Are you determined to be a Dungeon Master (DM)? Well, being a DM isn’t usually that easy. It takes effort and patience to be one. A great Dungeon Master (DM) facilitates the actions of the players. Every day players choose a game they’ve never tried before. And new Dungeon Masters are forged every day. As a DM, you’re both the players’ best friend and their antagonist.
So, whether you’re planning to launch a pre-made or a customized campaign, it’s important to decide which edition you want to run. Doing this will ensure that you know the rules and guidelines required to run a successful campaign for your players. That’s not all. There are several other simple maneuvers you can pull on to take down the DM.
Avoid Playing Off the Stock Rankings
Remember, the Dungeon Master doesn’t do that, so you too should avoid doing it. If you like a particular player who’s supposed to go for an extra ten picks, but you aren’t sure if he’ll be able to return back, take him. You really don’t want to risk, right? And if you think a given player is the best person left, pounce on him. This will significantly improve your chances of beating the Dungeon Master.
Plan ahead
Are you planning to go with a pre-made campaign? Well, you need to carefully read the campaign in order to make sure that everything connects well. Then, determine which people and storylines will be of significance. That way, you’ll know how to effectively steer your players. But this doesn’t mean that you memorize everything. All you need is to reach for the necessary guidelines whenever the need arises. Sounds great, right?
Be social
There are four things that the Dungeon Master fears most: Salad, sunlight, women, and conversation. He doesn’t like going out to the public. And because of this, he doesn’t really know how to react when mocked. So, be social. Don’t stop until the DM cries, wets himself, or drafts Carlos Silva.
Flood the DM’s Inbox with Trade Requests
Flooding the Dungeon Master’s inbox with trade requests is another incredible option. Remember, he might sometimes have a moment of weakness and accept defeat. Or, he could simply hit the wrong button and accept it anyway.
Utilize a Starter Set
The starter set typically outlines the campaign for you. It provides practical tips on how the game works and how to land big winnings. If you’re a new Dungeon Master, consider getting yourself the Player’s Handbook. Once you familiarize yourself with the Handbook, you’ll be able to run a smooth campaign for all your adventures.
Establish Expectations and Guidelines
Before you launch your campaign, be sure to establish connections, as well as, guidelines for the players. What will you do if the players split up? Will they still be able to share information between themselves? And what if a player dies? Well, it’s always important to establish practical guidelines for such players, as well as, those who might want to retract what their character alleged or did.
Even more, it’s worth devising standards of play. These might include deciding whether you’ll roll your dice in front of the players or hide them behind a Dungeon Master’s screen. You’ll also want to determine how you’re going to deal with players missing a session or a campaign.
Be Honest
Is It your first time running a campaign? Well, you should let your players know about this. They’ll be more understanding and willing to help you out. Most players have copies of the guides, so they can look things up quickly whenever there’s a need.
Not only will this boost your confidence. It will also create a positive relationship between you and your players. And this will in turn improve the playing experience and making it more fun.
Read RotoGraphs
Take time to read RotoGraphs. Study them carefully enough to turn yourself into a DM. At the same time, you have to hope that the Dungeon Master’s highly durable players succumb to crippling injuries. Beating the Dungeon Master isn’t something easy. You need to devise effective strategies that’ll help you win the game.
Prioritize the Gaming Experience
A good DM has a solid understanding of the gaming rules. While they’re gods of the universe they reside in, they’re also humans in the real world, and nobody should expect their Dungeon Master to be conversant with all rules. So, don’t focus so much on the gaming experience. For more tips, learn how to DM here.
Play Some Music
Setting the scene with music can go a long way in enhancing your sessions. You can easily find music that’ll perfectly complement any scenario your players encounter from a battle. This will also go a long way in aiding your storytelling. Don’t allow people to enter a bustling tavern while music is playing. Instead, you can turn on background music to give them the required information. This will go a long way in ensuring that your players stay entertained and interested throughout the session. Plus, it will help you achieve better results.
Consult With Your Players
After finishing your session, check-in with your players. Try to get some feedback from them. Remember, the campaign you’re doing is meant for them. So, it’s very important that you make it as enjoyable as possible. Ask them what they prefer: combat, adventuring, the story element, or interacting with the town’s people. If the players are enjoying your campaign, they’ll definitely get more involved and interested. At the same time, you’ll also have a lot of fun.
Final Thoughts
Being a Dungeon Master isn’t as easy as you think. It’s quite a complex endeavor. And it demands a lot of effort, determination, as well as, patience. With the above guidelines at your fingertips, however, you stand a better chance of beating the DM. Plan ahead, utilize a starter set, talk to your players, establish expectations, prioritize the gaming experience, and play some music. This way, you might be able to beat that Dungeon Master you’re so afraid of.