How to PREP your next Dungeons and Dragons session

Want to make Dungeons and Dragons prep easier? This video covers the three principles I use to prep my D&D sessions.
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Music Credits: "MidNyte" by Noir Et Blanc Vie
Link: • Video
Used in accordance with KZbin Audio Library guidelines
All artwork used in this video was either created by me using Inkarnate (inkarnate.com/) or is official artwork from 4th and 5th Edition Dungeons And Dragons - ALL copyright for these images belongs to Wizards of the Coast LLC (I own nothing) and is used here under Creative Commons (License: creativecommons.org/licenses/...) for the purposes of entertainment and education.

[@valiantgm]

13:35 "as dudgeon masters we don't prep because we want to avoid improv, we prep so our improv is better and easier for us and more immersive for our players." I love that!

[@TalesArcane]

Realizing this was honestly a game-changing moment for me when I was learning to DM - planning to do a video on improv soon actually.

[@TalesArcane]

My 3 rules for prep are: 1) Ask your players what they expect from the next session, so (a) you don't waste time prepping content that doesn't get used and (b) they jog your memory about details you may have forgotten; 2) Use preparation as a way to enhance improvisation, NOT as an alternative to improvisation; 3) Improvise roleplay, but take the time you save as a result and invest it in carefully prepped and structured combat encounters. The video goes into a lot more depth, with examples, but those are the broad strokes, in case you're in a rush.

[@ViktorLoR_Mainu]

The more of his content i watch, the more I realize how i love this guy, there are very few content creators with as wholesome a vibe as this.

[@TalesArcane]

Mate, that's very kind of you to say! Glad you're enjoying the content and the vibe of the channel, I appreciate that 👊

[@JupiterTheWizard]

Just want to say you have a very calming voice and your videos are always inspiring.

[@TalesArcane]

That's very nice of you to say! Glad you're enjoying the content and the chill vibes of the videos 🙏

[@vinimagus]

Agreed and agreed. 😊

[@angelalewis3645]

The accent just makes your voice even better. 🤩

[@silverturtle1105]

Love the longer format possibly more than the short. Comment for the algorithm :)

[@TalesArcane]

2023 is your year then! My hope is that if I post longform consistently, the algorithm will gradually start pushing my longer videos to more of my subscribers. Glad you're enjoying the content!

[@silverturtle1105]

@@TalesArcane I especially like the more specific breakdown of your prep time of social vs. Combat. I've been a forever DM for a long time and have lately realized my combats should be more dynamic with enemies and terrain instead of HP sponges. I'll definitely be trying that proportion of prep time.

[@Frederic_S]

I encourage player-speculation and planing between sessions. It just works 😁

[@TalesArcane]

Yeah, very true! The more the players have discussed in advance, the more focused the session usually is.

[@rbtalley3]

I'm really digging the rebrand and the long form videos. Thank you

[@jdsmith8135]

I’m back into DND and being a DM after a couple decade absence. Watch and reading all I can to get my head back in the game. Glad I found your channel. Tons of great inspiration and tips.

[@TalesArcane]

That's so good to hear! I often think of my content as being good for newcomers to the community, but it's great to know that it can also be a refresher for experienced DMs like yourself who are returning after a break. Good luck with all the games to come.

[@NorthumbrianMarxist]

You have just motivated me to prep for the first session of a new campaign happening tomorrow. Thank you for the gods work you do

[@TalesArcane]

That's what I like to hear! Glad the video gave you the boost to get started, hope the new campaign is your best yet 💪

[@NorthumbrianMarxist]

@@TalesArcaneomg u responded lol didn’t expect that

[@Teraclon]

Great advice! I'll keep these tips in mind, but more than anything, I'll link this to one of my players who've started DM-ing and he sometimes finds it tough prepping. :D

[@TalesArcane]

I'm pretty sure your were the first comment, or one of the first, on my last video too! Really appreciate the support mate, and I'm glad the video can be useful to you and your player.

[@Teraclon]

@@TalesArcane Always on the lookout for your content. Love the advice and you deliver it with the gusto of a storyteller, so it's less of a classroom and more of a story around the campfire :)

[@deadsparrow132]

Thank you for the advice!! As a veteran DM, I know many of these things. But it is a good thing to refresh it every now and then :) Also, I think I can always improve. The maps, for example: mine are always somewhat... Plain. Love the long vid format. The raw style (less scripts, more improvised talking) is awesome, btw! Keep it up! :)

[@TalesArcane]

I really appreciate the kind words, thank you! Battle maps are something I could talk about endlessly - I'm hoping to do a video later in January focusing on how I go about planning and building my maps. And yeah, I'm feeling a lot more confident with this unscripted approach - it's fun to just let the ideas flow!

[@mugzillawill2248]

Yo this was actually great advise, I was putting too much effort in the story and not enough in the combat.

[@larstollardo8563]

This is my first Patreon Video and I love the little off script things! Like when you brought that example for a Quest where the Party has to search the crew of the captain. This little "thats actually a great Idea, I'm going to add that to the game" was so sympathic and fun to watch!

[@TalesArcane]

Thank you so much! Glad you enjoyed it. I'm trying to move away from heavily scripting my videos, which means there's a lot more room for fun ideas to develop in real-time, like that drunken crew thing 😁

[@gstaff1234]

Just found you and truly appreciate your input. Nice videos with great information. The Capt as a center piece of the tavern was truly memorable

[@Punkstar911]

Great vid. Strong voice, rich content, great topic.

[@TalesArcane]

Mate, thank you! That's really great to hear, glad you're enjoying the content, and the overall tone of the vids.

[@lorenzovas4413]

I vibe so much with your mood and stance on things! Thanks, I feel represented

[@dalesmith8452]

This is GM Gold

[@Pie-ed6nh]

Banger video. Love the long form content

[@gre3nishsinx0Rgold4]

This video, in its entirety, is very helpful. As someone who's just winging it at being a dm. I sometimes do feel stressed.

[@TalesArcane]

I felt the same starting out! Combat was especially stressful for me. But hopefully this video and the tips can help a bit - I've certainly found this approach really helpful for me. Prep should be part of the fun, if done right!

[@rookangelofmercy7283]

Another great video 📸

[@TalesArcane]

Thank you! Always appreciate the support and the comments. I'll keep the videos coming.

[@paulsavas2394]

Good prep facilitates good improvisation! Chef’s kiss! Exactly!!!

[@DieEinstes]

Awesome. Amazing advice and insight. Will definitely be incorporating this for my players. Keep up the awesome content man!

[@namelessspook7987]

As always, great advice. Everyone always says "don't over plan," but few actually give an example of.

[@DrWhoBadWolf]

Love it, saved for when I finally build up the confidence to DM! Also your patreon content is brilliant 👌👏

[@josued.quirindongo1311]

This is so helpful. Thank you

[@snipingninja4354]

Great vid! I like the long form style! I have some prep to do today and this should help me be in the right mindset! Thank you, and much love for what you do!

[@angelasmith1126]

Yet another amazing video. I always ask players what they want to achieve next session. I also ask what they liked about this session and what I could improve on next session. I was just trying to decide how much prep to spend on a sea coast battle for my players and this helped me with some great new ideas. Thank you.

[@alanvillarreal7781]

Very helpful advice. Thank you!

[@TalesArcane]

Glad you found it helpful! Planning a lot more like it for this year 😄

[@Lucky30Eight_]

I am a new dm and new to dnd and ttrpgs in general, just finished the lost mines of phandelver as my first adventure that I've ever done. Changed a lot of the adventure, especially towards the end. The advice to spend a lot of time prepping combat is huge I think. My player was getting very bored with the combat towards the end of the module and I think it's because I didn't do enough to prep fun combat. Going to spend some time learning inkarnate as well, I love the maps but have not gotten into map making yet. Been watching a lot of your videos, they've helped me a lot!

[@brettcardon4552]

Great ideas, thank you for sharing! I think the idea of one part prep for role play three part prep for battles is right up my alley as a future DM. Thank you!

[@Deadxskyx.]

A game with you would be very fun. Also thank you for more great information. I always appreciate it. I really like how organic and real your videos feel. Just mainly your thoughts without it fully scripted out. I am a huge fan of it.

[@ruanvermeulen6527]

Great tips. Could you give some tips for a long campaign plot reveal.

[@TalesArcane]

Ohhhh great idea for a video! Do you mind if I screenshot this comment so I can have it pop up at the start of a vid on this subject, since you gave me the topic idea?

[@ruanvermeulen6527]

@@TalesArcane Not at all go for it

[@sleepybunny5375]

Thank you so much for this! Im a relatively new DM working on a one shot as a break from the longer campaign! I learned a lot from the latter and watching this vid kinda validates my anxieties back then?? Especially with the hyperfixation on NPCs! I felt like i wasn't -enough prep- for those! I'm excited for new content from you this year! won't miss a thing from now :D

[@angelalewis3645]

Brilliant advice!

[@weaver7955]

Dude, first of all great video, second this advice has helped me out a bunch and I cant wait to try it out with my group.

[@TalesArcane]

That's great to hear, mate! Glad the video was helpful, and I hope the group enjoys many exciting games ahead.

[@benji_standfast]

Love this 👌🏻💪🏻

[@TalesArcane]

Glad you liked it mate! Plenty more videos like this one on the way 😁

[@neevasken6054]

Dude the instant I clicked this video I subbed because I heard your voice

[@TalesArcane]

Heeeey you're too kind! Glad my voice adds something to the videos, and thank you for supporting the channel 😁

[@christophermurray9777]

Helpful

[@Steven-tw7iz]

I love the longform content! Thank you so much for the great videos! Also, do you have any tips on how to make good maps in inkarnate? Are their any resources you followed when getting into map making? I find the interface confusing and I find myself unable to come up with designs I like.

[@TalesArcane]

Really appreciate the support, mate! Glad you liked the video. In terms of Inkarnate, the big thing for me was getting the hang of the layering system and the shadows system (both accessible through the Objects panel when placing objects). Being able to tweak what layer an item appears on and the intensity and direction of its shadow (and whether the shadow is cast on objects or on the layer texture) helped me add a lot of depth and lighting effects. The overlay Filters are also great - even just slapping on the Saturation filter will make a standard map look a lot cooler, because I think most Inkarnate assets are beautiful but a little washed out. Just keep practicing and playing with the tools, and after a month or so you'll be seeing good results!

[@lucabelcecchi7224]

Comment for support

[@TravelingSAfrican]

2:20.... Pry-Marly? Had to rewind to realize you were going for Primarily. Anyway, keep up the great content. I've used several of your adventures and my players love them :)

[@lylemitchell1991]

Some of the best things that have happened are always of the cuff ie. Random Improv breeds interesting events

[@TalesArcane]

100%! That's why I also have a video about improv DMing - it's my favourite way to run the game.

[@euqraf]

Great prep ideas! One thing i have wanted to ask about your map making process, do you use many purchased assets? Your maps are always super detailed and I find using inkarnate that I'm a bit always a bit limited. Maybe some ideas on your favourite assets packs would be good

[@TalesArcane]

So I have the premium version of Inkarnate, which is (last time I checked) 4 dollars a month or 25 dollars a year. For that, you get access to all the Inkarnate assets. In terms of the asset packs I use within Inkarnate: for top-down visuals and normal combat maps I use Fantasy Battlemaps 2.0, for 3D illustrations (cities and towns, for example) I use Fantasy Regional HD, and then for world/region maps I use Parchment World. One thing that really helps is that I use Inkarnate's map filters, especially 'Saturation' and 'Gloom and Doom', and that makes the colors a lot more striking and vibrant. Hope that helps!

[@euqraf]

@@TalesArcane that's awesome thankyou

[@Frederic_S]

Oh mighty algorithm, this comment is for you!

[@TalesArcane]

All hail the KZbin algorithm and its mysterious, unknowable ways!

[@mikehallaron]

@TalesArcane I enjoy your channel. Any handouts, pdf’s etc of your Highlands setting for sale/download? Thanks

[@polmateo1017]

Nice

[@TGFitzpatrick]

Love that we can visibly see the quality of his video/audio improving over time, it's great to see - the content is also 10/10 Edit: as a new DM, this is genuinely such helpful advice - particular the point about the idea of improvising being a big part of prep - improvising is something which I'm really scared to do (which is why I run pre writtens), but I want to do more of it

[@TalesArcane]

Honestly, it's thanks to folk like yourself showing up and engaging with the content! Knowing that there are people watching and enjoying is a big motivator to up my game. Next big step for me is a better microphone, I think.

[@TGFitzpatrick]

@@TalesArcane any chance we could get a video on how to encourage role play at our tables? I play with a group of guys who don't naturally want to role play, they play DnD like a dungeon crawler and don't necessarily role play with npcs beyond asking them what they need to do. Any tips for encouraging role play more generally?

[@cadenceclearwater4340]

Gazebos may have 3 pillars 😊

[@TalesArcane]

Maybe the 4th pillar was the friends we made along the way.

[@cadenceclearwater4340]

@@TalesArcane 🤗

[@Linkinpurk]

If preparing is stressful you are diong it wrong: me getting even more stressed

[@RicardoPM777]

Nice video! BTW Hasbro and WOTC should stop damaging the tabletop rpg genre! #FreeOGL #OpenDnD #boycottDnD #boycottHasbro #boycottwotc

[@markhill3858]

Tell your players they cant say DM anymore .. youre now a GM .. and tell them they cant sat DnD anymore .. youll think of something else to call it :) like "dungeon adventure RPG" etc