If I actually do end up doing this, it'll be a while before I actually get around to it, but I have been reading one of the published campaigns that my group has already run, and I am putting some thought into trying it out. I've run a one shot before, and obviously I would want to do more before jumping all the way in, but I have a few people in mind that I could potentially do something with.
What I'm asking is, does anybody have some tips for running a full campaign, as well as suggestions on which published campaigns to run for newer DMs? I've heard good things about LMoP, though I don't have that one, and I suspect that running a campaign that I've played in would have advantages. The campaigns I've played in are Out of the Abyss (I'm currently playing a modded version, but I won't be ready to actually DM for quite a while), Curse of Strahd, Storm King's Thunder, and Tomb of Annihilation.
Run something that you will enjoy running, otherwise DMing will become a chore which it really shouldn't be. Personally, I tried to run published stories, but found them to drag, so then branched out into more creative territory. It's far less easy, but more rewarding IMO.
Echoing Jaybag here. The only plus side to published adventures is you don't have to do all the creative work. Downsides include not knowing the adventure as well (relying on the "already made" crutch). Since you are giving yourself time to ease into DM'ing a campaign, consider building your own world. Just remember, start small and build up. You don't have to have everything in the world written (but do need to be prepared for each gaming session). There's a couple threads in the forum about building worlds... give them a read. One is here.
If I actually do end up doing this, it'll be a while before I actually get around to it, but I have been reading one of the published campaigns that my group has already run, and I am putting some thought into trying it out. I've run a one shot before, and obviously I would want to do more before jumping all the way in, but I have a few people in mind that I could potentially do something with.
What I'm asking is, does anybody have some tips for running a full campaign, as well as suggestions on which published campaigns to run for newer DMs? I've heard good things about LMoP, though I don't have that one, and I suspect that running a campaign that I've played in would have advantages. The campaigns I've played in are Out of the Abyss (I'm currently playing a modded version, but I won't be ready to actually DM for quite a while), Curse of Strahd, Storm King's Thunder, and Tomb of Annihilation.
Run something that you will enjoy running, otherwise DMing will become a chore which it really shouldn't be. Personally, I tried to run published stories, but found them to drag, so then branched out into more creative territory. It's far less easy, but more rewarding IMO.
Echoing Jaybag here. The only plus side to published adventures is you don't have to do all the creative work. Downsides include not knowing the adventure as well (relying on the "already made" crutch). Since you are giving yourself time to ease into DM'ing a campaign, consider building your own world. Just remember, start small and build up. You don't have to have everything in the world written (but do need to be prepared for each gaming session). There's a couple threads in the forum about building worlds... give them a read. One is here.