Danny’s Rocking Halloween Game Night
Beginning
Hey, my role-playing Comancheros! Daniel Jackson here, coming at you with some nummy advice for all the fans of Halloween tabletop gaming parties out there. I’m getting a big jump on this, but hey, you need time to put it all together to a conjure a truly memorable Halloween salad! If you’re looking to mix some spooky vibes with your dice-rolling action this Halloween, then you’ve hit the jackpot (or…er…the Jack-O-Lantern Pot), bro! I’m gonna break down how to plan a killer TTRPG Halloween one-night. So, let’s get this party started!
Step 1: Pick Your Game
First things first, decide on the game you want to play. For a truly spooky experience, I recommend games like “classic Call of Cthulhu”, “Vampire: The Masquerade”, or “classic chill”. These games are all about suspense, horror, and making players jump out of their seats. Perfect for Halloween, right? You can also run your usual game with a heavy Halloween/horror vibe.
Step 2: Set the Scene
Next up, you gotta set the scene. Dim the lights, light some candles – just don’t set off the smoke alarm, dude! Throw in some Halloween decorations like fake spider webs, pumpkins, and creepy sound effects. Trust me, it’ll take your game night from cool to ghoul real quick.
Don’t forget the music. I rolled up my sleeves and conjured up a playlist from the cauldron of tuneage!
- “Bloody Mary,” by Lady Gaga
- “I Want Candy,” by Bow Wow Wow
- “Superstition,” by Stevie Wonder
- “Werewolves of London,” by Warren Zevon
- “The Becoming,” by Nine Inch Nails
- “Thriller,” by Michael Jackson
- “Ghostbusters,” by Ray Parker Jr.
- “Little Dark Age,” by MGMT
- “Maneater,” by Daryl Hall & John Oates
- “Monster Mash,” by Bobby (Boris) Pickett
- “Bury a Friend,” by Billie Eilish
- “Vampire,” by Olivia Rodrigo
- “Scream,” by Misfits
- “Peek-A-Boo,” by Siouxie and the Banshees
- “Every Day is Halloween,” by Ministry
- “Bat Out of Hell,” by Meatloaf
- “Voodoo,” by Godsmack
- “I Put a Spell on You,” by Screamin Jay Hawkins
Step 3: Plan the Adventure Now, if you’re the Game Master, this one’s for you. Plan an adventure that’s full of Halloween themes. Think haunted houses, mysterious disappearances, or even a zombie apocalypse. It’s your world, so make it as spooky as you want!
So, dude, make sure there are some gnarly treats for their trouble, ya know? Like, lasting contacts, treasure, or totally unique items that are, like, one-of-a-kind for this mega spooktacular event, man! That way, the players can spread the rad tale to other dice-slingers, bro! If the game is a one-off, you can also use some way cool table prizes.
Hey now! Looking for some super original ideas for creepy encounters? Well, check it out, T. Glenn Bane at Scaldcrow Games is totally rocking the stats and story hooks on West Virginia Cryptids! If you wanna dive deep into this weirdness, just dive into the posts in Geek Opera. And get this, bros, if you run one of those plots and hit me up about it, I’ll totally chat about it after Halloween.
Step 4: Costumes It’s Halloween, bro, so costumes are a must! Encourage your players to dress up as their characters. Not only does it add to the fun, but it also helps everyone get into character. And hey, why not throw in a prize for the best costume?
Step 5: Snacks Last but not least, don’t forget the snacks. Candy corn, popcorn, and themed treats like “witch finger” cookies or “eyeball” gumballs will keep your players fueled up and ready to face whatever monsters you throw at them.
And there you have it, my TTRPG-loving pals, your step-by-step guide to hosting a Halloween game night that’s sure to be talked about until next October. So grab your dice, call up your friends, and get ready for a night of frights and fun.
Remember, the most important part of any game night is to have a blast. So, whether your character survives the night or meets a gruesome end, make sure you’re having fun. After all, it’s not every day you get to battle monsters in your living room. Hang loose dudes. 🤙