of Dice and Dragons

In July of last year I mentioned that when you’re updating your role-playing character sheet you should note the rulebook pages (see this post) but you could also take this a step further but tagging those pages with a sticky note.

Most folks have access to the typically sized note (about 3 inches square) but you can also get ones that are smaller that make great little flags in your books to make finding things easier - not to mention they don’t fall out like a bookmark would.

When you pick up your pack of “flags” they’re usually in a multicolor pack - which makes organizing things a bit easier - not to mention you could write a short code on the tag to signify what it is. Depending on whether you’re a GM or a player would determine what you would actually tag and in what books, things you might consider:

• Character spells
• Class specific abilities and restrictions
• Treasure tables
• Random encounter tables
• Movement rules

As you can see the list can grow quickly - just be sure you don’t over do it. If it’s something you frequently refer to then mark it but if you only look at on a rare occasion don’t. The important thing to remember here is that you are working to make your life easier at the gaming table, not more cluttered and complicated.

May your dice roll well.

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The latest issue of Role-playing Tips #350 is online - 7 Ways To Be A More Entertaining GM.

In this issue Johnn takes aim at providing all of us tips and techniques so that we can run more entertaining games for our players - it’s well worth the read.

I also want to give my congratulations to Johnn on reaching issue #350. It’s been seven years according to him since he started Role-playing tips and I for one am very glad to have had his ezine over the years and wish him many more to come.

Enjoy!

Contents:
–> A Brief Word From Johnn

–> This Week’s Tips:
1. Be Enthusiastic
2. Use Props
3. Interesting NPCs
4. Vivid Description
5. Interesting Environments
6. Reveal A Compelling Secret Or Twist Each Session
7. Change Patterns, Break Ruts

–> Readers’ Tips Of The Week:
1. Tracking Hit Points Per Mini
2. Burning Sand Tactic
3. Instill A Sense Of Wonder
4. New Take On Elves

–> Links Of The Week
1. List Of Evil Baby Names
2. GTD
3. D&D Wiki

You can read it online here.

If you don’t already subscribe I would recommend it, you can do that here.

May your dice roll well.

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For those of you who might have missed it, Wizards released the latest version of their FAQ for D&D. The PDF file, which is zipped for download is 95 pages in length the the usual red text on a gray background to call out new additions to the FAQ.

On a quick scan I didn’t see any updates for character classes and most of the new items seem to clarify some very specific situations or items that I personally haven’t seen come up in any campaign I’ve run or played in (like What’s the offspring of a half-elf that breeds with a half-elf?).

If you’re a GM be sure to download and read up on everything as I’m sure you’re players will.

You can get the FAQ at: http://wizards.com/default.asp?x=dnd/er/20030221a

May your dice roll well.

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Role-playing Tips latest issue #349 is online - Manage NPC Guides Carefully.

As a GM you’ve no doubt included a NPC from time to time to aid and assist the players and of course it’s always tricky - you don’t want to give too much or too little information and you definitely don’t want the NPC to take over. In this issue Johnn takes this issue on and give some great advice on how to handle them regardless of the role-playing system you’re playing.

Enjoy!

Contents:
–> A Brief Word From Johnn

–> This Week’s Tips:
1. Give A Guide Their Own Agenda, Goals, And Secrets
2. Give The Guide Few Leadership Skills
3. Make Your Guide Specialized
4. Give Your Guide An Interesting Personality And Have Him Participate
5. Guides Offer Choices
6. Give The Guide A Weakness

–> Readers’ Tips Of The Week:
1. Shadow Clue Idea
2. Political Encounter Hook
3. Use A Message Board Between Sessions
4. Keep The PCs Motivated

–> Links Of The Week
1. Another Dice Roller
2. Online Units Conversion Tool
3. Feature List For Popular Virtual P&P RPG Programs

You can read it online here.

If you don’t already subscribe I would recommend it, you can do that here.

May your dice roll well.

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Sorry I’m a bit late with this one but you should check out Issue #348 of Role-playing Tips online - Sneaky Tactics For Weak Monsters.

The issue includes a large number of tactics that you can pull to use in your campaign against the PCs - I mean to make combats more interesting.

I would also recommend that if you’re a player you take a look at this issue as well as after all you can a lot of these tactics as well. Also be sure to check out the links section as it includes a number of online dice rolling utilities - be sure to check them out.

Enjoy!

Contents:
–> A Brief Word From Johnn

–> This Week’s Tips:
1. Pin Down The PCs
2. From Behind The Door
3. Interrupt Spell Recovery
4. Outwait Spells
5. Gain Movement Advantage
6. Craft Ambushes
7. Fight, Flee, Victory
8. Learn About PC Abilities
9. Monsters Spend Money Too
10. Use Ranged Attacks
11. Fire Is Fun
12. Don’t Fear Free Hacks
13. Concentrate Attacks On A Single Foe
14. Find A Boss Monster
15. Pick A Purpose First
16. Use Trenches
17. Even The Weakest Can Help
18. Use Oil
19. Give The Leader An Aide
20. Shoot And Hide (D&D)
21. Make Them Specialists (D&D)
22. A Nice Team (D&D)

–> Readers’ Tips Of The Week: Dice Rollers

You can read it online here.

If you don’t already subscribe I would recommend it, you can do that here.

May your dice roll well.

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