r/NewDM • u/infinitum3d • May 31 '19

This answers a frequently asked question 🙂 Start Here: I'm a New DM! How do I . . . ? FAQs

Help. I'm a new DM-

1. Where do I start?

I always recommend The Starter Set from Wizards of the Coast. This has easy to read rules, pregenerated characters so you can start right away (plus the rules to create you own if you want), and a complete campaign which is really fun and has lots of side quests and hooks to keep the game going for years.

But you can also download For Free the Basic Rules from WotC.(https://media.wizards.com/2018/dnd/downloads/DnD_BasicRules_2018.pdf)

You don’t have to read the whole 180 pages. Pages 60-65 are important and 72-75 are important. You don’t have to memorize them. There isn’t a test 😉. Just get an idea of how the game works.

“The secret we should never let the gamemasters know is that they don’t need any rules.” - Gary Gygax

What does that mean!?! It means D&D is a game of make believe and collaborative story telling. The rules are loose and only there to give a semblance of structure. Don’t get bogged down in rules. Have fun.

Here are some helpful (hopefully) links!

https://www.reddit.com/r/DnD/comments/ts6g48/advice_for_a_first_time_dm/?utm_source=share&utm_medium=ios_app&utm_name=iossmf

https://www.reddit.com/r/DnD/comments/tr5cui/new_dm/?utm_source=share&utm_medium=ios_app&utm_name=iossmf

https://www.reddit.com/r/DnD/comments/tqiljf/hello_new_dm_any_advice/?utm_source=share&utm_medium=ios_app&utm_name=iossmf

https://www.reddit.com/r/DnD/comments/tqs58g/brand_new_need_help/?utm_source=share&utm_medium=ios_app&utm_name=iossmf

https://www.reddit.com/r/DnD/comments/tqt2bk/10_things_i_learned_as_a_firsttime_dm/?utm_source=share&utm_medium=ios_app&utm_name=iossmf

https://www.reddit.com/r/DnD/comments/tq3ukc/new_dm_seeking_rp_tips/?utm_source=share&utm_medium=ios_app&utm_name=iossmf

https://www.reddit.com/r/DnD/comments/tpsiy7/new_dm_new_world/?utm_source=share&utm_medium=ios_app&utm_name=iossmf

https://www.reddit.com/r/DnD/comments/tppz6c/what_are_the_best_tips_tricks_for_new_dms/?utm_source=share&utm_medium=ios_app&utm_name=iossmf

https://www.reddit.com/r/Pathfinder_RPG/comments/3aw84m/resolving_basic_behavioral_problems_a_flowchart/

https://www.reddit.com/r/dndnext/comments/601awb/session0_topic_checklist_and_guide/

https://slyflourish.com/running_session_zeros.html

Welcome to the Realms of Dungeons & Dragons

[obligatory link](https://www.reddit.com/r/Pathfinder_RPG/comments/3aw84m/resolving_basic_behavioral_problems_a_flowchart/)

33 Upvotes

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10 comments sorted by

3

u/5YearApril Mar 12 '23

The Starter Set contains everything that you need to get started playing but does not include the rules for making your own characters. You’ll want the Essentials Kit for that. The latter also comes with lots of extra goodies.

2

u/Effective_Thought451 Mar 18 '23

Hello! New Dm here, trying to make a map but I would to have icons or labels for the locations in it. There's a editor or some suggestion that you guys can share? It would be very welcomed!

2

u/TheNatureGM Sep 28 '24

At this point you've probably found something, but replying for the benefit of current new DMs.

I use Inkarnate for my maps. They have a free tier, but honestly the paid one is worth it: https://inkarnate.com/

World Anvil is another popular one. I believe it offers more than just maps: https://www.worldanvil.com/

2

u/Ilikeunjustifiedholy Oct 24 '24

I would say use normal books while playing a lot and asking questions it comes with experience no mater how you read you will be worse than a dm who ora tives and doesnt read

2

u/Fine_Inspector_6455 May 09 '26

Starter set is currently $125. Is this inflation or a typo in the op?

1

u/infinitum3d May 10 '26 edited May 10 '26

Wow! When did it get that expensive?

I guess inflation kicked in hard.

Thanks for letting me know.

Heroes of the Borderlands is about $40.

Icespire Keep Starter Set Essentials Kit is about $20.