Beginner as DM [Archive] - Wizards Community

Beginner as DM [Archive] - Wizards Community

Post/Author/DateTime Post
JackSpicer111
05-05-07, 07:04 PM Ok, here's the deal. All of the people we knew who played D&D either became very busy or decided that they didn't like us any longer. But me and my younger brother would both like to continue to play D&D dispite this. We won't let them spoil our fun. :P

What I'm wondering is, are there any materials that you could direct us to that would help a beginner who is relatively new to the game as a whole to get a headstart at learning to DM for a small group of 2 or 3 people? I know it can't be completely unheard of for a person to get into DMing without ever having sit in on a game before, so I'm hoping you all can help me learn to take on this role.

My brother, who is ten, also thinks he wants to DM, but I think he might not know what he's getting himself into.

Sayounara, mina san.
Mister_Sinister
05-05-07, 07:07 PM First of all, kudos on the Japanese, makes me happy. :D

Secondly, just try it. Reading advice for DMing often just confuses you. Give it a shot, and see how it goes. That said, the DMG and DMGII (terrible as the latter book was) does give some very helpful advice for first-time DMs.

Ganbatte kudasai!
Azezel
05-05-07, 07:29 PM hat said, the DMG and DMGII (terrible as the latter book was) does give some very helpful advice for first-time DMs.

I like that book, as do many others who don't fall under the heading 'First Time DM'.
FaithlessOfLux
05-05-07, 08:34 PM I was beginner DM with no gaming experience just roleplaying, as well, I jumped into a game and they loved me and I have ever since. I just learned th basice rules skimmed some case studies, the rest comes down to fair judgement, creativity and common sense. As long as you can have a good time your DMing skills will build naturally.
Noon
05-05-07, 09:10 PM Hi Jack,

What do you think is involved with DM'ing? We could help you find more stuff out once we know that. :)
JackSpicer111
05-06-07, 12:58 AM I am reading the dungeon master's guide. I intend to read the whole thing, or at least most of it. But though I'm enjoying reading the book, it will probably take me absolutely forever to do, because I read really slowly. So that's why I asked if there were any articles or anything for beginning DMs. I appreciate all the replies. Arigatou gouzaimasu. =P
Captain One
05-06-07, 04:07 PM I would actually recommend this book: Dungeon Master for Dummies

http://www.dummies.com/WileyCDA/DummiesTitle/productCd-0471783307.html

The D&D for Dummies book is very good for beginners too.

If you've done it all before, the books are pretty pointless, but it sounds like they would be exactly what you are looking for.
Ikyotojin
05-06-07, 04:26 PM Start small. First level characters in a small village. Make a few palces for them to hang out and some NPCs for them to interact with. A mid level mage to teach any spell users, a smith to sell them weapons, a wandering druid or preist to fix them up once in a while.

Put a small cave full of goblins nearby- nothing too elaborate. Experiment and get used to what you can and can't do off the top of your head - and PREPARE. Do as much setup as you can, even if you don't get a chance to use it all, it will come in handy later.
JackSpicer111
05-06-07, 04:34 PM Thank you Captain One for the book recomendation. I'll have to look into perhaps buying that book at some point in the future. For right now though, I'm broke.

Another problem that I have is that I have poor eyesight and the dungeon master's guide has such small print that I can hardly read it.
Shan_TheBabau_Burke
05-06-07, 06:28 PM The key is to make adventures that you know your friends are going to really get into. As long as you all are having fun, the rest, at least for a while, is secondary. Play with the rules, but don't make them the focus.
Soon, you will remember more of the rules and things just from playing them.
It might be handy if you keep a small sheet of page numbers referencing points you wish to remember so you can look them up quickly.
I don't know about materials for beginning DMs, but you can always look things up under What's a DM to Do? and you can ask those folks any questions you might have.
Good luck to ya and have a great lot of fun!
Mystic Lemur
05-06-07, 11:35 PM I like the 3rd edition adventure series (the one that started with Sunless Citadel), but you could use one of the free ones on the main website.

Some don't like pre-planned, but it takes a lot of grunt work out for new hands.
Shan_TheBabau_Burke
05-07-07, 02:23 AM Oh yeah! I forgot to plug the competition boards! Hee hee hee! If you need some quick ideas to get started, check out the Master DM Competition, Master Storyteller Comp., Drunk DM Comp. and you and your brother can check out the Hero Craftsman. All of these have good ideas to either get you started or get you past a writers block moment. (Or let's face it, if you woke up this afternoon and thought Oh my GOD! My group meets in an hour! And I stayed up 'til four playing FFXII...again!)

Post/Author/DateTime	Post
JackSpicer111 05-05-07, 07:04 PM	Ok, here's the deal. All of the people we knew who played D&D either became very busy or decided that they didn't like us any longer. But me and my younger brother would both like to continue to play D&D dispite this. We won't let them spoil our fun. :P What I'm wondering is, are there any materials that you could direct us to that would help a beginner who is relatively new to the game as a whole to get a headstart at learning to DM for a small group of 2 or 3 people? I know it can't be completely unheard of for a person to get into DMing without ever having sit in on a game before, so I'm hoping you all can help me learn to take on this role. My brother, who is ten, also thinks he wants to DM, but I think he might not know what he's getting himself into. Sayounara, mina san.
Mister_Sinister 05-05-07, 07:07 PM	First of all, kudos on the Japanese, makes me happy. :D Secondly, just try it. Reading advice for DMing often just confuses you. Give it a shot, and see how it goes. That said, the DMG and DMGII (terrible as the latter book was) does give some very helpful advice for first-time DMs. Ganbatte kudasai!
Azezel 05-05-07, 07:29 PM	hat said, the DMG and DMGII (terrible as the latter book was) does give some very helpful advice for first-time DMs. I like that book, as do many others who don't fall under the heading 'First Time DM'.
FaithlessOfLux 05-05-07, 08:34 PM	I was beginner DM with no gaming experience just roleplaying, as well, I jumped into a game and they loved me and I have ever since. I just learned th basice rules skimmed some case studies, the rest comes down to fair judgement, creativity and common sense. As long as you can have a good time your DMing skills will build naturally.
Noon 05-05-07, 09:10 PM	Hi Jack, What do you think is involved with DM'ing? We could help you find more stuff out once we know that. :)
JackSpicer111 05-06-07, 12:58 AM	I am reading the dungeon master's guide. I intend to read the whole thing, or at least most of it. But though I'm enjoying reading the book, it will probably take me absolutely forever to do, because I read really slowly. So that's why I asked if there were any articles or anything for beginning DMs. I appreciate all the replies. Arigatou gouzaimasu. =P
Captain One 05-06-07, 04:07 PM	I would actually recommend this book: Dungeon Master for Dummies http://www.dummies.com/WileyCDA/DummiesTitle/productCd-0471783307.html The D&D for Dummies book is very good for beginners too. If you've done it all before, the books are pretty pointless, but it sounds like they would be exactly what you are looking for.
Ikyotojin 05-06-07, 04:26 PM	Start small. First level characters in a small village. Make a few palces for them to hang out and some NPCs for them to interact with. A mid level mage to teach any spell users, a smith to sell them weapons, a wandering druid or preist to fix them up once in a while. Put a small cave full of goblins nearby- nothing too elaborate. Experiment and get used to what you can and can't do off the top of your head - and PREPARE. Do as much setup as you can, even if you don't get a chance to use it all, it will come in handy later.
JackSpicer111 05-06-07, 04:34 PM	Thank you Captain One for the book recomendation. I'll have to look into perhaps buying that book at some point in the future. For right now though, I'm broke. Another problem that I have is that I have poor eyesight and the dungeon master's guide has such small print that I can hardly read it.
Shan_TheBabau_Burke 05-06-07, 06:28 PM	The key is to make adventures that you know your friends are going to really get into. As long as you all are having fun, the rest, at least for a while, is secondary. Play with the rules, but don't make them the focus. Soon, you will remember more of the rules and things just from playing them. It might be handy if you keep a small sheet of page numbers referencing points you wish to remember so you can look them up quickly. I don't know about materials for beginning DMs, but you can always look things up under What's a DM to Do? and you can ask those folks any questions you might have. Good luck to ya and have a great lot of fun!
Mystic Lemur 05-06-07, 11:35 PM	I like the 3rd edition adventure series (the one that started with Sunless Citadel), but you could use one of the free ones on the main website. Some don't like pre-planned, but it takes a lot of grunt work out for new hands.
Shan_TheBabau_Burke 05-07-07, 02:23 AM	Oh yeah! I forgot to plug the competition boards! Hee hee hee! If you need some quick ideas to get started, check out the Master DM Competition, Master Storyteller Comp., Drunk DM Comp. and you and your brother can check out the Hero Craftsman. All of these have good ideas to either get you started or get you past a writers block moment. (Or let's face it, if you woke up this afternoon and thought Oh my GOD! My group meets in an hour! And I stayed up 'til four playing FFXII...again!)