Simple Tips that Make Running DnD Combat Easier

Running combat as a DM can be challenging: Between calculating hit points, remembering the rules, mapping out monsters and everything in-between, you have a lot to juggle once initiative gets rolled! In this video, I want to give you some simple, easy-to-use tips that will make combat more manageable, both before, during and after the fighting begins. Whether you're a new Dungeon Master learning the ropes or a veteran trying to hone your craft, I hope you can find these simple tips useful at your own table!
Thank you so much for watching, and if you enjoyed the video, I'd appreciate if you'd leave a like and consider subscribing to the Bard's College! I make videos about DnD and DMing, so if you like what you saw, there's more to see! Good luck out there, Game Masters!
Chapters
00:00 - Intro
00:27 - Tip #1: Refresh yourself on monsters' stats
01:48 - Tip #2: Mark the pages your monsters are on
02:50 - Tip #3: Pre-roll the enemies' initiative
03:39 - Tip #4: Group enemies by type
05:03 - Tip #5: Give a "heads-up" to the next player
06:01 - Tip #6: Have a method to track conditions
07:18 - Tip #7: Write down the enemies' spells and slots
08:39 - Conclusion

[@leonmckoy7632]

I appreciate your videos so much dude. I don’t have too many sessions under my belt, but your video on legendary actions, resistances and layer actions really opened my eyes as to why my bosses were basically getting jumped 🤣

[@TheBardsCollegeYT]

Those boss battles are tricky, even after years of playing I have some get walloped every now and again! I’m glad my videos could help, thanks for not just watching but the kind words as well!

[@vexeven]

I have two suggestions that could help. The first one comes from some KZbin channel, I am pretty sure that it comes from Deficient Master channel. - If you as a DM like it, and the table agrees: you could at the beginning of every round "pause" the combat to make everyone think together to what to do in their respective turns. This avoids players to wait for others thinking, helps the teamplay, and makes turns quicker. - I find that spell cards could be a great help, especially when you have to deal with disorganized spellcaster players. Maybe even better, spell cards with simplified/summarized descriptions P.s. very good channel and contents, keep it up!

[@TheBardsCollegeYT]

Thanks for sharing those suggestions! Spell cards for sure are very cool, and I think the group planning pause would be great if some of your party struggle making quick decisions in combat. And thanks for the kind words, I always appreciate the support!

[@davidwatches]

Rather than bookmarks on monster entries, I add an abridged stat block to my homebrew adventure notes for each monster in order to have everything I need for the session in one document, digital or printed. In addition, typing or writing a stat block helps you remember what a creature can do a bit more than just reading through it beforehand.

[@TheBardsCollegeYT]

When I first started out, I didn’t own the Monster Manual, so I would write out stat blocks I needed by hand. So I can confirm, absolutely helps with memory! Thanks for sharing your process!

[@a7xmyfist]

Tip if you are going analog with the books or want to have a easy way to quick reference your monsters use a sheet that tracks initiative so you can put just the basic Info needed. I make index cards for monsters with alot of info so I can pull it out for spells and any extra info but use the tracker sheet to see there basic attacks movment, modifiers, and list of special things they can do no details just names. If I forget what they do I just get my index card out. Good thing about them if I need the monster again (zombie) i can pull out the card for the game It stops me from picking up the phone or book to look up something witch takes longer and is more noticeable.

[@TheBardsCollegeYT]

Index cards and having notes for special abilities and attacks is a great way to simplify things! I can usually glean what I need from the full stat block (besides spells, like in the video) but it can certainly help to have things jotted down in your notes, especially when just starting out if they’re not as familiar with reading monster stats. Thanks for sharing!

[@bruhmento3775]

been loving the content, keep up the good work!

[@TheBardsCollegeYT]

Thank you so much, I’m glad you’re enjoying the videos! I always appreciate the support and kind words!

[@SillySyrup]

I've always used the Condition cards provided in the Essentials Kit to track conditions, especially because it also describes what they do.

[@TheBardsCollegeYT]

I didn’t even know those were in the Essentials Kit - I got the starter kit when I first started, which unless I totally missed it doesn’t have them. That’s cool they’re included, makes it that much better!

[@RottenRogerDM]

Tip 2, I found the cheap magnetic bookmarks work for marking pages. Hit the discount stores after Christmas or Back to School Sales to get them cheap. Also in my notes I will do this Aarakocra AC 12 HP 13 CR 1/4 MM 12 Tip 4. At cons I will just insert the monsters’ initiative at 10 and 1. But this various with how big a table I have. Tip 5 I have players put initiative on the battle map. And have them self-police each other. So the fighter kicks the warlock under the table to put down the phone before his turn. Tip 6. I created a condition sheet and printed out copies for the players. Soda bottle rings work well for indicators. And each person can have their own rings depending on how often they bring bottles to the game. Tip 7. Also I rank the spells. Or know the first two they going to use. Tip 8. I have a white board and stand. One player is in charge of tracking monsters AC and HP. And since they are in the open, some pcs will focus fire.

[@TheBardsCollegeYT]

Thanks for sharing, those are all awesome methods for helping keep track of things! Love the soda rings as well, that’s one I’ve seen recommended before and it’s such a cheap, good idea! Appreciate the input!

[@screamingblue7]

I admit to making things slightly more complicated but reduce mobs taking forever to run. I use numbered bases from the Pathfinder Pawns, and break them down on the initiative as Even, Odd, and Special (so bosses or something much different from the other mobs) so that it's three different groups instead of everything happening on one turn.

[@TheBardsCollegeYT]

That’s interesting, I’ve never heard of it run that way. But it sounds like the same concept in theory, but with different groupings. Thanks for sharing, I always love learning new ways folks are running the game!

[@leonhowe1299]

A brilliant and concise video! Thank you!

[@TheBardsCollegeYT]

Glad you liked it! Thanks for the kind words, more to come!

[@LuizCesarFariaLC]

I usually simplify the available spell options for enemy spellcasters to 1 spell per slot level they have, this way they became simpler to run

[@TheBardsCollegeYT]

That's a great idea, anything to make it easy to play with in the moment! Thanks for sharing, I think that's super helpful especially for newer DMs!

[@Noobzilla_]

Firing at the evil cult leader?? You must have some crazy players!

[@TheBardsCollegeYT]

Only the craziest players, but I wouldn't trade them for the world - even when I want to!

[@TheSkyrimfreak]

I would definitely recommend using condition trackers, you can buy a big box of rings (medium sized creatures) for $20

[@TheBardsCollegeYT]

100%, I got some as a gift and they were so nice to have when I was playing in person!

[@Sindhrohan]

To maintain player engagement and reduce mental load on the DM, designate a player to be your initiative tracker captain: they can keep track of all the initiatives AND have 3 pre-rolled initiatives for all players and DM. Have another player be the Condition Captain to keep track of conditions and concentration. Have a third be the Damage Tracker Captain. They track the DAMAGE (not the HP) that the enemies and PCs have taken and they read out loud how much total they have taken. If it matches or exceeds that PC or NPC, they are down! Rotate the responsibilities per session to different players if you have more than 3 PCs and reward extra XP or Inspiration for helping out!

[@TheBardsCollegeYT]

Handing out roles is a great way to keep people engaged! Especially when you have a party who aren’t always the best at recording damage and remembering conditions! Thanks for sharing!

[@TheSkyrimfreak]

New upload, hell yea!

[@TheBardsCollegeYT]

Hope you enjoy it!

[@brandonk1297]

On tip #2, I use the books on dnd beyond so I just have tabs open for each creature 👍🏼 same tip, just converted for online users too!

[@TheBardsCollegeYT]

Great tip, especially when playing online! Thanks for sharing!

[@RottenRogerDM]

Beyond is great until you have seven tabs open. Ask me how I know.

[@TheBardsCollegeYT]

@@RottenRogerDM Very true! It can become overwhelming sometimes for sure!

[@bomberooski]

Great tips! Another great video.

[@TheBardsCollegeYT]

Glad you enjoyed it and thanks for watching another one!

[@trooper1348]

To simplify combat I have color coded & numbered tokens on the table that represent enemies & a corresponding sheet where I have their basic stats & track damage. Instead of all the enemies having different stats & AC’s I just make all of them the same. Bandits? They all have an AC of 13, HP? They all have ten, damage? They either do 1d6 or 1d4. Sometimes on the lesser enemies like goblins I just count every successful hit as an automatic death, this really helps the PC’s to feel more impowered to do great amounts of damage. The boss bandit? I may give him a few more HP & AC. I also rarely roll for initiative, I point to the PC closest to the nearest enemy & say “what are you doing?? If they can’t say something & start rolling in 10 seconds then the enemy gets goes first (unless someone has obvious surprise). Sometimes players get skipped altogether if they’re taking too long to decide & believe me, this really cuts down on the “ummmm let’s see what spell do I want to cast” factor. Not only does this speed things up immensely but it also adds a certain amount of chaos to the combat which is good, combat shouldn’t be well ordered & step by step. This is knock down drag out D&D combat not chess.

[@TheBardsCollegeYT]

That definitely sounds like a more chaotic system, I don't know if I'd be good at running combat like that! But I'm glad it's working for you and your players, I would just worry that some players may not be as well-suited to thinking on the fly and might thrive in a more structured combat system. But of course, if everyone's having fun, that's not a problem! I also like giving minions 1 HP, I've learned that was a rule in DnD 4e and definitely something I want to implement in my own games one of these days! Thanks for sharing!

[@trooper1348]

@@TheBardsCollegeYT​​⁠Oh man I have to apologize, I just read my comment again & I sound like a complete a-hole! So sorry, I’m not suggesting my way is the only way to run combat, introducing a bit of chaos into the situation is fun but yeah it’s backfired on me a couple times. I do have a couple players who have trouble making snap decisions so I usually give them fair warning that their turn is coming up. Anyway keep up the vids, love them!

[@TheBardsCollegeYT]

@@trooper1348 No worries, I didn't think you were being rude at all! I always like when people share how they run things and give new ideas for running the game, even if I don't think it's for me! Nothing wrong with inserting a little chaos from time and time, and it shows you clearly care about your party's fun knowing which players will need a heads-up. Thanks for sharing your ideas and for the kind words, I really appreciate it!

[@nikolas3198]

That pop-up at 2:36. Why do you need to have a "guaranteed TPK" encounter ready at all times?

[@TheBardsCollegeYT]

That was just a joke! The pop-ups are usually just me messing around!

[@nikolas3198]

@@TheBardsCollegeYT instructions unclear, party didn't like my new homebrew

[@TheBardsCollegeYT]

@@nikolas3198 the old “Tiamat-Orcus Fusion” was too much for them???

[@Joshuazx]

Stats are an illusion. Use the lore to tell you the logic of how the monster works, and go.

[@TheBardsCollegeYT]

Using lore definitely helps when deciding how monsters act and make choices! But knowing the stats is pretty important, too!

[@Joshuazx]

@@TheBardsCollegeYT no, I can run a 5e monster without knowing its stats. If you know the math that went into designing the game, you can just make up numbers that will be fair for the player's level.

[@TheBardsCollegeYT]

@@Joshuazx I do think some players and parties prefer when you use the stats - that way, it feels fair for both sides. Not to say you should never fudge things a bit or change up on the fly, but I think some players would be annoyed to learn that you're ignoring stats completely and coming up with everything on the fly. But obviously whatever works best for you and your party - and whatever is the most fun for all of you - is what matters most!

[@Joshuazx]

@@TheBardsCollegeYT The only way you can fudge stats is when you change a stat on the fly to kill or save a PC, or try to force an outcome. I don't do that and that's not what I'm advocating or suggesting. As a GM or DM, you are a game designer. You have license to design anything you present in your game. The creators of 5e used very simple math. If you can roll a 20-sided die and roll the face with the 8 or higher, you succeed. That is how you play 5e. That's why the DMG section on creating your own monsters recommends that a monsters AC never goes higher than 19. Because 8 + 11 is 19. This +11 comes from a high level character presumably has a +5 from an ability, and a +6 from their proficiency bonus, so +11 total. No matter what you're doing in 5e, if you're using one of your good stats, you're trying to roll an 8. They should have just called it "D&D roll an 8 or better edition."

[@TheBardsCollegeYT]

@@Joshuazx I must've misunderstood what you're saying - doing the math and coming up with monsters and their stats that will challenge your players is of course always encouraged! Like I said before, as long as it's working for you and your players, keep on keeping on!

[@bengrace8808]

I started to track initiative on scrap notecards, and next to each creature in initiative I have active effects, concentrations, and how much damage they've taken. Putting active effects next to HP and initiative keeps me from forgetting because every time I scratch some damage on a spellcaster I see "oh, they're concentrating!" or I go to look whose turn is next and see "ah, gotta roll damage for being on fire."

[@TheBardsCollegeYT]

That’s such a simple but effective way to do it! Thanks for sharing, I can definitely see that working for a lot of people!