I'm a new D&D player and I'm interested in being a DM.
I am currently developing a fantasy world with one of my best friends, and I want to host a D&D campaign using it. I have some questions about custom worlds from a DM perspective. This might be a mouthful, sorry guys!
How would enemies work? Would I have to write new sheets for every enemy, or can I take some from D&D Basic Rules? On another note, how do I even write enemy sheets?
I am playing with online friends. How would a map work? I'm really interested in grid-style play and I don't know how I would make it work online.
I will edit this threat / add to the comments if I have any more questions. I love you all and I love this community!
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Cowboy, the Dragonborn / Aarakocra Obsessed Dumbass
" Every adventure's better with a friend! " - Nunu
You can take an adapt enemies from the Basic Rules, or write your own, but when creating your own be careful of balancing, you'll see how each enemy has a CR (or Challenge Rating) score. This is a comparison of the average challenge it would be for a party of that level.
As far as maps, you can either post a map in your Discord channel, or use a VTT (Virtual Tabletop) like Fantasy Grounds, Roll20 or one of the various ones in development (and some of the old school ones maybe around still).
I grew up playing without maps or minis and I still don't use them to this day, because I prefer cinematic combat over the limits of a grid, so I don't use a VTT when I run my games. I really can't suggest which would be better for you, but I'm sure others can.
As a DM, you don't even really need a stat block. You can go on the entire campaign going off your head. There's a goblin archer? It makes sense that he has a mere +2 to hit with his shortbow. But a veteran archer who's fought in wars? It makes sense that he has an astounding +10 to hit, and a few magic items to make him more lethal. But remember:
ITS BETTER TO HAVE FUN THAN GO BY THE RULES.
It sounds obvious, but it's not. If your PC's are struggling against a simple encounter that was supposed to be fast, don't go along with the rolls, do what you think is the best for the party. That simple goblin archer is just too evasive for the party, and they just can't hit it. But the goblin keeps rolling 19s and 20s, and keeps on nailing the PC's. I struggled with this during my early DM years. So to bring this back to the main point:
You need not rely on stat blocks. They are helpful, yes, but don't worry if you can't understand them or don't have access to them.
However, since you are playing VTTs, the stats may be automated. I don't really use VTTs, I facetime my D&D groups, and play like that. So my knowledge and advice cuts out after that. Do you have any more questions?
Rollback Post to RevisionRollBack
I love roleplaying, message me so we can set something up.
I talk everything D&D, message me for questions, chat, arguements, or roleplay!
Thank you so much for the advice, I really appreciate it!
I'm not certain if I want to use a VTT yet or not. While I think having a grid would be a lot easier for a beginner DM like me, I don't know the advantages/disadvantages of having a VTT or not having one. I know about websites like Donjon, Kobold Fight Club and the map maker ( thanks to beginner guides such as this video, ) but I feel like there's still a lot I'm missing.
I'm not expecting my first session ( which will most likely be a one-shot ) to be perfect and incredible. I'm just hoping I can make an enjoyable dungeon with interesting characters.
My biggest suggestion for monsters is to reskin existing ones. Take the monster stat block you want to use and just call it something else. That way you don't have to worry about balance, you can take the work WotC has already put into a monster and use it in the way you want!
Hi guys!
I'm a new D&D player and I'm interested in being a DM.
I am currently developing a fantasy world with one of my best friends, and I want to host a D&D campaign using it. I have some questions about custom worlds from a DM perspective. This might be a mouthful, sorry guys!
How would enemies work? Would I have to write new sheets for every enemy, or can I take some from D&D Basic Rules? On another note, how do I even write enemy sheets?
I am playing with online friends. How would a map work? I'm really interested in grid-style play and I don't know how I would make it work online.
I will edit this threat / add to the comments if I have any more questions. I love you all and I love this community!
Cowboy, the Dragonborn / Aarakocra Obsessed Dumbass
" Every adventure's better with a friend! " - Nunu
You can take an adapt enemies from the Basic Rules, or write your own, but when creating your own be careful of balancing, you'll see how each enemy has a CR (or Challenge Rating) score. This is a comparison of the average challenge it would be for a party of that level.
As far as maps, you can either post a map in your Discord channel, or use a VTT (Virtual Tabletop) like Fantasy Grounds, Roll20 or one of the various ones in development (and some of the old school ones maybe around still).
I grew up playing without maps or minis and I still don't use them to this day, because I prefer cinematic combat over the limits of a grid, so I don't use a VTT when I run my games. I really can't suggest which would be better for you, but I'm sure others can.
As a DM, you don't even really need a stat block. You can go on the entire campaign going off your head. There's a goblin archer? It makes sense that he has a mere +2 to hit with his shortbow. But a veteran archer who's fought in wars? It makes sense that he has an astounding +10 to hit, and a few magic items to make him more lethal. But remember:
ITS BETTER TO HAVE FUN THAN GO BY THE RULES.
It sounds obvious, but it's not. If your PC's are struggling against a simple encounter that was supposed to be fast, don't go along with the rolls, do what you think is the best for the party. That simple goblin archer is just too evasive for the party, and they just can't hit it. But the goblin keeps rolling 19s and 20s, and keeps on nailing the PC's. I struggled with this during my early DM years. So to bring this back to the main point:
You need not rely on stat blocks. They are helpful, yes, but don't worry if you can't understand them or don't have access to them.
However, since you are playing VTTs, the stats may be automated. I don't really use VTTs, I facetime my D&D groups, and play like that. So my knowledge and advice cuts out after that. Do you have any more questions?
I love roleplaying, message me so we can set something up.
I talk everything D&D, message me for questions, chat, arguements, or roleplay!
Thank you so much for the advice, I really appreciate it!
I'm not certain if I want to use a VTT yet or not. While I think having a grid would be a lot easier for a beginner DM like me, I don't know the advantages/disadvantages of having a VTT or not having one. I know about websites like Donjon, Kobold Fight Club and the map maker ( thanks to beginner guides such as this video, ) but I feel like there's still a lot I'm missing.
I'm not expecting my first session ( which will most likely be a one-shot ) to be perfect and incredible. I'm just hoping I can make an enjoyable dungeon with interesting characters.
Cowboy, the Dragonborn / Aarakocra Obsessed Dumbass
" Every adventure's better with a friend! " - Nunu
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InsiderIf it helps we have a bunch of articles written to help new players and DMs, and many of them deal with running monsters and creating encounters. James Haeck just posted an article that's a masterpost collecting the links all in one place, for your convenience!
My biggest suggestion for monsters is to reskin existing ones. Take the monster stat block you want to use and just call it something else. That way you don't have to worry about balance, you can take the work WotC has already put into a monster and use it in the way you want!
Find me on Twitter: @OboeLauren