D&D Tips For Becoming A Better DM

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Anyone who plays Dungeons & Dragons knows that the Dungeon Master’s role is crucial, and every DM wants to be the best they can be. Every DM has their own style and way of running a game, making each story they weave wonderfully personal. There are many resources available to DMs to help make their lives a little easier as they build and bring worlds to life for the enjoyment of others.

There is a lot of preparation involved in even the bare minimum to DM a D&D campaign, and without a doubt, the DM is the person who will be working the hardest throughout the whole story. This is because the DM is the member of the group who runs the story by acting as the narrator, NPCs, and enemies and, as such, wears multiple hats all at the same time. Whether they choose to use a published campaign or a unique homebrew, DMs have a lot on their plate.

Related: Why D&D Took 30 Years To Rerelease The Spelljammer Campaign Setting

The DM holds the most responsibility as they control the world, the adventure, and the rules. Whether a person has been a DM for a long time or is just starting out, there is always room for improvement. Not everyone will start DMing like Critical Role’s Matthew Mercer, so here are some helpful tips for people to become better DMs.

Something that isn’t always made clear to new DMs is the importance of a session zero; however, as time goes on, even long-time DMs can start to skip this important step. Session zeros are vital as they offer the time and space for the DM and players to sit down and discuss what type of campaign they want to play. This doesn’t mean a DM has to tell their players the entire storyline but instead means that expectations need to be set for all involved.

A DM needs to know the group they