Try basing your NPCs on characters you’re already familiar with, but add a twist.You never know which NPCs your players will latch on to, and you don’t want to forget what you named that woman with the cart who is now their best friend. Make a note of NPC names and details when you make them up on the fly.You can also try speaking faster or slower, in high or low pitches, or in various tones like cheerful, gloomy, or mad. Accents aren’t the only tool for creating character voices.I love taping this list to my DM screen so I can glance at it at a moment’s notice. Keep a list of names handy so you can quickly name a new NPC when your players inevitably ask about the random woman pushing a cart down the street.When you act weird and crazy as an NPC, it gives your players unspoken permission to get more into their own characters without feeling awkward about it.More than anything, prepare to improvise. Prepare as much or as little as makes you feel comfortable.Review your players’ character backstories and look for ways to incorporate elements into the session from time to time.Review stat blocks for any enemies you think your group may encounter and consider what their fighting tactics would be (focus all on the same target, stay at a distance and shoot from range, etc.).Then, re-read individual chapters as your group reaches those areas. If you are running a module, try to skim the entire book so you know the story and the world.Modules allow you to practice the basics of DMing without worrying about world-building. If you’re just starting out as a new game master, you may want to start with a premade module.For example, sneaking past the guards on the bridge might be more difficult than simply fighting them. You don’t have to make all three solutions equally attainable, though. Whenever possible, build scenarios that have multiple solutions: a combat solution, a diplomatic solution, and a clever or sneaky solution.With an understanding of the fundamentals, you should be able to make an informed decision when a rules question does come up. While you don’t have to memorize all the rules, you should do your best to master the basics.It’s impossible to predict everything your players might do, and it will lead to a lot of extra (and often unnecessary) work for you. Don’t worry about trying to plan out every possible outcome of a scenario.Leave room for your players to come up with creative solutions rather than waiting for them to find the “right” way to do something. I prefer to use the Lazy Dungeon Master approach. Build a framework for each session with the locations your group will likely visit, NPCs they may encounter, and enemies they might fight.Check them out below and bookmark this page to use as a quick reference later. So, what are some good tips for new DMs in Dungeons & Dragons? I’ve gathered up the most popular and helpful tips for game masters that I’ve found into one place. That being said, learning as much as you can up front can help you improve much faster. But when it comes right down to it, learning to be a good DM is a lot like learning to be a good cook-you just have to start, and expect a few dishes to taste terrible along the way. Reading all of the right books, watching other DMs, and learning the rules can certainly help. Starting out as a brand new dungeon master (DM) or game master (GM) is a challenge no matter how much research or prep work you do.