By Jim Johnson, Project Manager
Art by Paolo Puggioni
So, you have Star Trek™ Adventures in some format (first edition, second edition, or Captain’s Log), and you want to run it with a group of friends around a game table. You may be wondering what to keep in mind when preparing to play in person with others. Here are five quick tips to help your in-person gaming experience hit warp speed.
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BE A CHEERLEADER: Whether you’re the spotlight character in a scene or playing a supporting character while someone else is the spotlight, celebrate the moment and cheer on your fellow players. Help make the game experience fun and memorable. Rather than sit back and wait for your moment, celebrate the other players’ moments as well and be excited for their characters’ joys and challenges. Marvel at the cool things the gamemaster and other players bring to the table, and you’ll almost certainly receive the same in kind when it’s time for your character to shine.
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CONDUCT SESSION 0 (OR CHECK IN): Whether this is a group meeting for the first time or a long-time group getting together after years of mutual play, it’s worth knowing the group’s ground rules, safety tools, and boundaries before starting a new mission. Check in with everyone before starting to ensure everyone’s ready and eager to play and to follow whatever formal or informal group contract you’ve collectively created. Don’t assume, ask!
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KEEP ALL SENSORS OPEN: Once playing the game, whether you’re the gamemaster or a player, be sure to keep an eye and ear out for the other folks around the table and check in if anyone’s pulling back, crossing their arms, looking unhappy, or being unusually quiet. Hone your active listening and observing skills and help ensure everyone’s enjoying the time together, including the gamemaster. Don’t wait for someone else to say something—ask for a pause and check in.
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PREPARE THE SPACE: Think about where you’ll be playing and make sure the space is ready for players to join you. Is the table large enough for everyone and their books, dice, snacks, drinks, etc.? Or are you playing in a room without a table? Are the seating arrangements such that folks can hear each other and have room for their stuff? Are there readily accessible restrooms nearby? How about a refrigerator? Are the seating arrangements good for everyone? Sometimes it’s helpful to place quieter players closer to the gamemaster, but be sure everyone is comfortable with where they’re placed.
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READY GAME AIDS AND TOOLS: If you’re gamemastering the mission, do you have all the handouts you may need? Do you have any needed maps, miniatures, tokens, or other props on hand? Do you have sticky notes or index cards for recording scene traits? Maybe a whiteboard you can write relevant information on? If you’re using music or sound cues, do you have the hardware set up and the software prepped so you have what you need easily at hand?
I hope you’ve found these suggestions useful and that they help you and your group tell an amazing Star Trek Adventures story together around the game table. How do you prepare for in-person gaming? What tips or tricks do you have? Share your insights with your fellow players on Modiphius’s Discord server!
Star Trek Adventures 2e Collection:
Thanks for reading this article, and thank you for your interest and support of Star Trek Adventures! Keep frequencies open for news about other upcoming Star Trek Adventures product releases. Live long and prosper!
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