Serving as the Dungeon Master, or DM, for the first time in a Dungeons & Dragons campaign can feel overwhelming. There’s a lot of pressure to show players a good time, all while trying to memorize important enemies, locations, and lore – not to mention all the prep work that needs to be finished beforehand. Thankfully, there are some official D&D campaigns that are perfect for new DMs, since they either guide prospective Dungeon Masters through the necessary mechanics or provide shorter adventures with learning curves.
Learning how to DM in D&D isn’t necessarily something people can read in a rulebook. Instead, it’s best experienced. Through trial and error, DMs hone their craft over a number of sessions. With all the locations, monsters, and rules to keep up with in D&D, it might seem fairly formidable to start DMing for the first time. However, some campaigns are created with new DMs in mind, and they’re perfect for learning the ropes.
The pre-written campaigns included in the Dungeons & Dragons Starter Set and the Essentials Kit are both great for new DMs. The Lost Mine of Phandelver is designed for newcomers, making it perfect for any D&D beginners. Likewise, Dragon of Icespire Peak from the D&D Essentials Kit is great for new DMs. However, for anyone looking for adventures beyond the obvious, there are still some great campaigns out there that are for new Dungeon Masters.
Easiest Dungeons & Dragons Adventures For New DMs
Icewind Dale: Rime of the Frostmaiden takes players through the popular setting from The Forgotten Realms. The campaign, which is the newest release in Dungeons & Dragons 5e, is mostly split into episodic adventures that tie together. Because of this, it can be great for new DMs who don’t want to get overwhelmed with information by trying to plan out an entire campaign at once. Instead, DMs can learn the info piece-by-piece and session-by-session.
Comprised of several adventures, Tales of the Yawning Portal is another great starting place for new DMs. Not all the adventures in the book are easy, though, especially the revamp of the infamous Tomb of Horrors. However, quite a few of them are meant for beginners. The Sunless Citadel is one of the best adventures in the book, and it’s also ideal for new DMs who want to cut their teeth on a shorter campaign.
When DMing for the first time, it’s important to remember that it’s a learning process. The best way to do that is by DMing short adventures and working up to longer campaigns. Thankfully, several official Dungeons & Dragons adventures already exist to help out new players and new DMs.
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