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Tools of the Trade (Dungeon Master Edition)

What do you need to run D&D? As mentioned in Tools of the Trade (Player Edition) , the DM (Dungeon Master) uses similar tools as the Players, but their toolbox is a bit more extensive since they facilitate the game. However, this doesn't mean that the requirements are insurmountable either—this role just requires a bit more finesse and resource management.  Here's a glimpse behind my DM screen. My needs shift over multiple gaming sessions prompting sources to be added or taken away. Be flexible and responsive to your needs! DM's Simply Need: Polyhedral Dice Basic Rules An Adventure! Optional DM Resources Dungeon Master's Guide Monster Manual Adventure Module Adventure Module vs Homebrew  An Adventure Module This is prewritten material that presents a self-contained setting, story, and series of characters , monsters , and magical items . The content is written in a way that's easily consumed by DM's new and old. There are stat-blocks for NPCs (Non-Player Ch...
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Behind the Dungeon Master Screen

Mind Links  Being a Dungeon Master utilizes a unique skill set. While you and your Players are all in an imaginative world together where you act and react to each other's decisions, you, as the DM, take on the role of narrator ,  loremaster ,  adjudicator , and impersonater —becoming every person ,  place , and thing  the Players come into contact with. You are the mind that links your players to the world and thereby to each other! While that sounds like quite a lot—and it certainly can be—the task of Dungeon Master  is still very much obtainable for anyone despite their level of experience. You needn't be intimidated!  Here are the main actions the DM utilizes during a gaming session: Convey what's in your mind to your Players. Connect with what your Players are trying to accomplish. Confirm  each response with a response of your own. Convey There's a great article by the Angry GM that explains how to best Set the Scene   when narrating ...
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Mechanics of Combat

Prepare for Battle Combat is a massive part of D&D! Unsheathe your sword , harness your shield , nock your arrow , and mutter an incantation —it's about to go down! Here's a quick and orderly reference from the  Basic Rules :  Setup The DM (Dungeon Master) will either run a combat encounter as Theater of Mind or provide some sort of visual—usually in the form of a battle mat . Theater of Mind  is completely run with descriptive words and imagination —as is the majority of D&D.  This method is more forgiving with rulings and as the DM loosely describes where Players and Enemies are located and resolves actions in a less tactical manner . Visual Combat is typically run on a digital or physical gridded battlemat paired with imagination . This method is more tactile as the rules are precise since everyone can visually calculate the distance between enemies, players, and obstacles.  Each gridded square is equivalent to 5 ft., unless the DM declares otherwis...
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Level Up!

Develop New Abilities Over time your character will grow throughout their adventuring career. In D&D, this is known as leveling up! Often times you'll be granted new skills that'll aid you in and out of combat—you may even be granted access to Spellcasting ! Lastly, your HP ( Hit Points ) will incrementally increase, making your character a little more resilient. Let's continue developing Vadania , our Wood Elf Ranger we created last time . Level 2 As seen in the Ranger's progression table below, Vadania will retain the same Proficiency Bonus  as Level 1, but will gain a Fighting Style  and learn Spellcasting .  Fighting Style We'll select the Archery  Fighting Style for Vadania since we imagined her equipped with a bow and slinking through the trees and undergrowth.  This option will grant her a +2 when making attack rolls with ranged weapons!  Whenever you attack another creature you'll roll a twenty-sided-die, add your Dexterity or Strength modifier...
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Character Assembly

Put Together a D&D Character  Let's jump through each of these categories and craft a character together. Feel free to craft your character alongside this blog if you'd like! Remember, the Basic Rules are free for everyone! NOTE : Your level will be decided by your DM (Dungeon Master). More often than not, you'll be starting at level 1 but some DMs and Players prefer to start at a higher level and have access to more HP (Hit Points) and abilities. Steps we'll be going through: Race Class Abilities Description Equipment Race We're going to recreate our swift and silent elf ranger  mentioned  earlier . In order to do that, we'll select the  Elf  race. Each race is gifted with their own specific abilities.  Here's what the Elf race has to offer according to the Basic Rules : Darkvision  allowing you to have "superior vision in dark and dim conditions". Keen Senses  giving you " proficiency in the Perception skill". Fey Ancestry giving ...
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