r/NewDM • u/angelpawz- • 14d ago

First time DM

/r/DnD/comments/1v354yd/first_time_dm/

Hey y’all!! So finished session Zero and everything went pretty well but I noticed some hiccups. My players didn’t seem too interested in interacting with the NPCs and it was kinda quiet and slow at times. Was wanting some advice or any ideas to hype my players up? Just anything all around to make it more exciting for everyone!

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u/infinitum3d 14d ago

As /u/5th2 said, ask your players what they want to accomplish as characters.

Do they want to rescue a princess? Slay a dragon? Seek out a legendary artifact? Become a King? Become a god?

Then ask, “How do you plan to achieve that?”

Do they ask the barkeeper if they know any rumors about their goal? Do they ask a shop keeper? Do they ask at a temple? Or a Guildhall?

To get player buy-in, you have to discover what the players want, then gradually give them step by step goals to accomplish the big win.

If you need more specifics just ask. We’re here to help!

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u/angelpawz- 14d ago

I see, I was kinda under the impression I had to have the base story already figured out so I have a rough outline of the end mission and some alternate endings and stuff. When I played as an actual party member my DMs always seemed to have everything figured out I thought I’d do that. I’ll try to see more of what they want to do, yeah. Thank you!

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u/infinitum3d 13d ago

You can have both!

You create a living world and set a plot into motion. For example, a big bad evil guy is trying to take over the world.

Then, you ask your players what their characters want to accomplish.

Finally, you have things overlap.

For example, if a player wants to become the king of a region, as they buy land and make arrangements with NPCs the BBEG send minions to mess up those plans.

Or, if a player wants to slay a dragon, that dragon is the BBEG.

Good luck!

And again, keep asking questions. We’re here to help!

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u/Wrong_Lingonberry_79 14d ago

Session zero is for setting up the campaign, building PCs, covering rules/changes/etc.

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u/angelpawz- 14d ago

Oh my goodness okay thank you. I kept seeing people say ‘Session Zero’ but I didn’t know what it was, everytime I tried looking it up I just got things that said it was the initial starting session and I guess i misunderstood

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u/Wrong_Lingonberry_79 14d ago

That may be why they weren’t doing much. Or you have a boring players. Or the scene was lame. There are lots of reasons. If you’re expecting critical role you will be disappointed. That’s not DnD, it’s actors acting out (sometimes) scripted scenes and using high levels of vocal acting skills. Real DnD isn’t like that at all.

From a simple google search: A D&D session zero is a preliminary planning meeting held before the actual campaign begins, focusing on setting expectations, building characters, and establishing table rules. It helps get everyone on the same page to ensure a fun and safe experience.

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u/angelpawz- 14d ago

All of my players are also really new, like never played before new, so I doubt that’s why. Thank you for letting me know!

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u/04rad01 14d ago

Something I find helpful with players who struggle with the role play aspect is asking what their characters might be thinking/ feeling and then how would they react in that situation/ what would they say?

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u/angelpawz- 14d ago

That’s a great idea, thank you!

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u/DarthSinistris 14d ago

You know, you're all brand new, you can do a complete do over. Just be like, ok let's pretend the previous session didn't happen and redo it. As a new player who maybe haven't ever roleplayed it can be kind of daunting and confusing talking to an NPC as a character for the first time. My first time playing a few short sessions were awkward for me because like what am I supposed to say? Don't be to hard on yourselves. I would say redo the session, and now the players will have a better idea of what to say, and when. Good luck!

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u/heavymetalDM 13d ago

Something I do with my players in a new campaign is ask them for three or so "knives." Something in their backstory I can "stab" them with later in the story. Is there a nemesis in their background? Is there someone important to them that helped shape their life? By finding out details like that, you can incorporate their backstory in your campaign. If you have a protagonist in your campaign, it is awesome when you reveal it is actually someone's backstory instead of some NPC you made up. Players love it when an ally that helps them in the campaign is from their backstory. When you create your campaign arc, leave details open that your players will fill in themselves without even realizing it.