StartPlaying logo
game master profile header image
DVDM

DVDM (he/him)

5.0

(26)

3 years on StartPlaying

127 games hosted

Highly rated for: Storytelling, Creativity, World Builder

Average response time: Under 1 hour

Response rate: 100%

About me

My name is Anthony, and I LOVE being a GM. The first actual game that I was a part of was me trying to use the strategy guide for Final Fantasy Origins, the first game as Origins had 1 and 2, and convert it somewhat into a tabletop campiagn with my own spin on it. It actually went surprisingly well. I then did the same thing with Final Fantasy Tactics, which was more focused on placement and tactical combat. That turned out pretty good as well. Then some friends of mine, the ones who played my FF1 campaign, had me be a player for a 4e one shot. It was interesting, but it was odd to be on that side of the game. Then I tried to run a short adventure for 5e, as it was newer, and I haven't looked back since. The sheer enjoyment of being able to come up with things on the fly and react to whatever shenanganery that the players get into is exhilarating. The way I run my campaigns is mostly sandbox. I use a mix of 3rd party content, which I usually change up quite a bit to fit with the world better, and homebrew. There's some official content beyond SRD, but it is a small amount. Each campaign has a starting point at a different area in the world, and you get multiple hooks at the end for you to decide what you want to do and where you want to go. There are multiple adventure paths and sides to take and enemies to take down, but which you find and how you approach them are up to you and your decisions that can have small impacts or campaign spanning and changing consequences, be they good or bad.

GM Style

I give a balance of potential RP and combat pretty evenly as far as encounters. Whether the players keep to that balance or not is up to them. Almost no possible combat encounters are forced combat, and not all social interactions are required to stay friendly if the players want to go a different route. I do try to do voice acting with the different NPCs, but I'm aware that I'm not a profesionally trained voice actor. I still try, and I believe that even what I'm able to provide in that is better than NPCs all sounding the same. As far as combat, some creatures are going to be smarter than others. Some will use hit and run tactics, while others will simply rush headlong towards the nearest player and go bashy bashy. Some combats might need the players to use terrain or objects or other things to swing a combat in their favor. Rule of cool has its place, but only to the extent of "common snese". There's no harm in asking to do random things. Some of the best memories of sessions are when players do off the wall things.

Game platforms used
Game Master Reviews (26)

Proficiencies

Players say this GM is great at:

Storytelling

Creativity

World Builder

Robert avatar

Robert

New review

Played 3 sessions

DVDM has great energy and is a terrific narrator, the combat was terrifying with monsters everywhere! I joined late in the campaign and he and his group were welcoming- they had clearly had a ball with the ongoing story, which DVDM had created bespoke up on the basis of the party's prior actions in the story.

Michael Johnson avatar

Michael Johnson

Played 17 sessions

Anthony is an absolutely amazing Dungeon Master! His storytelling is top-notch, and he really knows how to make the world feel alive and exciting. The sessions are always a perfect mix of fun, challenging, and super creative. One of the best things about playing with Anthony is how he makes everyone feel included and important. Whether you're a newbie or a seasoned player, he tailors the game so it’s engaging for everyone If you’re looking for a DM who’s organized, fun, and genuinely passionate about the game, Anthony is the one. I’ve had such a blast in his campaign and can’t wait for the next session!

T2 Psycho avatar

T2 Psycho

Played 14 sessions

If I could I would give this amazing person 6/5 Stars. I have played in lots of different campaigns, including both free and paid, but I have to say the quality of world-building, role-playing and general handling of unexpected situations. Rulings are always fair and the reasoning behind them is always sound to me. Characters have depth and feel like they have their own motivations, goals and aspirations. There are a lot of cool home-brewed spells and mechanics that feel refreshing and fun to play around with. Even outside the actual game Anthony is just a joy to talk to and bounce ideas off of. I encourage anyone looking for a good game of D&D to leave themselves in these very capable hands.

Myydnyte avatar

Myydnyte

Played 22 sessions

I can’t say enough about how fantastic the game play goes. Everything from the storyline, how clearly the pre-session covers what you need to know to be a player, engaging voices and personalities in the NPCs, and feeling heard as a player character.

SirHowi avatar

SirHowi

Played 14 sessions

It's been 5 sessions and I'm absolutely in love with the campaign! The setting is fun, the NPCs are varied and wonderful, there's some awesome homebrew which I absolutely fell in love with. Great DM and all around good atmosphere!

sonny küünal avatar

sonny küünal

Played 8 sessions

A great GM that allows for a lot of player creativity and reacts well to it.

What's StartPlaying?

Tabletop Roleplaying Games Run by Game Masters

  • Find a game to join solo or search for a professional game master for you and your friends/coworkers/family.

  • Book your session and wait for the Game Master to approve you.

  • If you don't have a blast with your first game, your next game is on us.