Hello!

I am a first-time GM and first time table-top RPG player trying to facilitate a game for a bunch of first-time players (aside from one who has 5+ years of RPG experience in DnD). Yesterday we started our quest and we bumbled our way to Encounter 4 of the main adventure. Everyone is enjoying it and having fun, but I want to do a better job of story crafting.

Right now I am just using a notebook to keep track of important things, but I want to do better. Are there any resources (cheat sheets, spreadsheets, etc.) that would help me become a more organized and efficient GM? Anything that can help me prepare ahead of time before my group gets back together? Any websites that have resources of the like?

Also, I'd love to get some tips from even the slightly more experienced GMs. What tips would you have for a first-time Star Wars GM?

Thank you!

Repost this ii the edge of empire gm forum it gets more traffic.

12 hours ago, TheShard said:

Repost this ii the edge of empire gm forum it gets more traffic.

Noted. Thanks!

On 7/9/2018 at 3:05 PM, tRidds said:

Hello!

I am a first-time GM and first time table-top RPG player trying to facilitate a game for a bunch of first-time players (aside from one who has 5+ years of RPG experience in DnD). Yesterday we started our quest and we bumbled our way to Encounter 4 of the main adventure. Everyone is enjoying it and having fun, but I want to do a better job of story crafting.

Right now I am just using a notebook to keep track of important things, but I want to do better. Are there any resources (cheat sheets, spreadsheets, etc.) that would help me become a more organized and efficient GM? Anything that can help me prepare ahead of time before my group gets back together? Any websites that have resources of the like?

Also, I'd love to get some tips from even the slightly more experienced GMs. What tips would you have for a first-time Star Wars GM?

Thank you!

Sorry, I saw this on Tuesday, but work's been making me... work, of all things.

First of all, welcome! To the hobby and the forums. It's a great community we have here, but TheShard is correct, the Edge forums get the most traffic, with F&D in second and AOR (a distant) 3rd. Also, for the most part, in lieu of actually having PBP sub-forums, the "Beginner game" forums have mostly been regulated to PBP games.

There are more resources than you can shake a stick at, but a few that I've found most helpful as a fledgling GM myself:

https://community.fantasyflightgames.com/topic/125986-gm-session-sheet/ features a (very) detailed note taking sheet, as well as instructions on how to use it.

https://static1.squarespace.com/static/59844e56e58c62ee930a72f8/t/5ad5c17e575d1fe54a124787/1523958157649/EpisodeBeatChartWatermark.pdf is an excellent planning tool for your adventures. It's designed for Genesys, which is the generic version of the FFG Star Wars system, but the storytelling beats hold. Just remember that the exact order of the encounters can be fluid, and don't set anything in stone.

http://swrpg.viluppo.net/ has a decent spreadsheet of weapons and ships (there are other, more complete versions, but that's the one I have in my favorites bar). Also, I'd be amiss if I didn't mention the NPC decks that fantasy flight has. The shipping from the FFG website can be brutal, but you can usually find them at CSI or miniature market, or from your FLGS (at least one in my area has a couple on hand). These are AWESOME if your players decide to jump the shark and go in a completely unexpected direction.

The gold standard for character and starship creation/tracking is oggdude's generator: https://community.fantasyflightgames.com/topic/89135-another-character-generator/ . Use it, know it, love it.

For NPC and Quest generators, as well as some pre-written adventures http://thompsonpeters.com/eote/ will not disappoint.

For inspiration about NPCs and setting, look no further than 2P51's character https://community.fantasyflightgames.com/topic/228043-npcspcsmonstersn-stuffart/ and ship https://community.fantasyflightgames.com/topic/204865-ship-art/ art threads.

As far as articles (grab bag of anything) http://www.d20radio.com/main/ as well as adventures under the backerzone tab.

Also, while I'm mentioning d20 radio, The Order 66 podcast, Tales from the Hydian Way, and Silhouette Zero are all in my podcast subscriptions, for various reasons.

Last but not least, while you'll find the forum's an amazing place to sound off ideas, get advice, etc. Your best friend (especially when you're new) is going to be the search bar. Admittedly, it's not the best tool, (since as far as I can tell, you can't really narrow the scope to a specific forum) but with the right input you'll see you're definitely not the first to ask for general advice. https://community.fantasyflightgames.com/search/?&q="new gm"&search_and_or=and&sortby=relevancy

If I can summarize my personal takeaways:

Don't stop the action to look up a specific ruling, just make a call, and go with it. If you need to look it up after the session, so be it, but don't interrupt the flow.

The system is (with few exceptions) a "Yes, and" "Yes, but" or "No, but" system. Nothing is impossible, just highly improbable. "Can I charm the Hutt crimelord into giving us his businesses?" "You can try, but it'll be 5R 3B vs your charm (with a despair dropping you into a rancor pit)"

Semper Gumby: Always be flexible. No plan survives contact with the PCs.

Anything else I'll leave to wiser and more experienced GMs.

Happy gaming!

On 7/13/2018 at 12:28 AM, oneeyedmatt87 said:

Sorry, I saw this on Tuesday, but work's been making me... work, of all things.

First of all, welcome! To the hobby and the forums. It's a great community we have here, but TheShard is correct, the Edge forums get the most traffic, with F&D in second and AOR (a distant) 3rd. Also, for the most part, in lieu of actually having PBP sub-forums, the "Beginner game" forums have mostly been regulated to PBP games.

There are more resources than you can shake a stick at, but a few that I've found most helpful as a fledgling GM myself:

https://community.fantasyflightgames.com/topic/125986-gm-session-sheet/ features a (very) detailed note taking sheet, as well as instructions on how to use it.

https://static1.squarespace.com/static/59844e56e58c62ee930a72f8/t/5ad5c17e575d1fe54a124787/1523958157649/EpisodeBeatChartWatermark.pdf is an excellent planning tool for your adventures. It's designed for Genesys, which is the generic version of the FFG Star Wars system, but the storytelling beats hold. Just remember that the exact order of the encounters can be fluid, and don't set anything in stone.

http://swrpg.viluppo.net/ has a decent spreadsheet of weapons and ships (there are other, more complete versions, but that's the one I have in my favorites bar). Also, I'd be amiss if I didn't mention the NPC decks that fantasy flight has. The shipping from the FFG website can be brutal, but you can usually find them at C  SI or miniature market, or from your FLGS (at least one in my area has a couple on hand). These are AWESOME if your players decide to jump the shark and go in a completely unexpected direction.

The gold standard for character and starship creation/tracking is oggdude's generator: https://community.fantasyflightgames.com/topic/89135-another-character-generator/ . Use it, know it, love it.

For NPC and Quest generators, as well as some pre-written adventures  http://thompsonpeters.com/eote/ will not disappoint.

For inspiration about NPCs and setting, look no further than 2P51's character https://community.fantasyflightgames.com/topic/228043-npcspcsmonstersn-stuffart/ and ship https://community.fantasyflightgames.com/topic/204865-ship-art/ art threads.

As far as articles (grab bag of anything) http://www.d20radio.com/main/ as well as adventures under the backerzone tab.

Also, while I'm mentioning d20 radio, The Order 66 podcast, Tales from the Hydian Way, and Silhouette Zero are all in my podcast subscriptions, for various reasons.

Last but not least, while you'll find the forum's an amazing place to sound off ideas, get advice, etc. Your best friend (especially when you're new) is going to be the search bar. Admittedly, it's not the best tool, (since as far as I can tell, you can't really narrow the scope to a specific forum) but with the right input you'll see you're definitely not the first to ask for general advice. https://community.fantasyflightgames.com/search/?&q="new gm"&search_and_or=and&sortby=relevancy

If I can summarize my personal takeaways:

Don't stop the action to look up a specific ruling, just make a call, and go with it. If you need to look it up after the session, so be it, but don't interrupt the flow.

The system is (with few exceptions) a "Yes, and" "Yes, but" or "No, but" system. Nothing is impossible, just highly improbable. "Can I charm the Hutt crimelord into giving us his businesses?" "You can try, but it'll be 5R 3B vs your charm (with a despair dropping you into a rancor pit)"

Semper Gumby: Always be flexible. No plan survives contact with the PCs.

Anything else I'll leave to wiser and more experienced GMs.

Happy gaming!

Thank you so much! This is so incredibly helpful!!!