In just a few weeks, I will go from player to DM. I'm looking for any advice or tips going in to this new experience as a player. Any and everything will help!
If everyone is having fun, even if you’re not strictly following the rules, you’re doing it right.
If you can’t find a rule in around a minute, make a ruling, let everyone know that’s what you’re doing, and that you’ll look it up before the next session.
It’s okay to make mistakes, everyone makes mistakes. That’s the best way to learn how to avoid those mistakes again in future.
Reread chapters 7, 9, and 10 of the PHB, the vast majority of rules that you will use almost every session are in those three chapters.
PS- Welcome to the other side of the DM’s screen!!
Good luck! Is it with your current group, or a new one?
My advice: start small. I like the 5 room dungeon format. Your game will likely take longer than you think it will.
IamSposta is right: if everyone is having fun, you're doing it right.
Don't be afraid to ask your players for support. It doesn't have to all fall on you.
There are lots of amazing videos on how to be a great DM. Don't try to do everything perfect every game.
For example, in one game, focus on making combat run at a good pace. In the next game, try making one memorable NPC. In another, try creating an interesting battlefield. Or work on improv. Or whatever your goal is, but pick something specific. Otherwise it's just overwhelming, and easy to just see where you fell short.
Find what your players want from the game and explain what you want from it. Dont make assumptions, so try and get down to quite granual detail else you could have headaches later on down the line.
But mainly have fun with it, and dont be afraid to take a break if it stops being fun. You can easily sour a good group if you try and play when you don't want to, just because you feel you have to.
Rollback Post to RevisionRollBack
All posts come with the caveat that I don't know what I'm talking about.
If you're playing online get to know your platform the best you can before the game. Depending on where you're playing being on the DM side is very different compared to the player side. Such as Roll20 which has all sorts of short cuts and tools that will make the game smoother if you know how to use them. Watch a few tutorials about your platform and if you have the free time play around with it by yourself before the session so you're familiar with it.
I play tested Foundry with one of my players before we used it as a whole group. And when new mods come out, I make him log in and test them with me also.
Rollback Post to RevisionRollBack
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.
In just a few weeks, I will go from player to DM. I'm looking for any advice or tips going in to this new experience as a player. Any and everything will help!
Well, first of all, this:
After that:
PS- Welcome to the other side of the DM’s screen!!
Creating Epic Boons on DDB
DDB Buyers' Guide
Hardcovers, DDB & You
Content Troubleshooting
Good luck! Is it with your current group, or a new one?
My advice: start small. I like the 5 room dungeon format. Your game will likely take longer than you think it will.
IamSposta is right: if everyone is having fun, you're doing it right.
Don't be afraid to ask your players for support. It doesn't have to all fall on you.
There are lots of amazing videos on how to be a great DM. Don't try to do everything perfect every game.
For example, in one game, focus on making combat run at a good pace. In the next game, try making one memorable NPC. In another, try creating an interesting battlefield. Or work on improv. Or whatever your goal is, but pick something specific. Otherwise it's just overwhelming, and easy to just see where you fell short.
You got this!
Dont skip a session 0.
Find what your players want from the game and explain what you want from it. Dont make assumptions, so try and get down to quite granual detail else you could have headaches later on down the line.
But mainly have fun with it, and dont be afraid to take a break if it stops being fun. You can easily sour a good group if you try and play when you don't want to, just because you feel you have to.
All posts come with the caveat that I don't know what I'm talking about.
Yup, #1 advice for new DMs is: watch Colville. Watch as much Colville as you can. The man knows what he is talking about.
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.
If you're playing online get to know your platform the best you can before the game. Depending on where you're playing being on the DM side is very different compared to the player side. Such as Roll20 which has all sorts of short cuts and tools that will make the game smoother if you know how to use them. Watch a few tutorials about your platform and if you have the free time play around with it by yourself before the session so you're familiar with it.
Yes, learning the tools is good advice.
I play tested Foundry with one of my players before we used it as a whole group. And when new mods come out, I make him log in and test them with me also.
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.
Run a pre made adventure. Don’t try and make a whole big shindig if you haven’t done it before. That’s what the modules are for