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

August 6, 2009 by newbiedm

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 by newbiedm

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, […]

Embrace your digital future, D&D players!

July 31, 2009 by newbiedm

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 by newbiedm

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 by newbiedm

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 by newbiedm

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 […]

A Quick look at the D&D 4e Spring 2010 releases

July 24, 2009 by newbiedm

I think I’m a couple days late on this, as it’s all over the boards in various forums, but I’m going to place them here for reference anyway. This comes courtesy of Herschel, the original poster on the EN forums where I lifted this from. (My comments will be in parenthesis): January: Underdark Sourcebook by […]

On 4th Ed.’s simplified skill list

July 21, 2009 by newbiedm

I’m having a hard time wrapping my head around the argument coming out of some forums regarding the 4th Ed. skill list, in that mainly the list is too short to create fully fleshed out and distinct characters. I’m not buying it, as there are many ways to accomplish just that without needing too much […]

About DM’s, the future of the game, and what not…

July 20, 2009 by newbiedm

Okay. Before I begin this post, let me preface it by telling you what sparked it (although in all fairness I’m been mulling it over for a few weeks). I tried to organize a D&D Game Day for the upcoming date for DMG2 and I couldn’t make heads or tails out of the websites for […]