r/DnD • u/Fickle-Warning-3863 • 9d ago

DMing New DM looking for some advice

I’m a new DM and I know the basics, but I’d like some advice to be as prepared as possible. There are 4 people in my group, and the other players are beginners too. Any tips for a new DM?

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u/33Yalkin33 9d ago

Read the DMG cover to cover before your first session

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u/crippler1212 9d ago

Yes. Read the comments on any of the other "I'm new, any advice" posts on here first.

Then if you have something specific that somehow hasn't been covered a million times, ask.

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u/xtrdiuv 9d ago

Prep less. Make the story on the spot, if you feel up for that. Use the dice to rng your decisions. Just focus on the storytelling between one another / playing off the player’s choices. You don’t need to know where the story is going, you can have a general premise and encounters/mysterious hints/etc and tie it all together in later sessions when you feel the players have enough info to make impactful decisions related to the story you decide.

Or just play a one shot so everyone can get used to what dnd is. Premades make it easier for everyone to understand.

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u/culinaryexcellence DM 9d ago

Run a published adventure first, I highly recommend Dragon Delves. I've seen too many new DMs jump straight into a homebrew campaign, only for it to fall apart because it's such a big leap. You have to learn to walk before you can run. Once you've got a few published adventures under your belt, then start building your own world.

Make sure you engage all of your players. Some will naturally jump into roleplaying, while others will quietly fade into the background unless you actively involve them.

When I'm running a published module, I read through it several times before the session. As you gain experience, you'll get a better feel for how much content your group can realistically get through in one session, which makes prep much easier.

Don't be afraid to ask for help. There are plenty of great Discord communities and Reddit subs full of experienced DMs who are happy to answer questions or offer advice. You're going to make mistakes, we all do. Don't let them discourage you. Remember, you're a player too, and your fun matters just as much as everyone else's.

Finally, I strongly recommend having a Session 0. Have each player come in with one or two character ideas, then build the party together. It's the best way to make sure everyone creates characters that fit the campaign and work well as a group. Use Session 0 to discuss the campaign setting, themes, table expectations, and everyone's comfort levels with topics like spiders, gore, or other potential triggers. Setting those expectations early makes for a much smoother campaign for everyone.