I’m sure this is a common newb GM thing, so I’m hoping there are some good instructions.

I’m sure this is a common newb GM thing, so I’m hoping there are some good instructions.

I’m sure this is a common newb GM thing, so I’m hoping there are some good instructions. In my limited playing/GMing I’ve never played or GM’d a druid. The Shapeshifter move is supposed to come with GM prescribed moves but I’m terrible at that and of course my first time GMing i have a druid. I’ve read some good stuff on GMing a druid, but I wonder if anyone has any stock moves for a sea adventure. Turning into sting rays or fish etc.

7 thoughts on “I’m sure this is a common newb GM thing, so I’m hoping there are some good instructions.”

  1. Good rules of thumb: give them a move that suits why the player is shapeshifting, give them something that makes sense, and give them a move that might be interesting.

    They turn into a sting ray to explore a sunken treasure ship? Give them Glide through the waves, and maybe skewer with tail barb, and then maybe something like lay flat and go unnoticed

  2. My wife played a druid. I asked her what she most wanted to be able to do, and came up with a couple more suggestions. Usually we had an attack, a form of mobility, and a thing that could set up advantages or gather information.

    Like, if she went with bird, I’d say, okay, why’d you pick a bird? She’d say she wanted to fl so she could get info from the air, but was nervous about getting too close to the target. So I’d say, sure, you can spot something from a place of safety with your exceptional vision [sense], fly out of danger [mobility], and rake with your claws [attack].

    Another way to look at it is that you’re basically giving an automatic 10+ to basic moves, but making them animal flavored. I effectively just told you to think of how to use animal themes to describe success on hack and slash, discern reality, and defy danger.

    I’ve also said I can only come up with one move, but feel free to come to with your other moves as we go by spending hold. That makes it go very fast and gives the player even more sense of agency and flexibility.

  3. I agree with everyone else here. Ask the druid why they’re shapeshifting into that animal, and that will give you an idea for at least one move. Then, think of some things that make that animal distinct and offer those as moves. You can also always ask your druid player to suggest moves. I’ve even played where we don’t make up the moves ahead of time, and anytime they want to do something specific to their animal form, we mark of hold. I don’t recommend that to new players, but it’s fine for lazy and laid-back play.

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