The Fastest Way to Design an Epic RPG Adventure - GM Tips

Designing adventures.. how best do you do it? We show you our awesome fast method that we use to design adventures and you can too, no matter the tabletop role-playing system whether it is DnD, Starfinder or a system like Blades in the Dark.

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[gronkthegore-may]

Gronk is glad he found you. You have good wisdom for bards to tell great stories about adventure. Gronk will come back again.

[ZeusRahl]

In education, we call this method “Backwards Design.” Start by looking at what you want your class to accomplish (test, project, lesson outcome, etc.). Let the unit fill in the material needed to accomplish these goals, and there you go... great way for planning anything. I think it’s great that you are showing how to use this in designing an adventure... good advice. Thanks!

[chaosmastermind]

It always amazes me how you can pull something better than most movies out of your ass in less than 10 minutes. Everything you say is pretty much gold. Thanks for that.

[thesuccromancer]

Great tips, I remember reading somewhere that writing is like foggy mountains, you see the highpoints but everywhere in between is found along the way.

[Lrbearclaw]

I love that you released this video the SAME DAY I did this. I am a new DM, only ran a handful of games and this was the first Adventure of my first real "campaign" (no idea how long it'll last). I had the idea of a mad scientist's lab ("high" tech... notable as this is in our variation of the Forgotten Realms to give you a context for tech level). The final encounter was a homebrew monster I made on the fly. A "Barbed Copper Dragon", I literally smashed a Barbed Devil and Young Copper Dragon together.

Against a group of 4 level 5s. OOPS!

Now they did win and no one died (partly because I made the monster fight tactically until 1/2 HP then as HP dropped it went berserk due to the mutations) and they all said it was a memorable misadventure. One player was a long-time DM in 3.5/Pathfinder and another is one of my main D&D group's DMs (we alternate Wednesday games between him and another). SO either they were being kind or I knocked it out of the park.

I'm going with the former. :P

[nonyabizness]

Ugh this video couldn't have come at a better time for me. I love you man. My boyfriend and I have been going insane in quarantine together. Maybe fighting in DnD with some friends online will keep us from fighting each other irl LOL

[rensiknosaj]

I would say 'Pegasi Colony'. Bats are the closest thing to Pegasi that exist in real life(Flying Mammals), and if my research is correct, groups of them are called Colonies.

[benm]

I really love your channel. I've been playing on and off for decades. DMing as well. I have never organized the method of creating adventures or stories into clear and concise verbiage. Well done. Very well done.

[Unit]

Thanks, Adventure planning has always been something I struggle with

[jamesorozco]

I was planning a campaign for a different ttrpg and this helps me immensely starting from the start and end then build, this helps so much thank you

[ducciosalvia]

I've been following your channel for quite some time now and I must say it: THANK YOU!
Every video you make has insipired me to become a better player and, most importantly, a better GM.

[ducciosalvia]

I'm loving this new format, it's quick, practical and full of information. Don't get me wrong! I also loved the older ones, with all those expert people that vaguely resemble you (tho I'm certain it's the light system that was tricking my eyes...)!

[questlogs]

Always insightful videos. Always looking through your catalogue for things I've missed.

[cabklab]

Damn.... that's the best piece of advice I've seen so far on this topic, thanks. I've been looking for guides, watching hours of critical role, reading modules and manuals. This is what I needed for my campaiign, and it's so simple, thank you!

[chaosmastermind]

That's glorious advice, my friend.
You're wisdom is always appreciated.
I doubt my friends will ever get back together to game again.. but I like to hold hope that some day I'll hold a game with somebody.

[justlikethesimulations]

I never thought of starting at the finale and making my way back. This has actually sped up my adventure design quite a bit!

[steve]

Start from the end - so simple and such a great method.

[burtonmiller]

I'm a recent subscriber -- catching up on all your great content. This reminds me of the Amazon 'working backwards' technique for planning a product, where you start with a structured press release. Good stuff, man! And I'll definitely use it, as well as checking out World Anvil.

[DarthBoberEXMinMaxMunchking]

I've been unknowingly doing this for the past 2 years. Now that you explained the process, it makes sense why I sometimes find myself struggling to figure out what to even put in front of the players, while other times I flesh out the idea for the next 5 sessions in under 60 minutes.

[harrison]

This is awesome! Knowing where to start is the biggest battle for me. Now, when I'm preparing a session/adventure I can decide on an endpoint and work backwards to where the last session ended! The 'Pegasus Stud' really got me as well. However, the stylized characters and goblins in the video are just real enough looking to fall right in the uncanny valley for me.