Hooks

Thinking Critically: A D&D Discussion

This episode I'm joined by Mike from Games Played Badly, to chat about story hooks in your TTRPGs! Ultimately, hooks are the main way to keep players engaged, with the GM acting as a kind of circus master; organised chaos. Hooks can take many forms, from critical pieces of information reigniting interest, to fun and goofy NPCs that the players get attached to - there are many methods of putting the proverbial food on the plate. As much an art as it is a science, the fungineering of hooks is a delicate balance of maintaining verisimilitude while still being inherently contrived. Sometimes it's no fault of the game or the GM, players are human, and hooks are often necessary to just get the ball rolling. No one operates at 100% all of the time, and we often need a little nudge here and there. When in doubt, your biggest plot hook is your characters, so leverage the heck out of backstories, bonds, and ideals to really whet their appetites!

• 2:09 - Bringing the Story to the Players
• 13:24 - Pointing Players in the Right Direction
• 38:33 - Tailoring Improvisation
• 49:24 - Rebirth and Growth

Find Mike on:

• YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/c/GamesPlayedBadly
• Twitter: https://twitter.com/badly_games

Find me on:

• Website: https://www.thinkingcritically.co.uk
• Twitter: https://twitter.com/ThinkCritDnD
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thinking_critically_dnd/
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ThinkingCriticallyDnD
• YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCH_BSgazjwyshzo1jazHeaQ
• Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/thinkingcritically
• Ko-fi: https://ko-fi.com/thinkingcritically

References:

• https://rpg.stackexchange.com/questions/86702/what-is-a-plot-hook-exactly

Patrons:

• Matt Street @mpstreet88: https://www.virtualtimehustle.com/

Intro Music: 'Local Forecast' by Kevin MacLeod
Intermission Music: 'Chill' by Kevin MacLeod
Outro Music: 'Local Forecast - Elevator' by Kevin MacLeod