I have to admit when I started keeping CoC I only read the game rules and I skipped the hm tipps chapter because I thought it was super basic (I hich it is at the beginning) but hell was I wrong I highly recommend reading them especially when it comes to how to deal with with missed skillchecks and how to interpret them. It’s gamechanging
You are in for a treat. I remember back in the days when I started playing and keeping CoC for the first time after decades of fantasy rpg. I was out of my mind. Now it’s hard to go back
I’m terrible at accents. I also fall into that trap of somehow every accent turns into a Southern accent. 😅 But yeah, I try to make up for it by altering tone, pace, volume, way of speaking/phrasing etc.
I almost never speak in character (as a longtime DM who wants to run CoC). I have a couple of voices for specific characters that I've practised just because I was inspired to do a specific voice based on their look - i.e. my flesh golems (frankenstein) always do the GRR yell
after running Paper Chase for two players ( my first time as a Keeper) I realized what I should or could have done differently. That scenario went well though despite some nerves on my part and my group only being D&D players. But they said that they enjoyed it and I'm planning on doing Edge of Darkness if we need another one shot.
@@Itzak15 they said I could railroad them but I kept the graveyard til last. Then one guy just verbally attacked the caretaker so much that I had to adlibb that encounter. They had fun though.
@@Itzak15 I added a hook that old man kimball might've some books in his collection that he might part with to add to the universities library. And then did a bit more adlibbing when it came to meeting his nephew.
My universal tip for new gm's of any system: just relax and have fun! If you are having fun, it will rub off on your players and they will have fun too. 😊
I'm often amused or amazed at how often it was perceived that GMs/DMs position was an adversarial one. I started in gaming at the start of 1978 with DnD ( and AD&D 1st edition was just coming out), Traveller and RuneQuest. Most games I played in the GMs/DMs weren't in that position. Then starting 1981 when I starting GM/DMing, myself I didn't take this approach. Were there GMs like this? Sure but they usually found themselves having a hard time finding players after a while. Just like while there were Monty Haul GMs, they tended not to last long either because their games became overpowered and boring. Anyhow good video and advice. I just couldn't resist commenting on how often I see comments about adversarial GMing. I gamed from West Coast to East coast from 1978 to 1999 and also spent ten years gaming in Germany as well. Adversarial GMs/DMs just weren't a common frequency for the circles I played and GMed in.
I agree, Ive been playing since 78 as well and in the UK. Ive hardly ever seen the adversarial GM. Im constantly amused by the " this is how RPG games used to be played" references online now, which bear no relation to my experience.
It just doesn't make any sense. There is no challenge to beating players as a DM. You have infinite resources and the ability to make up dice rolls. I don't understand how it could be satisfying for anyone to use infinite power to beat limited-resource players. That being said I love challenging my players and I run a pretty deadly game as a DM. They have to be smart and make good choices or else the bad guys will win. I find it intensely rewarding to force them to use everything they have to win.
I don't know how a group can end up at a place a session early. But i guess that's possibly due to the fact i'm really good at improvising distractions , obstacles & areas on the fly. I have turned a 4 hour one shot into 5 , 5 hour adventure from two hours of prep time
Remember that you will fail, have bad sessions and bad ideas. Don't let then grind you down :)
Or, go ahead & embrace that grinding as a sharpening...
Okay, that sounded a lot better in my head TBH 😅
Love that he called out using a fountain pen I totally agree with this. If you are playing pre-ballpoint you will love it.
I have to admit when I started keeping CoC I only read the game rules and I skipped the hm tipps chapter because I thought it was super basic (I hich it is at the beginning) but hell was I wrong I highly recommend reading them especially when it comes to how to deal with with missed skillchecks and how to interpret them. It’s gamechanging
Just purchased my keepers guide, can’t wait to move away from d & d!
You are in for a treat. I remember back in the days when I started playing and keeping CoC for the first time after decades of fantasy rpg. I was out of my mind. Now it’s hard to go back
I’m terrible at accents. I also fall into that trap of somehow every accent turns into a Southern accent. 😅 But yeah, I try to make up for it by altering tone, pace, volume, way of speaking/phrasing etc.
I almost never speak in character (as a longtime DM who wants to run CoC). I have a couple of voices for specific characters that I've practised just because I was inspired to do a specific voice based on their look - i.e. my flesh golems (frankenstein) always do the GRR yell
after running Paper Chase for two players ( my first time as a Keeper) I realized what I should or could have done differently. That scenario went well though despite some nerves on my part and my group only being D&D players. But they said that they enjoyed it and I'm planning on doing Edge of Darkness if we need another one shot.
How closely did you follow the scenario? Did you follow the paths as intended or let the players go wild?
@@Itzak15 they said I could railroad them but I kept the graveyard til last. Then one guy just verbally attacked the caretaker so much that I had to adlibb that encounter. They had fun though.
@@Itzak15 I added a hook that old man kimball might've some books in his collection that he might part with to add to the universities library. And then did a bit more adlibbing when it came to meeting his nephew.
My universal tip for new gm's of any system: just relax and have fun! If you are having fun, it will rub off on your players and they will have fun too. 😊
Chaosium is the best osium!
I'm often amused or amazed at how often it was perceived that GMs/DMs position was an adversarial one. I started in gaming at the start of 1978 with DnD ( and AD&D 1st edition was just coming out), Traveller and RuneQuest. Most games I played in the GMs/DMs weren't in that position. Then starting 1981 when I starting GM/DMing, myself I didn't take this approach. Were there GMs like this? Sure but they usually found themselves having a hard time finding players after a while.
Just like while there were Monty Haul GMs, they tended not to last long either because their games became overpowered and boring. Anyhow good video and advice. I just couldn't resist commenting on how often I see comments about adversarial GMing. I gamed from West Coast to East coast from 1978 to 1999 and also spent ten years gaming in Germany as well. Adversarial GMs/DMs just weren't a common frequency for the circles I played and GMed in.
I agree, Ive been playing since 78 as well and in the UK. Ive hardly ever seen the adversarial GM. Im constantly amused by the " this is how RPG games used to be played" references online now, which bear no relation to my experience.
I played with a GM once who was playing against the players. It was exhausting
@@svenk5221 I bet, and I bet that GM found themselves without players willing to play in their game in the long run.
It just doesn't make any sense. There is no challenge to beating players as a DM. You have infinite resources and the ability to make up dice rolls. I don't understand how it could be satisfying for anyone to use infinite power to beat limited-resource players.
That being said I love challenging my players and I run a pretty deadly game as a DM. They have to be smart and make good choices or else the bad guys will win. I find it intensely rewarding to force them to use everything they have to win.
Great advice, great interview! Thanks!
I don't know how a group can end up at a place a session early.
But i guess that's possibly due to the fact i'm really good at improvising distractions , obstacles & areas on the fly.
I have turned a 4 hour one shot into 5 , 5 hour adventure from two hours of prep time
I've only kept(?) One session for 2 players so far, hopefully I learned something hahaha
What is the name of the keeper tips book he is talking about? Where can I get it?
Keepers Tips (that is the name), from Chaosium
I 100% expected this to be an American company