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Role Playing Tips for Tabletop Game Masters

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Books on GM/Gaming

The Return of the Lazy Dungeonmaster– by Sly Flourish

This revision of the original classic gives you great tips in 8 easy steps. Really really good for session prep, handy for any DM/GM, especially beginners. These tips were designed for DnD play, but are useful for any game. Having a format to prep, a checklist to tick off items, and a process are invaluable, especially for an overthinker like me. https://shop.slyflourish.com/products/return-of-the-lazy-dungeon-master?srsltid=AfmBOorNMHc267-bwYwnYema-ESR5ki98HWXfkHhEIs-AX3QahiKwOup

The Monsters Know What They’re Doing- Mike Amman

Mike takes the monster’s point of view- a book for how monsters might respond tactically. Though the lists are mainly from a DnD perspective, many are universal archetypes. He also has a second book with even more monsters and a website where he also provides some, if not all of this info free of charge. This will help any storyteller get away from chaotic stupid monsters who fight mindlessly and enhance gaming, giving players more unique and thought provoking challenges. https://www.themonstersknow.com/

So You Want to be a Game Master- Justin Alexander

I crack up when I read the title, and memories of Rudolph the Red Nose Reindeer’s elf-dentist come to mind. I ‘almost’ bought this, but read a review where it said it was mostly for DnD, despite it saying for Pathfinder too and other games. Perhaps that was a skewed review. I have definitely used his tips for Tomb of Annihilation as well as Sly Flourish’s. Known to be a classic. https://thealexandrian.net/so-you-want-to-be-a-game-master

The Game Master’s Handbook of Proactive Roleplaying: Guidelines and strategies for running PC-driven narratives in 5E adventures- Jonah Fishel and Tristan Fishel

My daughter got this for me for either a birthday or Christmas. I was pleasantly surprised, I had een it on display at Half Price Books for a long time and wasn’t sure how good it would be. It’s good advice about empowering players to do character narrative building rather than the DM/GM. Though it says 5E, this is useful for any game. This is part of a series about many aspects of running games. If you like the idea of more equity in story collaboration, they have a whole book on it!

https://www.drivethrurpg.com/en/product/463026/the-game-master-s-handbook-of-proactive-roleplaying

The Game Master: A Guide to the Art and Theory of Roleplaying- Tobiah Panshin

I do not have nor have I read this book. Many reviews praised it, though some said it would mostly benefit new DMs/GMs. I do like that for once, it doesn’t say DMs.

https://www.drivethrurpg.com/en/product/102455/the-game-master-a-guide-to-the-art-and-theory-of-roleplaying

Unframed: The Art of Improvisation for GMs– Gnome Stew

A great book with essays from a number of GMs and game designers regarding running games and a multitude of situations. Viva la difference! I got this from a Gnome Stew Bundle of Holding and there’s great advice you won’t find elsewhere.https://www.drivethrurpg.com/en/product/132418/unframed-the-art-of-improvisation-for-game-masters

Odyssey: The Complete Game Master’s Guide to Campaign Management– Walt Ciechanowski and Phil Vecchione

Yet another unknown treasure. Just as Sly Flourish breaks down session prep, these authors break down a campaign from the planning stages, to the beginning stages, to campaign management, and then ending a campaign. Few talk about this stuff- a hidden gem from my Gnome Stew Bundle.

https://www.drivethrurpg.com/en/product/116551/odyssey-the-complete-game-master-s-guide-to-campaign-management

How to be a Master GM– Avalon Games

Avalon Games has a whole slew of small (under 4 MB) guides to running games covering a wide range of topics- from making characters, villains, worlds, using magic, religion, comedy, romance and so on. Most cost under 4 bucks in PDF form, or you can get the bundle for $20-25. I’d love to read someone’s opinion on these.

https://www.drivethrurpg.com/en/product/96233/how-to-gm-bundle-bundle?src=also_purchased