D&D General Cheats & Shortcuts for DM's

[Eubani]

Heavens know most of us lack time and the game time comes around sooner than expected, so I would like to see if we can come together and get the shortcuts and cheats we use as DM's to save time or make things easier. Let me start.

1. Names for magical beings: I am terrible with names specially if it's on the spot, so a cheat I discovered was look up books listing medications. You would be surprised how many of the sound like the name of a wizard.

2. Large Dungeon Layout: Take the floor plan for a multi level asymmetrical shopping center and alter to suit.

 

[Aging Bard]

Random tables. Lots of them, tuned to the current environment (encounters, monsters, events, treasures). No one can be infinitely creative, and random tables can spur creativity where it was lacking before.

 

[Neonchameleon]

3: The Three Strikes Rule. When my players think of a ridiculous plan it'll take three failed skill checks for it to completely FUBAR (and generally six for it to succeed).

 

[Eubani]

Random tables. Lots of them, tuned to the current environment (encounters, monsters, events, treasures). No one can be infinitely creative, and random tables can spur creativity where it was lacking before.

There are not enough random tables in this world.

 

[Aging Bard]

There are not enough random tables in this world.

There is no end of random tables.

 

[Maxperson]

Heavens know most of us lack time and the game time comes around sooner than expected, so I would like to see if we can come together and get the shortcuts and cheats we use as DM's to save time or make things easier. Let me start.

1. Names for magical beings: I am terrible with names specially if it's on the spot, so a cheat I discovered was look up books listing medications. You would be surprised how many of the sound like the name of a wizard.

2. Large Dungeon Layout: Take the floor plan for a multi level asymmetrical shopping center and alter to suit.

DM: "You come before the wizard's council, finally ready to make your case. Seated there you see Atorvastatin, Amlodipine, Wegovy, Senna and Hydrochlorothiazide. Xanax is conspicuously absent."

 

[Eubani]

There is no end of random tables.

I would so buy a book that was nothing but 400-500 pages of random tables.

 

[Quickleaf]

I would so buy a book that was nothing but 400-500 pages of random tables.

I did buy a book of nothing but random tables (Tome of Adventure Design). I also won another one in a giveaway contest (Ultimate Toolbox). They've been great resources, and I'm sure there are other such products out there.

 

[Tinker-TDC]

I would so buy a book that was nothing but 400-500 pages of random tables.

Check out Table Fables, it's my easy go-to gift for other DMs. Literally just a book of random tables.

 

[Blue]

I have an envelop where I printed (9 to a page "wallet size" then cut to individuals) a huge batch of fantasy people. Whenever I need an improv NPC I get a small handful and pick oen that looks right-ish. Since I've only got a small handful, I am often left with someoen who has other traits and other such based on mode fo dress, race, scars, jewelry, tattoos, and other decorations that give me nice flavorful NPCs with quirks. I just write the name on the back and take notes there so I can add it to my official NPC list between sessions.