Check out this sweet dice tower I made on the weekend with my father-in-law:

It just needs a couple coats of stain. Then the critical hits can begin rolling down upon my players’ heads like bard tears at an orc wedding.

I’m learning woodworking, thus this is my “build a bird feeder” first project.

While we’re on roll here (pun intended!), last week I revealed how to twist your twists for maximum player delight. I received some great responses, including the following from ExileInParadise, creator of the scifi Chronology RPG:

Johnn,

Check out Dave Siegel’s good old Nine Act Structure, “False Goals”.

I think we talked about this long ago where I mentioned his example of the movie PREDATOR being a great example of (spoiler alert):

• A false goal: “Rescue the hostages”
• Twist: It’s really a CIA black op to wipe out insurgents
• New False Goal: “Get To The Choppa”
• Twist: They are being hunted themselves
• True Goal: “Hunt the hunter”

And don’t forget:

• Yes, and …
• Yes, but …

Both twist the twist.

Excellent example, Exile. I re-watched Predator this spring. Fantastic movie!

You remind me of one of my GM Guides, available to all Wizards of Adventure, called The But Reversal Method.

Inspired by writing from The Simpsons and South Park, when I use this technique it never fails to keep players guessing. And that’s fantastic engagement.

You don’t need world-shattering twists either. Creating tiny curve balls and twists-on-twists give you great GMing agility. Small surprises are also fast and easy to create and run.

For example, my favourite GM Move from the guide is the Guilty <=> Innocent reversal. Your players think they’ve nailed the villain BUT the evidence twists, and now their prime suspect’s a victim. It’s chaotic neutral GMing at its best.

You can also use several But Reversals within the same encounter. This tactic is underused by most GMs.

Imagine players getting tossed around in a scene that twists and turns, keeping them guessing, challenged, and entertained.

You can unlock my But Reversal technique, and 13 more such GM Guides, when you join my Wizard of Adventure program:

Drop plot twists, encounter curveballs, and NPC reveals your players will remember long after the dice tower cools down. Become the CN GM whose sessions are epically unpredictable (with far fewer headaches for you).

Get the But Reversal Technique and 13 more GM Guides today.

Cheers,
Johnn
roleplayingtips.com
https://discord.gg/6MxTRAqQ76
Have more fun at every game!

P.S. Wizards of Adventure, here’s your direct link to access the Guides.

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