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Matching the Players to the Game (episode 29)
"Matching players to the game? Don't you mean the other way around?"
Not today; And we've already discussed [customising the campaign to the players](https://dwarves.podiant.co/e/36082ec3b14f62/).
### Eran Arbel's email (1:13)
> Hello good Dwarves.
Long time listener, first time writer.
> I'm going to start a new campaign soon (in about three months, so swift answers are appreciated, thanks). I know there are a lot of people out there who want to play and probably a lot who would like to play this (the new D&D season) so I can probably pick and choose. I have a certain style I like and I already have an idea of how I would like the game to be (challenging combat but lots of social interaction, characters who think things through and not just rush in, and players who aren't turned off with just role playing for its own sake). How do I get my wants across while not turning away potential good players and also getting the perfect group I want to play the game with?
[D&D Adventurers League](http://dnd.wizards.com/playevents/organized-play)
There is no "perfect" group, there is only the group that is perfect for you. Gaming groups are like relationships: the perfect partner isn’t someone you find, it’s something the two of you create together.
### What do I want? (3:30)
### How do I get my wants across? (5:30)
* Use mechanical examples: I want exploding dice, because it’s unpredictable and exciting.
* Use thematic examples: I want that feeling of a world far away and strange, watch [John Carter](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/John_Carter_(film)).
* Be concise: Choose three main things that are important, that we’ll see a lot in the campaign. These are WHY we play THIS campaign.
* Explain what this is *not*, especially if any of your potential players know a lot about the aspects you’ve described. The game is in [Eberron](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Eberron) - but it's not about the Five Nations. We will not be touching Khorvaire at all.
Read [Odyssey](http://drivethrurpg.com/product/116551/Odyssey-The-Complete-Game-Masters-Guide-to-Campaign-Management?affiliate_id=29668) ([other versions](https://www.enginepublishing.com/odyssey-the-complete-game-masters-guide-to-campaign-management)), they probably have more suggestions. They devote a whole chapter to how to formulate a group.
### What won’t you compromise on? (10:10)
In order to save everyone (especially you) time and effort make sure that you start off with the thing that you can’t or won’t compromise on. The trick is to make sure that people understand what they’re getting into right off the bat. So that people who are not interested in your type of game will know to pass.
Examples may include: The gaming system; Online or in person; Geographical location of games (if applies); Genre ([be specific](http://tvtropes.org/pmwiki/pmwiki.php/Main/Genres)!).
Player responsibilities - how much involvement is asked of them.
### Turning away potential good players (16:25)
The more specific the game you want to try, the harder it is to find players, so you should compromise.
I really want to run a huge, politics-heavy [MechWarrior](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/MechWarrior) game, but my group hates taking care of minute details, or don’t enjoy mecha combat.
Lelouch of the Rebellion (aka [Code Geass](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Code_Geass))
Get the cool factor right from the start. It can be a two minutes video or an opening sequence for your adventure, or a picture of the bizarre world you’ll be playing in or an ancient scroll that sets the game in motion.
The idea is both to differentiate you from other groups and to indicate to your prospective gaming group members that you’re willing to go the extra mile.
[Sword Art Online](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sword_Art_Online)
Example: [The Dusk Barrens](https://dusk-barrens.obsidianportal.com/)
[Unrelated Incidents](https://unrelated-incidents.obsidianportal.com/
View all episodes
By The Dwarves
5
1010 ratings
"Matching players to the game? Don't you mean the other way around?"
Not today; And we've already discussed [customising the campaign to the players](https://dwarves.podiant.co/e/36082ec3b14f62/).
### Eran Arbel's email (1:13)
> Hello good Dwarves.
Long time listener, first time writer.
> I'm going to start a new campaign soon (in about three months, so swift answers are appreciated, thanks). I know there are a lot of people out there who want to play and probably a lot who would like to play this (the new D&D season) so I can probably pick and choose. I have a certain style I like and I already have an idea of how I would like the game to be (challenging combat but lots of social interaction, characters who think things through and not just rush in, and players who aren't turned off with just role playing for its own sake). How do I get my wants across while not turning away potential good players and also getting the perfect group I want to play the game with?
[D&D Adventurers League](http://dnd.wizards.com/playevents/organized-play)
There is no "perfect" group, there is only the group that is perfect for you. Gaming groups are like relationships: the perfect partner isn’t someone you find, it’s something the two of you create together.
### What do I want? (3:30)
### How do I get my wants across? (5:30)
* Use mechanical examples: I want exploding dice, because it’s unpredictable and exciting.
* Use thematic examples: I want that feeling of a world far away and strange, watch [John Carter](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/John_Carter_(film)).
* Be concise: Choose three main things that are important, that we’ll see a lot in the campaign. These are WHY we play THIS campaign.
* Explain what this is *not*, especially if any of your potential players know a lot about the aspects you’ve described. The game is in [Eberron](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Eberron) - but it's not about the Five Nations. We will not be touching Khorvaire at all.
Read [Odyssey](http://drivethrurpg.com/product/116551/Odyssey-The-Complete-Game-Masters-Guide-to-Campaign-Management?affiliate_id=29668) ([other versions](https://www.enginepublishing.com/odyssey-the-complete-game-masters-guide-to-campaign-management)), they probably have more suggestions. They devote a whole chapter to how to formulate a group.
### What won’t you compromise on? (10:10)
In order to save everyone (especially you) time and effort make sure that you start off with the thing that you can’t or won’t compromise on. The trick is to make sure that people understand what they’re getting into right off the bat. So that people who are not interested in your type of game will know to pass.
Examples may include: The gaming system; Online or in person; Geographical location of games (if applies); Genre ([be specific](http://tvtropes.org/pmwiki/pmwiki.php/Main/Genres)!).
Player responsibilities - how much involvement is asked of them.
### Turning away potential good players (16:25)
The more specific the game you want to try, the harder it is to find players, so you should compromise.
I really want to run a huge, politics-heavy [MechWarrior](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/MechWarrior) game, but my group hates taking care of minute details, or don’t enjoy mecha combat.
Lelouch of the Rebellion (aka [Code Geass](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Code_Geass))
Get the cool factor right from the start. It can be a two minutes video or an opening sequence for your adventure, or a picture of the bizarre world you’ll be playing in or an ancient scroll that sets the game in motion.
The idea is both to differentiate you from other groups and to indicate to your prospective gaming group members that you’re willing to go the extra mile.
[Sword Art Online](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sword_Art_Online)
Example: [The Dusk Barrens](https://dusk-barrens.obsidianportal.com/)
[Unrelated Incidents](https://unrelated-incidents.obsidianportal.com/