New MapTools game starting up.

[MadCartographer]

I am about to start my 1st C&C game ever. It will be run in MapTools (it's free), and will have my son and some of his friends. I am very much looking forward to it but, I'm also a bit nervous.

Any advise? Besides just to enjoy the game. I will be the CK.

[Rigon]

Google images is a Ck's friend (especially when you don't have time to make your own maps).

R-

[Aramis]

For maptools: make sure everyone can connect to the server before game night. Otherwise, you might spend the first 2 hours of the session setting things up

Not a bad idea to have everyone's tokens premade, with macros for common dice rolls (attacks, saves etc.) already built in to each token (including the monster tokens you plan to use that session)

For C&C in general, try to keep as much of the rule stuff "under the hood" as you can, allowing your players to describe their actions narratively and then you do all the figuring on your end. For that to work, you will have to be pretty clear on how the SIEGE engine works (what modifiers to add to which end of the equation etc.) but also, when not to use the SIEGE engine. Some things should just work for the PCs. No need for rolls. But for important actions, they have to make their roll

Have fun

[MadCartographer]

Thanks guys, I plan on using a lot of maps from The Cartographers Guild, great stuff there, plus, I do make my own maps.
We will be playing in my own world, Lerchanth, which I am still mapping out.

For the 1st session, the players will be in a tavern, this will let us get used to the program and test how the players will act, think etc... I plan on some type of encounter so that they will be "hired" to do something while "learning MapTools".

Maybe a fight or two to get used to some of the mechanics of the game too. Hopefully things will work out well for all.

I do plan on making sure everyone can connect before game night.
Thanks again.

[MadCartographer]

Here is the Tavern I am using....

[Treebore]

Looks nice. I can't enlarge it, so can't really make out details.

[Treebore]

As for advice, if your players want to try something that sounds possible, and especially if it will make the game fun/cool, allow them to try. Even try to think of things that you can give them a bonus for, to try and increase their chances of success. Don't even tell them, or ask them specifically for ideas they will try to make the attempt easier. If its an idea that I think will catch their enemy/opponent off guard, I'll even half the CL/HD of the opponent, or if they are a low HD in the first place, give up to a +5 bonus.

[nwelte1]

Advice regarding the map. High texture maps and lots of tokens will load slow. Have your server up early and allow the players to connect 15 minutes in advance. I have been lax on this myself, as I started using lower res maps or simply use MT to draw my maps. Even then the background image can take 5-10 to load.