How to Be a Better DM: Dungeon Master Tips for the DM Newbie, the Hobbyist and the Forever DM

What actually makes a great D&D encounter? In this episode, we break down 7 essential rules for encounter design that will instantly level up your sessions—whether you’re running combat, exploration, or social scenes. You’ll learn how to design encounters that fit your story (not derail it), why your players need to want what’s on the other side, and how to create moments that feel real—even when...

Welcome to the ninth episode of Creative Contraband! Danny Barrett dives into very popular TV shows to enlighten us about the art of “eliminating” characters (or not). Today you’ll learn valuable lessons about resurrection, character arcs, keeping stakes high, and much more. Thanks for listening to today’s show. If you like our stuff and want to support us, here are some sponsor links and links to...

Doesn't it always feel like more than half of your skill checks are perception or insight checks? Which is an absolute shame since there are so many other skills to use! In this episode, Tanner shares 5 skills and skill pairings that could be used in more creative ways than the pigeon-holed way we have used them in the past.

In today's episode, we feature the first of many videopodcasts to come! Our usual host, Danny Barrett (and his support dog), unveils the secrets to nailing the first minutes of a campaign and of every session. You'll also learn how to build modular encounters that can adapt to any scenario your players might throw at you. Thanks for listening to today’s show. If you like our stuff and want...

Great D&D encounters don’t happen by accident—they’re designed. In this episode of How to Be a Better DM, we break down the first three core rules of encounter design that help Dungeon Masters create encounters that feel meaningful, engaging, and worth the players’ time. First, we talk about why simplicity is one of the most powerful tools in encounter design. Overcomplicating encounters often slo...

In today’s episode, we’ll take magic concepts to the doctor’s office and will mix it all together to learn how to make our players remember us as genius DMs after the session is over. If you want to make a lasting impression on your players, then this episode is for you.   Thanks for listening to today’s show. If you like our stuff and want to support us, here are some sponsor links and links to o...

Listen... if an NPC or a roleplayed conversation is unmemorable, why is it in your campaign? More importantly, is it possible to make each conversation a memorable experience? Well, if you GO BIG with your show, your tell, your personalities, and your NPC alignments, that'll certainly help! Tanner shares examples and reasons to go big or go home with your NPC roleplays—you'll thank us late...

Today we’ll dissect the ins and outs of immersion, guided by our usual host, Danny Barrett. In this sixth episode, we will go over the CASE framework and squeeze it for all it’s worth, going through concepts like Fourth wall, diegesis, and Verfremdungseffekt. This episode will help you prep more intentionally and better understand the limits of fiction in this hybrid medium.   Thanks for listening...

Welcome back to today’s show. Today we talk about tempo, using 2 analogies. D&D is like music. D&D is like a heart. If you understand those two facts, you’ll naturally improve your tempo. Thanks for listening to today’s show. If you like our stuff and want to support us, here are some sponsor links and links to our other stuff: Worldsmith: http://session0studios.com/worldsmith Roll and Play Press:...

DISCLAIMER: The musical composition is called 4’33”, by John Cage. (Forgot to say the name). It can be found here: https://youtu.be/TrlKxV5KWJo?list=RDTrlKxV5KWJo   Welcome to the fifth Creative Contraband episode! After some minor technical inconveniences, we explore the delicate art of empty spaces guided by the usual host Danny Barrett. Drawing from neuroscience, music, and other arts, you’ll l...

Doesn't it always feel like you have to fill the silence? Or explain better—explain more, even? As a DM, do we say too much when saying a little would go a lot further? Kind of a weird principle, but one that an over-explainer like Tanner is willing to tackle in today's episode!

In this special episode of Creative Contraband , our host shares some hard-earned life advice for DMs. Today, Danny’s yapping serves up valuable lessons in sustainability, improv, and experimentation. Thanks for listening to today’s show. If you like our stuff and want to support us, here are some sponsor links and links to our other stuff: Worldsmith: http://session0studios.com/worldsmith Roll an...

Welcome to How to Be a Better DM. Today, we continue our talk about campaign prep. In addition to the episode 2 weeks ago, we add the following tips: ​Ask what is the game we are trying to play ​When stuck, Break the C.A.S.E. ​Write up long term characters Thanks for listening to today’s show. If you like our stuff and want to support us, here are some sponsor links and links to our other stuff: W...

Welcome to the third episode of Creative Contraband! This time host Danny Barrett dives into the ins and outs of PCs and NPCs through theater theory. Why do all TTRPGs tend to have similar races and classes? Today we’ll unravel the core concepts that make complete and unique characters. In this episode, you’ll learn how to create, evaluate, and play characters with more personality, consistency an...

Some players talk a lot. Others only pipe up at specific moments. But how can you, as the DM, make sure everyone feels included as a true part of the party? Tanner discusses tips for noticing and improving the opportunities of the less-involved in the group.

In the second episode of Creative Contraband, host Danny Barrett takes us on a journey that blends psychology and performance. From beers to Superman, and all the way to a WWII poet, we will explore the power of Rituals in art. Today we will distill centuries of praxis into this podcast, so you can learn about one of the most powerful tools for solving People Management issues, and for creating em...

The true secret of great session prep isn’t a framework for session prep. It great campaign prep Which just so happens to be something a lot of people get wrong a lot of the time. But that ends today. 1. Strengths and Weaknesses as a DM 2. Time Constraints 3. Your Preferences as DM 4. Theme and Story Idea Thanks for listening to today’s show. If you like our stuff and want to support us, here are...

In the first episode of Creative Contraband, we meet host Danny Barrett to tackle a problem every long-form storyteller faces: How do you keep a story coherent over months or years without resorting to convenient miracles or last-minute fixes? Today we explore the quiet mechanics behind great storytelling: Chekhov’s gun, Foreshadowing and the fine line between setup and Deus Ex Machina. You’ll lea...

With the new year in full swing, your mind might be on goals for your next campaign or for your own personal journey as a DM... but what about your players? Should all the goal-setting and planning be solely on your shoulders? Of course not! But how can you create a positive goal-setting environment that helps all your players enjoy the game more than ever? That's what we'll talk about in...

Welcome to today’s episode. Today we talk about how to actually improve this year. ​Start recording your sessions ​Use the Dungeon Master Level Up Guide ​Find a group of your peers ​Take the PPDS Self Assessment ​ Daily Study ​Dedicated Practice ​Thanks for listening to today’s show. If you like our stuff and want to support us, here are some sponsor links and links to our other stuff: Worldsmith:...

Welcome back to How to Be a Better DM. Today we talk about 5 tips for session prep with no time. ​Adjust your expectations ​Get inside your players’ minds ​WorldSmith ​Get a repository of Maps ​Get Transposable Material ​Thanks for listening to today’s show. Merry Christmas Thanks for listening to today’s show. If you like our stuff and want to support us, here are some sponsor links and links to...

It almost feels like cliffhangers are a requirement for some DMs, or at least the professional ones! But are cliffhangers always necessary? And how can you use them more effectively as storytelling devices? Tanner discusses 3 tips for maximizing their effectiveness while avoiding cliffhanger-burnout.

Welcome back to How to Be a Better DM. Today we continue talking about improv. We finish our tips for responding to player choices and actions. Here are the tips: ​The Rule of Intent ​Yes AND ​Spark or Prompts ​Take Pauses and Breathes ​Take Advantage of Cool Moments ​Outsource to the Players ​Maintain the tone or Subvert it ​Thanks for listening to today’s show. If you like our stuff and want to...

Do you give your players much of a chance to collaborate on the storytelling? No? Well, you wouldn't be alone! In this episode, Tanner discusses some ideas for introducing collaboration into your D&D party so you can ramp up the storytelling AND player engagement!

Today's episode is all about taking a normal or underutilized D&D game mechanic and using it to its fullest to add some real excitement to your D&D games! And if anyone deserves more excitement for playing, it's the DM. Tanner shares 5 specific mechanics to check out. Are there any others you can think of?