Creating Encounters - Social, Exploration, Combat - How to Dungeon Master Series (D&D5e)

This is the third episode of the "How to Dungeon Master" series. This video is intended to provide new dungeon masters with tips to build various encounters in fifth edition Dungeons and Dragons.
This video covers the non-combat social and exploration aspect of D&D and also the combat encounter building rules from the DMG.
Also thanks to Dawnforgedcast for letting me use the result of his Mega DM survey.
You can find the relevant links in the video here:
Dice roll probability:
anydice.com/pro...
Kobold Fight Club:
kobold.club/fi...
Dawnforgecast's Mega DM survey:
• Video
Playlists
Learn How to Play D&D 5E series:
• How to Play Dungeons a...
Link to the D&D 5E Class Guide playlist:
• Dungeons and Dragons 5...
How to Dungeon Master playlist:
• How to Dungeon Master ...
Website: dontstopthinkin...
Facebook: / cjleungdst
Twitter: / cjleung_dst
Patreon: www.patreon.co...
Minds: www.minds.com/...

[@KonfuZer17]

3:40 "Don't let your players roll the dice unless there are going to be consequences--positive or negative." Good advice!

[@jherseyjamesgamboa7905]

that's every minute for me

[@stefaniejohansen193]

This was super helpful advice for me. Don't be a slave to the dice! They're a tool!

[@KaiserAfini]

The first thing the pixies says is "Listen !" and 3 magical spinning triangles show up as she highlights the traps.

[@tjbarke6086]

"I cast fireball" "But..." "Fireball"

[@BlackOctoberFox]

@@tjbarke6086 But we're underwater. How can you- *Fireball*

[@emanergza6383]

A quality content with low sub count? One of the earths most cryptic memories; as to why? We may never know.

[@Elias-eh6qd]

Thanks this have been so helpful

[@ByztinBadger]

Never heard of that kobold fight club before but I’m gonna have a way easier time making combats.

[@hjuliochaparrochapapapa9081]

The image of players with red eyes made my day.

[@lliamthrumble]

If you want to hurry along players then create an in story time limit like a rival team going after the same object or a bad guy going to enact a plan. This encourages a sense of urgent pace. Keep reminding them about the progress and it will kick them into gear

[@EduHBa]

Nice tips! Thanks for the video!

[@autotechdjhelmut4686]

I love these videos, very helpful.

[@littlegamerguy4803]

I love your channel! Also, surrendering to the enemy? Let’s be honest, that almost never happens. For me, anyway.

[@smol_hornet613]

Well, I think that's one of those things that are only to be taken in mind during exceptionally tough campaigns, where the opposition is so brutally unforgiving that complete failure for the party to pull through at all is very likely. When playing with such little lee-room between advancing the story and abruptly ending the whole campaign, it could be better to give the party a chance to submit and live to fight another day, rather than temporarily dumb down the blatantly superior enemy for the party to make it away with their dignity intact :)

[@hungphanquang605]

It would be better if this video had engsub below. Anyways, thanks for being so helpful.

[@theparijat1000]

Please enable subtitles, as many of us are not native English speakers, and learn better by visualizations.

[@TheQuyman]

I love his voice

[@awesomeperson100]

So helpful now my lvl 3 friends won’t be facing a few goblins

[@Hoodieboy-ro4pw]

Anyone notice that whenever combat starts the rouge is facing the other direction?

[@tribaljungle6865]

As an encounter I had a angry cook throw a raw chicken across the tavern as if it came back to life just missing all the feathers.

[@saunexs8737]

What page is that table on?? I can’t find it

[@SirDrasticG]

Why the dislike?

[@manimgayforjunko6757]

I feel bad for the elf

[@kekero540]

When your party is full of maxers and they can kill literally anything thrown at them... Oof

[@javierdelarosa8910]

I don't wanna be rude or anything but I enjoy your videos it's just that your accent is very thick and it's hard to understand sometimes 😕👍

[@DontStopThinking]

No worries, Javier. I get that quite a lot. Just asking, btw, which country are you from and what's your primary spoken language? I want to know who are having difficulty understanding my accent.

[@javierdelarosa8910]

@@DontStopThinking lol well I'm Hispanic but I mainly speak English and I'm from. America

[@jherseyjamesgamboa7905]

I'm a great dm it's the players that are the problem

[@maxortman9118]

First

[@philwhite2730]

CJ: “Just like striking up a conversation in real life is easy” Me: *Insert hide the pain Harold face here*

[@Zegger]

I was just looking to start DMing as well, until I remembered now only I have to socialize with characters, but also socialize a lot. God damn wish me luck 'cus I will need it

[@mme.veronica735]

We've named the characters, now it's time to name the players

[@willb9431]

Savage Mum: Shirley

[@LeonKerensky]

"this can make players want to roll perception every 10 seconds!" aah um... yeaahhh... about that: I might have been the reason the Deamon House in Curse of Strahd took 18 hours to complete.

[@zoruasnivy]

I like that you give alternatives for when things don't quite go the way you expect.

[@vytenemunyte7256]

you are great DM teacher

[@asiriusmedaius3429]

I have a D&D session in 6 hours, and I still have to plan some encounters. This video helped me a bunch, CJ, and just in time too. God bless you bro. Edit: What's that song that is playing between 6:05 and 6:25 ? It's pretty good.

[@bauxite13]

Asirius Medaius hey same here xD

[@Trekeyus]

T minus 10 hours for my first time d&d DMing. These videos are a fantastic

[@elifaletgutierrez9141]

I've never played DnD whatsoever but I'm about to run a campaign as a DM for my nephews in a few days and your videos are so helpful, thanks for your content!

[@Jigpy]

Waited 2 weeks. Worth it

[@underhaykids6861]

C.J I would love to have you as a DM it would probably be one of the most interesting games of my D&D career! (not that it's very long yet)

[@shockzone4595]

Being new to d&d, I tried to test my limits with the dm to see what I could get away with. I realized that I could have died many times from the dumbest things I did. The dm was being generous since I was new. Can someone give me the 10 commandments of d&d that you should or should not due as a beginner?

[@gonxbr4889]

SHOCK HUNTER63 1:Do NOT split the group

[@Jpteryx]

1: Don't split the party 2: Don't roll before the DM asks you to 3: Know your abilities (or at least, start learning them) 4: Don't cheat, there are no winners or losers in D&D 5: Think about what your character would do 6: Protect the healer 7: Expect the best-laid plans to fall apart 8: Make a character who will work with the group and go on adventures willingly 9: Don't get in the way of someone else's fun 10: There are no limits, be creative!

[@SomeJustice19k]

Rule zero and the most important : Don't ruin other people's fun! 1. Don't meta-game. 2. Role play your character correctly. 3. Don't be a dick unless it relevant to number 2. 4. Don't meta-game. 5. Learn your skills. 6. Learn the other PC's skills. 7. DON'T META-GAME! 8/9. Let the DM develop the story/humour the DM. 10. Have fun.

[@jarrodfrizzell6061]

Build a backup character with an excuse to join the party when your shenanigans get you killed. Have fun!

[@underhaykids6861]

These are things to remember; 1; It's just a game. 2; You can do anything but only within reason. 3; If you see a Sleeping dragon don't poke it with your sword no matter how tempting it may be. 4; Make sure you ARE your character, it much more fun when you are able to think from inside your characters head. 5; Have fun. 6; Don't stress out. 7; Don't worry about being perfect remember your character is just as new as you.

[@elliottwalker8624]

The new Crash Course: D&D! Love the content man, helps me a lot.

[@peinoftheakatsukiXx]

First rule of Kobold Fight Club is ***YIP YIP***

[@adityarao2827]

CJ, could you maybe explain how to use modules?, I'm going to run PoTA next week (my last campaign was basically me just doing dice rolls (Master's Vault on Roll20)) and I'm completely confused

[@Longlius]

This might be a bit late, but you should ideally read through the entire module and take notes ahead of time. At the very least, you need to read each chapter in its entirety before running it. Also, if you're playing on Roll20 and not using their prepackaged modules, then you should prepare feelies ahead of time to hand out to players (for notes, I copy them into a text file and for images, I scan them into image files).

[@thecantina6029]

hi thank you for showing me the website in the last video i got the minis today and they are great

[@nerdbow9192]

Man I love this series because I couldn't DM too well because I started a group and I was just finishing your 2nd video.

[@ebear5595]

I wish I knew how difficulty and action economy worked when I DMed my first game, cuz I think I accidentally put my 3 lvl 1 players in a "very deadly" encounter. Where they all almost died if it weren't for Deus ex Goblina

[@YouSoSpice]

what did Goblina do

[@breadbyss5311]

From your videos I got in to DnD and play it with my friends all the time.

[@ddlover7395]

I only fake the dice rolls if its important to help them so they don't have to accept the roll just be happy.

[@3004Marbles]

Thank you so much for making these videos! I started DMing very very recently and these videos have proven to be incredibly useful~!

[@padmanabaraorudrresh4913]

Nice math @7:14, besides, your winners do math series inspired me to learn probability and I did (eventually) it. Then I imagined a situation it goes like this, "A lich raises his staff utters some arcane syllables and casts 'power word kill'(which is indeed a powerful spell in D&D) on a seemingly hurt paladin. Thankfully they have a wizard in their party (an Abjuration wizard in this case). The eager wizard casts counter spell." The wizard casted the spell using a third level slot .When I did the math , I found out that the probability of success is 65% and it increases to 87.75% with the lucky feat.

[@jemm113]

Yeah, counter spell is an amazing spell, especially on halfling, lucky, divination wizards... (damn and now I want someone to do the math)

[@dlear85]

i was kinda following along on parts 1 and 2 but now im lost again lol

[@amichi2714]

Thank you so much for making these. I’m just starting out as a gm and although I’m running pokemon tabletop instead these have really helped me plan out how I can run the game

[@lukejohnson260880]

Just starting out in D&D. LOVING THESE VIDEOS. So much useful info. Keep up the good work.

[@safehavenonice6431]

Now I want a video game where you play a GM ushering in a group of players with varying skills and turning them into seasoned veterans. No idea what the endgame in something like that would be.

[@andronixbegayaf]

The Kobold Fight Club site got deleted, does any1 know any simillar app?

[@hugolevesque1570]

Oh no!

[@samtrue3]

Thank God you don't have a ranger in your party

[@dynamicworlds1]

A good technique for any perception-type roll in any system is to not let players roll them at all, but to roll them yourself in secret. If you're doing little rolls periodically as you GM (as I do to randomize small details and npc reactions) your players shouldn't even notice. That said, I find most traps rather contrived and shy away from them.

[@tyr4148]

Thanks, I used to be like. “Alright so u arrive after 3 days of traveling “

[@loserloser3544]

It’s video don’t have caption on :(

[@tjlynch6817]

3:13

[@firstnamelastname3547]

Best D&D tutor channel.

[@rebeccamccartin]

Thanks for making these videos! I'm planning my first campaign and these tips are super helpful to a new DM like myself. ❤

[@NatLopezOnYoutube]

I was enjoying this series until you mentioned dawnforgedcast... Ugh. Oh well. Thumbs up anyway

[@singingcrow439]

I got a question on the CR. Do allied NPCS change it at all. Like make a hard threat medium or easy?

[@DontStopThinking]

Yes, it would.

[@singingcrow439]

@@DontStopThinking how?ike do you subtract the the allied npc(s) ex from the number. Treat them as other party members and move the encounters multiplier.? What system do you used?

[@DontStopThinking]

I would just look at the allied monster's XP and match it to the nearest hard difficulty for the closest player level. For example, for a vampire spawn with 1800 XP, I would just match it to a level 10 character, because it has 1900 XP hard difficulty threshold.

[@singingcrow439]

@@DontStopThinking ok thank you

[@ImRandumb]

13:30

[@darthvein3]

I very rarely roll dice in front of players as a DM. I understand D&D is a game, but what I try to do is making it feel more real. When it comes to new players I don't just leave them in the dark, and I let them know what im doing. But they will never, ever see my dice. My players always play like its a video game or less. So when I need my players to do things and actually play. I have to stop treating it to much like a game. But don't get me wrong, I am not an anti-fun DM.

[@MrFuzzyscreen]

new dm. thank you

[@louisfrnd]

Do you recommend the without imitative combat style ?? Like only on narrative and fighting way ?

[@SprocketWalker]

I love the tip to switch to narration when players are hung up on NPC conversation.

[@kombatace7971]

I (think) I got this Exploration: Interact with the inanimate environment Social: Interact with the animate environment Combat: Interact with the environment that wants to interact with you using the business end of their weapons accurate or not accurate?

[@SauceyNoodle]

13:33 OMAE WA MOU SHINDEIRU

[@vytenemunyte7256]

thanks for doing this video

[@tonybo312]

I love these! Thanks for all the advice and the animations help make it it easier to understand. Awesome!

[@seigel2289]

Can someone tell me where in the DM's guide is the charts and formulas that appear in 11:16 and 12:10 please? :)

[@Tuariq1]

I love the design of the video! It looks soo good!

[@nicholassucre4834]

ARGONIAN MAID

[@fuski23]

12:54 aww i have been giving out way to much XP then...

[@coachbubba5107]

I realized that as well at that same point.

[@quaaludes9145]

Your videos are really informative and to the point. Contrary to the majority of ramble videos we get from other creatores. Impressive work, been subbed for a while, and after each video I watch, I feel like subbing once again. Great work CJ, cheers.

[@stevemorris3746]

This was useful. Twice I have killed a player by making too many wolves.

[@gregthepeglegpregdreg]

one thing I plan on doing for some of my more complicated puzzle based traps is have the players encounter them twice. First going into the dungeon where they find the traps set off, it's be described so the players know it has to be important and gets them thinking on what the trap could be as well as prepares them for any traps that are set. The second time they see it is on their way out when the traps are perfectly reset and any clues of the traps having been there are gone.

[@lefttofray]

These videos are making me feel less nervous about becoming a DM myself. I play a game weekly with friends online and I have been wanting to start my own game for all of us and be the DM. I am pretty new to DnD so I'm a little scared to learn all this to be a DM and make a fun game for my friends, but I really want to try. So thanks for these videos. They're really helpful.

[@joleeg.8481]

Could you never have that sound for the text scroll again. it is extremely irritating

[@earnestdelafe1668]

These videos are so incredibly helpful. I have yet to run a game, but definitely feel more prepared! Thanks

[@Hithroc]

I'm in love with the always-tired elf wizard.

[@TazbowGMV]

Great series and very useful information! Thanks for your work!

[@rimboman3]

Could you activate the automatic subtitles? Thanks! :)

[@underhaykids6861]

4:04 Grent's face looks like he is saying" but why....".

[@bionizard5480]

heres a must: name your ranger NPCS Morning wood

[@Sparkle5fanboy]

I would love If you could do a video on the Mystic class as it'd be nice to see how a class that uses Psionic's works

[@allthattech7348]

Love your content man!

[@jinxtheunluckypony]

I’m running a solo game with a friend of mine and it’s gotten pretty weird. His good aligned Druid seems almost averse to combat, he hasn’t fought a sentient creature yet that he hasn’t first tried to negotiate with. The prime example is that a man he didn’t know attacked a friendly npc and despite the fact that his rogue sidekick had already retaliated by attacking the guy he still tried to talk to the guy while he was digging a dagger out of his torso. I appreciate that he like role playing with me but we’ve been playing for nearly 12 hours and he’s still level 2 because of his passive nature. I tried to have him fight a tragic villain to bridge levels 2 and 3, the boss was a tiefling fighter who stole a sacred relic hoping to sell it so he could buy food for his starving town. Without fully knowing the tiefling’s backstory he willingly gave the man all of his gold and most of his sidekick’s, after learning about the tiefling village he helped the town hunters map out migration patterns for desert boats and he took several villager back with him to the main town and got them jobs so they could send back money. He’s literally an anti-murderhobo. How to I get him to interact with the combat aspect of the game when he seems just as happy helping npcs with relationship issues and looking for lost pets. (Those are both things he’s done in the past)

[@Oznerock]

Well. Give XP per solved encounter, not kill count. ;p That will make him way happier.

[@itscarlosreally]

13:03 YOU BROKE RULES ONE AND TWO OF KOBOLD FIGHT CLUB

[@davemarx7856]

Tell me you work for Kurzegast

[@aliromen2224]

"Socializing is easy in real life" *REALLY?*

[@commandercrimson5858]

14:38 "It's time for EGG DELIVERY!"

[@the11382]

Can't wait til we get to the homebrewing section, is it going to contain anything helpful for homebrewing classes or archetypes?

[@DontStopThinking]

I can cover a bit of it.

[@jorunholm9060]

How dos mindcontrol in d&d work

[@silverlysage6091]

Thank you for this!

[@davisboyz6511]

This man is a freaking legend.

[@FlyingDominion]

Is there a reason that this video isn't on the how to play D&D playlist?

[@DontStopThinking]

Oh, I must have forgotten.

[@Devalation]

So many good tips in this one!

[@meganchristensen1068]

we have decided for our group to have each of us to create a section of world and then we agreed that each of us would dm the part we made. I became a lich! its our first campaign/game, but we're working through it!

[@twilightwisdom5139]

I made my players roll for hydration in a dessert every hour for hydration I'm still fairly knew to this so do you think my dc of 15 for level one players just starting out was fair of realistic?

[@DontStopThinking]

That is very harsh. How many rolls do you expect them to make?

[@twilightwisdom5139]

Don't Stop Thinking I ended up skipping most of the rolls they weren't rolling low and I wanted to get them to a town reasonably quickly if they rolled low I would've tried to give them a chance to catch up

[@dracodominus2800]

Great video as always!

[@kf3154]

Hope to see Eng sub soon

[@redemption101caleb]

This series is a godsend

[@jan3166]

Love the intro 😍