How to DM a pen and paper RPG - 9 tips to get you started

If you've seen Outside Xbox and Outside Xtra playing Dungeons and Dragons, you might be considering running a pen and paper RPG for yourself. DM Johnny has some tips.
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[@NestanSvensk]

I have DM'd for more than 10 years now and that bit about Grommit putting down the train tracks as the train is rushing forwards is the best description of running a game I've ever heard, bar none.

[@robertkemp5352]

DMing for 38 years here.... and very much agreed. :)

[@SpaceHopperCopter]

My first time playing D&D years ago was really good fun, although one of my friends didn't really get in to the spirit of things. DM: "What are you going to call your character?" My friend John: "John". DM: "Can't you think of something better than that? You're a wizard, how about something mystical?" John: ".... Mystical John."

[@Jillbles]

When I was a kid, the only picture in the character creation book that was female and appealed to me was Paladin. But I was raised in a completely secular household, and was, like, 8. I SO didn't get how to play it. LOL.

[@AverageMrFox]

That will absolutely be me if ever my friends convince me to try D&D which, after this and a little reading up, will probably just take them offering me a drink and asking if I want to join their session.

[@IceDragon978]

Mystical John is an awesome name for a wizard.

[@TheItzal11]

Next time you play make sure one of the shops in town is called Mystical John's Magic Junk Emporium

[@TheItzal11]

@@Laucomagef take a page out of fables book start calling him Chicken Chaser

[@owlpharaoh7023]

Johnny was awesome as DM for the Outside X crew, those latest episodes were so funny and great, and at the end when they all start singing and Johnny lets out one last laugh before taking his glasses off and wiping his face to say “I quit” made me bust out laughing

[@parapotato]

One of the biggest pieces of advice I can give new DMs is have a list of names for all the races appearing in you setting. Nothing pulls a player out of a game faster than getting invested in your half orc blacksmith only to find out they don't have a name or they're named "uh... Steve" it reminds the player that NPC didn't exist 20 seconds ago and they are playing a game not living in this world.

[@mattbridge6925]

Will Mills j

[@patrikhjorth3291]

"That is a practice called railroading" obviously to be avoided. This, immediately after likening DM:ing to Gromit laying down tracks in front of a moving train. Well played, Chiodini. Well played.

[@patrikhjorth3291]

And speaking of playlists, it may be of use to look into Nox Arcana. Their stuff may lean a bit towards the Dark & Scary and / or Fantasy, and definitely needs to be augmented with other music, but it's a place to start.

[@kennystoneman2584]

I've been playing pen-and-paper RPGs and even LARPing for years, and I can honestly say that every bit of Johnny's advice is sound. The golden rule of role-playing is to have fun, and if rules are getting in the way, then ditch those rules. I've only run a few games, myself, but I could see a lot of what was going through Johnny's head as the Oxboxtra crew traipsed their muddy boots across his climactic boss fights, and he rolled with their (eldritch) punches gloriously. The result: 6 goofy friends having some laughs they'll remember for years. The finest sort of role-playing experience available. Good on you, Mr. Chiodini. Good on you.

[@theHiddenStone]

"Seasoned DMs..." who may or may not have had Prestidigitation cast on them?

[@Eclipse_721]

you sir/madam have won

[@Mo_Speckleblitz]

And it made them spicy.

[@EchoingVideos]

Take inspiration.

[@marzipan3437]

but does he want to go

[@jaidengabriel1675]

spicy rat time

[@twilliamspro]

3:04 Johnny is that a reference to Dob Casually Killing your pirate captain on the last Oxtra with a shoulder barge?

[@Jillbles]

I thought it was about dealing with the final boss in the previous adventure in a non-combat manner. :-)

[@cordeliaseil]

I thought it was about them not fighting M. Channail.

[@geekwithglasses2897]

Or like how Merrilwenb decided to cast friends on the owlbear and talk to it to find out what’s wrong

[@Rey-cp5qp]

Honestly they've ended more bossfights without breaking a sweat than they have in any other way It could describe at least 3 that I can think of off the top of my head XD

[@brueckentroll]

I DM'd a couple years ago, everyone was very confused and I felt insecure about everything. Then I started watching the Oxventures, and you and your DM style have been an absolute inspiration. Started up again a little while ago and it was a blast. I only just now found this video and I will certainly take these hints to heart. Great work!

[@slc9885]

I just subbed yesterday after the second OutsideXbox D&D Adventure finished and I wanted to see more of Jonny; this is convenient!

[@eurogamer]

Finally, one of my plans actually goes to plan...

[@slc9885]

Yup, I laughed so hard when the huge pirate boss fight at the end got crippled by a whale!

[@LeaPrufrock]

Ditto - subbing for Johnny, but looking forward to seeing what the rest of the gang are up to

[@i_heart_caligula6204]

Did I catch some subtle foreshadowing for the plot of the live show, by chance? I certainly hope so. That sounds amazing

[@PatrickLongblkwhtrbbt]

This is technically the first Dicebreaker video isn't it

[@the_dark_soul_of_man]

I really, really hope Eurogamer will start to have D&D sessions soon, the Oxtra ones were a ton of fun to watch

[@jamesherman1447]

I've been trying to get a campaign with some friends going for a while now(1st time DMing) and alot of these tips helped. One player wants to be a Spartan kind of fighter, with a shield in one hand and a spear in the other. I only have 1 DnD player's handbook, and there is no Spartan. So, I just said that's fine, it works if you're a Warlord class, and hang the rules for a spear being two handed for you, since your character probably trained with it for years to be able to wield it with one hand. That player is now super pumped to play.

[@Marcos0ne]

James Herman how did it go?

[@jankett]

Draw maps! Everybody loves maps, they help bring a lot of immersion both to you and the players. They don't have to be exact, to scale or even accurate or complete. It gives the players an idea of the world and surroundings and gives you as a DM a good idea of what the players will face if they stray of their path.

[@nymalous3428]

I like the juxtaposition of the Wallace and Grommet analogy and railroading, it made me smile (partly because of it being true and partly because I like Wallace and Grommet). I have been playing, and running, pen-and-paper RPGs for over thirty years and I have found that one of the best ways to run a game is to come up with a series of encounters and events, as well as personalities and personas of interesting NPCs. These can be related in various ways to the central plot, but the important thing is this: if something absolutely has to happen to move the plot forward, don't worry about it. That item the group needs to have found in the room they never searched? Just move it to a different room. That person they elected to ignore even though they had vital information? Someone else who they are talking to can have it. You gave them a choice of paths and they picked the wrong one? Here's a secret between you and me: they don't know what is down either path, just make the one they picked the right one. Some people might think this is deceptive. It is! And to be clear, you don't always need to do this, you can allow the group to side-step the main plot if they are intent on doing so. This is a group activity, just do exactly what Johnny said: keep it fun! Thanks for this Johnny! I've been itching to get back into roleplaying again, and this has been helping out!

[@dr.mysterious5395]

After watching the first adventure, I created npcs based off of Johnny and the OxBoxtra Crew, who are all a part of a spy team rival to the PCs. My players did manage to capture Jane, but I mean come on, that was her plan all along...

[@musicadictor]

Hey man, I may or may not think about becoming a dm in the future as my current dm thinks I'd be a good one, so this little vid is very interesting and helpful. I loved you on oxboxtra videos, and I have to say that your voice is curiously relaxing and motivating at the same time. Thanks for the fun times!

[@jameshenderson4876]

One of the very best starter GM videos on youtube. Great advice, well explained.

[@theodorepinnock1517]

9:09 Johnny! You wouldn't!

[@V3RTIGO222]

I've heard a few DM/GM stories here and there, and have a few of my own to date. I find that creating a sandbox world full of characters and missions work best. For character creation I ask the players if they know each other or what relation they have to one another to form a suitable intro. Everything else you have to run on the fly. You wouldn't believe the amount of "on the spot npcs" ended up becoming major characters, or how many times you orchestrate a puzzle and someone breaks down the wall they need to get past. As a player in one game, I crit failed a roll to resist a powerful curse, but rolled a nat 20 on what the curse was. Next thing I knew, I could shoot people with unavoidable psionic damage, and boost my stats... as my wisdom gradually decreased with every use. To keep on going, I searched for artifacts to boost my wisdom. We fought a wall of flesh, a mindflayer litch with a great undead wurm as a pet... and a gnome bard that cast misspell instead of normal spells (que falling tree ents from the heavens). On another occasion, my friend got polymorphed into a stone giant and he levelled a city to the ground. Personally, I've had players surprise me at every turn I was GMing. Watching my friends work through every mystery and scenario is a joy, because they come up with solutions I never could. RPGs are limited by your imagination, so use it!

[@Arcadian-Nova]

i would like more pen and paper videos!! ive only been introduced to this form of gaming just a while ago but i adore it!

[@der_teilnehmer9946]

Couple of years ago, I DM'ed a group and the setting was our home city, wee bit in the future and with magic (due to an unfortunate accident at CERN that proved the multiple worlds theorem right). The players worked for a state-funded agency that tried to keep on top of all that, and this setting was really great! Everybody knew the place and could come up with ideas relevant to the city, and players and characters alike were newly confronted with magic. Very easy DM'ing and absolutely fun.

[@gideonmesser9994]

I just played my very first proper game of dungeons and dragons with my two brothers and I would like to thank you for the tips.

[@1simo93521]

Best content in ages. Now is a great time to learn to GM so many player desperate to join games at the moment. Top tip keep descriptions brief let the player imaginations do the heavy lifting.

[@nymalous3428]

Good tip... as long as the players are capable of it. I ran a sci-fi campaign one time and the players couldn't visualize it.

[@davegreene1543]

This is some really solid DM advice, and you’re pretty much the most solid DM I’ve ever seen. The OXbox games are so compelling to watch and you really allow all the characters to get their moments. It’s definitely inspiring me as a DM.

[@AlphaOrion98]

Just thought you should know that fans of outside Xbox have done their own game of d&d because of the oxbox videos. You are included in that johnny

[@dropbear3820]

I would thoroughly enjoy having you as my dm Johnny. 2 sessions with the chaotic oxboxtra crew and your still sane. Its amazing.

[@tommylebkowsky3335]

Well mate once again this is clearly a video to help those new to the P&P RPGs or who arr rediscovering them. I appreciate all the effort u put into these videos and trying to share your views and knowledge. I grew up on P&P games and sometimes worry that they are just going to fade away into obscurity. Thanks so much for beimg here for the old school.

[@thebadgerlord3799]

Extremely helpful. I’ve just started as a DM and have been having some trouble. Thanks for the tips on not planning too much. I really want my players to enjoy the world I’ve created and I’ve learned a lot from watching you and OX.

[@thewin9459]

Thank you for the suggestions in the last video

[@GandalffladnaG]

I love your dm'ing the OX group and I love the videos. I would love to see many more sessions, thanks for making it really entertaining to watch.

[@Avellimachi]

The Wallace and Gromit train track scene will now be my go-to explanation of paper rpgs. It's perfect

[@Alfy1980]

I have to admit, Johnny is a great DM for OXbox and Oxtra, love watching his easy going attitude about a lot of their spontaneous wierdness :)

[@stephenwurz]

Yes! I would love to see more D&D/pen and paper content. The sessions with Outside Xbox and Outside Xtra were great!

[@felix3455]

Discover you in the game of outside xbox then discovered the channel and love it thx for your work.

[@joemomma3648]

Please tell me you're going to get a D&D session with the Eurogamer cast.

[@harrowedone974]

7:40 I use a variable module type of planning: i have a collection of set-piece encounters and occurrences up my sleeve to pull out when the players meet the appropriate circumstances. Just an exposition, some stuff that gets tossed semi-randomly in the middle, and a last stand boss fight. Also an ending, where the players wrap up the character’s loose ends and make their own happily-ever-afters, if they so choose.

[@l0stndamned]

Nice video. I very much agree with the section on knowing when to ignore the rule-book. Too many DMs I've met seem to forget that bit. The advice to look confident in your calls is surprisingly important. I would somewhat disagree with the bit about the playlist, as I've encountered some players who find music too distracting and prone to ruining emersion.

[@nightcatarts]

Thanks, Johnny. One thing I'd recommend if you're DMing a lot or over a long campaign is to create vignettes. Little buildings or situations, complete with characters and things of interest, that you could slot in practically anywhere within your world. This way, it's far easier to let the players play whilst also reducing how much of your careful creativity is wasted. Not everything has to relate to the main questline & little asides can flesh out a world as well as providing an opportunity for your players to find artefacts or encounters they missed entirely earlier on, due to the aforementioned unpredictable humans thing. The more modular the game world, the easier it is to play Tetris with the pieces & simultaneously show off your skills whilst allowing players the freedom to make their own choices. This does raise a problem if the same ground gets covered again later & you can't remember where those pieces were, but there's always a roving band of brigands that could pass through in the interim, burning everything in their wake..

[@FishmanEricRussell]

Thoroughly enjoyed the D&D sessions you ran with outside xbox. Well done

[@MrYin90210]

Firstly - I subbed to Eurogamer after seeing you DM the first Outside Xbox D&D run and have been watching all the PUBG streams back to back so many thanks for that!! I've been looking into D&D a lot recently and having no experience of tabletop gaming I feel a little intimidated over where to start. Having videos like this (and your previous guide) are great for beginners to gain a better understanding of how they work and - eventually - run their own campaign and I will definitely play my first this year. Finally I hope you and Outside Xbox can get together at some point for a combined D&D run as I think that would have so much potential :D Keep up the great work guys.

[@Nostrovelle]

I really appreciate this video - I write a lot of fantasy in my free time so my friends thought I'd be a good DM, but I didn't know how to get started. Now I do. Thank you.

[@ChizuruNumaX3]

Thank you very much for all the DMing you do for Oxbox/Xtra

[@1812madjack]

Thanks for this! I've been interested in starting up a pen and paper game but none of my friends have ever DM'd one and it seems like a complicated thing to get to grips with. This helps!

[@I_am_PiT]

so many board games! I loved your collaboration with Oxbox&Oxtra. Please make more?

[@theogb]

This is a great video and I think you pretty much cover it. All I'd say is there is a grey area between railroading and just going with it where you can work in the good elements from your planned stuff into the session. Just because your players are leaving your plans behind doesn't mean you can't repurpose a good trap or an encounter area for something else they get to.

[@thecastawaydc]

I've loved your Oxbox D&D's and watched them more times then I can count. Can't wait to see what trouble Team Eurogamer get into!

[@josegeeklml]

Thanks! I started watching you at OXBOX and will start DMing for the first time next week (we're all new to D&D). Really helpful advice

[@dipperdanielpeterpines6727]

Johnny is my favourite DM and an inspiration to my own style. Currently running the Stranger Things Campaign, it's been an absolute blast and this video is even more helpful

[@jessicafalkowski549]

Thanks so much! I've been wanting to DM a campaign with some friends for a while, but the tricky part is that none of them have ever played before. In fact, the DnD sessions with the Oxbox group helped inspire me further. I was starting to get nervous as we're getting ready to make characters for the first time, but this made me feel so much better :)

[@fisherrend3814]

I've just started playing DnD with friends and I'm itching to try being a DM. I'd love to see a DM-guide series from you!

[@CollinMAFilms]

Great tips for getting into new tabletop games!

[@lordinquisitor6233]

Good advice; I’m running my first game set in steampunk Victorian London and this is very helpful

[@Mountain8ear]

My first D&D game was ongoing for about 2 our 3 years, and we still go back to that world with modern and then future. We're still building that lore as descendants, and descendants of descendants 15 years later. Good stuff. And we tried editions 4 and 5, we just use 3.5 now.

[@valerynorth]

I've been trying the dice-rolling version via a website chatroom and everyone in the group loved the Oxboxtra game videos. I'd definitely appreciate more videos of this sort. Also - love the range of boardgames in the background. Always nice to see a fellow backstabber - er I mean Diplomacy player!

[@magnusludicarum1140]

after watching this video I felt like something of a natural, as the first champagne I ever ran I just pulled the whole thing out of my a** on the fly. Even though I hadn't even really taken the time to study the rules or setting in detail, pretty much right when my friends asked if I'd like to try running a champagne and I accepted. I started right then, it occurs to me now that they were trying to give me time to study and plan when they said "are you sure you don't want to pick this up tomorrow?". I already knew everything I needed to know about character creation and the core rules, that it hadn't even occurred to me to put a story together. It kinda just happened as we went, and that session lasted for months!

[@darthhodges]

Your attempt to recommend planning ahead but not planning too much reminds me of something Captain Cold from the recent Flash TV show liked to say. "Make a plan. Execute the plan. Expect the plan to go off the rails. Throw away the plan." Sound about right?

[@Kenomica]

Currently learning to run Adventures In Middle-earth (5e) - so, thanks for this super helpful video!

[@JumpMasterJef]

Watching you DM for the oxbox/xtra crew has given me the urge to try this out, and sub to your channel.

[@KyleGrimes96]

I’ve found making a list of possible encounters is great. The size doesn’t matter really so long as it’s not too large and not too short. It should be between 10 and 20 encounters that can easily be tweaked and reworked on the fly. Note: have a general idea as to the stats of the monsters or even use a few apps to keep track of it on the fly. This is something that helps me and may not work for anyone else.

[@kevinschons2387]

I had once a school project about pnp, which I had to present after a week. All players were new ones, it was my first time dming and I only made up some plot points. An Orc ghost seeking revenge, a wizard who is an outcast and is a target of the orc and that was it ( beside the place and some npcs ). We had a great time, I didn't had problems when my players started to do things I wasn't prepared for like looking at the map, doing more research and finding out, there were 100 holy knights stationed nearby. My reaction, when they attacked the orc with 100 men was to make the orc insane strong and changed his armor to a magical one, so they don't out whipped the boss ( they had the opportunity to help the orc killing his targets and they had really deserved it, but they wanted to kill the orc ) It was a fun time, they all were happy with me as dm and one day my dm watched and admired how good I managed it So in short: Having only key notes does help to cope with chaotic players, especially they are in truth the ones telling their story, not the dm ( he only creates the world and the things they can interact with )

[@josephwhitman8633]

That whole, winging it is okay was really helpful for my Star Wars campaign where I basically winged almost the entire thing and they ended up punching a destabilizing planet back to normal

[@josephwhitman8633]

Oh yeah and also punching off the bosses head. (Sigh)

[@LastHamurai]

Even as an "intermediate" DM, this is really helpful for general tips, especially the "learning to let go" tip and "make it personal".

[@DevilboyScooby]

I can't help but think how all your plans for the first Oxventure's boss fight had to go out of the window when they stealth captured him. It was brilliant to watch your growing annoyance throughout. May you long be a DM.

[@Christian-ir2mb]

I'd love to learn how to DM, sounds like a lot of fun!

[@adamgauntlett4815]

Agreed wholeheartedly, though I'm fonder of horror games - Trail of Cthulhu, Night's Black Agents & so on - than fantasy settings. I used to take scrap notes on index cards when I needed to keep track of stats or important info; these days I lean more towards fillable pdfs. Watching you guys play was loads of fun! Here's hoping you do it again.

[@DanteneNyx]

Please do more videos on D&D, DMing and the like! I really enjoy them and find them really interesting and useful. I started playing D&D about a year ago and fell in love with it! However, I’ve only ever been a player, but I want to give DMing a try, though I lack the confidence as I’m not usually a brilliant storyteller :/

[@WestCero]

I've found that having a very basic bullet points list of important people and scenarios is a good balance between planning and improvising.

[@jamess5287]

The boathouse gaffe/realization that it only had three walls was such a lovely touch.

[@The_Sock_]

Thankyou for this!! I wanted to DM a Fallout themed campaign and this was really insightful. :D

[@ManusNoble1988]

Awesome stuff

[@boschoenwald9200]

This is excellent! I have been working on getting my first session as a DM in order and this video as well as the outsidexbox/extra videos have been immensely helpful. One question: Obviously verbal and physical violence needs to be squashed straight away, but how do you handle lesser forms of conflict within the party? Do you end it or do you let it boil a bit to see if it adds to the story? I was also wondering if you have any tricks or game mechanics that can help alleviate conflict without stopping or interrupting the session? Thanks!

[@N0-1_H3r3]

Excellent advice, especially the tips about looking for the game and tone that works for you and your group. Also, do I spy a couple of "Achtung! Cthulhu" books on your shelf? I thoroughly approve, of both that (I work for Modiphius, who publish it) and that you're running Blades in the Dark (which I'm currently playing).

[@eurogamer]

Good eye! I've yet to play but the books are gorgeous.

[@covert9528]

I'm on about session 4 of my first real D&D campaign with my friends and I'm having the time of my life with this game! I can't wait to Branch out to other pen and paper games

[@thecatsaysmoo9274]

maybe one day Aoife, Chris, and Ian will wake up tied up in front of a table in a dark room. and then Johnny "Jigsaw" Chiodini will stroll up with the famous "Hello, Team Eurogamer. I want to play a game." that would be the most cinematic intro to start your D&D adventure with.

[@EliteIRL]

I don't have any experience of pen and paper games except watching them on KZbin. I found your series with the Oxbox crew the best by far. I imagine it can be even more difficult to control these games when recording because everyone is focused on making entertaining content, but it works brilliantly when the chemistry is right.

[@AstralSeer]

Having ran 2 campaigns as a DM myself (one stil ongoing, 3+ years)...these are some awesome basic tips that really stress the most important partt: Rulebooks are secondary to Players/DMs wishes and only provide a basic framework to build upon! Well donme Johnny!

[@GrimoireOfJank]

A video I needed from a guy I think is awesome. Hell yes

[@ethanviktor]

I agree on the don't have a rigid storyline thing because before I was chucked headfirst into DMing, our DM made the first session so rigid that it felt like he was poking us back to the story. I'll keep these tips to not do the same. Thanks.

[@MagiaErebea028]

Thank you Me and my friends have been trying to get into pen and paper games

[@acadiangeek8483]

Hey Johnny love the video, I'm currently playing a game of Dungeons and Dragons , our DM just started a new university course and doesn't have as much time to plan out our sessions. After i mentioned my interest in DM"ing" there was a conversation about me possibly taking over. The existing campaign giving her a chance to finally play. I personally would like to create some new and fear of ruining her story. My question is when creating a new world, where to start? I have a general idea for the world state but not much else.

[@subman23]

A year later than everyone else, apparently, but I also followed you from the Oxventures, wherein I appreciate a bit of looseness with the rules, as I would need that if I ever read considered gaming again, as it's been more than a decade

[@ProtagonistVon]

I'm new to being a DM but I've found that having a basic plot line, (I.E princess is captured, journey to castle, save princess) makes things easier. I don't care how they get to the castle or even if the princess survives but I'll throw hints in to guide them in the direction of the castle(I.E a second quest, town rumors, a few new subplots). That way it doesn't matter if they follow the map, quest or just kill key story elements I can still follow the general idea. Until I end up making an entirely new story because they ignored the princess and became a bandit, that works too. Great video.

[@aurorabennett2023]

I love you Johnny

[@bearhustler]

Was totally unaware of your Tabletop activities, great stuff. I always like to start a playing group with a Lovcraftian game as it very quickly roots out any disruptive powergamers :)

[@4shtia]

Step two: Know the rules Yes Johnny, that is important. *flashbacks to all the oxventure rule violations... "acrobatics saving throw"*

[@21RedRabbit]

I'm writing my own adventure to the story in the finnish national poem collection Kalevala. Every finn knows at least a bit from it, so they'll have a better time trying to figure out what to do next and what can be and cant be done. The story itself contains the familiar characters as Väinämöinen who is wizard as old the world itself, Ilmarinen the smith who tamed iron, Louhi the northern witch with daughters that everyone want to bone, I mean marry. Hopefullu I'll finish the story in time so our group can get it started next weekend. This was helpful and so was your adventures with OX crew. Thank you very much!

[@Bigal3031]

I wish this video existed like 15 years ago when I started my DnD career. I'd love to see you take on Travler D20 . Or BESM

[@jamescrowley8598]

Never played d&d,I used to read the fighting fantasy books by Steve Jackson..favourite was the 2nd book tower of Doom(I think)

[@thelibrarian2094]

A couple of tips as a seasoned Dm. Bosses are not as strong as you think and make criticals do something cool. Many Dms take criticals to just be extra damage or a guaranteed hit according to the rules but come on it's a minuscule chance so why not reward it. Oftentimes I've had players roll 20s on a boss and while it doesn't necessarily have to kill the boss maybe it summons a dragon or lops off a limb. On the other hand stupid criticals should do stupid things eg: "I roll to look at the rabbit you've already told me is completely normal" "okay perception check" *Nat 20* Dm" You see a completely normal rabbit". So as in all things it's about balance. But to bosses are weak: Boss monsters are also dictated by your luck I've had a literal god roll nothing but 1s when she attacked between literally every players turn. So be wary of that and don't let it get you down.

[@Xioun123]

I would love to see you running a Blades game. It's a well put together system in a really cool world.

[@shanewaldron1911]

Well I've recently started trying to get into D&D with my friends decided to choose me as dm which i have no problem with just hoping for some tips on creating your own campaign I'll be starting with some of the pre written campaigns but was hoping for some pointer on things to keep in mind when creating a world, npcs, towns just anything a new dm should keep in mind

[@euanmorse]

Having watched the OXVENTURES, I am curious to try to some D&D!

[@robertnett9793]

There is one point one can't stress enough: Names. Have a list of names ready. Coming up a) quick and b) with good sounding names is hard. (at least I struggle with it). So have a list of 20 names. Or 30 Male Female, human names, Orkish names whatever. Because nothing screams more 'unimportant NPC' as having no name ready. You probably never use that NPC again - but when your players ask the guard at the city gate about his name - have one ready instead of saying 'That's none of your business' or something. And you never know - players might come back to people. The aformentioned guard, might have an answer to some of the characters questions. They might become regulars in some bar when they know the barkeeper. They might meet again the bard they saw earlier and so on. Single people aren't background. Crowds are. But those NPCs the players talk to, should feel real enough that players can't tell if this is an important NPC or just some random bloke. And who knows - leaving those hooks might come in handy later, when the guard meets them three adventures later with a letter from the lord asking them for their help... If you add a few characeristics to each name, it's even more of a help. so. Tl,dr - keep a list of 20 random names you can use everytime your players insist on talking to some random NPC.

[@captaincrash9002]

Matt Mercer does this too

[@bigaj6901]

I was made to think DnD was for scrubs living in their mum's basement at the age of 30. But by watching you and the oxbox crew enjoy it so much, I realised Iwas completely wrong and it inspired me to try it for myself. I've only had one session and I'm sooo stoked for the next one so thanks for helping inspire me and my friends Johnny XD

[@FreekHoekstra]

for anyone who wants to see Johnny DM in action: Dungeons & Dragons: Oxventure Begins! (Ep. 1 of 3) MEET THE PARTY kzbin.info/www/bejne/eHy5m5JrppaNabM Dungeons & Dragons: Oxventure Continues! (Ep. 2 of 3) SHOWDOWN AT THE CRYPT kzbin.info/www/bejne/jGfViIFqiqd5m7s Dungeons & Dragons: Exciting Conclusion! (Ep. 3 of 3) GNOME FIGHT! kzbin.info/www/bejne/ep2ahJSLlNefbrs Dungeons & Dragons: A SPOT OF BOTHER! (Ep. 1 of 3) kzbin.info/www/bejne/n3vbqpSveKabhKc Dungeons & Dragons: A SPOT OF BOTHER! (Ep. 2 of 3) kzbin.info/www/bejne/qqPNqYSZod-ahaM Dungeons & Dragons: A SPOT OF BOTHER! (Ep. 3 of 3) kzbin.info/www/bejne/hZfUgYajfdmNe6s

[@Dracopol]

Some of my tips for game-mastering a game: -- *Set up a game more loosely* than a rigid "railroading" experience. Draw branching graph-notes which explain 4 or 5 locations or people or situations the players can visit _in any order_ , hoping to gather enough information and gear for a final "showdown" in the last situation. Sometimes they will not have everything, or know everything. Make boxes for the important points in each "area" and tick off those boxes when the players have discovered each. --Players are not playing to be actors; their character is just a vehicle to be immersed in a *believable world* that is other than their mundane existence! So make the world believable. Build in some details big and small. As players move their characters around, describe in two short sentences what their characters would see, hear, smell and feel "at a glance". If they want more details, encourage them to ask the right questions. Build your vocabulary, paint a picture with words, develop your powers of description. --Most of all, *keep the game moving* . Don't dwell on boring stuff like shopping or uneventful travel or exhaustively searching a room for secrets. To keep players from dawdling, use the magic phrase, "your character has completed your search to their satisfaction." Players will introduce these boring things and you should expedite those things, but don't be boring yourself. Don't slow down the game looking for an obscure rule; make a quick decision that seems right for you and KEEP IT MOVING. --For random fun, in designing adventure plots or even introducing a random factor during the game, try some *randomizers* like Rory's Story Cubes, or The Gamemaster's Apprentice playing-cards that exist in several genres to introduce random elements, descriptions and to make quick "dice rolls" with a silent card-pick.

[@roelandjan5154]

How do you call such a shirt the dm is wearing during the shots when he's in game. I want one

[@MrBlooDeck]

I definitely like to plan a little more than Johnny does, but do agree that less is more in many ways. My tip is to have deliberate blank spots in your plan. The bad guy is doing their ritual and the players want to stop it and just let them work it out from there. Improvise how they get to the ritual site and then when they arrive you have a nice set piece encounter with lots of intricate parts and ideas going off.