How to Be a Better DM: Dungeon Master Tips for the DM Newbie, the Hobbyist and the Forever DM How to Avoid DM Burnout Continued
Intro
Welcome back to How to Be a Better DM, I’m Justin Lewis, here with my compatriot Tanner Weyland, and together we’re here to help you learn how to craft better stories while you DM sessions of Dungeons and Dragons.
Burnout: Main Topics
- Brief description of cause: the causes of DM burnout (doing too much, to frequently, with not change)
- Get help:
- Ask others to DM
- Stop writing your own content, or doing huge campaigns. Just look for content online. DMs guild and other sources exist to make your time easier!
- Have online communities to ask advice from. An outside viewpoint can do a lot (Reddit examples of people in sticky situations)
- Simplify:
- Look at what you enjoy in DMing, and JUST do that for a bit (i.e. role playing with light combat, or just combat with light role playing)
- Shorten sessions.
- Consider switching up how you meet (if online, do in person; if in person, consider doing online)
- Ask the players what they like and want, and just do that. Their enjoyment will fuel you.
- Take a break:
- As a subset of the other two tips, it is always okay to quit. Genuinely. Take a break. And then come back. If the other tips don’t work for you, playing longer will only create negative feelings between you and your players. The sooner you listen to yourself, the sooner you can begin a well deserved break without creating unnecessary ill will.
Conclusion
Mentioned in this episode:
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