Newbie GM tips

[SNiPE]

OK guys I might decide to start my own campaign, and become a GM. I am pretty well versed in the StarWars universe, but as for gameplay I know d20 better than d6. I will begin reading the Game Masters guide and the other source books for d6, once i am finished moving. What i would like to learn from you guys are the little things that you have discovered to make it a more enjoyable and exciting gaming experience. So any tips for me

[Loc Taal]

Here are some Gamemaster Tips I put together on the site. These are just some ideas I've come up with through my years of playing. Hope they help!
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"Mind what you have learned. Save you it can." --Yoda

The original RANCOR PIT archive

[Son of Fire]

It does not hurt to know your players and their playing styles and to cater to them to a degree, you are playing with them, not at them.
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"My schooling not only failed to teach me what it professed to be teaching, but prevented me from being educated to an extent which infuriates me when I think of all I might have learned at home by myself." - George Bernard Shaw

[Volar the Healer]

Some general guides:

Remember the director writes half of the story, the players write the other half.

Every mission should have some chance to succeed and some chance for the players to fail. Without the risk of failure there is no hope of glory.

Coolness and rules are equal; If a player is doing something cool feel free to ignore a bad dice roll. If a player is doing something stupid feel free to ignore good dice rolls. Just don't let the player know. "I know I told you it was an easy roll, but you didn't know is there is a hidden..."

-On the other hand- Sometimes a string of unbelievable dice rolls opens a new story line. "This customs official seems to know everything about you, all your hiding places, what you're smuggling, when you were going to arrive. I wonder how he knows all this? Yes, his bribes are twice normal - but he stays bought. This time he doesn't want credits. he's asking about your contact on the planet..."

The Empire is competant. They've taken over the galaxy so they are not stupid or foolish - neither are they omniscient.
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Know Jesus, Know Peace.
No Jesus, No Peace

[Crell Damar]

just remember, i know the rules better than you

[Volar the Healer]

Then stop your bragging and start coughing up ideas for our fellow director! If you can, that is. (...the glove is thrown)
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Know Jesus, Know Peace.
No Jesus, No Peace

[Crell Damar]

the fellow director is my step-brother, and i'm going to be one of his players... we've been talking

[Son of Fire]

The joys of nepotism.
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"My schooling not only failed to teach me what it professed to be teaching, but prevented me from being educated to an extent which infuriates me when I think of all I might have learned at home by myself." - George Bernard Shaw

[Vartax]

Some general ideas:
1.Limit size of players if you are new to Gamemastering. 2-4 players
2.Find people who work well together, or who can play of each other
3.Don't kill any PC's (player characters) on the first adventure
4.If they do stupid things after the first adventure, by all means let the rules run their course.
5. Make sure your having fun. If you find that your not, see if anyone else is interested in GMing. The most important rule is for everyone to have fun, including you as the GM.

[SNiPE]

Thx for the info guys, I have to get to reading the GM's book, and although i have a good grasp of the D6 system i need to pick some of the key rules so i don't have to be looking stuff up midgame. Also i bet Chris would like to take a break from GM'ing every once in a while.

[Crell Damar]

anytime you want to read the books just ask don't grab and it'll probably be ok
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"For over a thousand generations, the Jedi Knights were the guardians of peace and justice in the Old Republic. Before the dark times... before the Empire. "

Obi-Wan Kenobi

[Rathe Ehtar]

Remember that the players have more to stake in your adventure than you do. Keep it flowing, but managable to your own pace. Valor was right about the story being 50/50. I'm maybe alittle more 40/60. (MOG being 40.)

[Crell Damar]

in my opinion, the percentage depends on your players... some players demand more in the story than others ... some characters know exactly what they want and they shoot for it, while others are still trying to decide
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"For over a thousand generations, the Jedi Knights were the guardians of peace and justice in the Old Republic. Before the dark times... before the Empire. "

Obi-Wan Kenobi

[Rathe Ehtar]

What I ment was that the GM is an intangible idea when the stories underway. Say your reading a book, do you think about the writer while your doing it? The characters in books have no idea that their characters. Its a story. The point is, players choices while in the game effect themselves and the game at large. While the GM is in controll, s/he can't die.

[Crell Damar]

ahhhhhh, ok, i see what you're saying
_________________
"For over a thousand generations, the Jedi Knights were the guardians of peace and justice in the Old Republic. Before the dark times... before the Empire. "

Obi-Wan Kenobi