GameBanshee Forums

Personally, I like to have combat quick and smooth. This way, I can run in details like: a sword nips your side drawing a line of blood as the Kobold screeches. Instead of: It hits.. Roll... Ya that one... Ya it hits you... 1 damage... Ya...
I have found several differnet ways to create encounters that run with ease. First is to write out the creatures or generate them on an NPC generator. I also will write the stats of one and have many of the same with different hp.
HOwever, the one I find the easist is the DM Familer program. You can type in your PCs and drag and drop monsters in seconds and run combat with ease. But, the program costs a whoping 30$.
Please try it out at: http://www.paladinpgm.com/dmf/
After you mess around tell me if you think it is worth the money, and opinions.

Personally - I'd proberly just look into coding something myself to use D), instead of spending 30 bucks on it.
Although - the usage of money on books etc seems significant as well, so in the "grand scheeme" I don't know if 30 bucks is that much money.

I've not tested the program, because I'm not a DM, so can't advice you on how good it is. I'll leave that to others.

I don't like using computers at all.
They don't fit into the fantasy word and you have to direct yourself at the pc instead of at the players.

Fights are a good way to make your players feel nervous. "Please don't hit me or I'm dead....pleaaaase."
You should give a fight more deatil, but much detail will bore your players after a while. 'Yes, yes, he cuts me blah die blah. How much damage did he do?"

To each his own, but I prefer good old pen an paper. hat's why the call it pen & paper.

Although this computer idea might be good for him because of our last playing experience. I will show you an example...DM is Magpie, PC1 is on of his PCs (the most annoying that plays with the fog machine), PC2 is another PC (the one that misses alot), and PC3 is me the wizard. This is every attack that he does, but this is just an example.

DM: Ok, the kobold with the spear narrowly misses ******(PCs name) and slams the tip of the spear into the dirt

PC1: My turn yet?

DM: no...

PC2: I'm going to attack with my greatsword at the closest kobold *rolls to attack and it's a 3*...missed again...

PC1: My turn yet? *blows some smog out of the fog machine*

DM: no ****** you turn is after ****'s (my name).

PC3: I cast magic missile on the one attacking ****** *roll 1d4 and get 3*

DM: the blast of energy hit the kobold hard in the chest and it slups to the floor.

PC1: My turn yet? *blows more smog*

DM: Yes, ******, it's your turn.

PC1: OK I attack the closest one...what one do I roll again?

DM: I've told you this 7 times already! it's the 20 sided one!

PC1: OK, geez, I rolled a 16+2 did it hit?

Dm: yes, now roll the damage...it's two six sided ones...

PC1: Ok! *rolls two eight sided dice* I rolled the max! 8+8!

DM: You're supposed to roll two six sided and add your damage modifier!!!

PC1: Opps, *rolls 2d6 and gets 9* I got 6+3...What's my damage modifier again?

I think you get the picture...

Very irritating indeed.
Perhaps he just isn't that interested in the game?

If he is interested, tell him that all rolls start with a d20 so that's pretty obvious, then mark his damage + modifire on his PC sheet so he can spot it himself.

But most importantly, tell him d&d isn't something you do simply to kill time. It must be a hobby and like any other hobby you have to invest time in it. Make him learn the rules for combat. It's the onle thing that has to be fast to be cool. The rules aren't that hard.

But you mentioned you told him like a zillion times. If he doesn't know the simplest of rolls his next turn, skip his turn. Action = reaction. Keep this up untill he knows what dice he needs to roll first. It's a d20 system, how hard can it be?