Everyone needs to start somewhere. After playing a few games ofDungeons & Dragons,one might wonder how things work on the other side of the DM screen and take a shot at being a Dungeon Master rather than a player. Being the DM is one of the coolest aspects of TTRPGs, but it’s also a daunting task.
With that in mind, if you’re aware that your DM is still learning the ropes of leading a campaign, you can help them as a player, even if DMing isn’t your job. You can ensure their experience goes as smoothly as possible, from avoiding disruption to helping with technical details.
Help Them Keep Track Of Things
Like Turn Order, For Instance
A DM has a lot to take care of, sometimes simultaneously. While there are things you can’t help because you’re not supposed to know, like enemies' health bars or stats (unless they’re open about it), there are things you can help with.
For instance, you can help them keep track of everyone’s positioning on the map, turn order, conditions, buffs, debuffs, or which concentration spells are active, among other things.
Help Them With Rules (If Asked)
Or Talk To Them Before The Game About It
Rules-Lawyering is a tricky thing. Depending on the DM, they may appreciate it, but not always. It also depends on how you approach it; reminding them of a rule is one thing, but trying to enforce it is another.
Still, if you happen to know the rules better than your DM, ask them if they’d like you to remind them of the rules during the game if they end up getting stuck. Alternatively, you’re able to have the book ready and search for the rules when needed, while they take care of the rest.
Write And Share Notes
Sharing Is Caring
Taking notesis always a good thing, both for you as a player and for them as the DM. If the DM is new, they might overlook things when taking notes, only to realize that they’ve missed important information.
With that in mind, if you (and the other players) have your own notes, letting the DM see them and read things from a player’s perspective might help them out with keeping track of everything that has already happened in the game.
Don’t Go Too Off-Script
Go A Bit, Though
DMs need to practice their improvisation skills, too, along with their overall narrative skills. That means that the game’s plot might be a bit obvious at first, with plot hooks being clear as day.
While it’s more than okay for you to do whatever feels right for your character (which is the point of the game), be careful not to do something too outside the box so you don’t catch your new DM off guard. Or give them time to process how they’ll continue from your choice, because patience is a virtue.
Accept That Some Things Will Be Off
Go With The Flow
Eventually, your DM will have a ruling that will be a bit off. Whether it’s because they’re remembering something incorrectly, or they’re improvising something that doesn’t feel like the best solution.
Unless their ruling is something completely outrageous that might break the game, it’s best to just let it be and continue the game as it is. If it’s something you really think you should talk to them about, it’s best to wait until after the session in a private conversation.
Avoid Overpowered Builds
Save Your Sorlock For A Rainy Day
Some players like to min-max their builds and make characters that are behemoths on the battlefield. Andsome DMs enjoy the challengeof making a game that is difficult enough for the monsters the players have created.
However, a first-time DM may not be fully equipped to handle a player character that is overpowered, so while you can (and should) make an optimized character, it’s best not to use any extreme ideas for this campaign.
Fit The Tone They’re Going For
Don’t Make Contradicting Characters
It’s okay to ask for the campaign’s tone and stick to it rather than doing whatever. If your DM (and the group) wants to make a more serious story, now’s not the best time for Boblin the Goblin, the Wine Cleric.
It’s not a bad thing to make a character that doesn’t fully match the campaign as long as you can make them invested in what’s going on, but this is also something that may catch a first-time DM off guard.
Avoid Disruptive Conversation
At Any Table, Really
This is valid for any game, but it’s also one of those situations that a new DM might not know how to handle, so you’re able to watch out for this one yourself: avoid going off-topic in the conversations at the table.
The game might not be the best time for a ten-minute, off-topic conversation about your cat, no matter how adorable they are. These things can be talked about during breaks, before or after the game, or any other time you and your friends gather, really.
Offer Feedback
After The Game, Obviously
Feedback is one of the best ways for a DM to get better.More experienced DMs can tell their strengths and weaknesses already, but a new DM may not be fully aware, especially if they were fighting their anxiety a lot throughout their first session.
Let them know everything you liked about the game and reinforce how good it was, so they know they did well and what their strengths are. And don’t be shy to give them constructive criticism, letting them know how they can improve. Be gentle, though.
Be Very Patient
“Sorry Guys, I Need A Minute”
Whether they need to improvise a lot, check up on rulings, or just do many things they’re not used to at once, a new DM’s game will likely be very slow at some moments, especially in combat.
Give them time. Better than that, reassure them that it’s okay to take a moment to get things sorted out. Once they get more experienced at DMing, the games will naturally get faster. They just need practice.
