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How much work do you guys put into session prep? I used to write whole scripts for my NPCs and take my books to the copier at work to make copies of monster sheets, but these days (almost two years into this campaign) I mostly just spec out the fights and maybe have bullet points of what the NPCs need to get across to the players, which feels like opposite ends of a spectrum if I ever heard one. Where do you folks land?

For HU the biggest thing is to have your NPCs stated out, especially those that might be combatants. I tend to use NPCs from the books just give them new names and change some skills and powers around for minor characters just to save time.

I also try to have maps and building layouts handy like an office complex or a warehouse plus any documents I want the PCs to have.

A basic outline of how the adventure can progress with branching ideas is also a good idea as well as a list of facts, evidence, and rumors I want the PCs to find.

I stat out the NPCs and get a general idea of what I want the story and challenges for the Pcs to be. As my players usually don't follow along with what I prepare generally, I don't plan for specific fights or map out everything. I have generalized maps I can refer to if the PCs go to a locaion that relies on knowing how much their movement rate is.

If it is mostly a interaction game, then not too much. If I got a set piece in the game I do map set up and maybe some dialog that I need to get strait before hand.

If it is a campaign with definite goals then I would outline the whole thing before hand and try to keep up with he player's sidetracks during the game.

Stone Gargoyle wrote:I stat out the NPCs and get a general idea of what I want the story and challenges for the Pcs to be. As my players usually don't follow along with what I prepare generally, I don't plan for specific fights or map out everything. I have generalized maps I can refer to if the PCs go to a locaion that relies on knowing how much their movement rate is.

I'll second your G.M. approach. Things are kind of stated out and outlined, but I'm familiar enough with the story/adventure/scenrio that I can improv anything any player decides too,
do in fact I thrive on improving during conventions.

Depends on what i have planed , i make npc all the time so i got some for on the fly for a quick want to do some thing game . Long games i will make detailed npc find maps and layout for some things buildings banks etc or make my own like converting the dray class fleet tender . From fleets of the three galaxies in to a carrier for pirates that took some time . So it can take some time spent a week planning some thing big hell i even commissioned art work for npc items and zones etc .