hi everyone im very new to d&d and will be a dm, me and my partner are all new to this. i and im really looking forward to out first session in a couple of weeks we are doing the lost mine of Phandelever, we have all the starter books and handbooks. im looking for tips or links for new DM. thanks
First, have a session just to create characters. Initially limit yourselves to what's in the starter set or player's handbook in terms of races and classes. Ensure you have a mix of martials (fighter, ranger, paladins) and spellcasters (wizard, soeceror, warlock), with a thought to support roles like a rogue or cleric/druid as well.
First time you play all should have the Order of Combat section, the Actions of Combat and Movement and position parts handy - help each other remember the order of things. All players should also have the pages for their specific class handy together with the character sheet - it helps a lot. Keep all of that handy every time you play until everyone has the sequences, their characters expanding capabilities and powers down pat.
Expect to make mistakes, the important thing is to have fun, and then correct the mistakes next time.
Other than that, as a new DM, read and reread the adventure. Try to think of the reasons behind why the NPC and baddies (that you have to play) do what they do, what their immediate and end goals are. That will help you to react to any curveballs your players throw at you - and there are bound to be a few. Instead of railroading them when they go off on a tangent, roll with it and bring them gently back to the fold (unless the tangent is more fun, obviously).
Finally, remember this is not about winning. This is a collaboration, a shared storytelling. It's meant to be fun for all, so as a DM you also have to rejoice when the Big Bad Evil Guy gets his comeuppance. Play the NPCs with heart but don't get too attached, they are quite likely to die when all is said and done ;-)
hi everyone im very new to d&d and will be a dm, me and my partner are all new to this. i and im really looking forward to out first session in a couple of weeks we are doing the lost mine of Phandelever, we have all the starter books and handbooks. im looking for tips or links for new DM. thanks
As DM, make sure that you've read the adventure and understand what is going on at each stage.
The starter rulebook should provide you with enough information to run the game.
Don't worry about making mistakes, since you are all new to learning the rules.
First, have a session just to create characters. Initially limit yourselves to what's in the starter set or player's handbook in terms of races and classes. Ensure you have a mix of martials (fighter, ranger, paladins) and spellcasters (wizard, soeceror, warlock), with a thought to support roles like a rogue or cleric/druid as well.
First time you play all should have the Order of Combat section, the Actions of Combat and Movement and position parts handy - help each other remember the order of things. All players should also have the pages for their specific class handy together with the character sheet - it helps a lot. Keep all of that handy every time you play until everyone has the sequences, their characters expanding capabilities and powers down pat.
Expect to make mistakes, the important thing is to have fun, and then correct the mistakes next time.
Other than that, as a new DM, read and reread the adventure. Try to think of the reasons behind why the NPC and baddies (that you have to play) do what they do, what their immediate and end goals are. That will help you to react to any curveballs your players throw at you - and there are bound to be a few. Instead of railroading them when they go off on a tangent, roll with it and bring them gently back to the fold (unless the tangent is more fun, obviously).
Finally, remember this is not about winning. This is a collaboration, a shared storytelling. It's meant to be fun for all, so as a DM you also have to rejoice when the Big Bad Evil Guy gets his comeuppance. Play the NPCs with heart but don't get too attached, they are quite likely to die when all is said and done ;-)
Plenty of guides on youtube and dmsguild.
CENSORSHIP IS THE TOOL OF COWARDS and WANNA BE TYRANTS.
Just have fun with it. That’s the ultimate thing to keep in mind.
Project Manager of Haphazard Projects