Practice Makes Perfect

My wife has decided to kill me. Oh sure she guises it under the “let’s get healthy together” like “but water is good for you,” and stop drinking so much coke.” I know the truth however; I know what the half marathon, she signed us up for, is really about; my end. I know the body needs to be worked, and it really would be nice not to get winded walking to the fridge. I can’t help but think of another muscle that needs to be worked and with GenCon looming soon it may be time to go through some GM calisthenics to prep for your con game.

Give it a Solo Run

Even if you’ve ran the adventure before it’s a good measure to make another run through by yourself. This will get all the encounters fresh in your mind and give you a chance to think about how different people might react to it. Try to really think outside the box here, the idea is not to be able to predict everything your players might do, far from it. We’re doing some mental gymnastics to train up for the big show. The crazier and wackier you can come up with the less likely you’ll freak out come game day. After all con goers can be an intimidating bunch, mean the stench alone may cause some vigor rolls.

Prep Your Materials

Your solo prep will also remind you of all the handouts and prep work that needs to be done before the game. While you still have a minute to scratch your head and get everything printed out, organized, and packed. Organizational tip: Bring a binder with Sheet Protectors to keep everything in. This will keep you organized and all of your nice new print outs safe and dry until you can get to the con. Also this would be an excellent time to label everything you need so you don’t look like a buffoon digging the sheets out of whatever bag of holding you brought them in.

Memorize Everything

Well I guess not everything; I mean who really needs to remember Plank’s Constant at a time like this? However now is the time to brush up on any rules that you may not be familiar with, organize some mock combats and get a really good hold on the item table, assuming you’re letting your players pick their own equipment. Be prepared to answer all kinds of questions about the setting, rules and general play as you’re going to get all comers to the table.

In the end it’ll come down to being quick on your feet and the ability to deal with everything coming at you, but much like the marathon ahead of me, the more practice you get the better off you’ll be.

What kind of success have you had running con games?