Advice on PbP

[bhu]

I am about to attempt to run a PbP campaign which I has nevah done before.  Anyone have any advice for kitteh?

[Solo]

Don't Panic!

[bhu]

Don't Panic!

I only have 10 players.  Whats to panic about 

[PhaedrusXY]

Don't let it get bogged down with tedious stuff. They're slow enough without it, and it is easy for people to get bored and stop posting.

[veekie]

Yeah, allocating time for roleplaying between party members should generally be avoided(it seems that every game that tried this died, that I've seen), keep the action pumping.

[bhu]

Yeah, allocating time for roleplaying between party members should generally be avoided(it seems that every game that tried this died, that I've seen), keep the action pumping.

Well it is based on comedy...

[archangel.arcanis]

one thing that seems to have helped the couple of games i'm in that have/had it. Each player must post once a day minimum. This keeps it from being the whole party waiting to see one guys thoughts and makes them actively participate in the game.

[RobbyPants]

Also, in the test game I'm running, Veekie made a great suggestion:  you roll all the "passive" rolls to keep things moving.  This includes things like Initiative, saving throws, and any reactionary rolls (like Spot/Listen to see who's surprised).  Basically, it's the difference between:

"Rob is hit by a Fireball.  Rob, roll a Reflex save"
*Wait some amount of time*
"I rolled a 14"
*Wait some amount of time*
"You failed the save and take 23 damage"

and

"Rob is hit by a Fireball and rolled a 14 on his Reflex save.  He takes 23 points of damage."


It really does speed up the game.  A lot.  Just tell everyone up front that you're doing it, and you can always post the modifiers to their roll, so they can tell if you forgot anything.

[Sir Shadow]

Also, in the test game I'm running, Veekie made a great suggestion:  you roll all the "passive" rolls to keep things moving.  This includes things like Initiative, saving throws, and any reactionary rolls (like Spot/Listen to see who's surprised).  Basically, it's the difference between:

"Rob is hit by a Fireball.  Rob, roll a Reflex save"
*Wait some amount of time*
"I rolled a 14"
*Wait some amount of time*
"You failed the save and take 23 damage"

and

"Rob is hit by a Fireball and rolled a 14 on his Reflex save.  He takes 23 points of damage."


It really does speed up the game.  A lot.  Just tell everyone up front that you're doing it, and you can always post the modifiers to their roll, so they can tell if you forgot anything

This method is generally a "good idea" for PbP games, BUT (and this is a big but) you have to make concessions for spells and abilities that occur "before you roll".

So like in the above scenario, if Rob has an ability that adds a certain bonus to his Save, but he has to decide he wants to do it before he rolls, you kinda have to let him decide to use it "after" the roll if he wants to since you're the one doing the rolling.

[veekie]

Define your 'interrupt' abilities as contingents for one(that is to say, make sure your DM knows the defaults for using them), and of course, allowing revised action sequences. The time saving is still a net plus, unless you have a great deal of interrupt abilities and use them with abandon.

One thing of particular note, freely usable(that is to say, there is no possible circumstance where you might not want to interrupt) interruption effects should be avoided, since they can bog down gameplay badly. Abrupt Jaunt, Deflect and Feather Fall aren't as bad since they affect fairly obvious things and can be declared beforehand, but Celerity would be a no-no, since it works on anything.

[bhu]

Also: Thoughts on decent online dice rollers.

[Agita]

Also: Thoughts on decent online dice rollers.

Invisible Castle is the default for most games on forums without a built-in roller, since it saves rolls.

[bhu]

Mah players keep out of this spoiler (wags fingie):

[spoiler]Also: The players will be beginning the game kidnapped to a Demiplane and left there nigh well naked with only a very little money.  They'll be getting some basic equipment and employment pretty quickly (assuming they dont fubar the deal), but I worry initially they may take it a lil hard...[/spoiler]

[genuine]

Well, it probably depends on how you've gotten (or will get) your players. It seems like you've already gotten them, so I have to ask what stage of the game you are in.
[spoiler]If it's close to the beginning, simply make sure they know that they won't begin without equipment. It would be irritating to spend time and energy thinking about gear and have it all taken away, but if I knew it was coming it would be much easier to roll with.

That being said, there is something to be said for springing it on them. What level is it? Starting gear wouldn't be a problem, but if I had just spent hours figuring out how to use 100k of gold I would be very upset about having it taken away.

They probably won't react to it any worse than they would in a tabletop game. The problem could be worse because it'll take longer to get the basics taken care of. Of course, that makes it more rewarding when it happens, and a few of them will probably enjoy role-playing it out. Even if they whine.[/spoiler]

[bhu]

[spoiler]They know they wont be starting with much but I've been a bit vague on particulars cause I wanna surprise them.  They're starting at 6th level.[/spoiler]

[emissary666]

DON'T LET THE GAME DIE
Due to my anxiety disorder, I tend to disappear for a while and the game slowly dies. No matter what happens, post at least once a week, just to make sure that everybody is still alive and playing. Also, don't wait on non-responsive players. Give them some time but post a deadline so your players know how long they may have to wait. Finally, try to keep your players on track. It is very easy for your players to "take over" to game

[Sohala]

Mah players keep out of this spoiler (wags fingie):

[spoiler]Also: The players will be beginning the game kidnapped to a Demiplane and left there nigh well naked with only a very little money.  They'll be getting some basic equipment and employment pretty quickly (assuming they dont fubar the deal), but I worry initially they may take it a lil hard...[/spoiler]

[spoiler]Let them plan out there gear, and then "hand" it out while they are working/escaping. So they will find "their gear" that they had planned out. Some of it should be easier to find, their main armor and weapons, but the smaller peices should require a bit more work (stashed behind hidden doors, etc), you might want to give them a little heads up so they don't miss much though. Oh don't count "their gear" agaisnt treasure either, but that is my thoughts on it.[/spoiler]

[bhu]

[spoiler]Let them plan out there gear, and then "hand" it out while they are working/escaping. So they will find "their gear" that they had planned out. Some of it should be easier to find, their main armor and weapons, but the smaller peices should require a bit more work (stashed behind hidden doors, etc), you might want to give them a little heads up so they don't miss much though. Oh don't count "their gear" agaisnt treasure either, but that is my thoughts on it.[/spoiler]

players should definitely not read
[spoiler]Basically when they get dropped off they have a note saying hi, a bag of the local coin, and a pair of pajamas or something similar in bright neon pink.  Of course one is a ghost so god knows what ill do with him...[/spoiler]

[Sohala]

players should definitely not read
[spoiler]Basically when they get dropped off they have a note saying hi, a bag of the local coin, and a pair of pajamas or something similar in bright neon pink.  Of course one is a ghost so god knows what ill do with him...[/spoiler]

[spoiler]Ghost will make it tricky unless they are using gear that allows ghost to use it (I forget the name). Otherwise you are going to have to ransack his corpse to make him lose gear, if I remember the rules for ghosts right...[/spoiler]

[veekie]

players should definitely not read
[spoiler]Basically when they get dropped off they have a note saying hi, a bag of the local coin, and a pair of pajamas or something similar in bright neon pink.  Of course one is a ghost so god knows what ill do with him...[/spoiler]

[spoiler]Ghost will make it tricky unless they are using gear that allows ghost to use it (I forget the name). Otherwise you are going to have to ransack his corpse to make him lose gear, if I remember the rules for ghosts right...[/spoiler]

[spoiler]
I just had the mental image of the ghost's clothing being ripped off and replaced with embarrassing bright pink frilly outfits when the corpse gets stolen, embalmed and then used as a dress up dolly.
[/spoiler]