First, let me welcome you to the other side of the DM's Screen! Here are my top pieces of advice:
If everyone is having fun, even if you are not strictly following the rules, you're doing it right.
If a rules question comes up and you cannot find the answer in under a minute, then make a ruling, tell everyone that's what you are doing, and let them know you will look up the official rule before the next session.
It's okay to make mistakes. Everybody makes mistakes, that’s the best way to learn how not to do it again.
And finally, the single best piece of advice I can give any new DM: Watch Me.
In addition to Sposta's comments (and without watching the link), figure out a good system of notes. This will be particularly useful in Phandelin since some of the information is all over the place.
Consider gating the information to get to Cragmaw castle until the party reaches at least the level before the adventure recommends going there. The party that I DMed for decided to go there right after Cragmaw Hideout because they had a cousin of Gundren Rockseeker in the party. There are enough potential threats there that they had to abandon the first attempt even with some additional magic items that I had given them, including a Scimitar of Speed on the Paladin. They didn't lose anyone, but I think they had someone go unconcious. Granted, they were all newer players, which may not be the case for your group.
Phandelver is a great way to start! Perfect first time adventure, for the DM and the PC's. One thing to add is have a Session 0 to start with, even if it is a brief one. Set your expectations from the campaign, as well as learn and understand the same for your players. To echo IamSposta's point, don't worry about mistakes. Have fun, and don't be afraid to add your own flavor to a published adventure!
im new to dming and this weekend is the first campaon i am running we are doing the lost mines any advice?
First, let me welcome you to the other side of the DM's Screen! Here are my top pieces of advice:
And finally, the single best piece of advice I can give any new DM: Watch Me.
Creating Epic Boons on DDB
DDB Buyers' Guide
Hardcovers, DDB & You
Content Troubleshooting
In addition to Sposta's comments (and without watching the link), figure out a good system of notes. This will be particularly useful in Phandelin since some of the information is all over the place.
Consider gating the information to get to Cragmaw castle until the party reaches at least the level before the adventure recommends going there. The party that I DMed for decided to go there right after Cragmaw Hideout because they had a cousin of Gundren Rockseeker in the party. There are enough potential threats there that they had to abandon the first attempt even with some additional magic items that I had given them, including a Scimitar of Speed on the Paladin. They didn't lose anyone, but I think they had someone go unconcious. Granted, they were all newer players, which may not be the case for your group.
Phandelver is a great way to start! Perfect first time adventure, for the DM and the PC's. One thing to add is have a Session 0 to start with, even if it is a brief one. Set your expectations from the campaign, as well as learn and understand the same for your players. To echo IamSposta's point, don't worry about mistakes. Have fun, and don't be afraid to add your own flavor to a published adventure!
^^^ This.
I was going to post that but as usual, a certain someone beat me to it.
WOTC lies. We know that WOTC lies. WOTC knows that we know that WOTC lies. We know that WOTC knows that we know that WOTC lies. And still they lie.
Because of the above (a paraphrase from Orwell) I no longer post to the forums -- PM me if you need help or anything.
Hey, you beat me to it sometimes.
Creating Epic Boons on DDB
DDB Buyers' Guide
Hardcovers, DDB & You
Content Troubleshooting
I think we should start keeping score...
WOTC lies. We know that WOTC lies. WOTC knows that we know that WOTC lies. We know that WOTC knows that we know that WOTC lies. And still they lie.
Because of the above (a paraphrase from Orwell) I no longer post to the forums -- PM me if you need help or anything.
thanks you two an one person at least in the group has played before also lol
I think you should both start demanding royalties, or a finder's fee, or something.