GMs, what is the most common mistake you make in a Dungeon World game?
For me I always struggle with not accounting animal companions, You could say that the animal companion is the player’s responsibility, but I feel the need (especially for new players) to prompt what their animal companion does during conflict or in trainings.
In my one shot it was really bad. All the players were prisoners and likewise had their gear taken away, including the ranger’s cougar, but guess who forgot to mark where and how to get the cougar back.
So imagine that, becuase of me, the ranger had no animal companion.
I definitely have the greatest trouble with (1) remembering to involve ally NPC’s that are with the group and (2) keeping track of +1’s that player’s have accrued during battles or other situations.
Damian Jankowski I get the 1 forward problems occasionally
But I have never had problems getting friendly NPC in trouble or involved in the conflict.
Try your best to give and recite NPC names.
I always give them a very personal identity, so there is an attachment. I just seem to forget they are there when a battle starts. I have begun to write things like this down, and having a little card with info like this tends to help me make decisions during heated moments.
I tend to forget a lot of the GM moves.
Yes npc can be tough to figure out, that’s why i never have hirlinhs in thr game i have no idea what they are doing or in the middle of a battle.
Also knowing what to give out on a 7-9 is a constant thing of doing something not great and then when the end of the session comes i always go “oh that would of been a great idea! Damn it!”
I think more generally im very inconsistent in being able to go off script with players sometimes i get the feel of the monsters and what the various things should do when the players do things. And then there are other times when it is a mess and it is a terrible session with no good drama happening.
james day Hirelings aren’t worth it, to me there is no chance for them to shine, like monsters. I tried to incorporate hirelings, but funnily enough my players got so invested in him, he pretty much now qualifies as a capable party member or GMPC. He even now has written bonds with the party.