Running a campaign in Dungeons & Dragons isn't an easy feat. Creating the content and adjusting it after every session as the story changes and characters make narrative-altering choices makes DMing a tricky task for even the most experienced of storytellers. Becoming a Dungeon Master can feel intimidating to those who have never done it before, but there are ways to mitigate many of the problems that DMs may run into once they launch a campaign.

Setting up a campaign takes Dungeon Masters a long time. Some may spend months, or even years, polishing a story before they open the campaign up for players. Because of this, Dungeons & Dragons DMs take pride in the story they craft, and want players who are going to see the value in the story they are about to . However, getting a good D&D group together can be difficult and Dungeon Masters may find a number of problems stemming from conflicts and miscommunications once the game gets started. However, there are ways to help boost tabletop etiquette that limit these problems.

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Below are a few common issues that Dungeon Masters may run into once they start their Dungeons & Dragons campaign, and some ways to work around them. While every playgroup is different, and certain Dungeon Masters will have have unique expectations for their players and the campaign they are running, these problems have a tendency to affect most groups at some point, and navigating them can help prevent a playgroup from dissolving before their D&D campaign has a chance to take off.

D&D Problems For DMs: Time Management For Planning & Playing

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Dungeon Masters spend a lot of time planning for Dungeons & Dragons sessions. One of the biggest problems that DMs may run into is not having enough time to prep a session between play times. Dungeon Masters should try to calculate how much time they need to prep the next session's content between play times, and then ask the group to plan days that fit this timeframe. This helps ensure that the DM will have enough time to prepare thoroughly without feeling rushed, making the campaign more enjoyable for everyone. If the DM doesn't have enough time to plan, the stress of feeling behind and rushed can impact the overall quality of the sessions.

D&D Problems For DMs: Party Rules And Expectations

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Every Dungeons & Dragons playgroup will be unique. Each player brings their own strengths and weaknesses to the table, and it is important that the DM takes the time to lay out rules and expectations the first time a new player s. By setting these guidelines at the start, it will be clear what is expected of players, and eliminate the problems of players talking over each other, or arguing with the DM. It is good to set a group understanding for what sort of roleplay is appropriate, when it is okay to contest the DM about a story element or attack attempt, and when it is okay to talk, so all players feel heard and the DM doesn't become overwhelmed by the party trying to interact.

D&D Problems For DMs: Online Player Etiquette

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Thanks to online resources, Dungeons & Dragons players can now play via virtual playrooms on websites like DnDBeyond and Roll20. However, playing through a chatroom can create a different set of problems for Dungeon Masters.

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If only one player is online, it is easy for that player to be drowned out be the party in a physical location together. If all are playing from different locations in an online playroom, time zones can make things more complicated for Dungeon Masters to plan sessions. Because of this, it is important for players to set up rules and playtimes that make it so all players are properly included, and that everyone knows how to use the website hosting the game before the campaign begins.

D&D Problems For DMs: Creative Freedom For Players

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Dungeon Masters who don't allow players creative freedom can quickly kill their D&D campaign. While a DM may spend a long time preparing a campaign for players to enjoy, it is important for the DM be flexible, and allow players to interact with and influence their world. A campaign where players are at the complete mercy of their DM takes much of the joy from the gameplay. It's important to that part of the fun of DMing is adjusting D&D's rules and adapting the story to the players actions. Instead of preventing players from making bold moves, have positive and negative consequences that help shape the story as it unfolds.

D&D Problems For DMs: How To Handle Problem Players

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One of the hardest jobs of being a Dungeon Master isn't planning an epic D&D story, however. A problem that many DMs face, one that can seriously impact the entire party's enjoyment during playtime, is when there is a difficult player. While everyone entering the party does so with the intention to have fun, sometimes conflicts crop up. It is the job of the DM to step in if a player becomes argumentative or confrontational.

Problem players can come in many forms. A player could disagree with a DMs choices, a player's actions, or make decisions impulsively that either ignore the party's wishes, or detract from the D&D experience. The best way to handle a problem player is to talk to them outside of the play session and remind them of the rules and expectations. Dungeons & Dragons can be exciting and occasionally heated, so reminding players to respect their fellow party can help eager players think before they act.

Playing a D&D campaign is a group effort, and the Dungeon Master can evade several of the big problems by communicating with their playgroup, as well as being firm about expectations they have about respect and player etiquette. Running a Dungeons & Dragons campaign is hard work, and being proactive about the problems can help Dungeon Masters tackle them quickly, or prevent them altogether by being organized and prepared. This communication and respect between DM and the players will help make the Dungeons & Dragons campaign fun for everyone involved.

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