On this episode of Lair of Secrets, we present the our guide for new Game Masters, packed with advice, tips, and encouragement for those ready to take the GM seat. We explore choosing the right game, gathering players, preparing efficiently, and rolling with mistakes while ensuring a fun and engaging experience.

Chapter List

0:00 - Welcome to the Lair & GMing 1012:00 - Choosing the Right Game for You & Your Players5:00 - Prepping Smart: Rules, Research & Quickstart Guides8:30 - Finding & Pitching to Players11:45 - One-Shots vs. Campaigns: Starting with Low Commitment14:20 - Tools of the Trade: GM Kits & Digital vs. In-Person Play17:30 - Rolling with Mistakes & Improvising on the Fly20:15 - Setting Expectations & Managing Player Dynamics23:00 - Encouragement for New GMs & The GMUary Initiative25:10 - Closing Thoughts & Join the Lair Community!

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Watch to the Episode

Watch The Lair's Guide for New Game Masters (S4E13) on YouTube

Show Notes

Identify games you are interested in

Game that you’ve been playing?

A game you’ve had on your shelf and have been interested in?

Watch videos or listen to podcasts about those games.

Like say … Scum & Villainy or Cyberpunk RED actual plays here at the Lair :) 

Make the Pitch

Read the room and look for:

games that fit the players might like

Sense of whether they want a one shot or something extended

Offer to run one game

With the option to run more if you and the others like it

Offer to run a self-contained game

Fiasco

Honey Heist

Lasers & Feelings

Lady Blackbird

D&D Essentials Kit

Do a test run

Play the game at a convention

Get a feel for how the game is run

Try a solo adventure

See the Dragonbane boxed set and its solo adventure

Do a mini session with people excited for the game to

“kick the tires” of the rules

get used to being the GM

figure out the virtual game table as the GM

What’s your minimal viable game as a new Game Master

Run a one shot

That one shot means there isn’t a long commitment

The one shot can turn into a multi-shot game if everyone is enthusiastic about it

Quickstart rules for games

Pregen characters

This way you know what the character abilities are and how they might be played

What we recommend you reading and setting up

Review the scenario

Take notes about parts that are confusing or not fleshed out.

What we recommend you and your players review before the game:

The basic rules for the game

Rules Cheat Sheet

Find one or make one

Review the characters

Some tools

Index Cards

Notebook

List of names

Pencils. 

Extra dice

Build a tool kit!

Running - Don’t worry. You’ve got this.

Talk with your group and set expectations. Ask the rules lawyer to chill (or to help)

Let the group know that if you can’t find a rule, you’ll make a ruling and move on

Roll with the fumbles (see also: ken makes awesomely bad mothership maps)

Don’t worry about being “right”, work on having fun

Featured Image Meta

Cover art for the D&D Essentials Kit. Credit: Wizards of the Coast.