us/skritches-on...

RPG Tip: Keep a list of random names handy. I recently mentioned this but it's useful. It also allows you to turn a throwaway NPC into someone unforgettable. #DnD #TTRPG

RPG Tip: Say “yes, but” when you like the idea but it's a little too much. It keeps momentum and the conversation going. #DnD #TTRPG

Miss the Heroes of Hovel’s Way? Part three comes out early next year. Until then our editor @clight101.bsky.social has the first episode of a Anthroanimal Noir murder story called Skritches out today. Check it out here. polygamero.us/skritches-on...

RPG Tip: Never be afraid to improvise. Players will remember your quick choices more than your unused notes. #DnD #TTRPG

RPG Tip: End with a hook. A question, mystery, or danger ensures excitement for the next game. AKA Cliffhangers. #DnD #TTRPG

RPG Tip: Keep a “big list of names.” Pulling a quick NPC from it keeps immersion strong. #DnD #TTRPG

RPG Tip: Do not overload your prep. A few strong hooks beat dozens of unused notes. You prep to be comfortable when playing. #DnD #TTRPG

RPG Tip: Use digital tools wisely. Roll20, Discord, or shared docs can make online and hybrid play smooth. #DnD #TTRPG

RPG Tip: Keep session zero sacred. It sets expectations, creates bonds, and avoids surprises later. #DnD #TTRPG

Thac0 with Advantage 80. The Best Ways to Ask Players for Feedback in D&D and other polygamero.us/thac0-with-a...

RPG Tip: Spotlight everyone during the session. Even a quick moment of focus matters. #DnD #TTRPG

RPG Tip: Encourage table talk when it adds to the experience . Not every joke is a derail. #DnD #TTRPG

RPG Tip: Learn to pace. Tough skill to learn. Alternate between tension and relief to keep the table engaged. See Hamlet's Hit Points to get started. #DnD #TTRPG

Blog from the Editor @clight101.bsky.social. TL:DR Stuff about how you might want to do an information dump, Streets of Avalon Stat Block ideas, Paragons of the Cosmos comes out tomorrow. #ttrpg #dnd www.patreon.com/posts/sgs-if...

RPG Tip: Use index cards for NPCs. A name, quirk, and goal is enough to keep them alive in memory. Then you can have an NPC rolodex . #DnD #TTRPG

RPG Tip: Keep dice on the table. Visible rolls build trust and drama. Making that last death save in the open is quite a moment and who doesn’t love to see the nat 20 to either cheer or jeer. #DnD #TTRPG

RPG Tip: Do a quick “stars and wishes” at the end. Celebrate what worked and learn what to add next time from both what people enjoyed and want to see in the future. #DnD #TTRPG

RPG Tip: End sessions on time. Respect for schedules keeps people coming back. #DnD #TTRPG

RPG Tip: Write down player character names, make them visible to everyone. Use them often to personalize scenes and draw people into the shared play space. #DnD #TTRPG

RPG Tip: Use props when possible. A handout, coin, or puzzle makes the world tangible and lets us be a part of the game world just a little bit. #DnD #TTRPG

This morning we started Fury of the Forsaken by @louanders.bsky.social's Lazy Wolf Studios, using his Thrones & Bones setting. I really don't want to spoil too much, because there are a lot of fun ins and outs and mysteries that play into the plot.

RPG Tip: Track initiative in plain sight. Visible order helps keep combat flowing smoothly. Players will sometimes plan more interesting things when they can see what’s coming and when it’s about to be the dragon's turn that tension starts to rise. #DnD #TTRPG

RPG Tip: Music helps sets mood. Battle drums, tavern fiddles, or eerie whispers add instant atmosphere. If you can do this without slowing your game down then it'll enhance a lot about your game. #DnD #TTRPG

RPG Tip: Keep snacks and breaks in mind. A short pause can recharge focus and energy. #DnD #TTRPG

RPG Tip: Set table expectations. Talk about tone, rules, and style. Add in the extras that make your table play best before the dice hit the table. #DnD #TTRPG

RPG Tip: Use safety tools. X-cards, lines and veils, or simple check-ins help everyone have fun. #DnD #TTRPG

RPG Tip: Start sessions with a recap. It gets everyone back into character and reminds them what is at stake. Take it up a notch and let the players contribute to the recap by asking them questions. #DnD #TTRPG

RPG Tip: Defeat should matter. When a villain falls, their death should ripple across the world. #DnD #TTRPG

Enjoying Thac0 with Advantage and want some more? @whatdoiknowjr.bsky.social , that’s Jared, interviewed Kienna Shaw and Lauren Bryant-Monk, the folks behind the Tabletop Safety Toolkit, a resource providing gamers with access to a variety of safety tools. gnomestew.com/gnomecast-22...

RPG Tip: Let villains be charming. A smile and a kind word can be more unsettling than a threat. 🙂 #DnD #TTRPG

RPG Tip: Give monsters one twist. A skeleton that bleeds sand is scarier than just another skeleton. It also lets you put your own spin on these classic foes. #DnD #TTRPG

RPG Tip: The previous and future tips are parts of a whole. It’s not alone but together where they are most useful. They’re also greater than the sum of their parts. #dnd #ttrpg

RPG Tip: Villains should have victories offscreen. Rumors of their growing power make players take them seriously. It's even better when you can show the results of those victories. #DnD #TTRPG

Understand your tendencies - Ang’s are Blonde #ttrpg #dnd youtube.com/shorts/JwPJ_...

RPG Tip: Make adversaries escalate. First minions, then champions, then the true threat. Helps with pacing out the threat level and as one way to increase the tension. #DnD #TTRPG

RPG Tip: Let villains monologue occasionally. A glimpse of their worldview makes them human. Wanna make sure they don't get interrupted , do it on their turns in combat. #DnD #TTRPG