Have a quick look around the forums here for the typical "New DM, need advice" post. One member was going to try to compile a list of things that most frequently show up in these. But since I'm here...
I might suggest not getting your head wrapped up in the rules so far that you forget your job as DM: run a fun game. The rules don't run the game the DM does. Try to focus on consistent rulings in *your* world, at *your* table.
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“Travel is fatal to prejudice, bigotry, and narrow-mindedness, and many of our people need it sorely on these accounts. Broad, wholesome, charitable views of men and things cannot be acquired by vegetating in one little corner of the earth all one's lifetime.” - Mark Twain - Innocents Abroad
This is a little broad, OP. You asked for tips but didn't ask for what kind of advice or feedback or suggestions.
Part of DMing is doing the work (a big part of DMing is doing the work) of world-building, and preparing for what your PCs may or may not do and how you will respond to that. I just took a few hours to set up 3 different potential encounters for my PCs in my next session, which entailed 1) coming up with my own story branches for If X then Y and If A then B, depending on what PCs do, 2) creating the NPC adversaries they'll fight and getting a sense of these NPC abilities, 3) designing battlemaps where I want to have a map and narrative descriptions where I just want them to picture the scene in their minds, 4) thinking about the loot they may find, and 5) a catchall - how will any one of these three encounters relate to the overarching story they're building.
Are you new to DMing or new to DnD/tabletop RPGs? Are you running a premade story or something of your own? Are you looking for a traditional fantasy setting or need help with NPC design or traps or mechanics or managing loots or what?
I mean this is just to start, so like do the work! The previous guy linked some good stuff to start with; I also suggest going to Youtube and watching Matt Mercer's GM tips or any number of other clips providing DM/GM tips. Read the DMG and MM and PHB but don't feel you need to memorize them. And of course come to these forums with questions but the more you can be specific about it the better. "Just post below, thanks" doesn't tell me what you need and what you don't, what you're struggling with, what kind of game you're running, etc.
i will as with every other post like this refer you to captain cold
make the plan, execute the plan, expect the plan to go off rails, forget the plan.
What this means is make a plan and follow it but be ready with other ideas or the ability to improv (make up) new stories for WHEN your players go off script. it will happen it's just a matter of when.
furthermore another thing that is important to remember that you as the dm have the final say in all rules. if you say something then make sure your players follow it. and if your unsure make the call and check later. don't interrupt the game to check every rule.
good luck and have fun :)
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Just post below. Thanks
Have a quick look around the forums here for the typical "New DM, need advice" post. One member was going to try to compile a list of things that most frequently show up in these. But since I'm here...
I might suggest not getting your head wrapped up in the rules so far that you forget your job as DM: run a fun game. The rules don't run the game the DM does. Try to focus on consistent rulings in *your* world, at *your* table.
“Travel is fatal to prejudice, bigotry, and narrow-mindedness, and many of our people need it sorely on these accounts. Broad, wholesome, charitable views of men and things cannot be acquired by vegetating in one little corner of the earth all one's lifetime.” - Mark Twain - Innocents Abroad
This is a little broad, OP. You asked for tips but didn't ask for what kind of advice or feedback or suggestions.
Part of DMing is doing the work (a big part of DMing is doing the work) of world-building, and preparing for what your PCs may or may not do and how you will respond to that. I just took a few hours to set up 3 different potential encounters for my PCs in my next session, which entailed 1) coming up with my own story branches for If X then Y and If A then B, depending on what PCs do, 2) creating the NPC adversaries they'll fight and getting a sense of these NPC abilities, 3) designing battlemaps where I want to have a map and narrative descriptions where I just want them to picture the scene in their minds, 4) thinking about the loot they may find, and 5) a catchall - how will any one of these three encounters relate to the overarching story they're building.
Are you new to DMing or new to DnD/tabletop RPGs? Are you running a premade story or something of your own? Are you looking for a traditional fantasy setting or need help with NPC design or traps or mechanics or managing loots or what?
I mean this is just to start, so like do the work! The previous guy linked some good stuff to start with; I also suggest going to Youtube and watching Matt Mercer's GM tips or any number of other clips providing DM/GM tips. Read the DMG and MM and PHB but don't feel you need to memorize them. And of course come to these forums with questions but the more you can be specific about it the better. "Just post below, thanks" doesn't tell me what you need and what you don't, what you're struggling with, what kind of game you're running, etc.
i will as with every other post like this refer you to captain cold
make the plan, execute the plan, expect the plan to go off rails, forget the plan.
What this means is make a plan and follow it but be ready with other ideas or the ability to improv (make up) new stories for WHEN your players go off script. it will happen it's just a matter of when.
furthermore another thing that is important to remember that you as the dm have the final say in all rules. if you say something then make sure your players follow it. and if your unsure make the call and check later. don't interrupt the game to check every rule.
good luck and have fun :)