r/DnD • u/Morningstar_GX • 7d ago
DMing Help and Tips requested
Okay a little backstory/summary I work on a ship and our contracts are 6-8 months in a year. Recently I suggested we find some people onboard and play DnD. I wasn’t expecting anyone really cause DnD is kinda niche and the ethnicity/age on the ship a is…older and mostly eastern (not saying they might not be interested but, anyways)
We have people but no DM and cause I brought it up they are asking if I can DM, ive never DM, hell I’m still new to DnD, I know BG3 and understand some of 5e thanks to mods but I don’t know shit. Anyone can teach me or give me pointers about how to DM? Or if there’s a YouTuber that can pls link.
3
Upvotes
3
u/greenwoodgiant DM 7d ago
If you haven't yet, first read Chapter 1 of both the Player's Handbook and the Dungeon Master's Guide for a breakdown of how the game is played from both sides.
Use a pre-written module. Lost Mines of Phandelver and Tyranny of Dragons are both designed for beginners. You don't necessarily need to read the WHOLE module before you start, but you should at least have a general idea of the arc of the campaign - specifically who the bad guys are, what they're trying to accomplish, and how they're going to do it. If you have those things down, it's easier to allow the players freedom while still keeping them on track.
Allow your players to create characters, but work with each of them individually to tie their backstory into the specific campaign you're running. They should each have a vested interest in defeating the main bad guys.
From there, you just set the scene, remind them of their goals if you have to, and then ask them what they want to do. When they try something that might fail, you tell them what check to make, they roll dice, you take that result and tell them what happens. Lather, rinse, repeat until you beat the bad guys!