Whether it's helping to create a stat block for an NPC you hadn't anticipated being part of your campaign or generating a list of items that the party found in a Goblin's pockest, AI tools allow DMs to add things to their game that would normally require a large amount of effort.  In this episode, John and Danielle talk about AI in general and how Generative AI tools can take some of the DMing burden in your game. If you've got an idea for a future episode of becomingDM, make sure to go to...

There's so much information to share with players about your world, especially with a new campaign.  It may be tempting to just give players a massive document to get them up to speed, but don't do it!  It's just as important how you deliver your exposition as it is what is in it.  In this episode, John and Danielle talk about some of the techniques they have used to make exposition fun in their games.  Join us! Got an idea for a future episode topic?  Make sure to go to...

There's a lot of different ways that you can increase and add to immersion in your table.  In past episodes, we have made reference to a table that John built with a TV in the middle.  In this episode, Danielle takes on the MC role and interviews John about questions she's always wanted answered when it comes to building and running games with a digital table.  Don't forget to check out the episode page on our website at https://becomingdm.com/ep71 to see pictures of the finished table as...

Whether it's time, money, food and water, or other resources, running a resource restricted game can add a new dimension at your table.  In addition to making player choices matter, restricting resources can cause combat to be more challenging.  Join John and Danielle to hear about the ways you can add restrictions into your game!  Don't forget about our contest to win a 34.5x48 battle mat.  You can enter to win by submitting your idea for a new episode at https://becomingDM.com/ideas 

When players don't get along, it can make your session take forever to get anywhere.  Whether it's simply buying in that everyone is on the same team or having a decision mechanism when players don't agree on something, encouraging player collaboration is critical.  In this episode, John and Danielle talk about the tips and techniques that they use to get players to work together. Don't forget! We want to hear from you!  If you have an idea for a new episode topic, go to...

Join us for another episode of our occasional series, My Favorite Monster.  In this episode we're talking about good-aligned monsters that you can put against your evil party.  Whether it's the always classic Unicorn or the lesser known Guardian Naga, we've got something that you can challenge your players with.  So join John and Danielle for this latest episode of becomingDM!

As hard as it may be to believe, D&D isn't the only tabletop roleplaying game around.  So it's possible that you'll end up in a place where you want to play something different at your table.  In this episode of becomingDM, John and Danielle discuss the things to consider when changing game systems.  From the why you're changing to the aspects of the new game you might consider, we're covering it, so please join us!  We'd love to hear what you'd like for us to talk about in a future...

Eventually you will have a situation where players need to leave the table that you're running a game at.  Whether it's because of life changes that don't give them as much time for games or because of a personality conflict or one of the many other reasons, when a player leaves there are several things that you need to plan for.  In this episode of becomingDM, John and Danielle talk about working through player departure, what to do with their character, how to handle the player leaving, and...

Want to add a little more variety and challenge as the players move up to the final encounter of a dungeon?  Adding a trap, or more than one, to your dungeon can increase immersion, and cause your players to think twice about where they step.  In this episode of becomingDM, John and Danielle talk about the different aspects to consider when looking to place traps.  Got an idea for a future episode?  We'd love to hear about it!  Go to https://becomingDM.com/ideas to share your ideas and let us...

Maybe you've had some co-workers that you've been trying to get to play a game with you for some time.  Or maybe some friends knew that you run games and just recently watched something that raised their interest in tabletop gaming.  Whatever the reason, if you're running games for first time players there are a number of things that you need to consider.  Join John and Danielle as we discuss how to let new players know what to expect from a game, how to build a character, how to talk about...

Gobble gobble!  It's the time of year when many DMs think about running Thanksgiving Themed Games!  In this episode of becomingDM, John and Danielle discuss some things to keep in mind if you're wanting to create a themed game as well as suggestions of possible story themes.  Whether it's helping to save dinner or having a rousing game of football, we've got something to help add flavor to your Thanksgiving themed game. We would love to hear your ideas for future episodes!  If you've got an...

Sometimes you'll end up running a game where the players want to have some intimate encounters.  Whether this is because they are trying to flirt with the local governor to get their way or dealing with a succubus or maybe they have tried to start a sexual relationship with one of your PCs this is something to approach with a level of caution.  In this episode of becomingDM, John and Danielle talk about suggestions on starting games that may have intimate encounters as well as things to...

Eventually, your characters will get enough money that they want to do something with it.  Rather than figuring out how much an army costs, you can redirect them to look at buying property.  In this episode of becomingDM, John and Danielle talk about what happens when characters buy property.  We go over a number of resources, including Danielle’s most favorite RPG book of all time, and help you as a DM start to think about what needs to be addressed if this happens in your game.   As...

Rule zero gets quoted a lot for role playing games: where the rules aren't in charge, the DM is.  But is that really the case?  In this episode of becomingDM, John and Danielle discuss homebrewing rules:  when you shouldn't homebrew, when you should consider it, as well as other things to consider when changing up the rules for your game.  Whether you've never changed a rule before or you've changed so many you've practically created your own game, this episode is for you!  If you've got...

From a listener suggestion we are hosting an episode on running games for neurodiverse players.  Guest co-host Adam Kabatoff joins us to discuss the topic and we give tips and suggestions to consider.  But be aware, there is no one size fits all advice for any player at your table, this episode is designed as a starting point to stimulate thought for your game. What do you think?  Let us know how you feel about this or any episode by contacting us through one of the following...

In the part 2 of our getting paid series, John and Danielle continue the discussion around things to consider when becoming a paid DM.  This time we continue the discussion around choosing your pricing model and venture into topics like setting expectations with customers on what you will and won’t tolerate in a paid game.  Join us as we wrap up this two-part series diving into the details on running paid games. What do you think?  Let us know how you feel about this or any episode by...

They always say if you love your job then you’ll never work a day in your life.  So if your job is being a DM, what does that mean?  In this episode of becomingDM, John and Danielle talk about the details of getting paid as a DM.  Whether it’s understanding what it means to be a paid DM, determining how you price your offering or what things you may want to consider including as part of an paid DM engagement,we’re covering it.  Join us for part 1 of this two-part series! If you have...

We’re continuing our deep dive into travel!  If you’re players have been considering going to another plane or dimension, or maybe you have plans for time travel, then this is the episode for you.  John and Danielle talk about how players can participate in dimensional travel as well as get into a brief discussion about the different types of planes.  Then we wrap up with a discussion on time travel and there is lots of conversation around paradoxes! We’d love to hear what you think.  If...

In this episode of becomingDM, we’re talking more about Travel.  You may recall that in episode 19 we talked about how to make travel more interesting.  In this episode, the first of a two part episode, we talk about the nuts and bolts of travel and how it can work in your game.  Whether you’re looking for discussions around overland chases, using mounts or a sea voyage we’re covering it in our episode about more travel! We always want to know what you think.  If you have a suggestion for...

In our latest episode of our occasional series, ”Dealing With”, we’re digging into what makes Clerics tick!  If you’re looking for better ways to challenge your cleric players, or simply want to make them more tightly integrated with your story, then join us!  John and Danielle discuss it all as well as their individual experience in games with Cleric player characters. We want to know what you think!  If you have a comment about any episode or an idea for a future episode, please reach...

If you’re wanting to understand what a new group of players hopes to get out of the game.  Or maybe you’ve never played with someone before and need to know if there are topics that they won’t play in a game with.  Possibly you just want to set the scene before you start playing so that everyone understands what they are getting into.  Whatever the reason, running a session zero can help ensure a smooth start to your next campaign.  Join Danielle and John as they talk about some of the topics...

Finding yourself not to do when a creature provides an effect of petrified?  Or maybe you‘re just looking for a way to put a different twist on combat by introducing blindness.  Whatever the reason, conditions can be a good way to challenge your players, whether in combat or out.  In this episode, John and Danielle talk about the different types of conditions that can be added to players and how and why to use them. If you have a suggestion for a future episode, let us know!  You can reach...

It‘s time for another episode of My Favorite Monster!  In the fourth episode of this series, we are talking about Dinosaurs and Cockatrices.  Join us and John and Danielle talk about some of the specifics of these monsters and how you might use them in your game. We always want to hear feedback!  If you have comments or suggestions for us, please use one of the following contact methods...

Whether it is a character feature that grants players the ability to have a familiar or an animal companion or you have players that just want to befriend every potential pet they encounter, the game you run can change significantly with these additions.  In this episode of becomingDM, John and Danielle talk about how to integrate these creatures into your game, as well as the differences between familiars, animal companions, and pets. If you have a comment about this or any other...

In the second part of our two part series, John and Danielle continue their discussion on running games with little or no prep.  In this part, they cover how to get out of trouble you may have created (overpowered magic items, unintended plot lines) as well as some additional improv tips.  Join use for more! Let us know if we have missed anything.  If you have suggestions for additional content for this or any other episodes, please reach out one of the following...