Season 2 Episode 4: We're All Beginners Once; or, Tips for the 1st time Game Master

19 Hits the Dragon

Are you an aspiring Game Master? Have you and your friends been interested in playing D&D or another TTRPG but no one wants to step into the Role of GM? Maybe you've been watching Critical Role and now you're itching to run a game yourself but you're feeling nervous about getting behind the screen? Well fret no longer friend. Today Dan Ryan of Non-Fiction Gaming sits down with me to share some tips on how to get started as a new GM.

Dan has been involved in D&D and TTRPGs for many years and has had the chance to coach up many new DMs at various PAX events (Penny Arcade Expos). He is here to share the knowledge and wisdom he has gained and gleaned from time teaching others as well as running games himself.

So whether you've been creating a homebrew world from scratch and are sitting on all of your deep lore, or you've never looked at a D&D adventure in your life but you're eager to play, We're here to coach you on how to pick up a starter set get some friends around the table, be it virtual or physical, and get to rolling them bones right away.

With some hot tips such as: Start in the action, have the players interact with the game mechanics as soon as possible, walk your players through their first dice rolls, include a small combat some developments and then wrap the first session up with their first boss battle; you'll be GMing like a pro in no time.

You can Find Dan and Non-Fiction Gaming on their website at https://www.nonfictiongaming.com/ or catch them on Youtube, Twitch, or twitter @nfglive or @SheriffDann.
Dan talk about turning the Hangover into a 1-Shot. You can read more about that here: https://www.nonfictiongaming.com/2016/09/28/turning-hangover-star-wars-rpg-eote-session/

His session 0 character questionnaire can be found here: https://www.nonfictiongaming.com/2017/05/16/questions-dm-ask-players-starting-dd-campaign/

He also mentions Sly Flourish's videos Tips for the Lazy Dungeon Master. You can find the playlist here: https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLb39x-29puapg3APswE8JXskxiUpLttgg

As always a huge thank you to Hannah Miller for editing the episodes and to Paul Mackie for our rocking theme song.