Hello all,
I’ve only DM/GMed home games and want to run some open tables this year. Looking for prep inspiration, and it would help if everyone sounded off on their positive experiences with past VALUE sessions and things/situations they want more of 
thanks in advance for your input!
This is probably not helpful, but… the sessions I’ve enjoyed most were the ones where actions had consequences. In one case, that involves when my T1 PC died, in another when my character at level 10 was able to save a bunch of level 1s in the same adventure (though I wonder if they enjoyed that, too). GIve me a chance to be the hero but also mess things up badly!
And I like knowing what I’m getting into, at least a little bit.
It’s a little different in standardized formats like AL or Value, but in general, the great thing about one-shots is that you can take risks. It’s just one evening; nobody’s going to hold it against you if your game falls apart.
Aim high, try something unique, and show your players a good time before you kill them (and their characters, too). If things go badly, there’s always next week.
ooh, nice topic! I only play one-shots. I came to the realization early on that campaigns just aren’t for me. Additionally, I don’t play D&D 5E. The last few years saw me playing a number of different systems with Mork Borg and Mothership being my favorites.
My sweet spot is about 3 hours for a session. Any more and I zone out. Keep the group small. 4 or 5 players max. As Katnyx says, make the tone clear upfront and as H says, it’s a one-off transient thing. You don’t have to worry about the previous session and you don’t have to worry about the next one. Make it a high-risk session for your characters with a real threat of TPK.
Let us know how you get on!