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Updating DDI Compendium stat blocks the easy way

August 19, 2009

I found a relatively easy way to level up your traps or monsters quickly directly from the compendium, without a need to copy and paste it over to Google Docs or anywhere else. It’s through a javascript that lets you edit web pages on the fly. First, visit this page: http://www.labnol.org/internet/design/edit-web-pages-like-wiki/3832/ Follow the instructions, it’ll […]

The First Annual Obligatory Post-Gencon Wrapup Post

August 17, 2009

Whew. What a weekend. Okay, so I tried blogging from Indianapolis to no avail. It just wasn’t in the cards. Plenty of other people did, so you could have gotten your fix anywhere, therefore I don’t feel too bad about it. I’m going to go through the weekend, and then give you tips for your […]

A newbie DM goes to Gencon…

August 9, 2009

Just a quick post to scream and shout to the world about how freakin’ excited I am about the fact that I am going to Gencon this year. It’s my first time going to any sort of convention, so I am not just excited, but very curious about what awaits us. Besides all the gaming […]

How many new DMs did 4e bring to the table?

August 6, 2009

I want to run an informal poll and maybe bring up an interesting topic of conversation. As I’ve pointed out before, it wasn’t until the release of 4th ed. that I decided to DM, although I have years of experience in prior editions of the game. 4th ed. was marketed as a simpler game to […]

Improved Initiative: Initracker

August 6, 2009

I have been searching far and wide for an initiative and condition tracker for fourth edition. For my condition, I’ve been using a modified version of the Alea Tools magnetic markers: For initiative, I’ve been using a sheet I created for my New DM Starter Kit. It’s just a run of the mill Excel spreadsheet, […]

Running your large D&D party

August 2, 2009

I’ve been running a large party since I started DM’ing 4th Ed., and while I appreciate the fact that I’m able to play and have friends willing to play with me, running a large party has its ups and downs. In this article, I hope to give you several tips to manage the table filled […]

Embrace your digital future, D&D players!

July 31, 2009

As I was working on my campaign with the new Monster Builder something hit me: I’m prepping for D&D, and I haven’t opened one book. This is significant. For years , the game has been played with a stack of books being carried around on a backpack from game to game, and soon, that era […]

Monster Builder to be released tomorrow July 30th!

July 29, 2009

Yes, it’s true. The long awaited DDI Monster Builder releases tomorrow, Thursday July 30th, as a beta download for DDI subscribers. It’s expected to be up around 12:00pm eastern time. I can’t wait. Link

Beginner tips for effective narration

July 26, 2009

For a newbie DM, the scene can be a daunting one: you’ve got your binder open in front of you, minis or counters ready to go, your players are sitting at the table, the battle map is laying there, and all eyes are focused on you. All that’s left is for you to begin narrating. […]

Don’t make the PC’s ride your newbie railroad!

July 25, 2009

One of the pitfalls I discovered in my early days as a DM, was the tendency to “railroad” or lead my players on a track right into a storyline that I thought I needed them to follow. This, my beginner DM friends, is not a good thing. Players want to have free will. They do […]