As most of the community knows there is a HUGE volume of players and very few DMs available to house all of these players which is probably an increased number due to everyone being stuck at home. I am a newer player to the game (DnD 5e) but I love the idea of being able to create a world for other people to enjoy, but I dont quite know how to put it all together just yet. So I'm looking for someone with enough knowledge of the game to help me get a good start on learning the ins and outs of the job. So if you're someone who either has some free time on their hands or someone who is willing to just be kind to someone newer to the game and maybe want to make potential friend in the DnD community feel free to reach out to me. I'll be checking back here and through private messages if anyone wants to reach out to me.
It's like asking someone here how to create your magnum opus. It's more than a text or any PM could ever contain.
I dont say this to discourage you, but to simply state no single person could teach you everything you'd need to know.
My best piece of advice is watch a bunch of youtube on the subject and jump feet first into the task. No teacher like hands on experience. Do it and learn as you go. It's kind of how most people learn.
Also, sometimes it's a thankless job like parenting. So be prepared to be disappointed and taken for granted...but it might be worth it in the end.
I'm not asking people for the whole set up and hold my hand, just looking for basic starting points so I can hit the ground running rather than chasing stuff that won't really progress me. You'd be surprised how much I've learned just from 1 person taking a little time to answer some basic questions. But thanks for the tips, I'm definitely trying to see what's out there to help me on this.
As a starting point, I'd direct you to the Basic Rules. They contain a lot of the steps players and DMs rely on to creating characters, building encounters and running games. If you have the funds for it, pick up the PHB, MM and DMG as most content revolve around these three books.
As a new DM, start with a campaign book. Give it a good read, as knowing what's ahead will help streamline the story you'll be making. Keep notes on the players choices and actions, as what they do can possibly affect the world around them.
Have an open mind and be prepared to improvise. Players often go off the beaten path and do some crazy things. The module can't be prepared for everything, so you'll need to fill in the gaps your players create.
Finally, try to present challenges for the players to overcome. I'm running a game using the Ravnica setting, and my level 1 players have already fought off pairs of goblins and wolves and are currently dealing with 2 veterans and a mage. Looking at it as a combat encounter, it'd be nearly impossible. However, they can turn it into a chase or talk their way out of hot water. They may even do something I'm not expecting! Something like this will push them to level 2.
I watched Matt Mercer run the Critical Role for a long time before I ever DM'd... still have never experienced D&D as player lol. You can learn so much about running a game from watching a Master at work. There are others but he's who I watched.
Best rule to remember is you decide the rules...and just have fun.
I am a new DM and I am going to leave some things I have learned here.
Resources, just keep scouring the internet for how-to video and instructional videos until you find some that click. I watched countless help videos and articles and none worked until recently when I found the ones that spoke to me personally.
Lost Mines of Phandelver (and other sourcebooks) - Read sourcebooks. Just read em like a regular book lol study them. COPY them with your own twist.
techniques:
COPYING: is a technique I use to learn any new skill. Find those that are better than you and try to create your own version. Keep doing this until you are so good at it you don't even need to copy anymore, you can just do it on your own. It is how I learned photography. I looked at photos I liked and wanted to take pictures like and then tried to recreate them with what I had. Now I don't need to do that anymore, I just go out and take photos.
Practice: Just write an adventure. Throw it away or set it to the side. Write another one. Start with a short dungeon and try to tell a very short story from beginning to end. Research "The 5 Room Dungeon" method. Quick and good practice.
Read novels: it just works.
Always ask WHY? Why is a certain thing the way it is?, why is the villain doing what they are doing?
Lastly, don't be too hard on yourself, but always WANT to improve. If you want something, your sheer will to learn will force it out eventually and maybe even inevitably.
Just create stuff even if it sucks or you just think it sucks, it all adds up and there is no replacement for experience you gain from it. Just do it, create shit. Take action.
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It's like asking someone here how to create your magnum opus. It's more than a text or any PM could ever contain.
I dont say this to discourage you, but to simply state no single person could teach you everything you'd need to know.
My best piece of advice is watch a bunch of youtube on the subject and jump feet first into the task. No teacher like hands on experience. Do it and learn as you go. It's kind of how most people learn.
Also, sometimes it's a thankless job like parenting. So be prepared to be disappointed and taken for granted...but it might be worth it in the end.
I'm not asking people for the whole set up and hold my hand, just looking for basic starting points so I can hit the ground running rather than chasing stuff that won't really progress me. You'd be surprised how much I've learned just from 1 person taking a little time to answer some basic questions. But thanks for the tips, I'm definitely trying to see what's out there to help me on this.
As a starting point, I'd direct you to the Basic Rules. They contain a lot of the steps players and DMs rely on to creating characters, building encounters and running games. If you have the funds for it, pick up the PHB, MM and DMG as most content revolve around these three books.
As a new DM, start with a campaign book. Give it a good read, as knowing what's ahead will help streamline the story you'll be making. Keep notes on the players choices and actions, as what they do can possibly affect the world around them.
Have an open mind and be prepared to improvise. Players often go off the beaten path and do some crazy things. The module can't be prepared for everything, so you'll need to fill in the gaps your players create.
Finally, try to present challenges for the players to overcome. I'm running a game using the Ravnica setting, and my level 1 players have already fought off pairs of goblins and wolves and are currently dealing with 2 veterans and a mage. Looking at it as a combat encounter, it'd be nearly impossible. However, they can turn it into a chase or talk their way out of hot water. They may even do something I'm not expecting! Something like this will push them to level 2.
For practical advice, instructions, and tips watch Matthew Colvile's "Running the Game" videos. There are a ton of them and he is super helpful for someone getting started. Here's a link - https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLlUk42GiU2guNzWBzxn7hs8MaV7ELLCP_
I watched Matt Mercer run the Critical Role for a long time before I ever DM'd... still have never experienced D&D as player lol. You can learn so much about running a game from watching a Master at work. There are others but he's who I watched.
Best rule to remember is you decide the rules...and just have fun.
Good luck!
You can check out my journey on YouTube as well: allthingslich.
I have over 100 videos and many of them are geared to what you might be looking for.
The channel is heavily focused towards new DMs and "how to be a better DM." (Whatever that means.)
All things Lich - DM tips, tricks, and other creative shenanigans
This guy has already done all of the hard work for you. It is the best resource I could ever recommend to help you.
Creating Epic Boons on DDB
DDB Buyers' Guide
Hardcovers, DDB & You
Content Troubleshooting
I am a new DM and I am going to leave some things I have learned here.
Resources, just keep scouring the internet for how-to video and instructional videos until you find some that click. I watched countless help videos and articles and none worked until recently when I found the ones that spoke to me personally.
Resources that have helped me:
The Angry GM - Surprisingly very helpful: https://theangrygm.com
WebDM - https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC7XFmdssWgaPzGyGbKk8GaQ
Lost Mines of Phandelver (and other sourcebooks) - Read sourcebooks. Just read em like a regular book lol study them. COPY them with your own twist.
techniques:
COPYING: is a technique I use to learn any new skill. Find those that are better than you and try to create your own version. Keep doing this until you are so good at it you don't even need to copy anymore, you can just do it on your own. It is how I learned photography. I looked at photos I liked and wanted to take pictures like and then tried to recreate them with what I had. Now I don't need to do that anymore, I just go out and take photos.
Practice: Just write an adventure. Throw it away or set it to the side. Write another one. Start with a short dungeon and try to tell a very short story from beginning to end. Research "The 5 Room Dungeon" method. Quick and good practice.
Read novels: it just works.
Always ask WHY? Why is a certain thing the way it is?, why is the villain doing what they are doing?
Lastly, don't be too hard on yourself, but always WANT to improve. If you want something, your sheer will to learn will force it out eventually and maybe even inevitably.
good luck!
1 more thing:
Just create stuff even if it sucks or you just think it sucks, it all adds up and there is no replacement for experience you gain from it. Just do it, create shit. Take action.