#first time dm tips

[dungeonsanddragonscampaign]

First Time DM Tips

Tip 4: Pacing & Repair

It is difficult to get a handle on pacing, particularly when first starting out. This is something that there is no single solution to, as it will vary depending on your players. If you are concerned about the pacing in your storyline, review a few key questions: Do I feel as if the story drags, or is going by too quickly? Do my players seem to feel their characters have accomplished what they need to accomplish in the time they have been given? How are my story hooks being revealed in relation to the story? Are too many or too few already being revealed? Is there a plot reason for this?

Do not be afraid to implement ways to amend any current campaign issues. This could include (but is not limited to), adding another hook or arc to keep the story moving (or so that you have something for later), retconning in-character time to be less or more depending on need, or editing unrevealed details about the world or story. Your characters will take it in places you may have never imagined.

[dungeonsanddragonscampaign]

First Time DM Tips

TIP 3: STORY & BUILD-UP

We have talked at length in other instances regarding story, world, and character building. The more prepared you are in this sense, generally, the better off you will be. However, do not over-prepare or fail to give yourself an out. It is okay to direct characters to an important story hook, but feeling that they need to fully explore everything you have created will only cause stress. Repurposing comes in handy in an instance such as this - if your players blow through a town you spent three hours creating, move the parts of that town you are able to another place later in the story, and allow your characters to explore it then. This will save you time in the future, having already created this content.

As far as plot goes, It’s so tempting to get right to the juicy parts, but remember that wait can be rewarding. Withholding a big reveal for later, or letting your characters build camaraderie before plunging them into a trying situation may give a bigger payoff. The more invested both the characters and players become, the better.