Zack the FG GM (he/him)
5.0
(7)
Less than a year on StartPlaying
Highly rated for: Creativity, World Builder, Teacher
About me
Welcome y'all, I'm the head DM and owner of Fighters' Guild Gaming and looking forward games here on Start Playing! I've been a DM since 2014 because no one else wanted to do it and I like Thanos said, "Fine, I'll do it myself." Since then have built a large community of about thirty players and a homebrew world with multiple games running in different timelines within said setting. Emphasis on RP and "objective-based combat" where most fights aren't just battles between hit-sponges. Key skills are system knowledge (specifically DnD), improv, worldbuilding, and making sure the table has fun as a whole. Games I'm Ready to Run: DnD 5e(2014): I know this system like the back of my hand and have multiple settings/modules ready to play. One is more similar to Eberron in terms of setting and magic while the other is set five hundred years in the past and is more traditional DnD vibes. Emphasis on some political plots unless the group strays toward something else. DnD 5e (2024): If we wanted to run this version the pay would be lower for the first few months as we adjust collectively to the new rules. Lancer: I have one specific campaign written for this system that I am newer to but am very comfortable running. A game focused on Beyond Union activity that is very Gundam/Armored Core flavored. Cyberpunk Red: another game where I would do a lower fee as I would be running the game for the first time. Have more than enough understanding to run a fun corporate espionage/rebellion against the corpos game. And I do wish we lived in a world where this was obvious but EVERYONE is welcome at my table. If you're a fun player, you're welcome here. Thanks ahead of time for reading all this and hope to get some rolls from y'all soon.
GM Style
I have an improv-first style that focuses on player input as a major influence on the world. Worldbuilding is my main focus when preparing for games so that while actually playing I know what each NPC or faction's goals are so that the player input can affect that first and foremost. Player agency is my main focus, but I also have a massive love for combat. But players who value RP over combat have nothing to fear in my games. Telling a fun story as a group is my ultimate goal, so players who wish to do that through cinematic combat and encounters can do so, while others who want to progress the story by the sharpness of their wit over their blades are very welcome.
Games played
Game platforms used
Game Master Reviews (7)
Proficiencies
Players say this GM is great at:
Creativity
World Builder
Teacher
Shuddiru
Great DM very knowledgeable on mechanics but allows for a lot of cool/interesting tweets. Genuinely funny too.
Ardrian
Zack facilitates fun. He has become exceptional at world building and accommodating player’s creativity on the fly. He encourages role play and is competent in combat. He is flexible, kind and creative.
Obimoto
I have been playing DnD with Zack for years now, and he has been nothing less than an absolute joy to play with. He is the kind of person whose creativity and passion for the game make every session engaging and memorable. He has an impressive amount of knowledge when it comes to the rules of the game, but what sets him apart is his understanding of when and how to enforce those rules to create an enjoyable and fair experience. He is also open to unique ideas and approaches to themes and characters, which I have always appreciated. His attitude to DMing makes each session seamless and entertaining. I ritually refuse to write reviews for just about everything, but I chose to break that tradition when I discovered that Zack was on this platform. I did so because he truly deserves all of the credit in the world for some of the most enjoyable experiences I have had playing DnD. Zach helped me get more out of the game than I ever thought possible, and I would be wrong not to motivate others to experience the same. So just relax. Your search is over. You have found your DM.
Troy Waterman
I have only had about 4-6 months of a campaign with Zack but it seemed like he knew what he was doing. He helped new players get their foot in the door and blossom into their characters well. His mood building music was next level and he engaged in every element of his campaign and made it feel true. His NPC creations were perfectly integrated and built on our actions well. I'd definitely play more with him if I had the time.
Raja Nittianandan
Zack is a wonderful DM. I've played in multiple games that Zack has ran and each one was skillfully planned. Zack has a way of taking a theme and capturing the essence of it to make it into a very enjoyable setting. Zack is also great in the regards that he promotes creativity and thinking outside the box in his games. He's great with veterans and new players alike.
Pollynim
Zackery was my GM for a 5E (2014) campaign that lasted over thirty sessions before schedule conflicts forced a halt. He was open to non-traditional ideas like a researcher barbarian whose rage was based on career frustrations and Eldritch Blast flavored as thrown playing cards. We had two warlocks, and Zackery was fantastic at making their patrons and pacts feel individualized. The way he described battle scenes felt like a movie.
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