Chapter 1: The Basics - Dungeon Master's Guide (2024)

Chapter 1: The Basics. You don't need a magical game table to play D&D, but wouldn't it be fun? Dungeons & Dragons is a game in which you and your friends take on roles and tell a shared story. While the Player's Handbook teaches you how to play the game and how to create characters who are the heroes of the story, the Dungeon Master's Guide is written for the player who presides over the game and makes sure everyone is having fun. This player is the Dungeon Master, or DM. Being a Dungeon Master is a fun, empowering, and rewarding experience, and this chapter walks you through the basics. What Does a DM Do? The DM gets to play many fun roles: Actor The DM plays the monsters, choosing their actions and rolling dice for their attacks. The DM also plays all the people the characters meet. Director Like the director of a movie, the DM decides (and describes) what the players' characters encounter in the course of an adventure. The DM is also responsible for the pace of a play session and for creating situations that facilitate fun. Improviser A big part of being the DM is deciding how to apply the rules as you go and imagining the consequences of the characters' actions in a way that will make the game fun for everyone. Referee When it's not clear what ought to happen next, the DM decides how to apply the rules. Storyteller The DM crafts adventures, setting situations in front of the characters that entice them to explore and interact with the game world. Teacher It's often the DM's job to teach new players how to play the game. Worldbuilder The DM creates the world where the game's adventures take place. Even if you're using a published setting, you get to make it yours. DM Tips The most important part of being a good DM is facilitating the fun of everyone at the table. Keep these tips in mind to help things go smoothly. Embrace the Shared Story D&D is about telling a story as a group, so let the other players contribute through the words and deeds of their characte...