I'm currently working on content to DM my first game and I was curious to know what kinds of tips, methods of creation or resources you guys use to help keep you organized or help you create content for your games? Obviously there is the encounter builder here on DnDbeyond, and I've searched out a few other things like random name/faction/location generators and map/dungeon layout generators. I'm pretty excited to DM my first game, but I also really don't want to have a lot of continuity errors so I've really been focusing on trying to stay organized with my information. It just feels like I could potentially spiral out real fast and get lost in over prepping information that might be useless.
For homebrewing, a lot of people seem to like OneNote or WorldAnvil for organization with easy cross-linking of info.
If you're running a module, I'd say run it from D&D Beyond - encounters are generally linked to the statblocks you need and you can just pop open extra tabs as needed. Keep a notepad handy to make notes and track combats, and keep a tab open for donjon's random generators if you need names.
Homebrewing. Our group size is only 3 people and since none of us have prior experience we've been doing a "Scrub campaign" where we just focus on learning the core rules and practicing world/character building. We plan on alternating who the DM is so we can all learn the ins and outs of D&D as a whole. So far only one of us has been DMing and he's had us doing a dungeon crawl for a few sessions. I'll be taking a one shot that I've been working on and tweaking it to allow a transition from what we've been doing so far into what I'm planning.
Okay, so first I suggest obtaining and reading the Return of the Way of the Lazy Dungeon Master by Sly Flourish. It can be downloaded from DriveThruRpg and is an excellent resource for DMs because it really tells you what a DM should be doing and in what proportions. Next, the inestimable Matt Colville on YouTube has a Running the Game Playlist of about 83-84 videos that should be required viewing for any DM newly minted or veteran. Finally, spend time with your group understanding what they like about D&D and other entertainment. Once you do that you can craft games that appeal to them. This is usually part of a true session zero. For instance, you might find that the players are not interested at all in a social game, and have no interest in all the creeping around crap and what to bash and blast things. Totally fine and acceptable way to play D&D, but if you don't know that and run a game that takes its cues from Shakespeare's Othello no one is likely to have any fun...especially you!
Thanks for the suggestions, I'll be checking them out soon. From what I've seen of the Matt Colville playlist thusfar, it looks very useful! As for my group I think we've got a good mix of one wanting more combat oriented gameplay, one who is all about puzzles and exploration, and myself who is down for any and all of it. (D&D is effing amazing! lol)
@Maestrino I think OneNote might be pretty useful for me as I like the cross-platform availability of it. I actually currently have a World Anvil account, but haven't used it much. It looks like it has potential but its a bit much to take in on top of learning D&D itself.
I use a laptop with notepad++ to type everything out. Then print and put in it's own section of a multi file folder. Use a plotline paper with notes on each session so if I forget something I can find it quick.
That's it. Have some miniatures and dry erase map boards to draw on. Don't like having a laptop or phone on the table to do stuff.
@Maestrino I think OneNote might be pretty useful for me as I like the cross-platform availability of it. I actually currently have a World Anvil account, but haven't used it much. It looks like it has potential but its a bit much to take in on top of learning D&D itself.
Thanks everyone for the helpful suggestions!
I love WorldAnvil. The thing I enjoy about it is that as you are enjoying the game you can just keep adding. The #Articlename hyperlinking is just enormously helpful, as is the ability to create a Player Gazeteer from your articles. An Elf can get different information than a Dwarf!
Stories need villains. They can be people, or things, or ideas, but they need to be the source of conflict. We care about stories with conflict and resolution thus the villain. Have a villain.
Even if your group is happy slaughtering the "encounter of the week", you should still have some overarching theme to the encounters that they are ultimately overcoming.
Okay, so first I suggest obtaining and reading the Return of the Way of the Lazy Dungeon Master by Sly Flourish. It can be downloaded from DriveThruRpg and is an excellent resource for DMs because it really tells you what a DM should be doing and in what proportions.
Absolutely agree with getting Return of the Lazy Dungeon Master. I've been DMing for a couple of years now, and have even been regular reader of Sly Flourish, but I finally picked up Return of the Lazy Dungeon Master about a month and a half ago and it has really helped to streamline my prep, and honestly helped improve the games I run.
The prep sheet that's included has become my preferred way to organize my campaign now. I'll scratch notes about what occurred during that session on the back and then keep them all in a 3 ring binder for quick reference. Might be old school to use paper and hand written notes, but it is effective.
I'm currently working on content to DM my first game and I was curious to know what kinds of tips, methods of creation or resources you guys use to help keep you organized or help you create content for your games? Obviously there is the encounter builder here on DnDbeyond, and I've searched out a few other things like random name/faction/location generators and map/dungeon layout generators. I'm pretty excited to DM my first game, but I also really don't want to have a lot of continuity errors so I've really been focusing on trying to stay organized with my information. It just feels like I could potentially spiral out real fast and get lost in over prepping information that might be useless.
Are you homebrewing or running a module?
For homebrewing, a lot of people seem to like OneNote or WorldAnvil for organization with easy cross-linking of info.
If you're running a module, I'd say run it from D&D Beyond - encounters are generally linked to the statblocks you need and you can just pop open extra tabs as needed. Keep a notepad handy to make notes and track combats, and keep a tab open for donjon's random generators if you need names.
Homebrewing. Our group size is only 3 people and since none of us have prior experience we've been doing a "Scrub campaign" where we just focus on learning the core rules and practicing world/character building. We plan on alternating who the DM is so we can all learn the ins and outs of D&D as a whole. So far only one of us has been DMing and he's had us doing a dungeon crawl for a few sessions. I'll be taking a one shot that I've been working on and tweaking it to allow a transition from what we've been doing so far into what I'm planning.
Okay, so first I suggest obtaining and reading the Return of the Way of the Lazy Dungeon Master by Sly Flourish. It can be downloaded from DriveThruRpg and is an excellent resource for DMs because it really tells you what a DM should be doing and in what proportions. Next, the inestimable Matt Colville on YouTube has a Running the Game Playlist of about 83-84 videos that should be required viewing for any DM newly minted or veteran. Finally, spend time with your group understanding what they like about D&D and other entertainment. Once you do that you can craft games that appeal to them. This is usually part of a true session zero. For instance, you might find that the players are not interested at all in a social game, and have no interest in all the creeping around crap and what to bash and blast things. Totally fine and acceptable way to play D&D, but if you don't know that and run a game that takes its cues from Shakespeare's Othello no one is likely to have any fun...especially you!
Thanks for the suggestions, I'll be checking them out soon. From what I've seen of the Matt Colville playlist thusfar, it looks very useful! As for my group I think we've got a good mix of one wanting more combat oriented gameplay, one who is all about puzzles and exploration, and myself who is down for any and all of it. (D&D is effing amazing! lol)
@Maestrino I think OneNote might be pretty useful for me as I like the cross-platform availability of it. I actually currently have a World Anvil account, but haven't used it much. It looks like it has potential but its a bit much to take in on top of learning D&D itself.
Thanks everyone for the helpful suggestions!
I use a laptop with notepad++ to type everything out. Then print and put in it's own section of a multi file folder. Use a plotline paper with notes on each session so if I forget something I can find it quick.
That's it. Have some miniatures and dry erase map boards to draw on. Don't like having a laptop or phone on the table to do stuff.
I love WorldAnvil. The thing I enjoy about it is that as you are enjoying the game you can just keep adding. The #Articlename hyperlinking is just enormously helpful, as is the ability to create a Player Gazeteer from your articles. An Elf can get different information than a Dwarf!
Off the cuffs:
Stories need villains. They can be people, or things, or ideas, but they need to be the source of conflict. We care about stories with conflict and resolution thus the villain. Have a villain.
Even if your group is happy slaughtering the "encounter of the week", you should still have some overarching theme to the encounters that they are ultimately overcoming.
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Absolutely agree with getting Return of the Lazy Dungeon Master. I've been DMing for a couple of years now, and have even been regular reader of Sly Flourish, but I finally picked up Return of the Lazy Dungeon Master about a month and a half ago and it has really helped to streamline my prep, and honestly helped improve the games I run.
The prep sheet that's included has become my preferred way to organize my campaign now. I'll scratch notes about what occurred during that session on the back and then keep them all in a 3 ring binder for quick reference. Might be old school to use paper and hand written notes, but it is effective.
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