This is my review of Venger Satanis' book on Game Mastering tips, tricks and guidelines. The original version of this review included some play reports but things got very long. I'll post those seperately.

How to Game Master like a F***ing Boss was an entertaining and easy read. It is well written; using a light, conversational tone that is heavy with self-aware humor and light in pretentiousness.

While there are plenty of sources of Game Mastering tips out there, in published works and blogs, I found several fresh, unique ideas. Here are three that stood out to me:

   
• Deeds of Might: giving each player a finite source of bonus dice each session that can be spent to perform potentially extraordinary feats. These dice may be spent sparsely or a bunch at a time. While this concept is nothing new, I rather liked the implementation.

   
• Handing out a brain teaser to occupy the players while taking a break. I can't believe that I never thought of this before (or simply taking a break after leaving a cliffhanger at the table).

   
• Improvisation via Covert Solicitation: using player ideas and expectations to create encounters and events (covertly "passing the joint" around the table and gathering ideas for your use). I was a fan of this concept when I played Dungeon World, but this method is more casual and less formal.

I appreciate Venger's goal to bridge "old-school" with the new. He uses the term "O5R" in reference to the OSR movement (Old School Revival) and the latest (fifth) edition of Dungeons and Dragons. This strikes a chord with me because I'm doing exactly that: using OSR and DIY (Do-it-Yourself) material in my modern edition campaign.

The quality of the artwork is really decent (Venger never disappoints in this dept.). There are lots of evocative, full page illustrations. Some are rather campy and kind of sleazy (in the tongue-in-cheek manner of Heavy Metal magazine). Luckily, they're always interesting. Three of my favorites:

   
• An homage to the first monolith scene in 2001: a Space Odyssey, but with dinosaurs instead of apes.

   
• A page and a half spread of a classic dungeon party with traits that made me think of Elfquest, Erol Otus and Ralph Bakshi.

   
• A mage and a dwarf warrior battling it out on top of a freakin' speeding monorail! Also, winged horrors approaching to eventually join the fray.

While I really liked the art (I feel that this book has the most impressive collection of any of Venger's books to date), I wasn't a fan of the iconic watermark on each and every page. I felt that it was distracting and would have preferred a lighter version or if it had been placed off in the side margin (as is seen in Venger's other recent publication, Crimson Dragon Slayer). I also felt a bit jarred while reading half of a sentence at the bottom of one page and being interrupted by a full page illustration while flipping to read the rest of it later on (to be fair, this isn't likely to be an issue in the printed version).

The font and the 2-column text layout are fine and easy on the eye (except for the before mentioned watermark). My only criticism relates to the center margin: at times it felt a bit narrow, especially when two headings ended up side-by-side in each column. I usually read these as a single heading. I also would have liked a bit more space above the footer: the text at the bottom of each column came a bit close at times. Take these criticisms with a grain of salt: I'm no desktop publisher or typographer. This is all personal taste.

The headings were nice and clear, and often sardonic or clever. Whenever they were a bit vague, they were thought-provoking or attention grabbing. Some of my favorites:

   
• When Metallica forgot how to be Metallica

   
• The Waiter Analogy

   
• Flatlining the Burning Chrome of Chiba City

The Game Mastering advice includes all manner of topics that you'd expect: handling different kinds of players, campaign management, finding inspiration, pre-game prep, improvisation, balancing encounters and pace. What made this book feel a bit more unique were the tips on lifestyle and handling stress. Sure, some books out there offer advice on managing a campaign, few offered advice like Venger's that bordered on self-help or mental health (in a good way). I appreciated these sections a great deal because of my own life experiences and current family life.

There's lots of great stuff in here: I guarantee that every Game Master will find something inspiring and useful.

A few sections, however, will probably draw ire from some critics. While I "get" Venger's attitude, I still cringed slightly at a few things that I know could draw negative attention. While I refuse to be a moral judge about authors and artists, others out there might not. All that I'll say is that this work, like all of Venger's products, isn't for absolutely everyone.

Here are a few tips that I liked:

   
• A pre-game mantra-like poem: it clears your mind and, if you speak it out loud in a few different voices, gives you a bit of practice playing out different NPC personalities.

   
• Tips on improving your presentation and style (comfy and nice attire, boosting self-confidence, getting into a good state of mind, being a good "waiter" and ensuring that you use a complete set of same-colored dice: all of which may seem trivial or shallow, but I find that there's value in this advice).

   
• Building encounters with Three Aspects. Just like with the Fate fractal, give each encounter three aspects for added detail, interest and context for the players. You can drill down and give three aspects to NPCs, objects and even the environment. A nice, concise idea. As you might have noticed, I'm quite a fan of the Rule of Three.

I won't go into too much detail because I don't want to spoil anything: part of the enjoyment of this book (and conversely, a bit of an annoyance, see below) is discovering something new as you flow from section to section.

While the journey is entertaining, I still would have liked a *bit* more structure. These tips could have easily been grouped into sections or chapters (Game Master Lifestyle, Your Players, Campaign Management etc...). While these topics do flow somewhat naturally, I had trouble going back to reference some things later on (I couldn't remember under which heading some things appeared). Because of this lack of structure, the Index is just a huge list of titles sorted by order of appearance. A Table of Contents would have been a nice addition, but there is none.

I'd also add that while it was a nice surprise to discover a whole section of tables, languages and even maps (which are all really, really well done), there was no indication of this in the Index. I know that some people decide on whether or not to buy a book based on the index; it is unfortunate that many may not realize how much they're missing. A few uses of index headings like "Tables", 'Tools", "Languages" and "Maps" would be a great and useful addition. To be fair, these are mentioned on the cover, though.

Loosely, I'd break this product down into these sections (in pages):

   
• 4-70: Game Master Advice

   
• 70-97: Tables

   
• 98-116: Language reference (Viridian to English and then English to Viridian

   
• 119-121: Dungeon Maps

The Tables are a great addition, useful in any Game Master's kit. They're system-agnostic; more like idea generators. Some are great for character creation (backgrounds and the like), NPC motivations/goals, cult generators and a vaguely Lovecraftian monster builder. In particular, I liked these ones:

   
• Magic Item Mutations: mutation tables are a dime a dozen... for player characters. How about for equipment and magic items? Gnarly...

   
• Stupid Gnome Hat: I'll let you discover this yourself.

   
• Reaction Table: some nice ways to alter typical encounters. Sure there are others, but I liked this one and the way that it works.

The Viridian section, by the way, is a made-up language that sounds suitably sinister and otherworldly for a variety of campaign styles: evil cults, demons, aliens or Mythos Monsters. It's split into two parts: Viridian-English and then vice-versa. A nice reference if you quickly need eerie-sounding words.


I'd say that How to Game Master like a Fucking Boss is a worthy book for any Game Master out there. It is chock-full of great advice and tools. Despite a few issues with layout and structure, it is a very good read. As usual the cheesecake nudity and occasionally the subject matter will not be appreciated by all. After having read a few of Venger's works, I know what to expect but it might not appeal to everyone. Be warned, but give this book a chance: it's worth your time.

http://www.drivethrurpg.com/product/148728/How-to-Game-Master-like-a-Fucking-Boss" target="_blank">You can purchase this book at DrivethruRPG in PDF or softcover format.

Thanks for the review, Joel.

BTW, that "monolith" is actually one of the black pylons from The Islands of Purple-Haunted Putrescence.

VS

Quote from: Necrozius;833162He uses the term "O5R" in reference to the OSR movement (Old School Revival) and the latest (fifth) edition of Dungeons and Dragons.

OSR 5e??? Lies of Lucifer!!! Stench of Satan!

Quote from: Necrozius;833162

When Metallica forgot how to be Metallica

Sadly, Metallica never recovered from that album when they thought putting bloody spooge on the cover was a good idea. Oddly, they still remember how to rock when playing live.

Quote from: Necrozius;833162A few sections, however, will probably draw ire from some critics. While I "get" Venger's attitude, I still cringed slightly at a few things that I know could draw negative attention.

Stop teasing us!!! What's the one thing that will break the internet?

Quote from: Necrozius;833162Be warned, but give this book a chance: it's worth your time.

Can you GM like a Fucking Boss now?

If not, can you get a refund?

Consider myself sold. Just made the order on Amazon.

Quote from: mAcular Chaotic;833589Consider myself sold. Just made the order on Amazon.

Thanks!  I hope you enjoy it.  

Since you ordered the book from amazon, would you like the PDF to look over while you wait?  If so, send me an email:  Venger.Satanis@yahoo.com

VS

Shit, I'm sold. I'll be picking up the PDF.

Master of Puppets was the last of the Metallica that I loved. After, they were someone else.

But in all seriousness, this book DID give me some inspiration on how to feel more confident as a Game Master. Self-esteem issues are rather common, especially with me, and little things like "never write your title as an acronym, be proud and spell it out: capitalize it!" go a longer way than I'd thought.

Metallica never recovered from the loss of Cliff Burton, but since Masters there are occasional songs and live performances that capture their original spirit.

As for GMing and self-esteem, I agree its an important topic and I am glad Venger took it on. Unlike breaking out a boardgame, card game or minis, the GM takes a much larger responsibility for the event than the players. And with responsibility comes pressure to perform.

So when you crazy kids get your copies I want to hear the bit of GM advice that's gonna break the internet!!!

Please oh please says its pantomiming human sacrifice!!!

Quote from: Spinachcat;833889So when you crazy kids get your copies I want to hear the bit of GM advice that's gonna break the internet!!!

Please oh please says its pantomiming human sacrifice!!!

Hahahahaaa!

If you promise to tell the world about my evil, filthy demon ways (thereby saving it), I'll send you a free PDF.

VS

p.s.  For the record, I am/was 111% with Metallica right up until their self-titled "black" album.  And Justice For All came out right when I was getting into heavy metal (8th grade, I think).  Besides a woman clothed in water and not much else, my room was covered in Metallica posters and other nerd shit like framed The Hobbit and Lord of the Rings paintings.

Oops I forgot and Justice for all... I meant after THAT album I felt something change... < / derail >

The Black Album was totally fine, more radio friendly but nothing wrong with that. It is after the Black Album, when they got more of an alt rock and biker rock sound, I couldn't get into them.

Quote from: BedrockBrendan;834206The Black Album was totally fine, more radio friendly but nothing wrong with that. It is after the Black Album, when they got more of an alt rock and biker rock sound, I couldn't get into them.

Yep, nothing wrong with "radio friendly"... unless you're a take no prisoners, balls to the wall heavy metal band.  Then it means you've sold out - and not in the 'got super-popular' hipster way.  No, they officially stopped sounding like Metallica at that point.  I'll admit that album wasn't the worst thing ever, but it was the beginning of the end.

Dance with the one who brought you or reap the whirlwind.  

VS

Quote from: VengerSatanis;834207Yep, nothing wrong with "radio friendly"... unless you're a take no prisoners, balls to the wall heavy metal band.  Then it means you've sold out - and not in the 'got super-popular' hipster way.  No, they officially stopped sounding like Metallica at that point.  I'll admit that album wasn't the worst thing ever, but it was the beginning of the end.

Dance with the one who brought you or reap the whirlwind.  

VS

It's just music. I am a big fan of plenty of obscure, unplayable on the radio, metal, but I don't begrudge a band for making something that can appeal to a broader audience, particularly if they make a great album in the process. After basically defining the genre for three albums, I think they were entitled to do what they wanted as long as the music worked. In my view the Black Album is up there with a lot of great classics. For me Ride the Lightning, Master of Puppets and Justice for All will always be how I think of Metallica but what they did on the Black album was also spectacular music. Hit after hit, and songs that still get played today----that isn't typical. Yes it was radio friendly, but it also had a lot of power behind it in its own way. As much as I loved the earlier Metallica, after and Justice for All I do think they had to change the pace and the tone a bit (they couldn't just keep releasing sequels to ride the lightning for decades).

I was excited by the future Black album seemed to herald for them when it came out. The black Album worked. They could have developed that sound further and done something cool with it. What came after didn't work. If they had continued the trajectory set by the Black Album, I'd still be a fan (its definitely a different phase from the Ride the Lightning Era but it was discernibly still their sound and worked for their vocals and guitar). The problem is they went alternative after grunge broke and that just didn't suit them at all. Or at least, it had very little appeal for me.

The only album I didn't really like is St. Anger. I never listened to their newer songs St. Anger and on.  And even that wasn't bad, per se, just felt different from the tone of the previous albums.

Quote from: BedrockBrendan;834234It's just music. I am a big fan of plenty of obscure, unplayable on the radio, metal, but I don't begrudge a band for making something that can appeal to a broader audience, particularly if they make a great album in the process. After basically defining the genre for three albums, I think they were entitled to do what they wanted as long as the music worked. In my view the Black Album is up there with a lot of great classics. For me Ride the Lightning, Master of Puppets and Justice for All will always be how I think of Metallica but what they did on the Black album was also spectacular music. Hit after hit, and songs that still get played today----that isn't typical. Yes it was radio friendly, but it also had a lot of power behind it in its own way. As much as I loved the earlier Metallica, after and Justice for All I do think they had to change the pace and the tone a bit (they couldn't just keep releasing sequels to ride the lightning for decades).

I was excited by the future Black album seemed to herald for them when it came out. The black Album worked. They could have developed that sound further and done something cool with it. What came after didn't work. If they had continued the trajectory set by the Black Album, I'd still be a fan (its definitely a different phase from the Ride the Lightning Era but it was discernibly still their sound and worked for their vocals and guitar). The problem is they went alternative after grunge broke and that just didn't suit them at all. Or at least, it had very little appeal for me.

Trying to capture a wider audience isn't bad in and of itself.  Depends on the artist and the art.  In the case of Metallica, we'll have to agree to disagree because I believe that album to be a terrible Metallica album - even though it might have been a decent hard rock album by a different band.  

VS