As a Dungeon Master (DM), your role in the game of Dungeons & Dragons is to create a world for your players to explore and a story for them to experience. It’s a lot of work, and it can be frustrating when things don’t go as planned, but you must remember one key thing – being a DM is also incredibly rewarding, and there are plenty of ways to have fun while doing it. There are plenty of us who always somehow end up getting roped into being the DM, and sometimes that leads to becoming a forever DM – someone who will always be the one running the campaign. In this text, I’ll give you some tips on how to still have fun from the perspective of one forever DM to another.
Embrace The Unexpected
One of the most challenging things about being a DM is that your players will inevitably do something so profoundly unexpected (or downright stupid) that it really puts you on the spot. Whether it’s ignoring a plot hook, attacking an NPC you thought was friendly, or finding a creative solution to a problem you thought was impossible, your players will always surprise you. In a situation like this, it’s important to Improvise, adapt, and use the players’ actions to shape the story. When you’re able to roll with the punches and turn unexpected events into exciting moments, it can be incredibly satisfying.
Create Memorable NPCs
As a DM, you have the opportunity to create a cast of characters that your players will interact with throughout the campaign. Take advantage of this opportunity and create NPCs that your players will remember long after the game is over. Give them unique personalities, quirks, and motivations. Use distinctive voices and mannerisms to bring them to life. When your players connect with an NPC, it can create some of the most memorable moments in the game. Just remember to keep track of your acting prompts – you don’t want to accidentally act as one character and for your players to think it’s a different one.
Incorporate Player Backstories
Every player has a backstory for their character, and as a DM, you should use that backstory to help shape the campaign. Ask your players about their character’s history and motivations, and use that information to create plot hooks and challenges that are tailored to each character. You should keep in mind your overarching plot and maybe even try to incorporate players’ backstories into it because nothing gets D&D players more interested than being the main characters.
Use Music and Sound Effects
This is something I can’t run a session without because music and sound effects can add a lot to the atmosphere of the game. Use them to set the mood for different scenes, to build tension during combat, or to create a sense of awe during moments of discovery. There are plenty of resources online for finding music and sound effects that fit the tone of your campaign. The downside is that you will have to do some prep work, your players might take the session in a different direction, and you might have to find new music on the spot.
DMPCs (Dungeon Master Player Characters)
As a forever DM, you likely want to play DnD but rarely, if ever, have the opportunity to do so. By creating a DMPC, you get to experience your own campaign as a player would. However, this one is really hard to pull off without either giving away your plot hooks or completely annoying your party. My personal favorite for having a DMPC is to create a PC that is useful in combat but a total goofball that pokes fun at my own storytelling during roleplaying parts of the game. I’m meta like that.
Sinister Dice Rolling
Alright, this one is just plain fun. When your players are doing some random thing, roll a few dice behind your DM screen and then look at your players thoughtfully and tell them to proceed. Some may call this evil, but the look on your players’ faces when they start questioning if they should jump over a chair for a bar bet is priceless.
Add Humor and Levity to the Game
At the end of the day, even if you are a forever DM, DnD is a game, and games are supposed to be fun, so don’t be afraid to inject some humor and levity into the campaign. It can be as simple as adding a silly NPC or a humorous side quest or as complex as creating an entire comedic storyline. Humor and levity not only make the game more enjoyable for your players, but they also help to break up the tension and seriousness of the campaign.
Experiment with Different Playstyles
Every DM has their own playstyle, but that doesn’t mean you can’t experiment with different approaches. If you usually run a combat-heavy campaign, try incorporating more roleplaying or exploration elements. If you prefer a more serious and gritty tone, try adding some lighthearted moments. The thing to be wary about when changing your approach, even if it’s for just one session, is how your players will react. If they are used to a certain playstyle and are fans of it, they might not be so fond of the change.
Being a Forever DM – Good or Bad?
As forever DMs, we are cursed but also blessed with this role. There are some who may see it as the former more often, and for you, I wrote this text. The other ones, the so-called blessed ones, will find a way to enjoy their campaign regardless. My final advice to you is to go forth and enjoy your creation, but also find a way to find enjoyment in the little imperfections that pop up along the way.
