Hello everyone. First time here. I am a very new DM running my first campaign. I've done maybe 10 session so far with success, which is a little miraculous considering I've only ever played the game once, and wasn't very good at it when I did. But I have for the most part very awesome and supportive players who have been helping me out. Several of them are experienced in DnD and have DMd before, so that's definitely helped. My only problem is, I often need advice on technical stuff, or whether something is a good idea or not, balancing homebrew material... And despite my players having a wealth of knowledge, for obvious reasons I can't tell them everything. What I really need is a good DM friend or listener with whom I could conspire and plot... except there isn't anyone I know who has the time. Which is why I'm checking this website out. I want to share ideas and make sure that what I'm doing is in the green. Is this a good place for that? For sharing ideas for next session and the like? Or is there a different thread for that which I might be directed to?
Its a great place for it! And if you haven't already I highly recommend checking out Matt Colvilles Youtube series on running the game. As a newer DM myself, it helped me out a lot!
TsirEnigma Thank you, and yes, I have discovered him, as well as many other youtubers! I have a playlist of maybe 200 something videos on DnD stuff (mostly on how to DM) lol. I've only watched like half of them but I've been told that's excessive. I always feel like I'm never prepared enough so this is all I do in my free time. Thanks guys!
Welcome to the forums, and welcome to this side of the screen.
First and foremost: you'll never be prepared enough, ever. All your preparations will go the way of the dodo the moment you introduce the most volatile aspect of the game: the players.
Secondly, you have a great resource in us, we're pretty good at coming up with ideas and ways to help. Feel free to ask questions on anything, we have a couple DMs who've started threads to help with their game and it's become a quasi game journal/Q&A thread.
Another DM opinion checking in! First, welcome to the best side of the screen and may your stories live forever.
Preparedness: You will never prepare enough to cover any eventuality, however, with enough sessions and practice you can get a feel of how to manipulate...I mean lead your players in the direction you want them to go. You will find the little carrots to lead them to the next encounter/npc/mcguffin with ease. Until then, dont be afraid of just talking with your players over the table. Ask them after each session one thing they liked or that really worked and one thing that they didnt.
Balance: there are a couple resources online to help hard balance encounters but dont ever be afraid of soft balancing them yourself. ex: drow raiding party has knocked out two of the pc's due to maybe throwing too much at the players too soon. Instead of TPK, the drow gloat and threaten the pc's with death if they ever trespass again. Use that moment for story, not combat.
Just remember that DMing is a skill that needs to be worked at and will get better with time and practice. The panic and second-guessing you feel may not even translate to the players. The age old adage "Fake it till you make it" 100% applies here.
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Hello everyone. First time here. I am a very new DM running my first campaign. I've done maybe 10 session so far with success, which is a little miraculous considering I've only ever played the game once, and wasn't very good at it when I did. But I have for the most part very awesome and supportive players who have been helping me out. Several of them are experienced in DnD and have DMd before, so that's definitely helped. My only problem is, I often need advice on technical stuff, or whether something is a good idea or not, balancing homebrew material... And despite my players having a wealth of knowledge, for obvious reasons I can't tell them everything. What I really need is a good DM friend or listener with whom I could conspire and plot... except there isn't anyone I know who has the time. Which is why I'm checking this website out. I want to share ideas and make sure that what I'm doing is in the green. Is this a good place for that? For sharing ideas for next session and the like? Or is there a different thread for that which I might be directed to?
Hi Pyyrus, welcome to the Beyond Forums!
This is the perfect place to discuss such things. More often than not, you'll get a lot of advice and suggestions when you ask for help here.
Good luck!
Its a great place for it! And if you haven't already I highly recommend checking out Matt Colvilles Youtube series on running the game. As a newer DM myself, it helped me out a lot!
Cheers!
TsirEnigma Thank you, and yes, I have discovered him, as well as many other youtubers! I have a playlist of maybe 200 something videos on DnD stuff (mostly on how to DM) lol. I've only watched like half of them but I've been told that's excessive. I always feel like I'm never prepared enough so this is all I do in my free time. Thanks guys!
Welcome to the forums, and welcome to this side of the screen.
First and foremost: you'll never be prepared enough, ever. All your preparations will go the way of the dodo the moment you introduce the most volatile aspect of the game: the players.
Secondly, you have a great resource in us, we're pretty good at coming up with ideas and ways to help. Feel free to ask questions on anything, we have a couple DMs who've started threads to help with their game and it's become a quasi game journal/Q&A thread.
Again, welcome, and happy DMing!
Welcome to the club! You can post basically anything here, and it will be answered. Good Luck!
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Another DM opinion checking in! First, welcome to the best side of the screen and may your stories live forever.
Preparedness: You will never prepare enough to cover any eventuality, however, with enough sessions and practice you can get a feel of how to manipulate...I mean lead your players in the direction you want them to go. You will find the little carrots to lead them to the next encounter/npc/mcguffin with ease. Until then, dont be afraid of just talking with your players over the table. Ask them after each session one thing they liked or that really worked and one thing that they didnt.
Balance: there are a couple resources online to help hard balance encounters but dont ever be afraid of soft balancing them yourself. ex: drow raiding party has knocked out two of the pc's due to maybe throwing too much at the players too soon. Instead of TPK, the drow gloat and threaten the pc's with death if they ever trespass again. Use that moment for story, not combat.
Just remember that DMing is a skill that needs to be worked at and will get better with time and practice. The panic and second-guessing you feel may not even translate to the players. The age old adage "Fake it till you make it" 100% applies here.