How can I make my games better?

[xav++]

I think people don't like how slow the game is going. Also maybe the mortality rate is too high. How can I make it more fun? I love playing.

[Metroknight]

It improves as you gain experience. The game becomes more smoother as the mechanics become second nature.

As for the mortality you can do some of the suggestions that were in another thread. They were starting out everyone a max hp on first, some people suggest starting at second level, I use the 1/2 of CON with a class die roll for first level hp and there were some others suggestions.

Are you running dungeon crawl style or running more of a story style? My games are more story based which encourage more role playing while dungeon crawl style is mostly hack and slash style with some limited roleplaying. It really depends on what you are wanting and what your group wants because that is sometimes not the same thing. Talk to your group and see what they want and ask for suggestions on what would make it more fun for them. Their answers could give clues to improve the game for you.

[xav++]

They like a plot. I give them as much as I can. My problem is that I want to play too so I like em in a dungeon and we are all used to the new editions so the feel is quite different. Also only one of the players really enjoys the games. The other ones are ho hum. The one wants to DM his own thing of AD&D which I'll be happy to play in but he can't just enjoy my game. Oh well I'm going to keep playing and figure it out.

[Metroknight]

If you want to play then remember that as a DM you have unlimited characters (npc's) while they only have thier pc. Don't just say the barwench delivers their drink, say :

This older woman saunters up to your table with the platter holding your drinks and juts her hip out to help balance the platter as she hands the mugs and cups out. She speaks with a raspy voice and smiles a sly smile with a glint in her eyes as leans forward to display her charms as she hands the mug to (name a pc) to say suggestively "Is there anything else I can do for you?"

[xav++]

I always forget that kind of stuff lol I'm module heavy

[Metroknight]

I use to be also but now I use most modules for reference or inspiration. Anything you can do to immerse your group into your world helps. Some people use objects like handcrafted scrolls or ledgerbooks for the spellcasters, others play background music, I met one group that everyone got to dress up as their character for the game (that was to much larp* for me).

Even in modules you can enhance it with environmental descriptions, npc descriptions and actions, etc.

Which would be funner to play in? A game that says you walk down the tunnel and see an orc or a description that pulls you into that scene like : As you creep down the gloomy tunnel with your torch guttering in the faint breeze that wafts past you, you see standing in a short distance two humanoid beings with piggish looking faces speaking in an guttural tongue that is harsh and rough to your ears but unknown language to you.

One suggestion that helps is to read over the module multiple times prior to the game day and make notes (post it works great) of any enhancements you think would work there. Most modules lack that due to so many variables that would not let the module creator make the enhancements fit to your game.

As you might tell I love the story telling aspect of the games more then the combat aspect. I look at the games as a form of interactive storytelling not as a combative them vs me. To me the only thing that matters is that my players are challenged and enjoy the game.

[Metroknight]

oh Larp is Live Action Role Playing. That is dressing up as your character and acting everything out as if you are your character. Google it and youtube for it for more info on it.

[xav++]

Its almost like they gain xp too slow

[SmootRK]

Its almost like they gain xp too slow

The Game Master can dole out XP as he sees fit. Like Solo said in another post, the game is designed in a brutal and stingy way on purpose. Each GM can override and do more, but the baseline is very strict.

Personally I give out more experience than btb. Also, I use techniques such as characters can spend gold directly to purchase training in a 1gp:1xp ratio (but this requires time, teacher, and proper setting such as in city/guildhouse/magic college/temple complex/etc). I give rewards for certain achievments or overcoming challenges in creative ways. Figuring out how to bypass a foe without killing can often give at least as much XP as killing (though I don't allow going back to kill afterwards for more xp unless I have declared it to be a new encounter (usually after some time too).)

Don't let the rule-book have absolute control over you as the GM. They are more like tools in a tool box... you build your campaign with them, but you decide how you want to use them.

[xav++]

Yea I don't want them to lose intrest but I also want to keep the flavor. Maybe I'll boost it up a little more