3 Steps to Improve Your Narration in D&D (#99)

[@isultansultangaliev5852]

I don't know anything about this man but he looks like the most respectable Dungeon Master I've ever seen.

[@raccoon0413]

he looks like a professor, doesn't he

[@flamesofhellstudio]

He looks like a lawyer. So he fits in with D&D. Because he can be a rules lawyer. Take rule breakers to rules court, and get them convicted of rules crimes, and sentenced to rules jail

[@k-aw-teksleepysageuni8181]

He plays with mostly women, so I'd imagine he must be GREAT.

[@drowningin]

You haven't seen him in cosplay. It's a totally different story

[@JohnSmith-ox3gy]

Do you want this man to rule over FATE and the LAWS OF PHYSICS?

[@GreekGeek73]

Two words: Robert Howard. Read his stories. He is the best I know in describing an entire city or a battle with only a few sentences. Much more effective than bloated text.

[@haveswordwilltravel]

R.E.H. was a genius.

[@DUNGEONCRAFT1]

YES! Howard will be mentioned in my follow-up video on describing combat.

[@markgarrett7428]

Any specific works you'd suggest?

[@GreekGeek73]

All of his work is amazing. Start with Conan. But the description of Stygia in Hour of the Dragon is the best description of a city ever. Two or three sentences, and the city springs to mind.

[@DUNGEONCRAFT1]

@@markgarrett7428 "Tower of the Elephant" and "Red Nails"

[@thenoble1]

When DMing, I bend the rules to what works for our group, so mechanical videos don't help as much, but these RP/flavor videos help a ton. Thanks, DC!

[@DUNGEONCRAFT1]

Share it. I'll do more if it gets views.

[@craddockficara]

I love this, but would humbly suggest one important took, the leading question. I often have quirky thinking out of the box players who often have unexpected ideas, so I use the leading question to tell them, "I wasn't planning a stop here, but what about you?". So, for example at the door to the inn, I would say " so you go inside?" And a quick nod and we continue, but it gives the players a chance to jump in and take an action.

[@DUNGEONCRAFT1]

Great suggestions!

[@Keaggan]

When you stop and said we can imagine the "large mahogany desk and frills around his collar" I thought damn NOW I see it...now I FEEL it too" which added the next level immersion that makes RPGs so great. I think you're cutting yourself short. Spending 10 seconds instead of 30 is fine but dropping it down to 3 seconds helps no one.

[@JorisVDC]

I get what you mean, this is to make it clear that you don't have to tell all the details. Players can ask, if what they imagine is how it is. Like 'is he a fat balding man, with opulent rings on all fingers?' Like this it becomes a co-operative story telling, which makes it all that more fun. Players are more involved and the DM can be inspired by the players and say: "Yes and...." which is the crucial sentence in improvisation.

[@JohnSmith-ox3gy]

I really wanted to know what rings he had on his hands. Seal, mark of a guild, bling or perhaps he is married. Hands tell alot about people.

[@thebeatles9]

describe objects and decor that wpuld help amplify the persona of the npc you are encountering

[@wonder_platypus8337]

Exactly. Like with the thief stealing the letter. If you just say they either successfully stole it or got caught you're taking away so many rp moments. Maybe they rummage through every desk and find a few gold pieces that they wouldn't have otherwise. Or a guard making there rounds forces the player to hide in an room or under a desk. Maybe they sneak around and incapacitate the guard before getting the hell out of there with the letter. No details don't have to be overwhelming but turning what could be a character defining moment into a 5 second dice role robs your player a chance to embody their characters. What if that guard caught the player and they had to kill or injurer them which the character feels immense guilt over because he was just a guard trying to feed his family. In my opinion Large plot points can be more easily railroaded than individual encounters or situations. If a player feels that they have control of their character moment by moment. They wont think twice about the story being more directed. (If that's required)

[@brendanmcmannis3334]

@Paul Gauthier lol no they fucking wont

[@trouqe]

"Barbarian of Seville," he says with smooth transition.

[@catfishcave379]

I laughed and laughed at that reference.

[@trouqe]

@@catfishcave379 I think I may have to use this in my game now

[@thor30013]

@@catfishcave379 I was more amused by him referring to them as "discriminating" adventurers rather than "discerning" adventurers. Even if it was a slip of the tongue, It's funny.

[@johnjaeger2968]

@@thor30013 it wasn't a slip of the tongue. That has just beaten up a tobaxi couple in a most hateful manner

[@bretsheeley4034]

Not sure why KZbin randomly gave me this video from over 15 months ago, but I highly appreciate it.

[@nhear001]

I know why it does, but regardless it’s a great video.

[@hedgewizardly]

Your third point is the problem I've been stuck on that NO-ONE else I've found has seemed to address, thank you so so much!!

[@fuzzydragon]

if my players asked for the reader digest version of the city I would pause take a sip of tea and proceed to describe how the city looks as the Roc swoops in and carried off his character evicerating it over the spiraling towers, his blood striking red atop the terracotta tiles of the rooves that overhang the sleepy cobbled streats that wind with serpentine sugjestion across the primordial slopes of the hillside, his pancreas carried off by one of the city's many stray dogs that go unnoticed by those with eyes for the higher concerns and profits of man.

[@DUNGEONCRAFT1]

+200xp. I'm literally doubled over with laughter. Showing my wife this. She was there for that game.

[@Vokalplus]

Very important video! thank you!

[@briantalbert2985]

Great vid as always Dan. You've definitely helped me up my DMing skills and I've been playing since '78.

[@DUNGEONCRAFT1]

Awesome! Thanks for commenting!

[@everythingisbeingcool]

He has a name?!

[@nemooh]

great advise. And I love playing with no initiative and I love even more the "everyone declares" and attacks and rolls at the time.

[@bryankiep]

This has been the most helpful DnD video I have seen on KZbin so far. It demonstrates the art of how to be more clear and concise. I’ve enjoyed immensely. Thank you!

[@tonyc1036]

This. I wanted to say this same thing. Over. And. Over. It's perfect. Thanks

[@haveswordwilltravel]

I am guilty of over-describing things. I really needed to hear this advice. Thanks Professor.

[@Fjuron]

Suggesting the players options of what they could or should do through clever narration is truly helpful. Not only does it engage them more, but also keep ups the pace excellently. Especially for newer players; I can tell from my experience with my current group. 😊

[@DUNGEONCRAFT1]

Thanks for watching and taking the time to share a comment!

[@Michael-vo3tk]

such a good vid, i keep coming back to watch it between almost every session!

[@markc8126]

You're "crazy guy" minimalistic custom rules are what makes you unique! It's why I subscribed. Keep up the good work.

[@charlesmelenyzer8919]

This was excellent food for thought. I especially like the way he presents his case then closes with the mention of railroading which is the one accusation against this style. This was definitely a good way to spend ten minutes. Thank you.

[@pez5767]

Dear GMs, please follow this advice. The number of times I've played in a game, been lost about what I should be doing, and had the GM get frustrated at me that I didn't cull the one singular essential detail from his laundry list of "would be novelist" descriptions that didn't matter!!! Arrrgh. Please give your players some freaking direction and let them get on with the game.

[@DUNGEONCRAFT1]

I literally laughed out loud when I read this comment. I've been there and feel your pain. Keep sharing the video!

[@miaomiiao]

Go play a video game.

[@user-dd9dh9kw5c]

@@miaomiiao I agree I couldn't disagree with this advice more. Sometimes an important room really needs a few sentences. Sure if you are describing a puzzle take it slow and describe the things that should be paid attention to everything else however needs that awesome dripping with detail description. I always side with this more 1. describe the room in 2 - 3 sentences of detail, 2 describe and action happening in the room in a short but descriptive sentence (if none gloss over). 3 describe monsters last, always last.

[@Mannahnin]

Great stuff as usual. Spending all the time and planning effort to burgle the office is something some groups really enjoy, but it's always good to be aware that as a GM you don't have to use all that detail and spend all that time if you don't want to or the pace of the game would suffer. Some great tidbits about emphasis, focus, and giving players enough info to engage with the world and not be lost, too.

[@DUNGEONCRAFT1]

Thanks for taking the time to comment!

[@harrison3207]

Exceptional advice. I think this has helped me identify what causes me to struggle with pacing. Asking 'what do you do?' too soon, not 'Leading the Players' by presenting logical, dramatic options quick enough or failing to move the camera to where the real action is what kills my momentum the most.

[@GothmogLives_G40]

Excellent video! I've GM'd for over 2o years and I still struggle with this. Great ideas!

[@DUNGEONCRAFT1]

It isn't easy. Thanks for commenting!

[@johnbruno8517]

I love all of professor dungeon master’s videos!

[@DUNGEONCRAFT1]

This is one of the better ones.

[@JD77ATH]

Really is a brilliant invaluable video for bringing precise attention to those roleplaying moments where you can have blank faced PCs looking at you not knowing exactly how to respond to your, “So what do you do?”

[@DUNGEONCRAFT1]

Thanks for commenting!

[@JD77ATH]

Dungeon Craft You’re so welcome. Thank you for making the best D&D videos I’ve ever watched

[@chummer2060]

I've been writing simple descriptive key words in my game notes to remind me. It helps lighten the prep but keep the game flavorful.

[@Horse2021]

Can not express how great this video is in making any RPG run smoother. Such a simple set of ideas that I am going to be kicking myself for not thinking of them 35 years ago.

[@sequoyahwright]

Shadows Over Bogenhafen... A Master Classic. Well played, sir.

[@andrewmiller2236]

Clear, concise, and very helpful. Thanks prof.!

[@DUNGEONCRAFT1]

Thanks!

[@1329mac]

I so enjoy using your information to better our gaming campaigns. Thanks for all the ways you've improved our gaming and the fun we have while playing

[@Roulouffson]

I regularly play in a VampireThe Masquerade game where we only have 3 players. Our Storyteller (DM), describes the flow just as the Professor describes here. We roll no dice in our games, save a few for very rare combat encounters and the story moves almost like a play or book. A brilliant video for beginners and experienced players alike. This should always come before UDTs and worries about initiative.

[@TestaJ]

Hey I just started to DM and your advice really helped me. I enjoy playing more because of your channel. Thank you

[@DUNGEONCRAFT1]

You’re very welcome!

[@samuelswasey7908]

Incredibly helpful. As a DM that started quite recently guiding the party has been difficult. This is gonna help me to guide the party better. Thank you!

[@duskanddawn8543]

Huh, interesting. I really like deep description of rooms if my character is looking around, or sneaking in. It really helps me create the room in my head, and see things I can use. For example, how can I say that I will pull the bookshelf down against an enemy if the DM didn't say there was one there? And I noticed that as a DM, I do overdetail a lot. I never had any player complain about it though. I guess it depends from table to table.

[@JD77ATH]

Looks great! I’m watching it right now! You’ve just mentioned my favourite scenario and the first game I ever GMed “Shadows Over Bogenhafen” I really could have done with Dan’s tutorage as I was a teenager and wasn’t at all ready or prepared for what the players would eventually do. Their clever patient sleuthing in an instant turned into a murderous rampage when one of the players received severe injuries. They located the doctor’s house and started beating down the doctor’s door at like 4 in the morning. He grabbed a blunderbuss to defend himself but before any dialogue could be made one of the PCs shoot him between the eyes with a crossbow. All of a sudden even the quietest most reasonable players began acting like a gang of wild gorillas. Absolutely brilliant memories of playing it but I was personally devastated with how the investigation ended. They were massacred to a man by the local authorities aided by a large crazed posse who felt more than aggrieved at losing their only doctor.

[@DUNGEONCRAFT1]

Then the cult ritual went off and the town was decimated. Grim and perilous indeed.

[@JD77ATH]

Dungeon Craft Do you know I never even thought about the ultimate consequences of their failure. Almost thirty years of feeling bad about the outcome but never spared a single thought for the poor citizens of the Empire. Now I have another reason for feeling crap about it 😂

[@jacoblutz6211]

Man this was just what I was looking for! For me this has been the most difficult and crucial part for me as a new dm

[@knghtbrd]

I gotta say I do appreciate the Mission Impossible style caper, it's only really FUN because the plans are crazy elaborate that it accounts for everything, and then something you couldn't possibly account for happens and they just pull it all off anyway. That doesn't work in a game because there are two possibilities: 1. It's a narrative, not a game. The heist is going to just work out, like it does in the movies. Only it's not about Ethan and his IMF team, it's about the players at your table and the characters they've invested in. "About them, without them." I'm going to guess that the professor is quite familiar with the concept, but it kinda explains itself: If the players are superfluous to the game at any time, what's the point of doing it? 2. There's a very real (and given that we're talking about a game played with dice, at least a 5% chance of a natural 1 roll each decision) chance of failure. But wait, nothing's perfect, and the odds that they'll fail horribly of 5% seems quite reasonable. Except I'm here to tell you that the odds of catastrophic failure of playing out the MI-style heist aren't 5% if you're not up on your math. What're the odds of a natural 1 in a single roll? 5%. 1/20. How about on two rolls? Not 2/40. Because of the 40 possible outcomes of rolling two dice, three of those possibilities roll a 1. How many ability checks are there going to be in a heist movie style escapade? Five? Six? What're the odds ONE of those is going to be a natural 1? Can't be that high can it? Let's use n = 6 to drive home the point. The probability of rolling a natural one is the total number of outcomes minus the outcomes where you DIDN'T roll a natural one. (Leaving those where you did.) So subtract 19/20 to the nth power from 1 (actually 20/20 to the nth power, but … that's just 1…) I'll multiply by 100 for a percentage and … 100*(1-(19/20)^1) = 5.00000 100*(1-(19/20)^2) = 9.75000 100*(1-(19/20)^3) = 14.26300 100*(1-(19/20)^4) = 18.55000 100*(1-(19/20)^5) = 22.62200 100*(1-(19/20)^6) = 26.49100 ← You are here By the way, if you roll d20 about 14 times, you've got over 50% chance of having rolled a 1 at least once. "Roll a 5 and your thief pulls it off without a hitch…" It suddenly seems like a much better idea doesn't it?

[@DUNGEONCRAFT1]

Thank you for your thoughtful reply. You'll want to check out my "Social Encounters" episode later this month. It describes a Mission Impossible-style caper. Stay tuned!

[@knghtbrd]

@@DUNGEONCRAFT1 Ohh I am looking forward to that!

[@eatencheetos3937]

This video has helped me sooooo much. You really do have max wisdom

[@ciarajeanr]

This video helped me so much today. Thank you. I'm gonna watch it 5 more times before my game tonight.

[@DUNGEONCRAFT1]

Cool! Thanks for feeding the algorithm. Also, check out the follow-up video on Narrating combat!

[@chaderway]

Thank you. Great advice. I've been trying to run a campaign with players new to gaming and they're often lost and reluctant about taking action. This advice will definitely help keep the flow of the game.

[@MrFuzzyscreen]

Such good advice. There is nothing left to say except, thank you.

[@kerryoleary-spillane2689]

PDM is the best. Whoever told you to create this channel, must be a genius. You should totally always listen to that person.

[@eonhet7826]

Would that have been... You, per chance?

[@kerryoleary-spillane2689]

Perhaps, rabbit...perhaps.

[@loki.odinson]

Excellent video. I haven't seen anyone else talking about this. Extremely well done.

[@germannv]

Had to revisit this episode several times which means it’s excellent, I’ve been able to cut a swath of time out of my narrative and focus on the good bits…thank you Prof. DM.

[@robertcrawford4748]

Articulating what most GM's FEEL, but never put into words. Excellent way to pass down that skill set. Thank you!

[@brendanmcmannis3334]

ewwwwww

[@bretts8070]

I love all these videos! I feel like I should have been taking notes 20 videos ago but I just keep forgetting to bring a pen.

[@DUNGEONCRAFT1]

Lol. That's okay. Just watch them again from a different device so it feeds the algorithm!

[@ForeverYoungKickboxer]

Good stuff for old and new DM's! Player since 1980, DM since 1983. New subscriber since 30 seconds ago.

[@jonmcclay]

This is a phenomenal video for me as a new dm with new players!!!! Thank you for taking the time to make this

[@Enliden]

I really appreciate you mentioning looking at your notes occasionally. That's my biggest problem on narration; How much to write down notes and how to keep it fluent and with eye-contact.

[@DUNGEONCRAFT1]

Thanks. Check up the follow video on narrating combat. I thought that was a good one too.

[@brendanmcmannis3334]

@@DUNGEONCRAFT1 nah im good

[@juanjfm]

That was some of the best advice I've heard about narration. Thank you

[@rickershomesteadahobbyfarm3291]

I think alot of D&D channels are about to get real popular with the new D&D movie coming out.

[@DUNGEONCRAFT1]

We'll see. the B.O. is tracking lower.

[@beyondfantasy4972]

A navy blue-feathered arrow pierces Gimble's chest like a piece of paper. He tumbles onto the cobblestone road from the caravan, "Protect the duchess! But above all else, protect the cargo!" You see red eyes glowing in the trees as wolf-like roar booms from the rosewood leaves. I think you just helped me solve my description problem. I use to do this thing where I would use figures of speech all the time, and man - let me tell you - it was draining. :) Thank you so much!

[@yevvieart]

I used to be a DM, now I work in art/game dev, and I have a small suggestion that could probably help. Try to advertise/market the channel towards worldbuilders and novel writers as well as D&D GM. I found it extremely helpful to look at D&D tips to help me get back into swing of proper storytelling within the script for my game, and I truly think you should add "storytelling/writing/worldbuilding advice" as a legit tag/description part. I hope your channel grows well and I'm on board to see what else you've got to share!

[@oddlyonlyjack9560]

Thank you sir, experience is knowledge. You did this consciously. This video deserves all thumbs up!

[@francoisdumont4105]

I love all of your videos. But by far this is the best DMing advice I ever got.

[@SeanLaMontagne]

"The guy that says you can play D&D without initiative?" Whaaaaaaaaaat I already love it and I need to know more.

[@Bdavis2475]

Initiative is only necessary when two characters are trying to do competing things at the same time. If you're both trying to stab each other, initiative decides who strikes first. But if you're stabbing a sleeping enemy, you just do it, no rolls necessary

[@Dragondrpkick]

Really good lesson in this vid as I am new DM and that last bit of information to help out unknowing new players with high proficiencies was a game changer.

[@toshley6192]

Finally! A good DnD tips channel with a host who is calm and pleasant. You've gotten my Sub. Way too many DnD youtubers are so excitable and talk so fast it detracts from the information they're trying to get across. You sound more like an audiobook narrator.

[@DUNGEONCRAFT1]

LOL. My friends actually make fun of me for talking too FAST in the videos. In real life I'm a slow talker. I'll rewatch this video to try to match the pace. Thanks for subbing. New videos every Thursday/

[@MondoJohnny]

Great vid! I'm going to use this method because I definitely fall into the over describing trap.

[@anthonynorman7545]

I'm normally self-conscious about listing my players' options because I don't want to railroad in my sandbox, but the James Bond example showed me how to do so. I'm definitely going to be returning to this

[@connorshartle3383]

As a DM, I found this super helpful, and honestly was exactly what I needed to hear! Thanks!

[@DUNGEONCRAFT1]

Stay tuned. How to describe combat drops in a couple weeks.

[@ronsmith3905]

Great video. Was really looking forward to this one. Good advice, and am glad you spoke for the many DM's that are in denial. I agree. So many are great on advice and talk, but when it comes to seeing them in action it's as if they've forgotten everything they preach about. I think this an important subject that doesn't get talked about enough when as you say "move the game forward". Loved it, keep the great content coming. Cheers!!

[@mikemartinell]

I used to include the historical detail of various places, thinking I was adding to the depth and immersion. It turned out that I was the only one who was interested. So now, even if the history of an object is important to the plot,I share just that one bit of history and no more. It's definitely about what the players want to focus on.

[@DUNGEONCRAFT1]

Thanks for sharing your thoughts!

[@trashpanda5869]

Easily your best advice really insightful. Your cinematic narration style is so much better than the dry, slow factuality that most GMs use. I'm actually building your advice into the rules of the game I am creating.

[@dganim9196]

I just had a listen to your combat narration and I wholly agree with you, R.E.Howard's works are truly fantastic, and they get even better the more you read them. You have a natural flare for cinematography in your videos and you do relate to film and direction a lot. In this video I agree that you are once again spot on on how to improve the storytelling experience for people. There is a wonderful book that might personally interest you "The Visual Story" by Bruce Block. If you ever have the opportunity to attend one of his lectures on film making and the art of visual storytelling it's well worth it. Thank you for your videos and incites.

[@iana3009]

This video is pure value! Thank you for the funny examples.

[@coreykenner5809]

I had an issue with over describing in my Dungeon World campaign and this video helped me out a lot. Shared!

[@sicantreis]

This is a great video, I have watched it twice and plan to watch is another time at least until I feel like I have really absorbed the material. Thank you!!

[@DUNGEONCRAFT1]

Thanks, Scott! Working on a "How to Narrate Combat" video now. Stay tuned!

[@scottwalker4229]

Another thoughtful video. I appreciate your videos because you do a great job presenting both the “why” of your techniques as well as the “how”.

[@Jaspertenpenny]

This is such good advice for new dms. There are many others things that will help a new dm get started but I feel like stuff like this is largely ignored.

[@markfordice162]

Excellent content. The narration will be very useful as I hone my game mastering skills. I believe the shortened narration will free up some time from the usual over preparing.

[@jeffreybasker5810]

I've just started playing 5e as the DM with my kids. This was really helpful for me. Thanks!

[@DUNGEONCRAFT1]

Thanks for watching and taking the extra time to comment!

[@chazlong61]

Absolute Gold as usual, Professor. My only constructive quibble might be to add that in addition to understanding what your players like and enjoy, that understanding what the characters can do is important. Bogenhafen is great until the DM realizes there are no rogues to swipe the note or to even search for it. Suddenly, the DM is looking for a way to give that one vital clue to the party. :) Admittedly, that dichotomy might take care of itself as players in a group without a rogue might not be the sort to enjoy Bogenhafen to begin with. Great episode. Always love to see the WFRP roots show. :)

[@DUNGEONCRAFT1]

Yeah. You definitely need a rogue for that scenario.

[@sterlingsteele1394]

This advice has been priceless for me, thank you so much.

[@DUNGEONCRAFT1]

Glad it was helpful!

[@petrofski88]

Really nice summary. I do struggle sometimes not with being over descriptive but certainly not "moving the camera" enough. And I was aware of it, but at the same time was afraid to give them the feeling that I am controlling them. The examples you gave however really show that the storytelling has the solution :) pretty awesome! Subscribed!

[@andrewlee3902]

Fantastic advice for a new DM! I was wondering how to make the game less clunky for relatively new players without railroading. This is exactly what I needed!

[@joesgotmore]

I do agree with most of what you present. However, it depends on the type of game IMO. A bit more description may be needed to draw the PC's into the world. But I do agree that every single thing in a room is unnecessary to point out. As a rule I would describe a room with 1. What can be seen immediately as you enter it. 2. Any smells or temperature, and 3. Any sounds if any. For example a cave. 1.2.and 3. "Rough hewn walls extend beyond the torchlight down the length of the cave. The damp smell and humid air is punctuated with the constant drips of water in the distance." Or a different cave might sound like. "The slick icy walls of the cave seem to have a life of its own as the howling winds call out like a warning. The frost from your own breath is more pronounced as you enter." or "Bones litter the entrance of the cave and as you enter the smell or rotting flesh hits you like wave on the shore." I would recommend using 2 or 3 of your senses when describing anything. Sight, Sound, Smell, Touch, even Taste if it makes sense to do so.

[@DUNGEONCRAFT1]

Great advice!

[@joesgotmore]

@@DUNGEONCRAFT1 Thank you. Really love your videos.

[@benvoliothefirst]

I agree, and would look at it like the newspapers "inverted triangle," where you start with a lot of broad strokes, and things become more and more laser-focused and brief as you move along. But it also depends on the players... I played with a new guy last week who didn't know the difference between an orc and a dwarf. I had a hard time relating to his life experience, but he got it after a few minutes and I think I made a new lifelong player out of him!

[@PersonMan1234]

This. I have never understood people desiring to blaze past everything descriptive. The whole point is to imagine yourself in another world, to play a person in another reality. How do you get into that with no description? I have had far more problems (as a player) with players trying to do things and not being able to do X because the scene or terrain wouldn't allow it, but it wasn't well described by the DM so they didn't know. 'I want to use mold earth to--' 'You can't, the floor is gravel.' 'Then i want to shoot an arrow into the window above the door and swing over.' 'You cant, the window is a stone arrow slit, no wood.' Etc.

[@VicSinclair2000]

Your pathfinder goblin behind your shoulder is adorable

[@matthewkaras7722]

I needed to listen to this a few days ago - top content! Good job.

[@JayAHafner]

I'm running THE ENEMY WITHIN very soon. Thank you for the advice on the Bogenhafen scene.

[@MarkGarringer]

Great episode as always, Professor!

[@DUNGEONCRAFT1]

Thanks!

[@tomyoung9834]

Great advice, definitely something every DM needs to know!

[@DUNGEONCRAFT1]

Thanks. I think you gave the same benediction to the "3 NPCs" video and that broke 40k. Here's hoping....

[@rlnj83]

I've watched A LOT of DnD videos online, this is among the best. Wish I would have found it sooner.

[@mikec64]

Move the camera... "After you searched the KZbin finding one verbose guide after another, exhausted from cat video distractions, and the keys on your computer worn from use, you finally find a source of valuable tips presented concisely. He has no gimmicks but his directions are precise and intentional." THANK YOU!

[@DUNGEONCRAFT1]

Thanks, Mike. I spend a lot of time writing these and I'm grateful people appreciate the effort!

[@flamesofhellstudio]

"Gallstaff, you have entered the door to the north. You are now by yourself, standing in a dark room. The pungent smell of mildew emanates off from the wet dungeon walls."

[@user-dd9dh9kw5c]

I SHOOT MAGIC MISSILE INTO THE DARKNESS

[@goyasolidar]

To be fair, having to make a Spot Hidden roll to find your luggage is totally legit.

[@LoneDiceGuy]

Was looking for this comment! Haha!

[@zombielandiii2711]

Very useful to me. Thank you very much, Professor.

[@Astartes36]

Really great video Professor! This was beyond helpful and at the same time quite intimidating. Intimidating because I realize many of your “before” examples are exactly what I do and have been doing. It isn’t exactly wrong, but it is inefficient, eating up time and interest and even sidelining the adventure I am excited for the group to get into as they get stuck trying to figure out what to do next. I think it will be a difficult exercise to start to transition my typical style, which to be fair, I think was fun, to something more like what you’ve described which will not only be fun but smoother. Thanks a lot!

[@DUNGEONCRAFT1]

You're very welcome.

[@the_riffmountain]

I am a new DM and am very happy to have found your channel 😀 Thank you for all the tips!

[@DUNGEONCRAFT1]

You’re welcome. I hope you enjoy my videos. There are a lot of them.

[@the_riffmountain]

@@DUNGEONCRAFT1 I have been watching all your videos in order and it is amazingly helpful! I absolutly love your channel and the information and experience you posses with DnD!

[@shinwonmoon6803]

Thanks for another quality video. Your channel is definitely one of the best D&D channels out there. Looking forward to your next one!

[@xxTerraPrimexx]

This was incredibly helpful, first time DM'ing and found I wasn't giving enough description (didin't want to limelight hog) Thank you!

[@jacobvanveit3437]

Something I do as a dm is assume the player characters are familiar with the setting they are traveling in. After all, their characters grew up in this world and should have vast knowledge of it. I never want my players to be blind of information just because ‘they’ don’t know the details. Any questions the players ask is usually filled with 2-3 choices. Anymore than 3 choices just stifles the game. As professor says, you don’t want to rail road them but you also need to keep the story progression. At some point through their questions and information gathering they will come to a point where danger is a foot, or their character won’t know the details. This is when we start the adventuring! Thank you Professor for all you’re hard work!

[@terrancat]

Well this is brilliant and I'm gonna have to rewatch when I GM again.

[@DUNGEONCRAFT1]

Thanks! Watch it before very game!

[@Evisela]

I was actually going to request a video on narration a few days ago! Great content as always and even more things to try out with my upcoming session.

[@DUNGEONCRAFT1]

Let me know what other topic you want to see and I'll see if I can make it happen. Cheers!

[@Evisela]

@@DUNGEONCRAFT1 well now that you mention it... In my current campaign, I'm loosely following the lost mines of phandelver story, with all the officially sanctioned dungeoncraft twists and tricks, of course. That said, I've been really thinking about the lost mine itself and I want it to have more of a "temple of doom" feel with lots of traps and puzzles. However, I feel that I'm absolutely rubbish at coming up with interesting and fun puzzles. I know you somewhat touched upon it in this video as well as in your video on mystery campaigns, but I'd love a more in-depth look at the art of crafting a challenging, yet engaging puzzle without slowing the game down too much! Again, all your videos are absolutely of the line and I share them at every chance I get. The tips are so common sense and so easy to implement, it's simply brilliant! Thanks for saving many a common dungeon master from the evil clutches of boring exposition and the long arm of the rulebook :)

[@luisenriquesalastobias6610]

this video is so old, but its all i need. Ty D.Craft

[@rivaltag]

This video was great! Very informative and well delivered, thank you!

[@yvindheilo229]

As always, sound advice from the Professor. Will share this video to my Universitys DM's group!

[@StarshipsSteel]

In terms of taking advantage of what your players already know, and so needing to describe less. You are in good company. Looking back to the origins of Sword and Sorcery and Robert E Howard and his stories of Conan, he took advantage of that in the very core of his world-building, using known terms and places to be the foundations of his fantastic world. Good job.

[@n.m.dimmick194]

I think point 1 at least partially explains why my players seem slightly more engaged when I'm flying by the seat of my pants than when I'm sticking with the module I'm running. Because I have less planned and memorized, I tend to be more concise and stick with the few details that stick out to me, which for the size and temperament of the group I have, is probably a good thing. Guess it's time to look at how I can be more concise and engaging with all that prewritten stuff.

[@theConcernedWyvern]

I'm a dm but as a player I loathed the descriptions in modules. I'd much prefer a short, concise description of 1-2 sentences and either answer player questions or Pepper in more detail as they explore/fight/interact, etc.

[@MrMegapnut]

for the algorithm ! very intriguing content, also this guy dresses for success I appreciate the dapperness

[@RashidMBey]

This... this was a really solid video. You instructed us in a few simple steps on how to do something simple and invaluable to the D&D experience. This may be due to how well this appealed to my tastes, but this is one of my favorite videos because it builds on the core of what's essential to a good session.

[@DUNGEONCRAFT1]

It's one of my favorite videos as well. Cheers!