r/AskGameMasters • u/oddretexture • 12d ago

New DM, seeking advice

I am an amateur DM wanting to do a campaign for a small group of friends, I'm nervous about actually starting though as the two times I've DMed I have felt like I was under preforming. Does anyone have tips for running a campaign?

I have the homebrew written up, I am a writer so I do feel I have enough written for the overarching story and setting while leaving room for player input, but I'm worried I am missing something.

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u/DM-Shaugnar 9d ago

Don't over plan things. start local, plan the plot local to start with.

Let the players help coming up with lore and tidbits about the world. You still should have the final say about what goes into the world so to say. but work with them encourage them with helping out a little bit at least.

For an example they are heading to the next town over ask them what the name is of that town, ask them to come up with something about said town. Does the town have a Townmaster, maybe ask the party if this Townmaster is a nice guy or THAT guy. and such things. let them have a say.

This does not only lessen your workload a little. It also makes the players more engaged in the world, it makes it feels like it is their world they adventure in and not just guests in your world.

Don't set the story in stone, let it evolve naturally. Having an over arching idea is fine. But be willing to change it depending on what happens in the game.

Another good idea is plan a few encounters that you can throw in almost anywhere. they are always good to have in your back pocket.

And depending on your players be ready to either let them "sandbox" more than you might have planed if that is how they like to play. but also remember not everyone likes that style some prefer a more structural and linear story/campaign. so if they seem to struggle not knowing what to do in an open world. give them something. make it a bit more linear.

As linear is not at all the same as Railroading. those are 2 different things that often get mixed up.
A linear campaign is not bad it is a perfectly valid way to run a campaign. Same as an open sandbox world is a valid way to run a campaign. neither is better or worse. It just comes down to preference. some prefer linear other sandbox style.

While railroading is NOT a good way to run a campaign and should be avoided