Darren

he/him

5.0

(53)

Timezone

America/tijuana

Language

English

Identity

DMs Guild Writer

Game Designer

About Darren

Hi, I’m Darren Ruckle, a professional Dungeon Master with over 45 years of tabletop experience and 4 years as a full-time pro GM. I specialize in tactical, combat-focused campaigns that challenge players to think, plan, and fight smart. My tables reward teamwork, positioning, and smart resource management—where every encounter feels earned and every victory matters. All my games run on a custom-modded Foundry VTT setup with clean automation, dynamic lighting, and high-quality battlemaps built for fast, fluid combat. You’ll spend less time on setup and more time in the action. If you enjoy structured adventures, gritty dungeon crawls, and combat that actually makes you sweat, my tables are for you. I take pride in consistency, clarity, and professionalism—running on time, keeping communication clear, and delivering the kind of tactical experience that keeps players coming back. Let’s roll initiative.

At a glance

4 years on StartPlaying

1177 games hosted

Highly rated for: Knows the Rules, Visual Aid, Creativity

Average response time: Under 1 hour

Response rate: 100%

Featured Prompts

When I'm not running games I'm...

Writing new adventures, designing game systems, and building tools to make every session run smoother. This isn’t just a job — it’s what I do for fun.

How Darren runs games

GM Style: Tactical Combat. Fast Pacing. Consequence-Driven Stories. I run games where combat hits hard, the story moves fast, and your choices shape the world. Expect well-designed tactical encounters that reward smart positioning, teamwork, and quick thinking. I don’t do filler fights—every combat matters and moves the story forward. Outside of battle, sessions flow seamlessly through exploration, puzzles, NPC interactions, and story beats. I keep the pacing tight, the transitions clean, and the downtime minimal. You’ll stay engaged from start to finish. Roleplaying is encouraged but never forced. Whether you’re here for drama, decisions, or just badass action, there’s room at the table. Your characters will face real consequences—and real choices—at every turn. I run my games on a fully customized Foundry VTT setup with dynamic lighting, automation, high-quality maps, and no wasted time. Feedback is always welcome, and I adapt the campaign to reflect the players’ actions and goals. If you're looking for a GM who delivers strategic combat, clean pacing, and meaningful storytelling—let’s roll.

Featured Prompts

I deal with rules issues by...

knowing the system inside and out, making quick calls at the table to keep the game moving, and following up after the session if a deeper ruling is needed. Game flow always comes first.

Darren's ideal table

My table is for players who want tight, tactical sessions with clear structure and steady momentum. I run combat-focused games that emphasize teamwork, positioning, and smart decision-making. Every session is designed, prepped, and paced to keep the action moving — no wasted time, no endless rule debates, no filler. You’ll get consistent pacing, professional preparation, and fair but challenging encounters that make every victory feel earned. New players are welcome if they’re ready to learn and respect the flow of the game. Whether you’re a tactician, optimizer, or classic dungeon-crawler, if you show up, stay focused, and play as part of the team, you’ll fit right in. If you just want to coast, argue rules, or make it all about your character, this isn’t your table.