One of the biggest things that can turn a good
table top game into a great game is the pre game.
Ways to do this are simple yet effective. Give the players time to work out the jitters,
engaging them in conversation about their characters and getting them looking
over their character sheets. As the DM you've probably been planning for the
better part of the week, sometimes longer, but usually when game time rolls
around you've been immersed in the plot and are mentally prepared for the
coming game. The players may not
be. Often time players show up and they
haven’t given the game much thought beyond “Tuesday at 6”.
In an ideal situation I’ll have about an hour before I start my games to do just that. Let everyone get the “how was your week” and “Did you hear about…” conversations out of the way. Also get the players to start thinking about the game, about their characters. Start with talking about what happened last time you played, reminding them of things their characters may need to know for the current game and ask questions about what they plan on doing with their characters when they get to the next level or what new abilities they might have learned at the end of last session. As it gets closer to game time try to steer conversation towards the game its self.
By easing everyone back into the world of the game and the mindset of play it can make a much smoother and more immersive game over all.
One side note for DM’s that often have new players or players that do not play very often:
Have an experienced gamer and new player share a Player’s Handbook or reference book so that when questions like “How do I make an attack role…” or any of the other millions of situations that DM's and expeirenced gamers take for granted come up the more experienced partner can field the question or help them look up the answer to the question while you, as the DM, can keep the game moving forward. This can save a little headspace on your part and also help the newer players feel less singled out and more a part of the group.
