Five Misconceptions about being a Dungeon Master

We dispel five common myths about DMs and DMing for D&D 5e!

00:00 - Intro
01:55 - The DM's Job is to Challenge the Players
04:17 - The DM MUST have ALL the Rules Memorized
07:55 - DMing is a Ton of Work Creating Everything from Scratch
13:01 - The DM is Responsible for the Player's Fun
17:46 - The DM is Responsible for Organizing Everything
21:24 - Final Thoughts

*** 05:03 - KEY Parts of D&D Books that are useful Video Link ***

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[TheRetroBassist]

This channel has probably the wholesomest RPG content on YouTube. This elder Millennial and seasoned GM thanks you ❤️

[Jaeger]

As a new DM (one session so far), I must admit that I love the timing of your recent DM-focused content!

[tulpapainting]

Serious request: Please make a video addressed to players about being better players in the group (to maximize fun for everybody like note taking, rule of cool etc) and also how they can support their DM. Please please please, I would love this advice video link to be part of my session 0's going forward.

[ellienorthrop]

I love you guys!
I’ve been playing dnd for 10 years now and have been watching your channel for 9 of those 10. At first, watching your videos was purely for gaining knowledge of the game of dnd. Now, I admit that I truly admire you both as people and love seeing you guys here on my phone (lol), and even more so I appreciate your overall composure and genuine kindness/support for people & the dnd community. Much love to you both!

[DizzysV]

Hi guys, your 'Monsters of Drakkenheim' ad came up on YouTube last night. What a great ad! Great music, action packed images.
Love your work, been watching for years now. Thanks for your help in my gaming.

[shybard]

Fun & Farts & Lollipops sounds like an indie TTRPG system or a really bizarre homebrew setting/campaign. Either way, I want to play.

[macdameron]

Great points guys, showing this to my DM. Thanks dungeon dudes!

[johnhadley]

Thanks guys! Im a 50 year old DM/ GM that still struggles with the idea that if they players didnt have fun, then it must be my fault! I loved hearing you all talk about it!

[CantEvenFly]

18:45 I love trying to take as much off of the DM as possible, bringing snacks, scheduling, note taking, encouraging roleplay, cleaning up afterwards.

[SatoThe]

I am two sessions short of finishing my first campaign, it’s been running for the past two and a half years. There have been a lot of ups and downs and lessons learned as a GM. I’ve had to ask players to respectfully leave the table and have made players out of people I never thought would enjoy the hobby. Learning to run the game is one of the biggest and most unexpected life lessons I have under taken as a young adult. 10/10 go run that one shot and get your feet wet behind the screen 👾

[fluxcap]

The point about DM not taking responsibility for drama between players is so helpful. When I was DMing I just straight up ignored the drama and it always worked itself out. I don’t think stepping in would have helped at all

[wander]

I will say that I put in tons of work and tons of prep into my game. I used to struggle but eventually found a rhythm, and, most importantly, I found passion in working on what I was working on. Previously, I was running modules and struggling. Then, I found a different way to play and prep that works better for me.

My recommendation regarding the workload of being a DM is to do something you are passionate about. The prepping will happen naturally, and it won't feel like 'work'.

[damiannordmann-invinciblee]

I just want to say thanks to you guys! I got back into D&D 1.5 years ago and started DMing again late 2023. It’s been fun and rewarding and sometimes a little frustrating, but also fulfilling.

I’ve been listening to/ watching your videos since about September of last year and I’ve received much from all of your insights. Definitely going to become a patron soon. You guys kick much ass.

[Morjixxo]

DMs can't control everything, however taking full responsibility is simply a better mindset.
This means, you are also (partially) responsible for player's bad behaviors, because 1) YOU invited them in the first place and 2) It's up to you guide them in the right direction.
It's not taking charge of everything. It's LEADING everything (and leading is done in cooperation).

Ultimately, to make things work is exactly the role of the DM.

[SardonicScout]

You guys are so kind and welcoming. I've been watching your content since before I was actually able to play in a campaign, and I truly appreciate you and your content.

[EpherosAldor]

One other thing, be forgiving to yourself. Starting out as a new DM is gonna be a big experience, there are things you will get wrong, misunderstand, and forget but don't worry about it. You'll learn from it and much of the game aspects will become background noise and allow you to focus more on story stuff. Also, know that whether you are a new DM or one with years and years under your belt, you're gonna have bad days. The story took a surprising turn you had difficulty adapting to, the tone never set correctly, the pacing was off and people were bored, or the players have their own personal stuff to deal with and are distracted and distracting at the table. It's fine, you aren't a bad DM, these thing happen occasionally, move on and learn from anything that you have control over.

[MagiofAsura]

Not to dissuade anyone from being a GM but compared to being a player, being a GM is a lot more work. Knowing how to work efficiently is key.

[chrisg]

Good stuff!

This is my advice for new DMs.

1) Have a session 0. Find out what kind of game you and your players want to play. Then make it happen.
2) Don't expect the players to care about your Lore. If they ask questions, then elaborate on it, but don't monolog.
3) Plan 1 session at a time, let the players dictate the story. You can have an over arcing story laid out, but be prepared to change your plans. Nothing will stop your players from coming back faster than taking away their agency and limiting their choices.
4) Keep encounters fresh. Use different monsters, add environmental effects, throw in a timer or a puzzle. Some players don't care about a story, they want to play a Game. Making good encounters will keep them coming back.
5) This isn't critical role. What I mean by this is don't expect too much from your players and temper their expectations of you. DnD is a board game to play with your friends. Laugh, make jokes, eat snacks, your not on a TV show, this is real Life. You don't need to do voices, you don't have to have actor level performances or production quality mintures and battle maps. Do what's fun for you and your friends. The second it starts feeling like work or too much pressure, take a break. No DnD is better than bad DnD.

[ericmartin]

Unbreakable table rule with our group ... whoever is the DM will have dinner, snacks, drinks provided. DM might be expected to kick down money if we do take out. But DM is 100% off the hook for dealing with any of food/drink logistics.

Over the last 5 years, our group has developed to have 3 DMs running separate campaigns. It is one of the best things that could have happened to our group. It gives the "forever DM" a break, and now that a couple others have gotten a good look at what goes on behind the DM screen for game prep -- they are way better players in terms of have characters updated, campaign notes, knowing their powers, and helping to organize other logistics of the game.

Great Channel!

[ANerdWithAStutter]

As someone who is DMing there first session tomorrow this was a great video to show up in my subscription feed today. Thank you guys for the amazing videos!