From Zero to Zero in 60 Seconds

Thoughts on Sessions Zero

Over the course of the two plus years I’ve been writing this blog I’ve mentioned session zero dozens of times. Online I always suggest it to new GMs. Although I’ve talked about it over and over again I’ve never really put into detail what I think it is, how to utilize it, and why I think it should be used in every game.

So what is Session Zero?

At its core it is a game session before the first session of actual play where the players and GM discuss things about the game they are going to play. Personally I prefer an actual sessions sitting around a table to talk about the game. In my case the table is online but it’s the same principle. Instead of an actual session some people like to spend a few days or weeks talking on a message board or facebook page for their game, this doesn’t have the same appeal to me but it works.

What’s included in Session Zero?

Often times I answer questions about my player did this, how do I stop it? My player acts like this, how do I punish him? The thing is problems like this can be stopped from the beginning if you talk about expectations before play starts. When I GM, I like play games with heroes, I don’t like evil PCs and I prefer the players have the ability to work together. This isn’t everyone’s preference but the point isn’t that people should play that way, just that when I run Session Zero I make sure my players understand this.

Talking to your players in the beginning can solve problems later on.

This prologue session is also good for discussing rules. I don’t use a lot of house rules – two I can think off-hand – but a lot of people do. The thing is – especially in a new group where you don’t know the players well – not everyone is going to know your house rules. Sessions Zero is the perfect time to talk about it. Although I disagree, a lot of people nerf evasion to work a different way than in the book. If you don’t discuss this change a player may get upset when he reaches a situation where he thinks his ability should work one way and it suddenly doesn’t.

I also use Session Zero to talk about the kind of game we’re going to be playing. If it’s a home brew game this gives me a chance to lay out the overview of my world and where the characters will be starting. I run a lot of Pathfinder APs so I use this time to go over the information in the free player’s guides as well as any restrictions in character creation.  This is a way to make sure that the players have an understanding of the theme and scope of the game so they can make characters that fit.

I personally like to do character creation in sessions zero. Some GMs and players like their characters to be private, hidden backgrounds and ideas from other players. I find – and again this is personal preference – that making characters together helps players make characters that will be able to work together. I also find that it can allow players to make characters that are connected; siblings, lovers, childhood friends.

For me the first get together – this pregame session – is incredibly important. I find it has kept games cohesive for longer. I have run it for new campaigns with groups I’ve been playing with for years, as well as first time campaigns with new groups. Many people use it even if I have a different name for it. Some GMs add other topics of discussion to their Sessions Zero. But all in all I think this talk with your players, and hopefully some openness, is essential to a great campaign.

Do you use Session Zero? What topics do you like to discuss during that session? Who important do you find the session to cohesive game play?

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