9 Surprising Things Every First-Time Dungeons & Dragons DM Should Know

There’s no superior method to explore the full potential of the world in Dungeons & Dragons than by taking on the role of the Dungeon Master (DM). As DM, you have the unique opportunity to weave captivating tales and keep your companions entertained, all while diving deep into the legendary tabletop RPG. However, many aspiring storytellers shy away from creating their own campaigns due to fear of making mistakes. If this sounds familiar, don’t fret: I’ve put together an essential guide for everything you need to know as a novice DM. Armed with knowledge is like wielding power (as the wizards often say), and mastering a few tips and strategies will empower you to manage anything from standalone adventures to ongoing campaigns.

Now, roll for initiative and keep reading to discover one “critical tip” after another!

1) Start With Making One-Shots

Fundamentally speaking, Dungeons & Dragons (D&D) game masters (GMs) have a knack for thinking grandly. They seldom embark on this role without the ambition to weave extraordinary fantasy tales that players will cherish forever. Yet, it’s essential to note that crafting an exceptional campaign begins with designing remarkable one-shot adventures first.

As a budding Dungeon Master, I’ve found that diving into crafting full novels might be a bit too ambitious at first. Instead, honing my skills by penning short stories can be a fantastic way to start. This process not only helps me grasp the nuances of storytelling but also prepares me for the dynamic and often unpredictable player interactions that are an integral part of the Dungeon Master role.

2) Every Campaign Needs a Session Zero

As an enthusiastic Dungeons & Dragons player, after nailing down a one-shot, it’s tempting to dive headfirst into the campaign. Yet, for an optimal experience for everyone involved, I’d recommend starting with what I call a ‘Kickoff Meeting’. This is a preliminary session without gameplay where the Dungeon Master (DM) and players discuss key details.

If you’ve got brand-new players on board, this would be the perfect opportunity to walk them through the basics, but remember it’s not necessary to delve into every rule in the Player’s Handbook. The goal is to create a shared understanding of the game’s world, expectations, and roles to ensure everyone has a fantastic time!

In simpler terms, during a Session Zero, experienced players gather to ensure smooth gameplay in future sessions. This is an opportunity for everyone to meet and present their characters to the group. The Dungeon Master (DM) uses this time to share details about the world they’ve created, whether it’s a new setting or revisiting Forgotten Realms. Additionally, any special rules that players should follow are discussed during Session Zero.

Making a Session Zero at the start can significantly impact whether a campaign begins with momentum or fizzles out, much like a novice character who gets a critical hit could be instantly wiped out. It’s simple to grasp, yet powerful in ensuring a successful start.

3) You Don’t Have to Memorize Every Rule

What gave me the most apprehension about becoming a DM was mastering all the rules. Frankly, even keeping track of the specifics governing my own character’s actions proved challenging. So, it’s not hard to see why I felt daunted at the thought of having to familiarize myself with every power and skill belonging to my group members, as well as any adversaries I might create for them to face off against.

With no worry in mind, understand that you don’t have to commit every rule to memory. Initially, it’s essential to grasp your character’s fundamental skills, as there aren’t many at level 1. As a Dungeon Master (DM), your knowledge will grow along with your players’ levels. You can usually find answers to most of your questions by conducting an online search. While digital versions of the rules are useful, traditional printed copies of Dungeons & Dragons are still favored by some old-school DMs over their digital counterparts.

Additionally, as the Dungeon Master, you have the power to adjust rules, with the agreement of your players, to ensure a more satisfying and smooth-running game. This flexibility allows for tailoring the experience to better fit the needs of everyone involved in the campaign.

4) Leave Room for Creativity and Exploration

Designing a Dungeons & Dragons campaign is much like crafting an extended tale. It’s common to feel inclined to jot down every minor detail, such as how players should tackle different puzzles, riddles, and combat situations. However, a valuable piece of advice that many Dungeon Masters discover too late: instead of devising solutions, focus on creating challenges without prescribing the ‘correct’ way to overcome them.

This setting encourages your game participants to think outside the box, potentially discovering innovative methods to outwit or eliminate the main antagonist, or devising an unconventional solution to a perplexing riddle. Inept Dungeon Masters may worry when players don’t follow the traditional path, while competent DMs provide opportunities for creativity and exploration of alternative solutions.

This method makes DM’s session planning a breeze! Instead of agonizing over the perfect solution for that tricky puzzle, why not opt for the one that looks like the most entertaining choice based on your players’ responses?

5) Remember: It’s Not You Versus the Players

Dungeons & Dragons is a board game where you’ll find two main parties: participants (players) and game masters (DMs). Regrettably, it appears that quite a few from each group view this as a fight for supremacy instead of a cooperative adventure. As a result, some inexperienced DMs may focus on devising methods to frustrate, challenge, and ultimately outsmart even the most capable players.

In essence, Dungeons & Dragons (D&D) is designed primarily as a collaborative storytelling game. While the Dungeon Master (DM) may introduce obstacles for players to overcome, this is all done with the aim of creating enjoyable and satisfying experiences. Consider various strategies to collaborate with your fellow players in building their characters and crafting an engaging tabletop adventure. If you’re more interested in conflict and competition, then perhaps D&D isn’t the best fit for you, and you might enjoy a game like Munchkin instead, which is designed specifically around such interactions.

6) Learn From Other DMs, But Don’t Bite Their Style

Many individuals aspiring to be Dungeon Masters (DMs) for Dungeons & Dragons, often find inspiration from DMs seen on shows like Critical Role. However, let me clarify something: it’s unlikely that you’ll become the next Matt Mercer or other renowned DMs. They excel due to resources they possess, such as a background in voice acting for years and professional production teams supporting them, which are not typically available to beginners like yourself.

Here’s a possible paraphrasing: You don’t have to completely copy these DMs, but you can certainly take inspiration from them and incorporate some aspects into your own approach. For instance, if you enjoy the whacky voices, you might decide to experiment with different accents on your own, delighting your players once you’ve perfected your silly acting skills. Alternatively, if you appreciate the immersive sessions, you could consider enhancing your setup with 3D scenery.

Rather than attempting to imitate just one celebrity’s communication style in DMs, it would be more beneficial to pick up small elements from multiple celebrities. This allows you to absorb the strengths of each and ultimately create a unique style that is distinctly yours.

7) Build Campaigns Around Players

As a Dungeon Master (DM), it might seem like creating campaigns is all about you writing the story for others to play. However, the most engaging campaigns are actually centered around the characters of the players. This means weaving in the backstories, relationships, and personal enemies of each character into the sessions, making them an essential part of the campaign’s narrative.

When you’re playing as a Dungeon Master (DM), focus on helping each player create and progress their unique character’s story. Collaborate with your players on key aspects of the narrative. This can be simpler than it seems. For instance, if your next game session involves introducing a guide, consider making that figure the long-lost sibling a character has been desperately searching for. Or, if you need an NPC (Non-Player Character) to interact with your characters, perhaps make this character the childhood sweetheart of one of your players’ characters.

Implementing this straightforward action enhances the significance and enjoyment of each gaming session. Moreover, it encourages players to continue playing week after week because they feel involved in the game. Remember, when considering significant changes, always discuss them with your players first to ensure mutual understanding and agreement about the direction of the game.

8) Set One Meeting Time and Stick to It

Friends who manage campaigns are frequently people-pleasers, which might lead them to accommodate various schedules by setting different meeting times and days weekly. However, I must emphasize that such an accommodating approach can inadvertently harm the campaign.

Instead, let’s establish a consistent day and hour for our gaming sessions each week, such as “Every Friday at 7 p.m.” This way, even if one player is unavailable occasionally, we can find a workaround. However, scheduling games for different times every week could lead to more scheduling conflicts, potentially causing players to drop out altogether.

9) Make Each Session Balanced (More or Less)

Question for thought: What might a suboptimal Dungeons & Dragons gaming session resemble? While there could be numerous responses, the most frequently heard criticism is that the group got stuck doing the same activity excessively. If an entire session is devoted to investigating a new town or participating in a lengthy battle, some players are likely to feel dissatisfied.

Each participant enjoys Dungeons & Dragons (D&D) for distinct reasons, whether it’s roleplaying, exploration, combat, or something else. As an effective Dungeon Master (DM), your responsibility is to incorporate a mix of these elements into every gaming session. This ensures that each player gets their preferred dose of the game’s best aspects, while also making things simpler for DMs by providing ample opportunities and variety for each session.

This option is superior to the other. Let me assure you, planning four hours of nothing but combat is just as tedious for me as it is for your players to endure!

2025-08-11 00:17