Running a game is a lesson in balance. There are so many dials and mechanics that you need to manage while also focusing on being what Gary Gygax referred to as “the Shaper of the Cosmos.” Anyone who has started running games or been running for decades has found hacks to make running the game that much easier and streamlined. In this episode, Tony, Chris, and Dave discuss their favorite DM hacks that we’ve employed in our games.

1 :30 Hack# 1: Where are we going next? Focusing your prep.

2:30 Hack# 2: Session Prep Notes

5:20 Hack# 3: Create a Session Prep Template

7:00 Hack# 4: Outline your session – create scenes

8:15 Hack# 5: Write down your recap – Previously On…

10:00 Hack# 6: Players recapping the adventure – taking the

campaign’s temperature

12:00 Hack# 7: Recording your recap – cranking up the drama

15:40 Hack# 8: Google Docs

17:00 Hack# 9: Secrets, Clues, Scenes & Encounters – The

Quantum Ogre Campaign

19:00 Hack# 10: Streamline your Stat Blocks

20:50 Hack# 11: Static Damage… who wants to add up 40d6 damage?!?

23:10 Hack# 12: Delegate the DM duties – Return of the

Monster Wrangler!

25:00 Hack# 13: Static Initiative?

27:20 Hack# 14: There’s an app for that – using technology

to your advantage

28:30 Hack# 15: Spell crib notes when running your

spellcasters

31:30 Hack# 16: Scripting Monster Tactics – Monster Shorthand

38:10 Hack# 17: Adjusting the hit point dial… start with maximum

hit points

42:20 Hack# 18: Get a sense of your party’s Damage per Round

50:00 Final Thoughts