I've run 3 games so far and I really enjoy it. I play with family and now a couple other dnd players say they would like to play sometimes with me. I'm still new to the rules for DnD in general, there are so many things to try to remember. I think my games have gone well so far, I've made mistakes rules wise and I havent thought of any REALLY awesome 1 or 20 things to happen, but what I have come up with have gotten laughs.. and a couple tears ;)
Do not worry too much about rules mistakes, they come every time for everyone. The important thing is ( in my humble opinion ): let the story flow through the game. and have fun.
So my advice is as follows: 1) Keep things simple remember everything you add to the game creates more complexity and there must be tangible benefit for that complexity to be worth it. 2) Don't be afraid to admit when you screw up. Your players will appreciate it and will respect you more. They will also realize that they can trust you as a DM and that is huge. 3) Read the rule books, become a master of the game system. Being a good DM takes a lot of work, becoming a great one is even harder and requires a lot of dedication. 4) I can't tell you the right way to prepare for your games, each person is different but I will tell you that you need to prepare! Find the level and method of prep that works for you and use it! 5) Don't try to be cool or awesome, the attempts to do so usually backfire, just try to be consistently good and then the cool and awesome moments will happen on their own and they will be so much more special because of it.
Good luck
J
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As for me, I choose to believe that an extinct thunder lizard is running a game of Dungeons & Dragons via Twitter!
I'll second a lot of what these other fines folks have said: don't worry about making mistakes, own the mistakes you do make, keep things simple, and aim at having fun (rather than aiming at something harder to hit, like being "the best DM" or whatever)
I will contradict a little though: You don't have to master the game system to be an excellent DM, you just need to be confident that you and your group can work out something good enough to get you by during a session (the rules don't have to match the book, they just have to feel fair to you and your group). And if you get to feeling like it is hard work to be a DM, rather than being fun and entertaining even if time-consuming activity, take a break - nothing is worse for a group than for their DM to feel that their time spent being a DM is something other than good times.
And one last bit of agreement: Find your style. Don't worry about how any other DM or book says to do stuff, do what works for you and skip what doesn't.
I'll echo what everyone else is saying. Plus I'll toss in some homework: Matt Colville's Running the Game series is a great confidence builder! Matt is fun to watch/listen to as well.
DON'T EVEN TRY IT UNLESS YOU KNOW EVERYTHING ABOUT EVERYTHING BECAUSE PEOPLE WILL NOT LIKE YOU AND CALL YOU A DUM DUM!
Just kidding, I have been playing since ADND (got the PHB on my tenth birthday from my Uncle, still have not received a gift that has matched the years of fun I have had that stemmed from that book), and running games since 3rd edition. I used to be really anal about games, a rules lawyer even, and it was taxing. Not only on my players but on me, I didn't realize how much of my energy and fun was lost just making sure I was following the books RAW.
So my words of advise are, It's a game, enjoy the time you get to spend with your family and friends doing the oldest community based activity this side of social grooming (aka. Storytelling), and don't let the rules get in your way. If it's more fun, do whats more fun, stories are never told about that one time every rule was adhered to, but they are told about how a group of adventurers toppled an evil tyrant by starting a famous pie business and usurping the throne using free Rhubarb pie.
I've run 3 games so far and I really enjoy it. I play with family and now a couple other dnd players say they would like to play sometimes with me. I'm still new to the rules for DnD in general, there are so many things to try to remember. I think my games have gone well so far, I've made mistakes rules wise and I havent thought of any REALLY awesome 1 or 20 things to happen, but what I have come up with have gotten laughs.. and a couple tears ;)
Any suggestions from vet DMs?
Do not worry too much about rules mistakes, they come every time for everyone. The important thing is ( in my humble opinion ): let the story flow through the game. and have fun.
So my advice is as follows: 1) Keep things simple remember everything you add to the game creates more complexity and there must be tangible benefit for that complexity to be worth it. 2) Don't be afraid to admit when you screw up. Your players will appreciate it and will respect you more. They will also realize that they can trust you as a DM and that is huge. 3) Read the rule books, become a master of the game system. Being a good DM takes a lot of work, becoming a great one is even harder and requires a lot of dedication. 4) I can't tell you the right way to prepare for your games, each person is different but I will tell you that you need to prepare! Find the level and method of prep that works for you and use it! 5) Don't try to be cool or awesome, the attempts to do so usually backfire, just try to be consistently good and then the cool and awesome moments will happen on their own and they will be so much more special because of it.
Good luck
J
As for me, I choose to believe that an extinct thunder lizard is running a game of Dungeons & Dragons via Twitter!
I'll second a lot of what these other fines folks have said: don't worry about making mistakes, own the mistakes you do make, keep things simple, and aim at having fun (rather than aiming at something harder to hit, like being "the best DM" or whatever)
I will contradict a little though: You don't have to master the game system to be an excellent DM, you just need to be confident that you and your group can work out something good enough to get you by during a session (the rules don't have to match the book, they just have to feel fair to you and your group). And if you get to feeling like it is hard work to be a DM, rather than being fun and entertaining even if time-consuming activity, take a break - nothing is worse for a group than for their DM to feel that their time spent being a DM is something other than good times.
And one last bit of agreement: Find your style. Don't worry about how any other DM or book says to do stuff, do what works for you and skip what doesn't.
I'll echo what everyone else is saying. Plus I'll toss in some homework: Matt Colville's Running the Game series is a great confidence builder! Matt is fun to watch/listen to as well.
DON'T EVEN TRY IT UNLESS YOU KNOW EVERYTHING ABOUT EVERYTHING BECAUSE PEOPLE WILL NOT LIKE YOU AND CALL YOU A DUM DUM!
Just kidding, I have been playing since ADND (got the PHB on my tenth birthday from my Uncle, still have not received a gift that has matched the years of fun I have had that stemmed from that book), and running games since 3rd edition. I used to be really anal about games, a rules lawyer even, and it was taxing. Not only on my players but on me, I didn't realize how much of my energy and fun was lost just making sure I was following the books RAW.
So my words of advise are, It's a game, enjoy the time you get to spend with your family and friends doing the oldest community based activity this side of social grooming (aka. Storytelling), and don't let the rules get in your way. If it's more fun, do whats more fun, stories are never told about that one time every rule was adhered to, but they are told about how a group of adventurers toppled an evil tyrant by starting a famous pie business and usurping the throne using free Rhubarb pie.
There is go much great advice here, and thank you for letting me know I don't have to try for perfection with the rules :)