How To PREPARE A D&D Session

Here are 3 simple tips for how to prepare a D&D session, and how to improvise when your party goes left instead of right! Whether it’s your first session, your last, or anywhere in between, let's makes your next session the best one yet! :D ⏬ More below! ⏬
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#dnd #dungeonsanddragons

[@BobWorldBuilder]

Have you ever played through a session the DM clearly didn't prepare for? Don't be that DM! :) ▶️ 4 Tips For FAST Combat: kzbin.info/www/bejne/jZ-8pZyDn9GdhrM

[@buckaroobonzai9847]

And because prepping takes between one half to as much as equal to the full session time like I do for tons of info, is why DMs need to be paid just like musicians or artists which I also do paid. And unless that happens there will continue to be less and les DMs and poorly prepared Game Sessions.

[@glennpendleton9520]

When I was running the Ghosts of Saltmarsh the other day, an NPC gave the players a boat ride from town to the ruins of Warthalkeel. I was totally prepared for everything they would find in Warthalkeel, the locations, creatures, treasure, everything. But they asked me the name of the NPC that was giving them a ride. I was unprepared for that and said, "His name is inconsequential" so the players decided that his name was Inkon Sequential, and after raiding Warthalkeel they had a pint with Inkon at a local bar.

[@BobWorldBuilder]

Hahah now that’s improv! NPC names are one of the easiest things to forget about, having a short list helps, and it seems like you essentially went the route of having the players decide, and it made for a memorable moment. Long live Inkon!

[@claire3614]

Im using that for my campaign, thank you, I laughed my ass out

[@TheThirdDaySH]

Yeah, totally stealing that lmao.

[@TheMalfestor]

And thus the legend of Inkon Sequential was born.

[@user-burner]

Yknowhat I'm stealing that idea. If I don't have a name prepped for a character and a player asks about it I'll make them name it for a change

[@400txuser]

You know you're in for a hell of a night when you DM shows up wearing a battle grid shirt... 'Tonight... I am the terrain!'

[@AbyssGrant]

That "smells like Tip #3" was so corny I love it

[@BobWorldBuilder]

Haha, thank you! Then you *might* love the puns at the start of my ‘50 ways to spend gold’ video

[@Andromeda7Music]

Checking in with players between/before/after sessions should be part of prepping for the next session. Players feeling comfortable enough to come to you after games and ask questions or just talk about how the game went is really important to sustain trust.

[@BobWorldBuilder]

Totally! Just making the effort and letting players know you want their feedback is important for building a lasting group!

[@PerpetuallyTired171]

I make a point to ask all my players their thoughts after each game

[@daveshif2514]

Yes! I do a “group review” after every game. For time sake, we type out our thoughts on discord at our leisure. That way we dont spend an extra hour talking about it, although that is how it started years ago. It really helps the game, and players grow. We can also give each other rewards as part of a reward system; stuff like rerolls and inspiration for next game

[@DungeonClass]

Another outstanding video. You have a kind of soothing Bob Ross vibe that we so enjoy. Keep up the great work you do for the D&D community.

[@BobWorldBuilder]

I should really start keeping track of how often I get the Bob Ross comparison haha, I appreciate it every time! Thank you :)

[@TimTamSlam7]

Couldn’t have said it better :)

[@matvocaat]

Or the Goobertown Hobbies version for dnd

[@craigstueber8073]

I always let my party name NPC's. We had Jimothy the Kobold that was a group pet. Limo the Half-Elf Monk that was quest giver. I have learned they always remember the names of NPC's they named and they seem to care about them and what happens to them more.

[@BobWorldBuilder]

Nice! Good to hear some support for this technique 👍🏻

[@panicpillow6097]

Don't prep too far ahead. Your players are unpredictable and you don't want to force them down a path if you don't absolutely have to (like when you're running a WotC module). Take it one session at a time and allow your players' choices to dictate the course of the adventure.

[@BobWorldBuilder]

Bingo! Or if you do somehow already have a full campaign pretty much planned, tell your players you want them to treat it like they're playing through one of those campaign books. They might love the idea, or they might not want to play it. Both are okay!

[@karpmageddon4155]

All that production! Those Patreon bucks are definitely starting to show. But when will we get Michael Bay explosions? 🤔

[@BobWorldBuilder]

Nice perception check! Yes, I'm experimenting with more effects lately, and an explosion or two will surely show up soon haha

[@BeyondTheScreenRPG]

Bardy Mcfly returns! Wonderful video Bob, I really like the pacing in this one. The part about your Saltmarsh experience was neat, love that storyboard style.

[@BobWorldBuilder]

Thank you, Aviad! This one really flowed while scripting, and I’ve been waiting for an opportunity to talk about that silly experience ...and you haven’t seen the last of Bardy!

[@IPjarjat1299]

The idea of having a list of random npc names is brilliant. I've always been bad at coming up with them on the spot, ending up with a town only people sharing the same only 4 names. Thank for the tip 😊

[@BobWorldBuilder]

Glad I could help!

[@5peciesunkn0wn]

Don't worry. You can easily have a city full of Hrothgar, son/daughter of Hrothgar son/daughter of Hrothgar of the line Hrothgar.

[@morrigankasa570]

​@@5peciesunkn0wnYep, remember George Foreman named all his kids after himself.

[@vincentcleaver1925]

Woah, back it up- that's DoK's!!! My old stomping grounds, the days of knights on main street, Newark Delaware! (Not new-work, new-ark!)

[@CornerCrawler]

This is my first time ever hosting a session and this video saved me from so much anxiety! Thanks Bob, you seem like a great guy, subscribed!

[@jefftiebout1376]

You seem like such a nice guy Bob! Have a good day!

[@HHSDaily]

Session Prep. Keep snacks and water near to keep mind sharp and less distracted from hunger or thirst. Working on the rest of your prep ideas. Going to scribble down some more ideas for the DOIP 2nd level quests since I am sure hubby is ready to press on.

[@BobWorldBuilder]

Snacks! Now that is some advanced-level session prep! And I'm excited to hear what he does in Neverwinter!

[@lghtngblt]

I have a house rule where players have to create 1d6+4 contacts for their characters. This always nets me 5-10 npcs that are at least half started to build from for working their backstory into my world.

[@PhyreI3ird]

Ooooh, I really like that one. I think I might even mention that idea to my next gm, next time I'm just a player.

[@daveshif2514]

I encourage my pcs to have up to 4, but tbh even tho i insist that it can only benefit them and the game, i often still have to help them come up with ideas for the npcs too. Do you have any advice for getting pcs interested in making as many as 10? As a player, i would JUMP at the chance to essentially get 4 free cohorts, but idk ppl these days just tell me it is extra work. I can usually get them to make 4, after i take a few hours to brainstorm with them and just extrapolate npcs out of the backstory the pc gave me, it really isnt hard but getting pcs to actually do that homework is usually hit or miss for me

[@charles3840]

I can't do this with The Curse of Strahd :/

[@bad_juju911]

New watcher of the channel and ngl number 1 being "actually prepare something" had me 💀 keep up the good work! 👍

[@CardboardCleric]

Wow - this one hit's close to home, in a good way. The one part I really need to work on is taking notes during the session as I all to often forget some detail ... Ah and yes that nondescript building on the map will always draw someones attention lol

[@BobWorldBuilder]

Notes are so important! I was not good at asking for feedback in the past, but notes have always been my thing and it certainly helped me progress as a DM :D

[@PozerAdultRacingTeam]

Been playing/DMing off and on since 1992. I have Dragons of Icespire Peak. Great module.

[@Atoraful]

I just wanted to say THANK YOU!! For all your videos especially your Icespire series. I began being a DM 5 months ago and thanks to you I had a great step and guidance into that realm. I still watch your videos for ideas of imporv. Take my ADVICE and take Bobs logic to heart. I wish i could be in your next campaign. Thx Bob!

[@BobWorldBuilder]

I'm so happy to help! Thank you for the kind words and for subscribing :)

[@elgatomal7843]

As a returning player, your advice is very true. But, I have gotten great NPC names from movie credits. Also, a good pen and notebook are invaluable

[@OrangeyChocolate]

I remember when I was running a homebrew Eberron campaign. I was angling for the players to take the lightning rail to the other side of the country, but they decided (quite logically) to charter an airship instead. Cue about 30 minutes of frantically scrambling to improvise the process of chartering an airship, what the airship port looks like, what the airship itself looks like and etc, all while keeeping the game moving. It turned out great though, because they became very fond of the captain and crew, who even helped out in the final fight.

[@thomaslesperance6256]

Very much appreciated the humor as well as the great tips. I needed that today!

[@coreyl6221]

Like the debriefing questions to ask the party at the end. A great idea! Thanks!

[@BobWorldBuilder]

You’re welcome! That’s probably the most important tip for planning sessions your party will enjoy - just ask them what they want! Lol

[@_evillevi]

Your videos are getting funnier, and higher quality every time. I love low effort session prep tips. Thanks!

[@BobWorldBuilder]

Thank you! It means a lot to hear that my efforts are being noticed. I’ve had a little more time to plan videos lately thanks to quarantine haha

[@TheDungeonCoach]

First! I love seeing how people prepare their own games!

[@BobWorldBuilder]

Thanks, coach! This video mostly covers the fundamentals to keep in mind when prepping. I made a video of actual adventure prep like a year ago, but it could use an update haha

[@Sanctuary_269]

Great video! Such content really helps me develop as a DM. Best tip I can give: instead of forcing a linear sequence of events prepare as many puzzle pieces as possible. lay the puzzle as the group moves and recycle old pieces in unprepared situations as distraction. Example: Goblin & Ogre are best friends and the two set up a very obvious trap: Gold coin under a big create with stick & rope. they can be interrogated or a drawn plan can be looted. now just give the info you want the party to know wrapped in a small linear stoty as a "master plan" like: catch adventurers, bring to dragon on tower, big creepy guy with horns gives us wings so we can fly, vacation on beach.

[@pearl3577]

Every vid I've seen of yours has been awesome. About to dm for the first time and this stuff is really helpful so thanks for posting it

[@DekarNL]

This is the best advice. Concise and practical.

[@millsfamilyexperiences5284]

Hi Bob, I'm enjoying your videos. You've a steady, flowing style of communicating. As a fledgling DM, with Doip module as my initial campaign, your series gave me a lot of inspiration, to just try things out. As for your tips.. Its heartening to know I'm on a good path. I can certainly tell when I've got the balance of prep and flexibility right. Anyway, just wanted to say Thanks Bob.

[@BobWorldBuilder]

That's wonderful! It's extremely encouraging for me to hear that you're getting value from these videos, and that they are helping you progress as a DM! You're very welcome, and thank you for commenting! :)

[@gingerbreadman7729]

Man this dude always has such an authentic smile I love it

[@TalkativeHands]

I been waiting on this. Thank you.

[@BobWorldBuilder]

You're welcome! Please let me know what other videos you're waiting for! :)

[@pivs]

Yall be sleepin on xanathars guide those names in the back of the book is the best and a lifesaver

[@BobWorldBuilder]

Great point! I’ve used them several times for inspiration 👍🏻

[@ismirdochegal4804]

@@BobWorldBuilder You want a List of names? How about the Credits and Playtesters - Bam! 100Names in most any Gamebook.

[@Lat3xE4teR]

Bardy McFly is my favorite running joke

[@mingbritson]

Such good info, as always -- thanks!

[@user-mm3dy6sj6w]

brother, you are like the chillest DM I ever saw, srsly, all DMs I know is either super energetic or super stern

[@austinrobinson6065]

I love your content! You're so calm and informative and keep the videos fun and not super cringey 😂 keep it up man!

[@BobWorldBuilder]

Not-cringey is what I strive for everyday ✅ Thank you lol

[@solortiz3242]

the video was of great help, loved the yes, but rule, thanks a lot!

[@lepie6843]

Another great video. I’ve been trying to get into DND and this is a great start I feel

[@Stormdrop1]

Thanks Bob. I'm new to 5e (I used to be a DM starting with Red Box Set back in the 80's) and this has been really helpful. Pearls of wisdom. I'm not sure where I fit into the DM stereotypes, and I'm holding back on finding out which one I am, but humour, improv and flexibility I think are my style - my players may disagree, but I try to balance out NPCs, locations, quandaries, combat and puzzles equally, plus ask my players for feedback on what they'd like to see more of. I'll try and do a quick review after each session with them, rather than dictate, which I'm sure I tend to do!

[@AnArmAndAGreg]

Love the content. Thank you.

[@BobWorldBuilder]

My pleasure, thank you for subscribing! :)

[@christophernorris8730]

Seeing this is 2023. Absolutely great man! Hope you’re doing well friend!

[@Chexmix6]

Thanks!

[@alisonplc]

I usually have the idea of prepare what you are not good comfortable improvising on the spot, but sure a few quick npc cards and the villains motivation and plot direction. I'd say understanding the world and Making it dinamic, if you understand how the world react, you can arrange it better.

[@BobWorldBuilder]

Very true. Prep what you don't want to improv! There will be another video in the future that goes deeper into preparing for unexpected player decisions!

[@___i3ambi126]

I'm definitely going to need to get some random pc index cards and random name tables together. Naming my PCs always feels like the hardest part of character creation, so asking me the name of someone I didnt know existed 10 seconds ago will definitely leave me deer eyed.

[@BobWorldBuilder]

The Urban Encounters supplements available to Patrons include some helpful boxes full of names for random NPCs! They're also used in the Neverwinter supplement shown in one of my recent videos :)

[@andrewsimons8625]

Just found your channel, love it!

[@BobWorldBuilder]

Thanks! Welcome to the community :D

[@tallerguy]

I will be great. Your right I will be great.... Lol. Ace updates. Keep the top notch videos coming!

[@BobWorldBuilder]

Let's keep being great together! WHOO!

[@slixxfish4348]

Love itttttt!

[@ninjasquirtle5264]

I'm getting ready to DM my first campaign (Mythic Odysseys of Theros) and these tips are extremely helpful. Thank you ^_^

[@hyperblue3137]

Yo, you left this comment 4 months ago but I wanna hear how it went?

[@LeandroZanella]

Great insights!

[@BobWorldBuilder]

Thank you! I'm glad you enjoyed it :)

[@Eloweh]

I’ve started with 5e I’ve actually played for only a year as a DM but been wanting to play for 3 years. I love the game

[@chrisredmane2895]

I rly love the tips you give but i would also like to see your pre game notes for a session. Maybe a concept for a video ? A vlog about how you prepare for game night would be interesting.

[@BobWorldBuilder]

One of my early videos in my How to Play playlist includes a streamlined version of my adventure prep!

[@Daaronaaronax]

the best part of the bardy mcfly joke is the fact that somewhere on his computer; there is probably a file named "bardy_mcfly_sound.mp3"

[@RIVERSRPGChannel]

Good advice You forgot HAVE FUN!!!

[@BobWorldBuilder]

Dang it!!! That is in fact my #1 rule :D

[@smoinplog4673]

im gona run a session tomorow and Bardy McFly is defenetly going to give them the quest

[@BobWorldBuilder]

Yesssss! 🐦

[@spiderviod4594]

running my first session this saturday with mostly new players, wish me luck

[@pallenda]

I would argue that many official adventure modules does a bad job at just listing out the basic goals and personality of NPCs. What is the goal of Cryovain? How about Harbin? How about Falcon? Sure we can make stuff up, but if you ask me it should be the bare minimum stuff to be included in the adventure. I could spend hours ranting about this.

[@BobWorldBuilder]

Haha, if you're familiar with my series on DoIP or RotF, you'll see that I have spent hours ranting about these problems... just in a polite way :P

[@pallenda]

@@BobWorldBuilder I have seen all your DoIP videos, some of them multiple times.😃 I am pondering doing an edit of the DoIP material and remove all the fluff just to see how much space WotC could have had to write more about the overall story and the NPCs. In my head it's not DoIP but Anchorites of Neverwinter Wood. 😂 I have started running Storm Lord's wrath now, and it's funny that it's lacking in a bit different areas that now makes me go a bit less tough on the DoIP material. SLW material is missing maps. A problem I don't think I had with DoIP. At least how I read the maps, Wayside Inn is at an intersection that players from DoIP would have seen when going to the Tower of Storms. Leilon is around 5 miles from the coast on the overall map, yet the town map shows water right next to Leilon. So the consistency between the map layouts could be a lot better. But at least there is more meat to the story, the Talos faction chacters and what they are planning is discribed. I will stop rambling now. I haven't watched your RoTF videos as there maybe is a small chance of one the players in my group will run it....when we are done with the 3 DoIP expansion, or if I need a break. Could be a while since we only play 3 hours a week. 😄

[@VICT0RLAZL0]

I am using your advice... But I don't play D&Do I play Rift / Savage Rifts The advice... Your content is universal, label it as such.. 3 tips to prep your TTRPG or whatever 😉 Thank you for the info I subscribe 👍

[@captaincaffiend8880]

The DM asking us to name horses ended us up with three of them named Louis, Lewis, and Loois.

[@pirateninjaunicorn666]

The way you talk is very calming and easy to focus on. I can't stand the videos of many other dnd youtubers although they might be competent, because they yell into the microphone or talk really fast.

[@sesimie]

i Subbed because of Bardy McFly - A Fellow Bard

[@BobWorldBuilder]

Then you'll enjoy 2021! I have a series idea for Bardy to shine :)

[@chrislyngar9081]

I made a crack about a bum sleeping in the common room of the inn and a dire rat was in one of the players private rooms, because the inn was so cheap. One of the players sarcastically named the bum Stabbin Joe, who became a regular in many of our campaigns.

[@BobWorldBuilder]

Stabbin Joe! xD Destined to be a hero for sure, haha

[@matthewward4636]

Mythic gm is good practice for on the fly, or even using it during the game

[@BobWorldBuilder]

I'll have to look into that resource, thank you!

[@matthewward4636]

Its great, believe it or not you can play without a gm with multiple players, you interpret given hints and ask yes or no questions, it doesn't necessarily work in your pcs favour which can add conflict and twists never a bad thing for a good story 🙂

[@BobWorldBuilder]

Group choose-your-own-adventure! That sounds like a lot of fun :)

[@captgonads1294]

Are you going to UD or just live close to main street? I used to go to Days of Knights when I lived up there. Amazing store and people

[@chatyxd6078]

Watching this instead of prepping for my session

[@AJFB45]

Is that the Days of Knights in Newark?

[@keithsinkhorn9031]

Bob reminded me of some time tested Jim Cornette pro wrestling advice. Who's on whose side, who's mad at who, and why are they fighting? If you don't have that, you've got caca.

[@gariko]

Oh no, what happened to the cactus... cactuses... cacti?

[@BobWorldBuilder]

Do not fret! The cacti are fine haha, I'm just experimenting with a slightly new set-up and I realized I can show text a little better without the tall cactus in the back. They may return in some videos down the line when I don't plan to have text up there.

[@DaDunge]

Ti the first one I had to prepare a session with under 24hours prep time. It went well but it was a nightmare.

[@fraunklin395]

im running my first ever dnd campaign that im making up as we go. the first kingdom they go through they met the king who was on trial and they tried to get information from the queen. But one party member decided to rob her. so when they came back I had her dead and they got caught with the body as a punishment for robbing her. was that a good idea?

[@andrewbernal9957]

I’m really bad at making names so I make sure that I always make really good names for every possible NPC. The problem is that my players never ask for the names of NPCs.

[@BobWorldBuilder]

Players not asking for names is an okay problem to have haha, maybe you should make a point of NPCs asking for their character’s names!

[@andrewbernal9957]

Wow, um, this was actually some really good advice. Thank you.

[@BobWorldBuilder]

Happy to help! :)

[@dominicnicosia5752]

Oh shit pretty sure I’ve been to that game store lmao

[@merevel436]

Every time I ask a player for an npc name I get one of three responses. Idk, Rebeccah, or Chris. I once made the joke that Rebeccah must be a time traveler with a really good disguise kit.

[@allstatejake]

See, me as a DM I would know who they worked for but I also wouldn’t just flat out tell you who it was unless you quizzed the NPC.

[@jamesdavies2086]

Have a list of names that can be any needed NPC i.e all the extra ones the PC want to talk to

[@kylermellen7535]

If bardy says it im in.

[@imaaddalvie9739]

I'm running a homebrew game and one of my PCs are a druid who wanted to befriend a whale. When asked his name I asked the PC what the whales name was because they were talking to the whale. His answer? Ambatacum🤣

[@whiskywhiskerz1607]

Did you hire a writer? Or is this all you? This is fucking hilarious haha

[@BobWorldBuilder]

Just me lol :)

[@Odisher7]

How to prepare a D&D session: -Step 1: prepare your D&D session 👏👏👏

[@buckaroobonzai9847]

And because prepping takes between one half to as much as equal to the full session time like I do for tons of info, is why DMs need to be paid just like musicians or artists which I also do paid. And unless that happens there will continue to be less and les DMs and poorly prepared Game Sessions.

[@cameronbecause8294]

me with the wisdom score of 9

[@XanceMRevola]

In fairness to that Ghosts of Saltmarsh DM - the book truly doesn't have any information about what evil god they worship

[@elliepierson4639]

definitely don’t have an NPC named Sam, short for Salmon.

[@DanielLopez-mo9hz]

Is it truly 90% improvisation???

[@eduardoarce1722]

Dont you hate when the kobolds eats your notes??? you wouldnt belive how offent that happens to me as a DM

[@BobWorldBuilder]

It's the worst!! xD

[@vincentcleaver1925]

These are all common sense, but that ain't common... I would still be running if I had written these three things in my heart

[@oh-not-the-bees7872]

Lets hope its not the last session

[@SillySyrup]

Every DM: My game Bob World Builder: *insert communist bugs bunny *our* game

[@JazzJackrabbit]

I watched this rather than prepping for my session Hmm...

[@jackbellinger1216]

Actually though, it never says in Saltmarsh who those evil cultists worship. They are just evil cultists worshipping some evil deity.

[@BobWorldBuilder]

Wow! It's nuts that they didn't at least name one in the book!! Well I have to say, if I were prepping that adventure for a group to play, I would have picked one anyway.

[@amandaklucas4269]

cough shameless plug cough

[@willcool713]

(Thank you for deleting that. Came back to do it myself. This isn't my community. That's okay. I get frustrated, because I've always thought the point of role-playing games was to collectively harness groupthink toward positive ends. Ultimately to fully escape into a shared emersive reality where the table disappears just as do the words on the page while reading. I just don't see freedom of thought like that in modern gaming. And I get hurt by that misapprehension about role-playing and over-react sometimes. I'm sorry.)

[@cyanhb9689]

Oh God.. 5e is so f'ing badly made. Go back to 2e or 3e.