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 Characters) and Monsters with bits of lore attached to each of them that intertwine within the self-contained-story. 

The over-arching story itself is written in a way that is tied to the Player characters, but this doesn't mean the Players cannot create their own characters for an Adventure Module. Even with pre-written material, everything can and should be adjusted to best fit the Players' and DM's preference and playstyle throughout gameplay.

A Homebrew Setting

This is content that is generated directly from the mind of the DM. However, this material can, and often is, flavored or inspired by content from an Adventure Module or even a book, movie, or television show. As the DM, you needn't come up with every aspect of the game. The key when utilizing borrowed content is to flavor it enough that it believably merges into your campaign setting.

In a Homebrew setting, the world is much more customizable. Here, you can adjust anything on the fly without having to consider the content down the road as you would with an Adventure Module. Since this world is crafted by you, everything within it is much more malleable and up for organic and improvised customization.

Adventure Module Options

• Lost Mines of Phandalin is an excellent first adventure for Players and DMs. This Adventure Module is set up in 4 parts and can be completed in about 5 gaming sessions.
• Curse of Strahd is a fantasy-horror setting that has the Players facing the vampire Strahd von Zarovich and his undead followers. This Module runs much longer and may take months of adventuring to complete.
• DMsGuild.com is a website that collects various Dungeon Master resources, including Adventure Modules. These are unofficial resources, but the D&D community is supportive of this collaborative website and references it quite often. You can organize content by tiers, themes, settings, storylines, and editions. Check it out!

Homebrew Suggestions

• DMsGuild.com is, once again, a great tool for DMs to utilize. You can find more than modules here. There are pdfs filled with monster lore, magic items, fantastic locations, and more. 
• Start Small. Drop your Players into a small village or town and work your way outwards. Trying to come up with the entire world or continent or region can be overwhelming. Consider the town and its important NPCs. Weave their stories together into a believable and fun experience that bounces off the Player's actions. The rest of the world will build itself organically and gradually after a few sessions in this small starting area.
• Session Zero. This is a great place to start with Players. Here you'll work together establishing their characters and discovering how they fit into your setting. It's good to establish what type of game you'd like to run and have an idea what type of game the Players are looking forward to playing. Check out this article from dmsworkshop.com for more about Session Zero.

Supplementary Resources

Dungeon Master Screen 

This provides you with hidden tables and stats for various aspects of running the game. You can also keep track of the Player's stats and abilities as well as hiding dice rolls or miniatures if you decide to use them.

Random Name Generator 

This will help inspire and provide names for both your expected and unexpected characters! The FaNG mobile app is also a great reference tool.

Music & Ambience

This is a fantastic and simple way to set the mood for any moment during gameplay. Craft playlists and play them during intense battles, peaceful travels, moments of tension, lively tavern jigs, and more. You can also set the stage with ambient sounds like the waves of the ocean crashing upon the shore with seagulls squawking in the air as crowds of people mingle in the nearby sea-side market.

DND Speak 

This is a wonderful ever-expanding resource that provides lists of inspirational ideas and tables that range over many categories. 

DnD Beyond 

This is a useful tool for both Players and DMs! It provides all official D&D content in a digital format. The sourcebooks, adventure modules, character sheets, and monster stats are all available here.

Digital Dice Roller 

This is a handy little app that has a very simple and user-friendly layout. If you have too many dice to roll or prefer to do so digitally, check this app out!

Word Processor or Notebook 

These come in handy when tracking your gaming sessions, lore, characters, locations, etc. Make bullet-point notes during gameplay and reference your document or notebook for quick reminders. Adding your notes after the gaming session will make sure you're on top of the living world you and your Players dive into.

3x5 Index Cards 

These tie into notetaking and reference material during gaming sessions. The small size keeps information short and takes up minimal space behind the DM screen! Keep lists of random names, Player stats, bullet-point notes, etc.

Battlemat 

This is a helpful tool to allow you and your Players to better visualize an encounter—specifically during combat. Knowing the exact distance you are from an enemy or which obstacle you can hide behind makes combat more tactile and understandable for many D&D players. My favorite to use is the wet erase variety that won't smear during gameplay. 

Miniatures 

These are fun visual aids, but you don't have to use official minis as you can use whatever you have on hand whether that's dice, printed tokens, or m&ms to represent people, terrain, and obstacles, but they look great and can captivate everyone at the table.

Keep It Simple

As you can see, there are a variety of options to make running your games as streamlined as possible. However, you must choose what works best for your play style. Start simple by using the Basic Rules, your Dice, and a singular Adventure, and then expand your repertoire. Perhaps your adventure could be a "one-shot" which means the game should be finished within 1 gaming session. This will get your feet wet and give you an idea of how to run games with your friends. 

Remember, the point is to have fun while playing this cooperative game together. Keep that at the forefront of your planning and let the story evolve at the table. The most carefully laid plans will often move to the wayside when the Players have agency. You'll eventually learn to notice creative ways to organically weave the story beats back into play as the Players explore your setting. When DMing, you're going to have sessions that run smoother than others, as some aspects of the game are simply learned by trial and error. 

The Reward

What you'll soon discover is the most rewarding aspect of this game is watching your Players interact with not only your presentation of the world but witnessing them dive into the minds of their characters and challenge each other to think outside themselves and step into someone else's shoes. 

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