A DM can require a lot of prep time at least 2-3 a week if not more if they going more elaborate. Now if you have maps online and they have to do them themselves, then you are looking at at least 5-10 hours now for prep for building an area map and dungeons.
Knowing that, and having you try to find someone to build content and have you organize it, no not happening by just about any DM out there honestly. It's their world, their work, if they need someone and you like what they wrote go for it. Most DM's find their own players, they aren't going to have a rando do it. It can be a real pain if a player picks everyone who all wants roleplay but don't like combat and the DM doesn't want to do grade D improv for most of the session and wants a more balanced session OR if they get a disruptive player at least its on the DM for missing the problem.
Its better to ask yourself what do you want to play, how much of the three pillars do you want, do you want a specific module or a Western Marches style campaign, do you want only official 5E content with no house rules or do you want a homebrew, do you want to start at level 1 or join an existing campaign or start higher. Figure out what you want and do some scanning.
I suggest you hit the forums, and look for a while to see if a DM fits your fancy. You can also try other areas like fantasygrounds or foundry vtt forums as well.
As a DM here are the things I would look for in a post.
1: Day and time - This is pretty obvious. If you have a specific schedule that you need to adhere to, then it's pretty important that you list it. 2: Style of play you're looking for - Are you looking for a roleplay heavy campaign with a bunch of political intrigue, character dialogue and development? Or are you looking for a dungeon dive hack and slash campaign where you go into the depths of the darkest most dangerous dungeons in search of treasure? Basically, what does you and your group look to get out of the campaign. 3: Length of the campaign - Are you looking for a short level 1-5 campaign or a long sprawling adventure that will take your characters to tier 3 of play? 4: Age range of group - Not to age gate, but it's just nice to know. 5: Your D&D Experience - Believe it or not, a huge majority of DM's actually like newer players. So don't be afraid to let them know if you're new or not. 6: Are you looking to run a module - If you want to play an official Wizards of the Coast campaign, what one? 7: Are you willing to compensate the DM - Tips are always welcome, I'm not big on pay to play games but a generous offer such as the group buying a source book or adventure module on either Roll20 or DNDBeyond is a very nice gesture. Letting a DM know in advance that their hard work will be rewarded in such a way may be the tipping point for them wanting to join your group.
Also something I feel is very important. Ask to talk on discord. This is huge for me as a DM. It gives me the chance to hear the players mic quality and just get to know them a little. It's super important that the players and DM personalities don't clash. It's impossible to tell via wall of text if you guys are the right fit for one another. Sure you can get lucky, but why risk it? Talk with the DM, it takes 5-10 minutes, and can save a ton of waisted time. On that same note, talk with the players as well. Don't just toss 4 or 5 players together all willy-nilly and expect good group cohesion.
Here is an example of a post that would peek my interest personally as a DM -
Game: D&D 5e Campaign: Lost Mine of Phandelver "or any other official 5e content" Time: Thursdays or Fridays 7:30pm PST for either 3 or 4 hours Location: Discord for voice, Roll20 for VTT, DNDBeyond for character sheets Age: 21+ Experience: A few one shots, clear understanding of the basics but nothing advanced Style of campaign: Heavy RP with some combat
About me: I enjoy a bunch of RP. I'm looking for a DM who enjoys roleplay, character development and diving into the lore of the world and campaign that we are going to play in. I like to be part of a collaborative story telling adventure.
Would like to talk on discord to any interested DM's about possible compensation via source books/adventure modules for DNDBeyond/Roll20, and to see if we are a good fit.
Not to be too discouraging, but the odds of finding a DM without a group, who wants a group, are pretty slim. If someone wants to DM, they are often already running at least one game because finding players is easy. I’d suggest instead just looking for a group to join, or start DM’ing yourself; if you do the latter, you’ll have players lined up pretty quickly.
Trying to answer each of your questions is making me come up blank so I'll try to focus on just one. THINGS TO MAKE A DM WANT TO DM FOR YOU:
Say and show you are fully committed to coming to the sessions.
If you have a wonky schedule, know that will be quite a deterrent to DMs who aren't friends. Players ghosting or canceling a lot is a huge problem DMs have and it is amplified online because people just don't care when playing online.
You pay them.
Depending on which DM you want, you should say how you are well versed with the rules or how you like using house rules at the table.
Since you're taking care of the work of finding people that's a great thing to say, since then the DM doesn't have to do that work.
Do know tho, that since they're the DM they will need/want to have some form of authority in this regard of who plays. So you all will need to discuss what boundaries there are.
If you're using DDB or some VTT or other online tool, buying the needed material and sharing it with the DM is a great boon to attracting someone since then they don't have to pay for anything they don't have on whichever X platform.
I know I can post about wanting a new DM in the LFP forum. What I'm looking for is a strategy for how to find the right DM.
What does the DM need to know?
What can I say that will make a DM want to join me?
My plan is to find a DM, then do the legwork of finding compatible players.
What questions am I not asking?
Thanks in advance.
Not all who wander are lost...
Muggle
A DM can require a lot of prep time at least 2-3 a week if not more if they going more elaborate. Now if you have maps online and they have to do them themselves, then you are looking at at least 5-10 hours now for prep for building an area map and dungeons.
Knowing that, and having you try to find someone to build content and have you organize it, no not happening by just about any DM out there honestly. It's their world, their work, if they need someone and you like what they wrote go for it. Most DM's find their own players, they aren't going to have a rando do it. It can be a real pain if a player picks everyone who all wants roleplay but don't like combat and the DM doesn't want to do grade D improv for most of the session and wants a more balanced session OR if they get a disruptive player at least its on the DM for missing the problem.
Its better to ask yourself what do you want to play, how much of the three pillars do you want, do you want a specific module or a Western Marches style campaign, do you want only official 5E content with no house rules or do you want a homebrew, do you want to start at level 1 or join an existing campaign or start higher. Figure out what you want and do some scanning.
I suggest you hit the forums, and look for a while to see if a DM fits your fancy. You can also try other areas like fantasygrounds or foundry vtt forums as well.
As a DM here are the things I would look for in a post.
1: Day and time - This is pretty obvious. If you have a specific schedule that you need to adhere to, then it's pretty important that you list it.
2: Style of play you're looking for - Are you looking for a roleplay heavy campaign with a bunch of political intrigue, character dialogue and development? Or are you looking for a dungeon dive hack and slash campaign where you go into the depths of the darkest most dangerous dungeons in search of treasure? Basically, what does you and your group look to get out of the campaign.
3: Length of the campaign - Are you looking for a short level 1-5 campaign or a long sprawling adventure that will take your characters to tier 3 of play?
4: Age range of group - Not to age gate, but it's just nice to know.
5: Your D&D Experience - Believe it or not, a huge majority of DM's actually like newer players. So don't be afraid to let them know if you're new or not.
6: Are you looking to run a module - If you want to play an official Wizards of the Coast campaign, what one?
7: Are you willing to compensate the DM - Tips are always welcome, I'm not big on pay to play games but a generous offer such as the group buying a source book or adventure module on either Roll20 or DNDBeyond is a very nice gesture. Letting a DM know in advance that their hard work will be rewarded in such a way may be the tipping point for them wanting to join your group.
Also something I feel is very important. Ask to talk on discord. This is huge for me as a DM. It gives me the chance to hear the players mic quality and just get to know them a little. It's super important that the players and DM personalities don't clash. It's impossible to tell via wall of text if you guys are the right fit for one another. Sure you can get lucky, but why risk it? Talk with the DM, it takes 5-10 minutes, and can save a ton of waisted time. On that same note, talk with the players as well. Don't just toss 4 or 5 players together all willy-nilly and expect good group cohesion.
Here is an example of a post that would peek my interest personally as a DM -
Game: D&D 5e
Campaign: Lost Mine of Phandelver "or any other official 5e content"
Time: Thursdays or Fridays 7:30pm PST for either 3 or 4 hours
Location: Discord for voice, Roll20 for VTT, DNDBeyond for character sheets
Age: 21+
Experience: A few one shots, clear understanding of the basics but nothing advanced
Style of campaign: Heavy RP with some combat
About me: I enjoy a bunch of RP. I'm looking for a DM who enjoys roleplay, character development and diving into the lore of the world and campaign that we are going to play in. I like to be part of a collaborative story telling adventure.
Would like to talk on discord to any interested DM's about possible compensation via source books/adventure modules for DNDBeyond/Roll20, and to see if we are a good fit.
(Discord info here)
Not to be too discouraging, but the odds of finding a DM without a group, who wants a group, are pretty slim. If someone wants to DM, they are often already running at least one game because finding players is easy.
I’d suggest instead just looking for a group to join, or start DM’ing yourself; if you do the latter, you’ll have players lined up pretty quickly.
Simple: Do it yourself.
<canned laughter>
Trying to answer each of your questions is making me come up blank so I'll try to focus on just one. THINGS TO MAKE A DM WANT TO DM FOR YOU:
That's what I can think of at the moment.
Er ek geng, þat er í þeim skóm er ek valda.
UwU
Thanks everyone. I'll keep your suggestions in mind.
Not all who wander are lost...
Muggle