#pathfinder2

[OC] Fortuna

TLDR: My DM style has been influenced a lot by my experiences playing in TTRPGs, and I think there is a lot DMs can learn from being a player

Prior to even thinking about being a DM I had been a player for a number of years. I’d played in games from 3e, 3.5, Pathfinder, and even a weird space Homebrew 5e system. I didn’t really even consider the idea of being a DM until 2017, even though I had helped out other DMs and writers with a variety of things

So when I picked up the mantle as a DM, I already had a huge well of experience on what I liked as a player. So here are just a couple things I do as a DM that I learned from being a player:

I Avoid Prophecy Plots

Or more accurate if I plan to use a prophecy, I make the prophecy about what the villains are doing (rather than the PCs) The problem I found with prophecies is that it can make it feel like the PCs HAVE to do certain things in a certain way and they can’t fail if they do those things. This can end up taking away player agency and/or taking out a feeling of risk because the players know the DM can’t kill them off because that would ruin the entire prophecy

I Don’t Know the Answer

There is a lot of thinking power between 3 or 4 players, and a lot of times if I have a puzzle or encounter the players will come to very different solution than what I expect. For this reason I design a lot of things with the mindset that I am giving the player a problem and reason out a solution to it that they come up with, rather than trying to design something with a set solution and then guiding players towards that. 

Rule of Cool

There are a LOT of things I have let my players do simply because they lead to interesting or fun outcomes. As an example, a Wizard player in my home game usually carries the spell Grease because I ruled that the grease it creates is flammable and works like Alchemist Fire or a flask of oil. When players realize they can do things in an unorthodox way, a lot of times that makes for really cool moments for them, and so whenever I can bend the rules in favor of allowing a player to do something cool, I do. 

A Tarrasque is Always an Option

This is pretty much my motto as a DM. What I mean by this is that the DM has all the power in the multiverse, and so virtually nothing the players do or are capable of doing is OP relative to the DM. I have 0 problem giving players a shiny new toy or magic item on occasion and letting them feel like their character is becoming super powerful even if that means a little extra work for me in making challenging encounters. Players LOVE getting new items to use, so the logic behind this is pretty similar to the Rule of Cool. 

Newest addition to my DnD/Pathfinder PCs! This is Rei, a human mutagenist who had the misfortune of her lab blowing up in her face, resulting in uncontrollable mutations that change her physical structure and appearance every few days. She finds the results more fascinating than traumatic, but she’s learned that constantly shifting facial features tend to make others nervous so she often covers up in public. 

Please, if you are playing a Goblin in Pathfinder 2 refrain from using the Dogslicer or Horsechopper on their intended targets in the game.

Hey y’all! I’m starting up a new DnD based server called The Church of The Nat20! There there are two ongoing campaigns, as well as one I run usually every week that has different people in its team every time with random enemies and locations! I’d love if you joined, shared, and helped make this server grow! I’d love to have new players, experienced players, DMs and people who want to have a good time! Since it’s brand new, I’d appreciate anyone joining who wants to learn, can help other learn, and can help share resources, DM campaigns and join some! I’d love to make this a bustling community full of people who love to create stories together! Thanks for reading, and may your twenties be natural!

Click here to join the server, and message me if the link isn’t working so I can give you a good one!