Guide to being a dungeon master
Being a dungeon master (DM) in Dungeons & Dragons is an exciting and rewarding experience. As the DM, you guide the story and the world, creating the experience for your players. Here's a beginner's guide to getting started.
Learn the rules: Read the Player's Handbook and, if you can, the Dungeon Master's Guide and Monster Manual. You don't need to memorize everything, but the books provide a good overview and plenty of inspiration. Browse our D&D books.
Plan your campaign: A campaign is a series of interconnected adventures that unfold over time. Have an idea of what the campaign is about and what adventures the players will embark on.
Create a world: As the DM, you decide what the world is like: its places, history, cultures and the people the players meet.
Write and run adventures: Adventures consist of combat, challenges and roleplaying. Instead of starting from scratch, you can use a ready-made adventure like The Wild Beyond the Witchlight. The Dungeon Craft books also offer plenty of ideas.
Talk to your players: Listen to them, answer their questions and help them with the rules.
Be flexible: Players will often take the story in unexpected directions. A good DM adapts and goes along with their ideas.
Have fun: The most important thing is that you and your players all have a good time.
Useful equipment for a DM
A dungeon master screen hides your notes and dice rolls. A battlemap and roleplaying miniatures help everyone keep track of combat, and a notebook is useful for planning sessions.
So gather your friends, sharpen your imagination and let the adventure begin!