Thursday, October 5, 2017

The Versatile GM (part 3)


Some role-playing gamers would rather spend hours in discussion planning every move carefully, arguing over the best possible approach until everyone has a very specific role to execute at a very specific time. Paralysis-by-analysis can certainly slow the progression of a game, but it is the GM's job to discern whether his players are spending so much time planning because that is what they enjoy, or because the GM has left things too vague or has failed to provide proper incentives. If a gaming group is spending too much time planning and seems reluctant to take action, the GM can prompt players to act by creating time-sensitive situations. Another technique a GM can use is the call for certain skill checks from his players, revealing information to them if they successfully use their skills. For example, the “Resourcefulness” skill in Solar Echoes is a rather open-ended skill that can serve as a gateway for GM hints to the players. Not sure what to do here? Succeed at a Resourcefulness check, and suddenly your character “realizes” that he can utilize a particular environmental advantage, an object, or something else to help achieve goals.

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