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[flame99]

In order to help future GMs make better games, I've decided to start this thread. Please post various tips concerning what you generally should and should not do. Also, to all using this as a guide: These are, more likely than not, recommended, not necessary.

Try to keep the plot open in case the players screw with it. Trust me; someone will.
Try to avoid from railroading the players. Those games tend to die off quickly.
Spellcheck. While you can safely ignore the red lines under names and fictional races, make sure everything else is spelled correctly.

[kj1225]

Tell them everything about their race if you haven't already. It leaves nasty surprises far away from them.

[mastahcheese]

The characters should already know everything there is to know about themselves, or learn about it pretty quickly. A flashback to their childhood during the final boss battle isn't fun.

Knowledge is power, and enemies should have a pattern so crafty players can trump them. But don't forget about having cards up your sleeve.

[Xantalos]

If you're using characters from outside media, make sure you know all their abilities up front.

[Cheesecake]

1. Keep notes on important game things, like player stats or the layout of the next dungeon. Use Note or write it down on paper.

2. Find inspiration. Even when you're out, keep a small notepad and pen any funny or innovative ideas that you come across. Or you can go online. Read fan-fiction. Search weird articles.

3. Use online tools. Online dice-rollers, name generators. I've used anagram generators to create puzzles a few times before.

4. Read other forum games. See how other GMs host their games; how they outline the turn, their use of vocabulary. But don't directly rip.

5. Widen your vocabulary. Read a dictionary when you have nothing to do. What I do when I write my turns is to open an online thesaurus and search for synonyms for fairly common words and phrases and turn them into more eye-catching words.

This is a great idea, flameboy. I was going to do something like it, but, eh.

[10ebbor10]

Pretty sure this was made once already. Can't find it, so...

[flame99]

I vaguely remember a what not to do as a GM.

[evilcherry]

Have fun and try not to bog yourself down by stats and mechanisms. A RtD is usually good enough for many situations.

[mastahcheese]

Have fun and try not to bog yourself down by stats and mechanisms. A RtD is usually good enough for many situations.

Unless you're piecewise.

[evilcherry]

Have fun and try not to bog yourself down by stats and mechanisms. A RtD is usually good enough for many situations.

Unless you're piecewise.

If you never bog yourself down in it it is of course never a problem!

[scapheap]

Have a rough idea of plot. This allow you recover from the players going off the rail without allow you to paint yourself in a corner(Assuming you remember what your endgame is).

[Xantalos]

Maximize your Charisma stat and Bullshitting skill; you'll need it.

[Cheesecake]

1. Don't go in way over your head. Keep things simple.

2. If your writing big complicated turn posts, take breaks. Watch something, or listen to music.

Maximize your Charisma stat and Bullshitting skill; you'll need it.

Isn't that for players instead of GMs?

[Xantalos]

Both, Cheesecake. Both.

[sjm9876]

Never go completely open world unless prepared for the consequences - no one will have a clue what do do, except the maniacs. Always provide some options, even if you have no idea what said options will lead to.