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I stand by the "generic maps" option. Have a load of generic maps. Grab like 3 "on a road" maps. 3 "in the forest" maps. And then some generic "house" maps. You'll be thankful you did it.

Make good friends first that can consistently show and are reliable. I’ve got plenty of social issues, hell im recovering from agoraphobia. We play once a week and have been for about 10 years. Make good friends with the people who you play with first and foremost. Play with people that you know you can trust and have chemistry with. I have social anxiety and recover from agoraphobia, I know how hard it is to make friends. Be a team player, face your fears. And you don’t need a camera all the time. I just think if respect each others time and try compromise you would find games. Especially if you’re a GM

Love how you've discovered the greatness of Foundry VTT!

Well I guess my game is a rare exception. We went online from level 5-20 and it lasted for 2 years. Pretty fun and memorable.

I’ve been lucky Our group has been playing together since the 90’s, so even though 2 of them moved out of state we can still game together

Good video. ❗A crucial thing for online D&D that you did not mention: Repeatedly ask your players "What are YOU seeing right now?" Especially if you're using dynamic lighting with the fiddly settings, OR simply due to them getting confused about where to look, I have found that MANY players will stare at a BLACK SCREEN for half an hour rather than interrupt to ask for help. ❗ On Roll20, you have the "focused ping" or shift+click and hold tool to help those players find where the action is. Thanks!

Letting you know that I’m not subscribed but KZfaq algorithm blessed you by being in my recommended feed 7 minutes after posting 🤣 thanks for the video!

I've had greater success online than in person for consistent games. I am currently in a 3+ ongoing dnd game and was in a 1.5 year online campaign that came to an end at the end of the module. In person the most I've played was 8 sessions before someone moved away and the group fell apart.

Most of what I play/run is theater of the mind anyway, so I've had pretty good success with Discord voice & text chat *plus* Owlbear Rodeo when I need a VTT. Owlbear Rodeo doesn't have a lot of features, but the ones it does have *work*. Simpler is better.

Using Baileywiki's FoundryVTT module, I was able to create a new map for a river crossing scene I hadn't planned, and managed to get it setup while my players were RP'ing amongst themselves. Took me 2 minutes to get it ready.

Scheduling is always the toughest thing. I know online it should be easier, but the older we get as people and have things in our personal lives that come up it always becomes so hard to continuously run a game. I have been playing for 6 months with a group of close friends I have known online for over a decade now, but even we have our issues and problems quite frequently and life happens. We also play with like 4 different time zones between us so that could also be an issue, but even through it all we still find a way to make it work. Long story short, it’s about consistency and passion. Just keep grinding and play as often as you can. Also never lose the love for the game. I’m happy that at least in my group of players we have not lost that yet, but I get after being grizzled veteran of the game you can lose that.

Where did you get the 90% statistic? All of my online D&D games have been a fantastic success. Bummer to hear that so many fail... I do really miss in-person games though

Haven't used Roll20 in 2 years. Hearing that it is still breaking on people makes me think I made the right decision to switch.

Luke try and review Dungeon Alchemist. No lie the export is incredible. That's the future I made 13 maps with all the light and hidden doors, with export import, in like 3 hours. One is a 3 levels castle. I literally googled Stone Bridge and couldn't find one ready to use. So I made one faster

A scheduling rule that has done wonders for my current group: Nobody leaves the session without a next session being scheduled. We try to keep a regular biweekly schedule going, but we ALWAYS double check if everyone can make it to the next scheduled session and if they can't, we pick a new date that DOES work before we leave for the day We are fortunate that we have really dedicated, passionate players and DM who want to be there and never flake out over something like another game they'd rather be playing, so I don't really have advice for that issue, but this scheduling method has ensure that nobody has missed a single session and we've been playing for over a year now

Text dnd is definetly not an easy thing to connect to, but not impossible. I have seen many come and go to my server, but because it is not an open to join server we managed to make some amazing relations. We past the 3 year mark, and yes it has ups and downs when we can play but the relations stayed. Tricky though (at times we accepted members), I tried showing vulnerabillity and create a safe environment. Some liked it (especially those with anxiety issues I have been told) others messed with it. Worth it though! 🥰

The only time I skip a session is if 50% of the players can't make it.

As an online only GM for 4 years, I run ongoing campaigns 7 days a week. I would add that you can and should use theater of the mind and much as maps. Maps are only good for some tactical battles, or pictures to set mood, but don't forget theater of the mind. It is just as valid online as in person, maybe even more so.

perfect timing luke. My group's disintegrating slowly. been thinking i need to get some new blood.

Great video. But I disagree in one point: it IS okay to take a short break if the player characters go somewhere the GM hasn't expected. This gives the GM a few minutes time to think about that location and (if needed) set up a quick map.

My game is in Discord. I use ASCII art for battle maps and a dice rolling bot in chat. The VTTs out there seemed like an obstacle and reminded me of my professor who only used transparent sheets and the lamp device when teaching, because everyone who brought in PowerPoint had extensive technical difficulties.

Please keep up the great work. You do amazing work and you are one of my favorite KZfaq channels. Thanks for all the great work.

Regarding cameras, it helps as a DM if you make eye contact by looking at the camera from time to time. It takes a bit of time to get used to juggling looking at faces and the cameras, but I've found it increases player engagement.

The issue I have with playing online is how much of a crapshoot it is to play with strangers, especially with all the horror stories I've heard. Yes they are a rarity, but I don't trust my luck and I've got enough mental crap without adding to it. Plus there is just something about playing online in general that makes people leave their emotional intelligence at the door.

Hi Luke, thanks for the video. It tackles exactly what my group is facing right now....scheduling spiral of death. I will try to implement your suggestions. I am also working with foundryVTT and would be very curious, how you prepare your VTT session and manage your assets in a screensharing/hands-on video

My players all refuse to turn on cameras. SMH.

we use Zoom, and I have an overhead camera and whiteboard tiles and tokens. everyone tells me what their characters do, and I move their tokens, assuming the best tactical move and letting them know if something might be better, or if they'll be provoking AoOs. we have a few talkover situations, but it's mostly one guy. we've been online for like 4 years now, but we've been playing together with this group for over 20 years in a weekly game.

Been using Fantasy Grounds for years. I love the automation and mods that can be added. I think I'll take a look at Foundry again, when I checked it out back then I didn't like it that much.

I've gotten down to 2 minutes for a small map and 10 minutes to build a full dungeon in dungeon fog. Would definitely recommend.

You look great, Luke! I love the idea of video in a game, but there's only so much I can fit in my monitor! Maybe I'll try using a two monitor thing

The only thing I don't do is get everyone on video. We're all friends for decades so while it would help me gauge their reactions in game, I think the added bandwidth will add too much technical burden to some players

How I deal with having the right maps for the players in VTT by having a quest board in the Discord channel. So when they pick a quest I have a map ready with 2 random encounters on standby. Great video and thank you for your hard work.

One general guideline I've had when recruiting new players online is "be ready for attrition", expect 50% of your players will turn out to be flakes and not continue to show regularly after 1-3 sessions. Group building online is a slow process, so whatever your idea, do not lock yourself into a scenario where it's hard to introduce new PCs if you're forming a new group.

Are you planning on doing some setup videos in foundry?? I would love to see your setup and handout advice applied to foundry.

To be fair I do sometimes scramble for a map but thankfully OBR's import process is very smooth and fast and it usually dosn't take more than a minute or two for me to plug it in and roll away

I just hate onlinegames. It is not the same as an in person campaign. You lose 3/4 of the social interactions of players and DM, and really the social gathering is what the game is about.

I was wondering what you might have to say. I've been playing and running games online for years. Now, that said, I use Discord, Fantasy Grounds, and make maps with Wonderdraft and Dungeondraft, as well as picking up other maps from the Web. I have Foundry mostly set up but haven't run a game with it yet on a consistent basis. Now these games are mostly family and friends, and while players have cycled through, it's been a fairly steady core group(s). I suspended play during chemo, but picked the games back up again afterwards, without missing a beat. Your tips are solid recommendations to keep the play from getting stale.

For map making I use Dungeon Alchemist. Its flexibility is awesome and the downloadable content is massive. For player tokens I use Hero Forge as it allows the players to fully customise a token for their character, also Dungeon Alchemist and Hero Forge each have a similar art style so they match beautifully.

I'm curious: how would you recommend using cameras when up/down-speed of internet connection can quickly become unwieldy? I only ask because I've found significant problems with it. I have 7 players (2 of them, remote). Each usually has their laptop up and connected so we can all be on Forge (using FoundryVTT) simultaneously and see the remote gamers. We use online tools because a couple of my players have had strokes and work best when they can see faces and hear precisely what people are saying. Additionally, 3 of my in-person players naturally speak very quietly and feel uncomfortable speaking up or simply forget to do so. Luckily, in our physical space, we have a heavy-usage account for upload- and download speeds but we still encounter significant problems with Friday night connection to Forge's servers. Is there a good solution you would recommend for this?

This might be just an anecdote but when it comes ot scheduling I find that doing 2 weeks of playing and one week off gets people more commited than doing it every two weeks. It keeps stuff a little fresher in folks mind and helps them be more engaged while giving them weeks off to do, life stuff. Its worked wonders both online and face to face for my tables the last 4 years.

In my 7 and a half years of playing, sometimes running, games, I had a SINGLE group, that would stay together for multiple years. Funnily enough, it's the first group I ever joined. Even though have some insane scheduling right now, we'll get back to playing within the coming weeks. Whilst most other groups fizzled out due to, group members not caring to find a day to play, people not caring about the game at all, GMs who full well knew they were working to get a promotion on their job that prevents them from runnning games but starts a new campaign anyway ... (yes, I'm still mad). I can't even list all the reasons why the groups I've been in felt apart so quickly. From my experience I can say: It's really easy to find a group to play for a few sessions, that is if you want to play Curse of Strahd for the gazillionth time. But finding a group with which you can actually finish a campaign ... or even play something that ISN'T DnD ... good luck, you gon' need it.

I bought the 1st Lairs and Legends & Loot and Lore hardcover books. I was very please with the quality of both the content and the physical books. Good job guys.

ABSOFRICKEN LUTELY!!. well said bruddah, now i dont play 5E, but i definitely find or draw the maps first, then build around them. i usually have a rough story idea but build upon it once i have a map...cheers keep 'em rollin

Love all your stuff!

I'm a paid DM that runs 6 campaigns a week, Ive never had a game just fall apart .. I put in work on my games and all of my players enjoy themselves

I don’t use VTT’s I use a second cam with actual minis that helps with the feel as if it was an in person game.

Hey Luke, New DM here... Love the content and i'm in the process of catching up.

I have been running online games for about 5 years. My games are pay to play. One game was a friend's game that was free and was erratic and ended. Have replaced it with a new friend's game that is going very well. Ran Saltmarsh and while it didn't go all the way as far as I wanted with homebrew to level 20, we did take to level 12. Had another game that went through two campaigns to level 12 and was going homebrew, but we had a few players swapped out for new players and those new players were a bad fit. The core group was ready to go with a new campaign and we are close to ending Strahd and have plans for the next campaign. I have another game that is going on over a year and a half and going strong. Had one campaign peter out because I customized it too much for the players and when one disappeared, it made it too difficult to continue. What it boils down to is, being consistent, playing a good game, and make it visually good. It doesn't need to be perfect, but worth their time. Finally find the groups and players you fit with. I left a group I had joined because I wasn't a fit and got annoyed when they added a 6th player. Not every group is going to be a fit and not every player is going to be a fit. Make sure you try to choose the right ones for your games and the games right for you.

Never underestimate how music and sounds can enhance the mood. From heroic scenes To emotional scenes.

As for communication, nothing more frustrating than hitting an epic tone in your voice and nailing the emotion of the moment only for the audio to cut off somewhere causing you to have rebuild the same energy you had the first time. It’s just not the same to have to do it again.

I’ve been wanting to play dnd for a long time and I’ve had this idea for a long time like for a character he’s like a halfling that’s like smaller than other halflings he isn’t usually a fighter but he still helps in his own ways like if he sees something he could spend time thinking he also carry’s a big satchel that and like a lil smol staff with a lil owl pendant at the end of it and other stuff I’m too tired to get into but I wanted to ask if you had any advice like what role would fit this lil guy? Or like how would he fight how would he work with his group would he need a booster seat In order to reach his plate of bacon and eggs at breakfast? 😅😂

My experience with Foundry VTT the one time I used it was that the web client ran extremely slowly and made my 2013 Macbook get _extremely_ hot. Additionally, the Pathfinder 1e character sheet was complex and difficult to set up initially (even though I'm sure it would have been _amazing_ for actually running the game, because so much would be fully automated), and the search feature to click and drag features onto the sheet was very slow. By comparison, roll20's few glitches (one of which has a very consistent trigger that I know perfectly well how to avoid) are easy to work around. Now, if all of your players are on Windows, you probably won't have this problem and Foundry will be just fine!

good video, appreciate the advice. I stopped participating in online games for many of these reasons lol

My online games don't fail,but that's large in part because they are all just my friends playing, since one of them is in a different state.

Do you have a video about bringing in a new player? I've had worries from losing that session zero stuff.

I prefer not being on camera for several reasons but my main one is that I don’t want to appear disengaged. Truth is, I have adhd and this means I am often fidgeting or painting my nails or doodling. Weirdly, this actually helps me pay attention more, not less. The problem is that it appears that I have disengaged which is rude. So, to negate this, I prefer to not be on camera because it is, weirdly enough, easier for people to tell I’m engaged from my voice than it is from seeing visual cues from me. Again, I also have other reasons I prefer to not be on camera, but this is a major one for me. I do insist on at least having audio because yeah, it definitely helps with engagement and immersion. It has its pros and cons though.

Since you mentioned Foundry and Roll20 - I'd like to hear your in depth opinion on these two (and more) vtt's.

I find Fantasy Grounds to be fantastic for when running games online. The fact that you can make a "buy once, cry once" investment instead of paying a monthly fee was the key factor and after 15 months it had already paid off. I also think it is the best tool and when we invested in it, it was the only one with functioning LoS. But nothing comes close to playing in person and we still mostly do that.

I have never experienced what your commenting on. I believe that to have a successful VTT gaming group you absolutely need a session zero going over rules, homebrew and veils. Of course, my campaigns don't take years, I try to keep them to under a year. Fantasy Grounds Unity is my preferred VTT, after reviewing all the ones available at the time of purchase a few years ago.

I mentioned calling for a break on another one of your videos (What Every Dungeon Master Fears Most in D&D) but I mention it here as well...but you reminded me that it's HUGELY important to keep it short. Ask for it from your players. Tell them it'll only be 5 minutes. And let people go to the bathroom quickly, grab a snack, refill their drinks, and talk while you do your magic. (You'd be surprised how much free-er the players will feel about doing things to occupy themselves when you tell them it's a break. So much better than them all silently waiting on you for all those minutes.) You can only get away with this once every few sessions and mostly when you've been forced by PC decisions to improv more than usual. I've got A LOT of maps from all sorts of sources on my VTT. I may not be able to put dynamic lighting on them all (only 5 minutes, right?), but I can quickly search them up and find and stick appropriate tokens on it. Granted, it takes time to build up that map library, but it's well worth the time.

The biggest reason for not having player retention is the same reason why you lose many players in an MMO. Guilds in MMOs are even harder to maintain these days than they used to be. Why? There are so many other games to choose from. When you try and play D&D online you are likely to attract a lot of casuals. A lot will show up for a game or two. It takes a lot of effort to get people together. I personally wouldn't waste my time doing the online thing. I prefer the in person stuff. It's much more personal. People just have different habits and attention spans these days.

Amazing ✊🏽 💎

"Play anyway," 10000% You'll figure out how to work around Groxx's player being missing. Someone else can play them if they give the OK, Groxx can be put in 'soft-focus', they're there if needed for skills and equipment, but otherwise hang out in the background unobtrusively.

I've had about a 90% success rate for online games as player and dm, I follow most of these practices. I think mostly I'm just lucky to know a good group of mostly reliable and interested people.

my online games never fail - because I don't play online. however, most of this also applies to in person gaming.

If foundry VTT is too much of a learning curve try out bag of mapping - it's free and has a super low learning curve. Oh another benefit - no tokens required, you use full images of monsters and you pick the token part of it in the tool so that the users can see the handout without you having to pass it out.

I love your shirt!!! Where did you get it?😱😱😱

I've always found over the years that stories and problems that are TOO BIG, especially too soon, absolutely kills most games. Same applies for the logistics of running a game... we always found simple voice or video chat was always best and every VTT game our group tried just felt kinda off. Both of these can create distractions away from the core connections that make a lasting game, and friendship group.

as someone who has run exclusively digital games for the last 4 years with randos; the simple truth is that you are going to have to go through a meat grinder of filtering through a bunch of bad players until you get a nice collection of good ones.

A point I would like to reinforce is 'Make yourself a good setup'. If you are able to solve whatever issue came up quickly, it will make the whole game better. Didn't expect the party to set the tavern on fire? If you have the ability to search fire tiles, you won't need a 'tavern on fire' map. One of your players learned a summoning spell you didn't realize? If you can import the summoned creature from an archive, DnDBeyond or something similar, then you can deal with that within seconds. Two of your players unexpectedly started a really heartwrenching scene when you had whimsy music prepared? If you have a setup that has apropriate music at the ready or if you can switch to something fitting within a few seconds, then the scene will be vastly improved. Keeping it moving is very important, so make yourself a setup that can solve problems quickly.

How difficult is it to commission professional maps?

I like having physical books to support my online game. It frees up screen real estate

As someone who only plays online, I need this video.

I've been in one group as the forever GM for about 3 years, and I started another campaign on SPG that's been going for about 3 months with no signs of fizzling. Both are online. Although I already do a bunch of the things recommended in the video, one thing I don't do is use cameras, and I have no plans to start. This is because cameras are a firm no from most of my players, and I don't want to push them away. Like not just "no" but more like "hell no." It does make smooth communication harder, especially with a new group or when a new player joins. However, I feel like after a while the group develops a rhythm so the accidental talking over happens less and less. If you're in a group where everyone is talking over each other and has to be told to stop, that shows a fundamental lack of respect in the players at the table imo. I also feel like as an audio only GM, you have to get comfortable moving the "spotlight" around so that players don't get left out. That is remember to check in with various players that haven't talked in a while and ask, "How is your character reacting to this?" And if you have a new player that seems quiet, remember to check with them after the game and ask them if they felt awkward about jumping in. Also, although I haven't been consistent about using it, you can use the waving hand emoji in Discord chat as a signal for players to use when they want to speak. You also have to listen very closely to not only to what your players are saying but also for any other accidental sounds (like yawning, groaning, scoffing, voice cracks/strain etc) for additional clues as to how your players are feeling. For instance, I've found when players simply start sounding softer (either because they are actually lowering their voice or have moved a bit away from their microphone) that's a red flag that their interest may be waning. Audio only D&D can work, but as a GM, you have to work on your skillset for it. It isn't as natural as reading the facial expressions and body language of players sitting at your table, which is a skillset we humans develop from a young age and and improve (hopefully) over the course of our lifetimes.

can you recomend some tutorials for foundry vtt?

Most of these apply to in person games too!

I tired foundry VTT and failed. I couldn’t figure out how to co figure the mods so that combat damage was automatically applied to monsters. It really needs a default config that just works. I found it too complicated. I probably need someone who is successful with it to just show me what to do. Pulling myself up by my own bootstraps didn’t work.

OwlbearRodeo 2.0 doesn't have a music player, at least not that I've found. I don't think Discord does either, but I'm kind of technologically deficient, so it's possible that I just haven't figured it out. My players just set up their own music. It's okay for the most part. I wish I could control the mood a little bit more at certain points in the session.

I prefer using Abovevtt as it is more integrated with dndbeyond with most people have to make characters anyway.

I've been so happy with Talespire for a VTT that's definitely what I'll be using whenever I can. Even to the point where I'll ask people to bring a laptop that can run Talespire for a physical game. Am I mad?

What about Play by Posts?

30 years rping online, never used headsets or anything else but text and hand drawn maps photographed or scanned and uploaded. You don't need to see people to have fun - you didn't have any of this a couple of decades ago. ( ... does this make me a grognard now)

The idea of having an actual wait list of standby players is SO WEIRD to me, I feel like the vast majority of DMs do not just have a stable of random maybe players who might attend. I understand Luke's position is different in this respect, but it seems more like the exception than the rule.

Yay I have an above average success rate! Even managed to do one text only - voice is MUCH better. It takes sooo long otherwise.

@theDMLair...I'm gonna need that shirt...or at least a link...

I don't love the idea of playing when one member can't attend. Just beforehand: It's of course perfect for pool groups ond one session adventures. 1. Not suitable for multi-session adventures adventures. I like my ckliff-hangers and I like to GM longer adventures. Now the group is in the process of breaking into the throne room, having just witznessed something awful happen BREAK and decide to interfere, but suddenly the Barbarian is missing. Shit, that was half the groups daage output... Sometimes you find thhe perfect excuse to remove one person from the group, like said Barbarien just got caught in a trap door and they have to find their way back to the group ort are already in the dungeons, the group will enterr soon anyway. But it can also feel awkward and derail your adventure. 2. Players receive additional punishment for nor being able to attend. If you established your human connection right the person will already feel guilty. It also already sucks, you can't play because you are sick or have other things to attend. (And I really don't want a sick person infecting everyone at the table, because they don't want to miss out ion the session. 3. Riles people up against each other all the same. Sure, it is a bummer when the play session can't happen. But your healer or biggest DD just missing does the same. Group got wiped? If just the Cleric had been there. Now the Cleric comes back to a dead group, blaming him for having a girlfriend on valentines day. What to do instead? Account for it in the first place. 1. Decide on a rythm you want to play in, like every two weeks. It makes for easy planning and prevents a huge organisational load when planning the next session. 2. Plan in advance. I would have a pinned post in our Discord Chat. There would be like the next 4 session dates. The visualisation helps to keep the actual dates in mind, when planning anything else. The dates we could not play on, would always be on the list too, includingthe reason why they could not happen. (Some would use that to blame the person at fault, but it never did with my groups (yet). Instead it helps with remembering to ask how the chess match or family vacation was, reenforcing that sense of relationship beyond the game.) I asked my players to bring up any organisational problems as soon as they knew. (I often stressed how only giving notice two hours before costs 5 people their freedom for evening plans. I only ever had one person shit on that notion and we kicked him out.) 3. Have alternatives. In my last group we played ever Wednesday. (Yes, some people don't have a life. Sue me.) But most of us could also play on Thursdays. So anytime someone broucght up they could not make a certain Wednesday, I would ask if everyone could make the day after. That way, we would actually only miss 50% of the weeks, where someonecould not make Wednesday. 4. Have consequences planned. People get sick, emergencies occur. But those are not the rule and usually you can plan ahead well. Do not be afraind to kick someone out of the group, if their schedule or behaviour does not match with everyone else. Make sure the whole gropup is on the same page with putting up with problems like these for the sake of being able to play with that person. You do not want resentment to build up. 5. Plan in person (or on voice) whenever possible. I play in one group that is supposed to meet once a month. Planning happens via a what's app group between sessions. That actually is a shit show, because it is hard to look through everyones statements, people forget to answer etc. We had 3 months between two sessions and I nearly forgot I was right in the beginning of a fight. Can't and won't put up with that as a GM. What could be a one min discussion most times, drags out to a 2 weeks chat conversation, because in the time someone needed to respond, someone else did not keep that one date available, because well I am not clearing my whole schedlue only to wait for someone to not being able to make any of the days I told friends I couldn't come. (Of course people work shifts and don't always already know when they can play, but there are still tools you can emply, such as 2 standing week days as a fokus.)

Y’all shouldn’t have to repurchase all the artwork you bought through Roll20! Most can be downloaded, saved, and reimported elsewhere

I’m only halfway through the video, but I do have a question: who at the DM’s lair is in charge of killing the kittens on a regular basis just to punish the non-subscribers and/or those who don’t like the videos? Must be quite the job description: standing above a large bucket of water with a bag full of kittens, and getting to take a 15-minutes break sitting down everytime a “like” is registered! Jokes aside, that first point is so fondamental. I’m in two online groups right now, and I thought things would be smooth based on my only previous experience where a group of randoms met through reddit and played the full Tomb of Annihilation over a year and a half, with a single player dropping after 2 sessions, and all other 5 players sticking around the whole time, with nobody missing a single session (we only took 2 weeks off at Christmas). I thought all groups would naturally work like that, but am now realizing it was probably beginner’s luck or something, as one of my current group is now up to a 10th player (4 players dropped) in only 11 session… and I think the lack of connections is a major factor in what is happening.

Here's a bunch of tips to DM better "Buy all my things, buy them now! if you don't you're a shit DM and your game will fall apart!" Dude somehow forgot we're in the biggest recession in decades. Edit: So many awful tips here. If a player can't make it, sometimes they have a legitimate reason, last week a player couldn't make it because they were sick with Covid. I'm not going to make them feel bad and play without them (during a critical encounter) because they got sick, remember the human behind the screen like you said. Another poor piece of advice is talking about having players "on-call" no one outside big name youtubers have players "on-call" for an ongoing campaign. 1) On-going campaigns get very few applications/requests to join online, most people want to join a fresh game, and that's not even talking about if you run a less popular Edition like Pathfinder 1e as I am. I'm running RotR PF1e and the party is at Book 5, if I'm lucky I might get one or two players online interested if I post, but the last few times I got nothing. 2) You're a big-time KZfaqr, it's literally your career and job to talk about and run D&D games, and because of that your games and any run by you get a huge boost in attention because people want to play with you due to the para-social relationship they've developed. I 100% guarantee your average DM running a game online does NOT have a waitlist for this simple fact; players who don't know you, the group or the game personally won't stick around waiting hand & foot for an opening. That just ain't gonna happen mate and you're delusional for thinking so. Those "on-call" players will join other games that have room for them.

I totally agree with your first point, than then you become a complete ad for the rest of your points, so I left early.

Issues aside I still like roll 20

I like Table Top Simulator. Just drop a 2d map, roll dice and move figs. Keep character sheets on paper. Just like irl. Don't get distracted with the 3d building and all the bells and whistles. Keep it simple just like irl. Foundry is my second favorite. Both are great bang for the buck. Really Foundry can't be beat for popularity and everything you get for the money. Stop paying subscription fees. One payment for about $50 for all players. Smarten up.

I 100% Believe it's because DMs don't sit down and set expectations and game themes beforehand. In my experience if a group falls apart it's because the players expected something different from what the DM delivered and there was usually zero pre game discussion about this kind of stuff. And I find it stupid that these old grizzle DMs who like to use their years of DMing as though it gives them more merit come along and say "That's stupid you don't need to do that kind of stuff I've never done it and my games are perfectly fine." When they don't run online games and have been DMing for the same 4 alcoholics since 1982. You really need to do this stuff if you're running an online group with complete strangers.

Whoops, I wasn't subscribed. I am here now. Fear not. 😮

Am I the only one who doesn't like dynamic lighting? I don't want the map to go black in areas that I've been in. If the map stayed and occupants I can no longer see became invisible, it would be much better.

🤗 you're not talking to yourself we're listening 😍👍

My online game has been going over 5 years now.

Half my players just mute the music channel anyway, so I don't both with that anymore. YMMV

So.... Say I'm subscribed, but I don't share the videos. Does that mean the puppy is eating the kittens that I didnt save?