D&D One Shot Adventures | How to Run a Game in a Limited Time Slot | Ask a DM #2

How do you make a D&D one-shot adventure designed to fit in a specific time length? I'll explain my method of doing it and show a one-shot I designed recently for a convention I DM'd at.
Downloadable files of my Finding Ashton Sanguine one-shot are available here: drive.google.com/drive/folder...
🔴Subscribe for weekly DM tips and resources: kzbin.info?su...
🔴My Published D&D Adventures:
www.drivethrurpg.com/browse/pu...
🔴Free D&D Adventures I've Made:
www.thedmlair.com
🔴Help me help other dungeon masters by joining the community on Patreon:
/ thedmlair
🔹Recommended Playlists🔹
Running the Game
• Running the Game - D&D
Dungeon Mastering 101
• Dungeon Mastering 101 ...
Creating D&D Adventures 101
• Playlist
🔹Join me on Discord!🔹
/ discord
🔹Follow Me on Social Media🔹
Facebook: / thedmlair
Twitter: / thedmlair
Instagram: / thedmlair
Reddit: / lukehart214
Subreddit: / lukehart214
🔹My D&D Actual Play Videos🔹
/ @thedmlairplays
🔹Video Schedule🔹
Every Tuesday
Most Fridays
🔹Credits🔹
Background: Jonatan Pie on Unsplash
Music and Sound Effects: www.audioblocks.com/
Video Clips: www.videoblocks.com/
Some videos on this channel are unofficial Fan Content permitted under the Fan Content Policy. Not approved/endorsed by Wizards. Portions of the materials used are property of Wizards of the Coast. ©Wizards of the Coast LLC.

[@theDMLair]

✨Mordenkainen's Tome of Foes GIVEAWAY! Enter here: gleam.io/g42XL/mordenkainens-tome-of-foes ✨ 🔴Got a question about DMing? Got a problem with your game? I can help! Just let me know in the comments what’s up!

[@hudsonwells9472]

Dont know if you guys cares but if you are stoned like me atm you can watch pretty much all the latest series on instaflixxer. Have been watching with my gf for the last few weeks xD

[@milannoah3306]

@Hudson Wells Definitely, I've been using instaflixxer for months myself :)

[@pcompani715]

Last time I made a one shot, I ended up making à campaing

[@theDMLair]

LOL - It happens! 😂

[@BlindRambler]

I mean that's very easy to do lol. I'm still writing the campaign 4 weeks later xD

[@fannyflutters2387]

My buddy is helping me write my first one shot and he keeps writing down notes say this will be good for your campaign but not the oneshot it's handy because we're basically writing both

[@nodcast-]

My one shot turned into a 10 session story adventure. Oops

[@hunterklie]

What I appreciate about this video is that it does not do what lots of other DM videos do. Many videos tend to echo this idea od "I'm not like other DMs. I don't prepare and my players love it." That works for some but it doesn't work for me. THIS lovely video acknowledges the value of preparing, presents the specific techniques you can use to immerse players in the addictive parts of gameplay, and gives tips on how to manage time most effectively. Time is limited. If I'm running a 3 hour one shot, I need to manage the experience carefully. Thanks for thr great insights!

[@Chadok89]

17:40. Selina Kyle is Catwoman ;)

[@valentinetarangojr.616]

I have somehow only recently gotten into your vids, and I have to say that I am really enjoying them. You look at the game much the same as me. Great vids!

[@17joren]

Thanks for the advice! With my schedule I can’t commit to running a campaign so I’ve made several one-shots and used your Ashton Saguine document to create a decent template, at least as starting point.

[@Frederic_S]

I learned so much from GM-ing one shots. We as a group dont have unlimited time at our hands, so one shot theory gave me a lot of insigth for pacing in general.

[@gh0stish]

Just wanted to say thank you, Luke! I used your Finding Ashton Sanguine one-shot as a base template to create my own one-shot for a few newer players. Your notes are very easy to follow and use!

[@theDMLair]

You are very welcome!!! :D

[@jitchakraborty6844]

I'm gonna be running this for my players tomorrow. Thanks man.

[@jamesrizza2640]

It was interesting to see how much you have changed in four years, even so, I enjoyed your critique of a one shot. You did some things I have not done and I have been a DM for over 40 years. You can still learn no matter experience or age. Thanks. BTW you were doing great even then.

[@wewriteweirdshit9765]

You should consider live streaming one of your one-shots next time you do a convention!

[@theDMLair]

That's a great idea! The one MAJOR problem with conventions I've always found is because everyone is packed into a general area, there is tons of background noise. I can barely hear my own players sometimes. I wonder how I could get good audio in an environment like that?

[@wewriteweirdshit9765]

@@theDMLair I've seen others broadcast from conventions. I think they use a mic like a Snowball or something. I'll have to look into it a bit

[@theDMLair]

Sounds interesting. Bears some consideration.

[@yougottateachyoself]

Really appreciated the format discussion specifically

[@conorkelly358]

You have an incredibly expressive face. It was a joy to watch you in this video. I can only imagine how expressive you are as a DM!

[@robertlavan222]

Getting ready for my first game session ever with 5 other first-timers. I have my adventure down and I’m super excited for it so I thought I’d share. Monk’s Tavern Adventure (An adventure about nothing). Players choose from premade class templates (each class is tied to a character from the show Seinfeld; ie Kramer deCosmos is a wild magic sorcerer). Starts off with a bard competition, then a missing child case which leads to setting up the final fight with other tavern patrons after a light swamp dungeon. Really hoping for 2 hours or less.

[@kilrkitty0818]

Thanks! For sharing so much free content!

[@theDMLair]

You are very welcome!!!

[@djseggrighfscu1616]

Tbh this helped me out a lot. Thank you for the video

[@zionich]

I have really gone down the rabbit hole of DM Lair today lol.

[@NMcG07]

I can't tell you how amazing this video is. It's going to help me run a 9-PC Session 0/Episode 1 to a West Marches inspired style game in a week or so.

[@theDMLair]

Awesome! Good luck with your adventure and I'm glad I could help!!! 😂

[@JudithOpdebeeck]

so i know this was 3 years ago, but i gotta say... 9 PCS is a LOT! howd it go?

[@hunterklie]

NINE????

[@NMcG07]

@@hunterklie Yes. At one point I had a regular table of 7-10 people. Let me just say, I learned several lessons from that. Namely, run one big monster and mobs all in one turn. Make sure to challenge your players by making each hit count. Have 1 or 2 lair and legendary actions. Generally, when monsters go, that one turn has to be as devastating as possible so as to make it very difficult for your players each round.

[@w.i.t.c.h.q.u.e.e.n]

How did it go?

[@Kasino80]

This is really helpful. I'm dm'ing for my colleagues Saturday 10/23. None of them have tried it before. Thinking of doing a treasure hunt in an abandoned mansion once owned by a local merchant who mysteriously disappeared 40 years ago along with his family. I've got two npc ideas from this video. The gartner and the cook who can give them clues to hidden entrances to the house, and general backstory to the family. Hopefully the party will find the treasure, but also figure out why the family disappeared.

[@mke3053]

Good advice!

[@SirBonsley]

Hey Luke do you think you could do an updated video about writing/running one shots. I think you’ve improved a lot at making videos :)

[@andrewtomlinson5237]

I've had to do this a few times. Mainly "get to know you" sessions that I run before I run a campaign with new players to my group. It acts as a way for me to gauge what sort of players they are, and they get to see how I run a game, and become familiar with the plethora of House Rules I've developed over the years. Sometimes these sessions come with a time limit, and I've found the best way to do it is to send them down a really standard dungeon. Don't try and be too creative and clever with this type of game, Keep It simple!!! I draw out a dungeon etc, and have a finale with a boss. But what I also do is draw a couple of extra parts to the dungeon. If they are steamrolling it I'll throw these extra sections in between wherever they are and the finale. The easiest way is to just put the finale scene behind a certain door, and if they are ahead of time, just put a staircase behind that door that leads to "Map B" which also ends in a similar door... and so on. So rather than trying to write something that you feel a need to hurry through, write something short that you can add to. I also use one shots in my campaigns as a standard part of the structure. I invariably use a Five act "Meta Plot" with four intermissions during which they get to go do their own thing. But the first session of an intermission is often a One Shot featuring different characters within the campaign, where the players effectively take on the roles of NPCs they may or may not have heard of, (I don't let them use NPCs they have actually met!!!) and do something that will have an effect on their party somewhere down the line. This also allows them to take on Campaign Ready replacement characters if they die... It's basically the same as a "Season Guest Star" stepping up to the "Regular" character role in a TV show if a main character dies, rather than some new guy no one has ever heard of. I ALWAYS limit those one shots to a 4-6 hour limit just to make sure they don't run over into the next session. They are called "ONE" shots after all.

[@payton3646]

Thank you for the Google docs

[@stevekirkby6570]

Awesome content :)

[@JonnesTT]

Most of my fun has been had while in towns ^^ But, k, beginners prolly won't steal a few chickens, two pigs and one cow and try selling them to the lokal shopkeep. But k, remembering how well this worked... Experienced players won't do that either X_D

[@TheKlawwGang888]

Completely unrelated to the video but since entering the D&D comunity I realize how lucky i am as a DM to have such a great party. I heard so many horror stories of meta gaming, passive agresiveness, projecting and so forth and my group has none of it! Bit of a struggle atm getting used to the rules as we're all new to it but im sure that'l come. The party is pretty overpowered though if im honest (They rolled really good) and im rather hesitant to just blitz them with tough monsters as i actually want them to do well and go through the journey. Any advice?

[@theDMLair]

That's awesome. My players are the same way, and it's definitely a blessing. Horror stories are far too common. Your question gets into how you design encounters for your adventure. What you want to do is have a mix of easy, medium, hard, and deadly encounters. If everything is a grueling hard fight, it can suck and be a real grind. Too many easy pushover fights get boring, but an occasional one makes players feel awesome. The solution is a mix. I like to make the majority of the encounters medium/hard. I usually throw in at least one easy encounter. Then, there is always at least one deadly (really really hard) encounter. This is often the boss at the end, but not necessarily. You do want to challenge your players at times, because overcoming a really hard fight will make them feel rewarded and happy. But too much is a grind, for sure. A mixture is best. Regarding the rules, yes, that just comes with time. As the DM, I'd be spending time each week reading the PHB and DMG just to learn them as well as I can. And then read over monsters you plan to use in the MM. But I wouldn't fret too much over it.

[@cheesuscrust6352]

Not every "lost" encounter has to end up with a TPK. You could always through them a hard/deadly encounter and have them captured if they (tend to) lose. The enemies might be clever enough to negotiate "we will let you live, if you do this for us". Or if it's a monster it may take them to their lair/nest to feed on them later.. I'm sure you'll come up with some other ideas :)

[@awmperry]

Great stuff, thanks! One thing remains, though - how can one figure out how much plot the story needs to have? Or is it more a case of having each segment be skippable so one can give them the final clue, so to speak, at any point for the story’s climax?

[@theDMLair]

You got it! I wouldn't directly tie story/plot to any of the scenes/encounters. You want them to be skipable. Instead, if you need to give hints/clues/whatever during the adventure to keep things moving, do these organically, as needed, during the adventure. You know where the adventure needs to head, so you subtlety work things in to move it that direction. It's like giving constant baby hooks throughout the adventure. TBH, this is how I do it for my normal adventures, too. I'm always giving tantalizing hooks here and there to pique player interest in doing something that I've planned out. I never force them to do anything, but between the bait being enticing and the social agreement wherein my players run what I've planned for them, they usually end up going where I hint at. (However...I'm usually hinting at 2-3 different things, so they never really know what they are "supposed" to do. :) )

[@awmperry]

the DM Lair Yeah, same. Most of my games have been fairly open-ended so far, so time budgeting hasn't really been a thing.

[@Tokii69]

Could you make a video on how you use your random encounters? I'm very intrigued by that.

[@theDMLair]

Yes absolutely. That's a great topic. I put that on my video backlog but there are no promises as to when that video will actually come out. I do think it's a good topic so one of these days you'll see it.

[@Tokii69]

@@theDMLair i look forward to it. Thank you, your videos have helped me tremendously.

[@twilightgardenspresentatio6384]

I’m writing a one shot right now that links two adventures in the same world

[@ShaneandJay]

When you run one shots for conventions do you let players create characters or do you have pre generated characters for them to choose?

[@theDMLair]

Pre-gens all the way. I'll explain why: First and foremost, it avoids a player arriving with a crazy splash combo build that is overpowered and unaccounted for in my one-shot design. I have players that run crazy OP PCs, but I account for that when I design adventures for them. 😀 (Shhhh...don't tell them. It's an arms race they don't have a prayer of winning, but let them have their fun, I say.) Second, it allows me to be familiar with the characters, what they can do, etc. because I'm the one that made them. I also start them off with a magic weapon designed for the character. (My one-shots at conventions generally use level 5 characters.) Finally, many players don't have their own PCs, so this provides it for them. FWIW, I've heard some DMs actually have players build their own characters at the beginning of the time slot, but that takes easily 1 hour, likely more, and that's time you aren't spent playing. Furthermore, many of my players at cons have NEVER played D&D before; so, asking a totally new player to create a PC is just insane.

[@dancer_to_a_discrodant_system]

14:08 Luke: I probably have it in my like... what do wanna call it? The google drive or something like that... Me: Dude, you're so old fashion. By the way, no offense, okay?

[@fhuber7507]

DO NOT give people 5 minutes EACH to decide what to do in 6 seconds. That is the key to running combat rapidly. Give them SECONDS to decide. DM: Roll initiative. Players roll, Barbarian is first.... DM: Barbarian, what do you do? Barbarian: I want to RAGE! and rush up on bad guy #3 then try t lop off his head! (Barbarians are easy) DM: Move your figure and then start rolling dice. Rolls resolved as rapidly as practical. DM: NEXT!... Its you Mage (Mage has had about 3 minutes to think at this point...) Mage: I... um... I want to... no, I'll move.. no... Um let me look up this spell. DM: Mage stands there confused. Go ahead and look it up while we continue combat. DM: Its BENBG's turn... He laughs at the mage and casts finger of death. Mage fails save Mage is going to rise as a zombie next round... ******* Shopping... have 6 base equip backpack sheets, and an armor/weapon sheet for each PC class. The players get to pick one and then submit request for 3 more items each. (they'll get one of the 3 if not over-powered) multiple players can choose the same pack. If they don't all pick the same backpacks, the party will be well equipped... You're on a clock. They don't have time to mess around with looking up armor and weapons. Give appropriate for each class and move on.

[@theDMLair]

Totally agree dude. Allowing players to analyze every turn and action, especially if it turns into a group analysis, leads to combat SLOGS.

[@JamesTexx69]

I would like to give you 100 likes, u're amazing

[@cadbane7780]

- Pre-generated characters. - Book of Lairs. - Profit.

[@samwhary5498]

Forgive my asking, but often times my group is dysfunctional and on occasion they might even be called stupid. It's very hard to guide them or get anything done in a timely manner. Do you have any advice for me?

[@theDMLair]

I have a video out from a few weeks ago about plot hooks. Also when my players are dragging their feet, can't make a decision, etc. I often have a random encounter find them. If we're wasting time, we might as well do it fighting stuff. 😁

[@samwhary5498]

@@theDMLair you are awesome! Thank you Thank you thank you!

[@theDMLair]

You are very welcome! :D

[@ncorva]

Hey Luke, I'm from Argentina. I've played DnD a couple of times, but wasn't happy with the experience because the DMs had no idea what they were doing and kind of gave up half way through. But I still find the game fascinating. I have been following both this and matt colleville's channel. I am trying to convince my girlfriend and our respective siblings to try DnD out, and thought that maybe DM'ing one-shot for them would be a good idea. Do you think that would work?

[@theDMLair]

Claro q si! Pruebalo. La mayoria de dungeon masters empiezan pq juegaron con otros DMs que no sabian manejar el juego y ellos quieren hacerlo mejor. Entonces hay que probarlo. Colville tiene buena informacion tambien. Yo tengo varios aventuras gratis en mi sitio thedmlair.com si quieres usarlas. Una es para nivel 1 tambien. Suerte y me cuentas como se va! Me puedes encontrar mas facil en mi Discord: discord.gg/Msat4NB

[@ncorva]

Thanks! I will give it a try and let you know how it went. Super cool you answered in spanish. Paying attention to what others say and responding accordingly. The true spirit of RP.

[@melkiorwiseman5234]

"He hired assassins to killer her" - I am of the opinion that your proof-reading sucks. It's a good thing you make a fantastic DM. ;) (/jerkjerkingyourchain) Seriously though, I do appreciate these videos since I hope to DM a game or two some day. Edit: By the way, "Selah" means "pause and consider" (or very similar to that) in Hebrew. :) Selah. :D

[@mikejuice576]

Love your videos! So glad you dropped the porno music in the background on your newer videos. It is very distracting!

[@sheridanwilde]

I'd have thought levelling up your game is something that computer games have borrowed from tabletop...

[@CrapE_DM]

Wait, Granny Titchwillow's sister was burned, but still has her body?

[@ozylocz4078]

Take a shot everytime he says convention

[@john-lenin]

It’s not railroady at all. I’m just going to make sure they go where I want them to.

[@aldin5566]

*White knights of Tom

[@garrettshaw8749]

Good vid, but this got too into the weeds: it's less about how to run a one-shot and more about your specific scenario and prepping random encounters/NPCs. Not much info here on tips/tricks for GMs new to running one-shots.

[@lenoirtnb4077]

Dm: you guys are getting ready for a fight Orc: I Crack my knuckles and then i- DM: roll for constitution Orc: wait what?? DM: Roll... For Constitution Orc: .... o-okay.... -rolls a natural 1 Orc: oh hell... DM: the Orc over estimated his strenght and pushed his entire left hand out of socket Orc: Wait huh?! (add onto it)

[@starRunnerX]

Your advice is absolutely horrible. 😜 I followed your advice, and now my players want to play thier one shot characters, and abandon my main campaign...... Thank you for making this video, my players had a BLAST with my one shot.

[@john-lenin]

Sandboxes are a pathetic fantasy.

[@deanlol]

Can you please stop telling people you've been a dungeon master since high school? Every grognard has and many people of your generation have. I've been a dm since 1979 but that doesn't give me credibility as a GOOD dm. Just make your videos, give advice, move on. People will decide if it's good advice whether you've been playing since High School or you started last week.

[@deanlol]

Actually guiding players and giving them hints is railroady. Sandboxing doesn't require a specific goal. It's throwing a goal at them and if they don't decide to achieve that goal, giving them a different goal.

[@doebpeace7675]

Why so criticizing? If you don’t like the videos, don’t watch them.

[@theDMLair]

Um, actually, Leland, I've now been a DM since 1973. *dab*

[@deanlol]

@@theDMLair on a more positive note. You don't look that old.