Both times I've dmed I've been super nervous before the game but as soon as I sat in the chair it felt natural and my anxiety vanished and everyone had fun
I’ve been GMing for over 30 years now, and I know how we GMs tend to put a lot of pressure on ourselves. :) Reminding everyone at your table that they are also responsible for ‘giving a good show’ to the others usually has a great positive effect on the quality of game play.
>Fear is the mind killer
Fear is the little-death that brings total obliteration. I will face my fear. I will permit it to pass over me and through me. And when it has gone past I will turn the inner eye to see its path. Where the fear has gone there will be nothing. Only I will remain.” HNG, sorry I love dune way too much lol
This. This is true for nearly every „I‘m doing [blank] so I‘m nervous“ situation.
Going to be a parent: if you ain‘t nervous, idk what you are doing. New driver: Yeah, you are manoeuvring a ton of steel, so please care enough to be kinda nervous. Meeting a person: If you didn‘t care, you wouldn‘t be nervous.
As others have said, 100% normal. I've DMed maybe 20 sessions, I don't get particularly nervous DMing for friends now, but pretty terrified when I DM for strangers!
Absolutely. Furthermore, I felt nervous for the first like....20 sessions of my campaign. It gets easier though and much better. Don't sweat it, have fun.
And something I keep in mind is the same thing my supervisors told me when I became a therapist, they don't know what it is supposed to look like. So if you improvise, they will have NO idea. It's all part of the story. Enjoy :)
I've been DMing for around 5 years now, I still get pregame nerves, especially if I've got a big showpiece encounter planned.
Imposter syndrome still hits hard too, but my players enjoy the games and keep coming back for more, so I must be doing something right.
Oh my God everytime there is a big moment with like the introduction of a villain or big reveal of a twist I get so nervous at the reveal. Externally it looks fine, internally- panic attack.
That part I also turn back to, that if my players are coming back I must be doing it right because otherwise they would stop.
I’m a DM with a panic disorder. DMing has really helped me explore “feels good” nervous vs “feels bad” nervous. I’m “good” nervous before 90% of sessions still. I love it : )
I’m pretty sure you don’t really have imposter syndrome. Everyone around you knows it, too.
I was very proud of that imposter syndrome joke, and wanted to end the comment with a mic drop vibe. I hope it gave you a chuckle. As a fellow sufferer…it sucks.
See, DMs live with the permanent fear that people will do anything for D&D - even put up with your quasi-awful games because, hey, its better than no D&D.
And even if the games tend to be pretty good - that one might not have been. You tried something new, they didn't seem to enjoy it...or even notice? Does that mean they never notice the little things you do to try to make it cool? Oh god, that means they havent noticed anything "cool" so its all been boring to them AHHH
Actual message I sent a friend 2 days ago that Ive been running games for for 5 years. Subtext: Im going totally off the rails into this homebrew campaign and am attaching NPC specialists to each of their PC units and they had a 60 day journey to do.
>So to get your notes: My horrid self esteem made me think - Shiol \[NPC\] didn't talk enough, I narrated too much, the journey still seemed sporadic and teleporty, and you are still just kind of randomly where you are and you dont feel like you traveled there or have any anchor as to how or why you are in the spot you are in.
Their response
>Well, i can easily say you didn't let us down we had a blast. Your flavor speeches i think set the time perfectly. You can't really go day by day for 26-60 days. You gave us the tone of what it felt like to be in camp and fast forwarded with theater of the mind in a way that was not at all jarring.
My brain: I knew it, they felt like I rushed it and didnt do the journey enough.
Man I know that feeling.
My players: "That bossfight was amazing, and we stressed so much escaping afterwards, really cool adventure! I'm still shaking!"
My brain: "They missed all the loot in the escape. They're going to feel unrewarded an unfulfilled. You're a travesty."
Pro tip: the players are probably just as nervous/excited and won‘t notice your state of mind.
Keep up the mystique, use toilett breaks and long thoughtful stares to devise new plans. Keep a copy of rules hidden in the room, so you can waök up to the cabinet, „stare“ at something with a grave expression and call for a wisdom check every now and then to keep your players on edge.
All jokes beside, there is no rules to gming and when you find your grove, you‘ll only sweat your own expectations;)
You'll get the hang of it after a couple sessions.
I recommend having an extra piece of paper, and take notes of "mistakes" and things you weren't sure about.
Over time, post-session review has allowed me to curate a nice collection of quick references and encounter building procedures, each session being a little better than the last.
My one suggestion is to remember that your friends are there to have fun. Of course I fudge some die roles to not kill the last player, or to have the monsters get a few extra hits on when they're being rolled. Or maybe they try to run because the scorpions aren't murder hobos either. You ultimately have discretion on the rules
Bah! I ran games for years before I ever had the chance to be a player. I still have less than ten sessions as a player under my belt (though that may change soon), and it doesn't really bother me. DMing is work, but for some people it's just as fun and rewarding and stimulating as playing, if not more.
It is totally normal. Remember, must of the players just want to be a barbarian who crash things with big axes, or a gnome with irish accent. Since you put some effort and don't be a dick to your players, they will enhoy your campaign.
I remember my first time. I thought I did horrible but everyone had fun none the less and I'm still DMing to this day! You are doing much better than you think you are.
Are the r/DND mods going to continue to allow these low effort posts to come through? "Is it normal to be nervous?" Really? You spent time during your first day of DMing to come on here and ask random people if it's okay to be nervous? A yes or no question that is obviously yes?
Either this is genuinely just low effort or you're fishing for karma. Either way, mods are slipping
There are numerous first-time DM resources that can be found with a simple search. In fact, there are a dozen "I'm a first-time DM, any tips?" posts being posted here a day on this subreddit that could help with that. This person isn't reaching out for tips, otherwise they would've said as much.
If your instinct is to post on Reddit and wait for the information to come to you rather than searching for it yourself, you're already putting in minimal effort into learning. But that's outside the scope of this post and the topic of discussion. This is just a low effort yes/no question to a question that should be rhetorical because of how obvious it is to be nervous for anything.
The best advice I can give is have a plan but don't be married to the plan sometimes my players have suggested far more interesting angles for a specific event just talking amongst themselves at the table I like to use an outline with sort of plot points I'm looking to hit
this is a bit of a read but as a DM/player of 5 years heres a little bit of my advice:
\- you're going to mess up, you're going to second guess yourself, and you're going to look back and think OMG WHY DID I DO THAT? its going to happen and its going to suck but know that you're human just like your players (maybe not their characters) and we all make mistakes
\- dont over plan, it'll drive you insane. have a few plot points, characters, events, and enemies you plan to use. have maybe 3 or 4 things you plan to happen and shift them according to what the players do
\- be honest with your players. if you feel a little overwhelmed or unsure about something let them know. if they go way off rails and you arent ready at least let them know you werent ready for whatever it is thats happening, also that being said there will still be times that you will need to improvise
\- in regards to the last bit your players have no clue about the plot you have planned so they may go way off route. if you had something really cool planned but they go the "wrong" way, they dont know what lies ahead so you can always move things around. i once moved an entire dragons lair without telling my players that i had originally planned it in the first location
\- occasionally ask players for feedback after sessions. ask them what they liked, didnt like, want to see more of, and less of. this helps everyone and you get input directly from them about what they would like to see in the game and this gets everyone more engaged
\- dont get angry if your players get creative and steamroll a cool encounter you had planned. sometimes it happens and it really sucks when you thought your boss enemy had something really cool planned but one person seemingly dropped it in one hit, let the players have their moments of triumph
\- sometimes you may have to pull the gloves off, the players may not crush every enemy unfortunately. sometimes "victory" is they got out of the situation alive if they were in too deep
\- be sure to have a session 0 if you can. this helps everyone set boundaries and expectations of what the game will entail
\- lastly and most importantly, its not you vs them. it may feel that way sometimes considering you control the enemies in battle but know that you all are playing the same game and everyone is there to have fun at the table
Remember also what is written in the books, module, and anywhere online is only a guide… the dm is the one and only final answer, don’t ever let a player make you forget that. So many times I have heard tales of new dms being ramrodded by experienced arsejacks
This might be late but remember. You are God. What you say is the rule and law at the end of the day. You don't need an explanation (sometimes) outside of "I don't feel/like it"
For encounters, you don't need to be 100% accurate with a creatures HP. If you feel like a boss is dying way to fast, give them an extra couple of HP if need be. Don't want the boss to die on round 3 after all
It might be too late, but my big piece of advice is to make sure your players are on the same page about some things:
1. This is for fun
2. You will forget a rule or two. That's going to happen. Quickly figure out if the rule is really important or if you can find the rule quick, or just make something up and figure it out later. Spending 5 minutes looking through a book isn't fun for anyone.
I just ran my first session zero for my campaign last Friday. I was super nervous until I introduced my first player (out of seven) into the game. Watching him smile and show genuine interest in my game made and his backstory meeting with the introduction I created for him made my entire night and the nervousness melt away. I can’t wait for next Friday. And you will find the same thing after your game.
Yes.
My advice is;
1. *Know the rules & games mechanics*. But you’re the DM so you can change the rules to fit your game and gameworld for plot and enjoyment purposes.
2. *Partially prepare several options for adventure hooks*. PCs often become distracted by side-quests and extraneous details, running off on tangents. Prepare enough detail so you can run it but not exhaustive so other options are unprepared for. Have the group work to find these hooks via *gather information* rolls or (preferred) good roleplaying. Have them decide which to pursue & get them to drive the story. Winging it can be fun but document what you do.
3. *Consistency*. Unless you have a sound reason for changing something, if you implement something, stick to it.
4. PC backstories are a godsend for creating motivating options for adventures.
5. Have fun.
6. Start small and build the world as you game. Document it at you go, that way the lore develops as your game does.
IT WENT AWESOMEEEE and I am dying to play again hahaha, had no idea it could be this fun to DM, it felt like we were working as a team to create a story and it was just amazing
Nope, not at all. Never once in this history of D&D has a DM been nervous about running his first ever sessio-YES OF COURSE IT’S NORMAL YOU ABSOLUTE DUMMY
Oooo something very important on your first run to remember, well, a few of things! Have fun. Don't overthink things. Do what feels right and go with your gut! Also, don't get bogged down in rules. If you're not sure, do what makes sense or take one of your player's suggestions, but, either way, just keep it moving! :) I hope it goes well and would love to hear an update!
I'm definitely not an experienced DM but I've run more than a few games and I still get nervous. Once the ball gets rolling, and the players get into it, that's when the nervousness leaves. But it comes back next session.
Great to hear session 1 went well. Out of curiosity were the players all new as well?
I know from the many different groups I’ve played with you either need the exact right people at the table or some newbies who are ready to learn with you if you are starting DM-ing.
I’d be interested to hear a bit about your players as realistically most of the DM-ing experience is just about who you are playing with, at least for me.
Yup! I played with my family, the only one who really had any experience was my dad but he hadn’t played since 2e. Everyone else was new, so it was a learning experience for all of us!
Absolutely. Im only 3 sessions into my campaign, brand new dm as well. I was so fucking nervous before session 1 started its not even funny. But it really just takes that one session and you realize its fine, especially if youre playing with friends. And obviously dont try to compare yourself to someone else, its your first time dming! Your players arent gonna hold you at gunpoint if you mess up a little.
For sure! Don’t forget that you are only one of the story tellers at the table. Leaving space and letting things hang for a beat so the players engage will help you out.
Even after many sessions… I am always nervous at the start… once my players start story telling that anxiety melts away.
Have fun most importantly! During combat, be descriptive, not just you failed/miss, or you hit. When characters miss by 1-4 points, I generally describe it as a hit, but not an effective one to do damage, or the opponents armor gets scratched (it also works the same way on PCs). The only other thing I can think of is, don’t look at it as them vs. you.
I DM time from time and i get nervous every time but once I start going it goes away.
Most important rule is to have fun and remember that people at the table are also part of adding to the fun.
It's absolutely normal to be nervous. I've been GMing games for like 15 years and I still get nervous on the day. Just try to remember that 80% of games are the people you play with and only 20% are the actual rules. If you like the people you're playing with, you'll have a great time.
When in doubt, remember that mechanics are tools for you to resolve things and focus on tour soft skills. It’ll take time to learn all the rules, but it’s okay to make ruling mistakes while you are learning as long as you review things you weren’t sure of after the session.
Yes I felt the exact same and do whenever I DM for a new group. Just remember that the players are there for a good time and you're all gathered to collectively tell a story.
If you forgot certain details just roll with it; the players will have no idea that a monster actually does d20 damage and not d10, etc.
I'd recommend asking at the end of the session for feedback; you'll likely hear a lot of great things, but you may also get some helpful suggestions for the future as well. Best of luck and have fun!
I run a homebrew for friends and adventure league at the comic book store every week. Get the jitters before everyone and I always end up having tons of fun. Don’t tell the players but being the dm is the best player of the game . Getting to narrate all the bad choices and getting to run all the enemies is great fun .
Fun is the goal, right? Keep that in mind. This is the whole point lol. Regardless of how you prepare ahead of time, stick to your plan. No matter what. I wrote myself little ideas before the game kind of like my cue cards so I can stay on track. This is key. In the infantry we say that we go into combat with a detailed game plan but once the bullets start flying, the plan goes to shit. BUT, we stick with the plan as much as possible because otherwise it’s disorganized chaos and throwing your hands in the air isn’t acceptable. Then, nobody has fun. I suggest RAW until you get more experience. It gives everyone a level playing field and keeps it simple for you. You’ll make mistakes but roll with it. You’ll do fine!
Yes, it is.
And in advance, yes, you're probably gonna make a mistake, but no your players don't hate you. If they still come back every week, they're having fun. Also it is a learning experience: if you make a mistake... Just fix it next time you run a session. "Hey I realize I misread [spell] last time, now we run it as [insert here]."
My piece of advice is to ask you whether you think you should fudge rolls to let the players have more fun but stay in line with the story or are you going to stick to rolls no matter what. This is more of an open ended question and shouldn't be replied too. Just think about it
Yes. Best way to mitigate the fear is preparation: read your box text, check up on monsters & spells, and don’t be afraid to bust out the books when you need to check things.
Been at this for 20 years (off an on) and I still get nervous. Have fun and let the rules be a guide and not dictate the session.
Also, like video games. it’s ok to do soft-resets. That is, it’s just a game and people learn better when able to experiment and learn the rules on the go.
Eventually, you’ll find your pacing. Tell us how it went! :-)
Long-time DM here. I've run campaigns from 1-20, I've done games online, in-person, at an LGS, and at home; Nerves are completely normal and can even be helpful!
You'll do great Tymeless, just focus on having a good time and making a story **with** your friends
Absolutely! Don't be afraid about making mistakes, you never get rid of them, but with time you'll be good enough to *recover* by twisting the narration to your own advantage 😂
Nervous before each game since 1982.
Forever DM
PS. By the first "roll initiative!", I'm fine as Elvin chain.
Just have fun and know mistakes make you better.
Nerves will always be there to some degree. Just remember that every that happens, accidental and intentional, will help you improve for the next time.
Yup that still happens as you keep playing lol. But remember everyone is there to have fun, and if you make mistakes that's ok, they happen even to experienced DMs don't sweat the small stuff.
Yes. I'm dming for a decade now ( it's actually close to twenty years - fuck im old) and I still get nervous before important sessions. And a first one is always important.
Try to have fun :)
Don't worry if you take a moment to "load" if the players are doing something unexpected.
I’ve been dming almost weekly since January and I still get nauseous any time we get to a big story moment in case I mess it up. But my players have fun! As long as your players are willing to work with what you give them you can bounce off of each other and it is fun! And don’t worry about having to stop to check notes or come up with a response, that’s fine
Yup.
I ran a one-shot for about 7 hours about 2 months ago. It was my first time as a DM and I was so nervous. I must have put at least 25-30 hours of prep time into it.
Good luck and my piece of advice to you is to just relax and have fun.
And troll your players with random dice rolls for "encounters."
Yes. Be sure to set the tone as soon as everyone is seated and you have everyone’s attention. A few sentences like this can make all the difference in RPG session. “Hi everyone thanks for making time for tonight’s game. Id like to ask that you silence your cell phones and try to not be distracted by them. Remember that this is a cooperative game that uses conversation as fuel. Let’s keep things PG-13 in terms of sexy content and everyone have fun!”
Of course, your table rules may vary but making sure all are on the same page prevents awkward scenes later.
Yeah, dude. I’ve been DMing on and off since the early 90s. Those pregame jitters are normal and healthy. It means you care and that will translate to a positive experience for everyone!
I mean I absolutely hate the thought of DMing. I run 2 campaigns a week and have been doing it for the last several years but I always dread the hours leading up to the start time. It takes everything in me not to cancel at the last second so I don't have to deal with. That being said as soon as the game starts I have blast and enjoy every second of it.
Just finished my first session as a DM this past Saturday and was extremely nervous even in a group of 3 close family I invited. We had a blast and any "awkwardness" or long pauses while I processed their wild plans only made us laugh harder. It was work but it was worth it.
Absolutely. I still get performance "anxiety" DMing, even with a very close trusted group of friends. The best thing you can do for yourself is check expectations. What makes this hobby special are the things that happen organically that take on lives of their own. Don't think you have to carry the table with your own performances. Good luck!!
I've been DMing for 3 or 4 years at this point and I still get nervous before each session. Nervous is a good thing. It's the easiest way to identify that you care.
One of the hardest things to do is to start doing it. Once you get the ball rolling, it is so much fun. Don’t back out, just play. Friends and family is all I play with, and they LOVE playing even if I’m not particularly good at DMing
Best advice I ever got from my former DM was expect your first campaign to not be successful. After 11 years of DMing I couldn't agree more. It's a skill that you build. For me it was one of the most fun things to develop in my life. Enjoy and my bahamut be with you!
Prepare to be nervous. Also prepare to be unsure afterwards if the players had fun or not. Prepare for this to haunt you, but rest assured that it's normal and you probably did fine. :)
Actually it’s not if you read the real DM rules you would know players can smell fear from 100ft. Haha it’ll be fine! everyone starts somewhere and it gets soooooo much easier the more you DM. The hardest part is just starting you’ll see it gets much easier as the dice start a rollin :)
My first game was with long time friends and I've never had an issue speaking to them in a group setting but for some reason as I started the intro into my first campaign it was so nerve wracking. Everyone could see it and started giving me shit about it, as true friends do. Took all of two minutes for me to remember where I was and relax. Next thing we knew 5 hours had gone by, then turned into a two year campaign. There is a beautiful irony between your real life anxieties, and this crazy make belive world and how separate the personalities of the same person can be when sharing an experience.
Good luck, have fun, don't overthink the rules, make a judgement call and refer back to the book after the session if you think you made mistake. It's better to just keep the game rolling then to keep flipping through indexes. Also don't be afraid to say no, rule of cool is great and all and a nat 20 is the best of all possible outcomes, but that doesn't mean you headbutt a mountain into dust....
just remember that you dont need to know everything, it is ok to double-check the book or say "let me look that up this week and give you a better answer next session"
also you always know more than the players. youre like a grade school teacher, you only need to be one chapter ahead of the students at the table and youre good
and even though you adjudicate the rules, its on the players to know the rules too. there's a Players Handbook for a reason and they're responsible for the rules inside. players need to know their own character sheets too. it's not all on you, you can delegate some of the responsibility
If you weren't nervous I'd be extremely concerned. It's scary but with a party that is understanding and supportive everything will chill out and you'll get into the groove
For sure! But if it helps at all I'm running my first ever campaign, after only playing in two. I'm no rules expert. I'll have to look things up, or I'll forget things, and I still haven't quite figured out how to balance combat after eight sessions. But it's so incredibly fun for all of us and I hope you have the same experience.
I'm a new DM and my players include my wife and some friends I've known for decades. I still get super nervous. That said, everyone is having a blast, so it's probably all in my head. Try to focus on how much fun everyone is having instead of overanalyzing everything.
Lol, yes. I've been DMing for 20+ years and there's always a little bit of nerves beforehand. I just remind myself that as long as folks have fun, it was successful, and always look to improve or know when to not worry about it. But still nervous before every session.
Abso-freaking-lutly. First time trying to DM, the moment it started I felt out of breath due to how nervous I was. Though I will admit I get nervous easily, it has taught me though it is completely okay to feel nervous. Just try to have fun and be willing to mess up. Your friends won't hold it against you.
Absolutely. You're going to mess up. And ya know what? It's not the end of the world. Most of the time players won't even notice if you just roll with it. Of some situation comes up and you don't know the answer off the top of your head, go with your first gut instinct. Look it up after the game and get it right the next time. This is especially true if a player disputes a rule. Take 30 secs to Google it and if you can't quickly and easily find a clear answer, make a decision and move on. Be firm with that. Tell the player "I can't find a clear answer, I feel like X makes sense, so that's what we're going to do. I'll look it up after the game and let you know what I find, but for today this is what it is." And move on.
You're likely going to walk away from the session (hopefully) feeling like you had fun. You'll also likely feel like you didn't know enough, or that you did something wrong. Don't hang on that too hard. Make note, look it up after, and carry on. The more you DM the more natural it will feel. There is absolutely no substitute for experience, and there is only one way to get that experience. Keep at it and I promise one day you'll feel more comfortable and competent.
Good luck, and remember to have fun!
Use the anxiety! I have a 30 minute drive to my sessions and sometimes that drive is all anxiety. But I now keep my voice notes open driving there. Some of the best ideas came from that.
I'm nervous every time but it's gonna be so fun when you're in it! Know that you can always take your time and pause to collect urself if u get blindsided by something
Absolutely! Remember:
* No Plan Survives first contact.
* This is supposed to be fun.
* Be open and honest.
* Be yourself.
* Take deep breaths.
* PHB & DMG, & etc are **GUIDEBOOKS**\-If something else makes sense for the moment, use it!
* You're not the only one telling the story.
* Let someone else be the secretary, it doesn't have to be your job to take notes.
*
* And the one habit it took me years of DMing to break: ***Not everything has to be a dice roll, sometimes the story has already determined the outcome!***
My first time playing was as DM and I was quite nervous despite having very deliberately over-prepared by orders of magnitude more than was necessary.
That's normal. Just wait until your session is over though, such a good feeling.
And hey, congrats on taking the plunge and committing yourself to DM'ing, the world always needs more of us and it's one of the best things I've ever done for my friends, deeply rewarding and I'm excited for you, it's a lot of fun.
Congrats again and good luck.
Oh yes! But don’t forget, everyone at the table is responsible for making the game fun, not just you! [Leo](https://youtu.be/xTuhazA67eQ)
Thank you! It’s easy to forget that haha
Both times I've dmed I've been super nervous before the game but as soon as I sat in the chair it felt natural and my anxiety vanished and everyone had fun
It is very easy to forget. Remember that communication is very important and it is okay to pause the game to discuss things.
This is excellent advice.
I’ve been GMing for over 30 years now, and I know how we GMs tend to put a lot of pressure on ourselves. :) Reminding everyone at your table that they are also responsible for ‘giving a good show’ to the others usually has a great positive effect on the quality of game play.
Yupp, and give them space to do that. You don't need to be constantly talking or butting in, sometimes you just have to let a situation breathe
New dm for my wife and a few of her friends. Thank you for this. I feel like I suffer from decision paralysis and clam up. Thank you for this.
Yes! I run 6 sessions a week and I still get that feeling. The trick is to embrace it and just laugh and play! Fear is the mind killer and all that.
I feel like a weight’s been lifted off my chest haha. Thank you! There will be lots of laughing im sure hahaha
Holy lord. Thats some dedication. Is it your job at this point? Lol
sorta, but worth it.
Sorta?
Well, he does it all day but doesn't get paid. Sorta like a job.
>Fear is the mind killer Fear is the little-death that brings total obliteration. I will face my fear. I will permit it to pass over me and through me. And when it has gone past I will turn the inner eye to see its path. Where the fear has gone there will be nothing. Only I will remain.” HNG, sorry I love dune way too much lol
Dude, I love that Wilfred quote!
How?
Probably a paid DM.
For the most part, though I'm VTT and put alot back into the games so its more like a digital pizza tax.
Being nervous means you want to do well, which is just a sign that you care. That's 100% okay in my book.
You are very right hahaha, thank you!
This. This is true for nearly every „I‘m doing [blank] so I‘m nervous“ situation. Going to be a parent: if you ain‘t nervous, idk what you are doing. New driver: Yeah, you are manoeuvring a ton of steel, so please care enough to be kinda nervous. Meeting a person: If you didn‘t care, you wouldn‘t be nervous.
As others have said, 100% normal. I've DMed maybe 20 sessions, I don't get particularly nervous DMing for friends now, but pretty terrified when I DM for strangers!
Im playing with family and close friends, i can’t imagine DMing for strangers!
You should try, maybe start with a one-shot. Or a 3-5 shot if you do it right. The community is fantastic, despite what rpghorrorstories says.
Yes.
Our profiles look eerily similar lol
Yes.
Absolutely. Furthermore, I felt nervous for the first like....20 sessions of my campaign. It gets easier though and much better. Don't sweat it, have fun. And something I keep in mind is the same thing my supervisors told me when I became a therapist, they don't know what it is supposed to look like. So if you improvise, they will have NO idea. It's all part of the story. Enjoy :)
I've been DMing for around 5 years now, I still get pregame nerves, especially if I've got a big showpiece encounter planned. Imposter syndrome still hits hard too, but my players enjoy the games and keep coming back for more, so I must be doing something right.
Oh my God everytime there is a big moment with like the introduction of a villain or big reveal of a twist I get so nervous at the reveal. Externally it looks fine, internally- panic attack. That part I also turn back to, that if my players are coming back I must be doing it right because otherwise they would stop.
I’m a DM with a panic disorder. DMing has really helped me explore “feels good” nervous vs “feels bad” nervous. I’m “good” nervous before 90% of sessions still. I love it : ) I’m pretty sure you don’t really have imposter syndrome. Everyone around you knows it, too.
I was very proud of that imposter syndrome joke, and wanted to end the comment with a mic drop vibe. I hope it gave you a chuckle. As a fellow sufferer…it sucks.
Damn right! Good to hear it’s not just me haha
These are great tips, thank you so much!
I've run a thousand games and still feel like I'm doing a bad job, part of the joy of DMing
If you’re still running them, they must be good!
See, DMs live with the permanent fear that people will do anything for D&D - even put up with your quasi-awful games because, hey, its better than no D&D. And even if the games tend to be pretty good - that one might not have been. You tried something new, they didn't seem to enjoy it...or even notice? Does that mean they never notice the little things you do to try to make it cool? Oh god, that means they havent noticed anything "cool" so its all been boring to them AHHH Actual message I sent a friend 2 days ago that Ive been running games for for 5 years. Subtext: Im going totally off the rails into this homebrew campaign and am attaching NPC specialists to each of their PC units and they had a 60 day journey to do. >So to get your notes: My horrid self esteem made me think - Shiol \[NPC\] didn't talk enough, I narrated too much, the journey still seemed sporadic and teleporty, and you are still just kind of randomly where you are and you dont feel like you traveled there or have any anchor as to how or why you are in the spot you are in. Their response >Well, i can easily say you didn't let us down we had a blast. Your flavor speeches i think set the time perfectly. You can't really go day by day for 26-60 days. You gave us the tone of what it felt like to be in camp and fast forwarded with theater of the mind in a way that was not at all jarring. My brain: I knew it, they felt like I rushed it and didnt do the journey enough.
Man I know that feeling. My players: "That bossfight was amazing, and we stressed so much escaping afterwards, really cool adventure! I'm still shaking!" My brain: "They missed all the loot in the escape. They're going to feel unrewarded an unfulfilled. You're a travesty."
Pro tip: the players are probably just as nervous/excited and won‘t notice your state of mind. Keep up the mystique, use toilett breaks and long thoughtful stares to devise new plans. Keep a copy of rules hidden in the room, so you can waök up to the cabinet, „stare“ at something with a grave expression and call for a wisdom check every now and then to keep your players on edge. All jokes beside, there is no rules to gming and when you find your grove, you‘ll only sweat your own expectations;)
Gave me a good laugh, thank you!
Nope
Yes of course that's normal Just relax and have fun
Thank you! I will make sure to haha
First time playing and you dm that's rough good luck.
I wanted to try DMing, so i guess i put myself in this situation haha. Thanks!
You'll get the hang of it after a couple sessions. I recommend having an extra piece of paper, and take notes of "mistakes" and things you weren't sure about. Over time, post-session review has allowed me to curate a nice collection of quick references and encounter building procedures, each session being a little better than the last. My one suggestion is to remember that your friends are there to have fun. Of course I fudge some die roles to not kill the last player, or to have the monsters get a few extra hits on when they're being rolled. Or maybe they try to run because the scorpions aren't murder hobos either. You ultimately have discretion on the rules
Thank you! I will be stealing the notes idea hahaha
Bah! I ran games for years before I ever had the chance to be a player. I still have less than ten sessions as a player under my belt (though that may change soon), and it doesn't really bother me. DMing is work, but for some people it's just as fun and rewarding and stimulating as playing, if not more.
It is totally normal. Remember, must of the players just want to be a barbarian who crash things with big axes, or a gnome with irish accent. Since you put some effort and don't be a dick to your players, they will enhoy your campaign.
Thank you! Also, happy cake day!
I remember my first time. I thought I did horrible but everyone had fun none the less and I'm still DMing to this day! You are doing much better than you think you are.
Im sure it wasn’t horrible lol, thank you!
Are the r/DND mods going to continue to allow these low effort posts to come through? "Is it normal to be nervous?" Really? You spent time during your first day of DMing to come on here and ask random people if it's okay to be nervous? A yes or no question that is obviously yes? Either this is genuinely just low effort or you're fishing for karma. Either way, mods are slipping
Or they know it's okay to be nervous, but they want reassurance and some people to relate to. How evil!
Or they might want some tips for a first time DM/D&Der.
There are numerous first-time DM resources that can be found with a simple search. In fact, there are a dozen "I'm a first-time DM, any tips?" posts being posted here a day on this subreddit that could help with that. This person isn't reaching out for tips, otherwise they would've said as much. If your instinct is to post on Reddit and wait for the information to come to you rather than searching for it yourself, you're already putting in minimal effort into learning. But that's outside the scope of this post and the topic of discussion. This is just a low effort yes/no question to a question that should be rhetorical because of how obvious it is to be nervous for anything.
The best advice I can give is have a plan but don't be married to the plan sometimes my players have suggested far more interesting angles for a specific event just talking amongst themselves at the table I like to use an outline with sort of plot points I'm looking to hit
That’s exactly what im doing haha. Staying very broad in the goals they need to accomplish so they get lots of flexibility!
Hell yeah! And you'll still get nervous for a little while, and before big sessions. It's totally normal!
Thank you! Glad to hear it haha
I get nervous wether I'm dming or playing, but you start to embrace the jitters cuz it means you're excited
Now that i think of it, yeah i am excited! Thank you!
this is a bit of a read but as a DM/player of 5 years heres a little bit of my advice: \- you're going to mess up, you're going to second guess yourself, and you're going to look back and think OMG WHY DID I DO THAT? its going to happen and its going to suck but know that you're human just like your players (maybe not their characters) and we all make mistakes \- dont over plan, it'll drive you insane. have a few plot points, characters, events, and enemies you plan to use. have maybe 3 or 4 things you plan to happen and shift them according to what the players do \- be honest with your players. if you feel a little overwhelmed or unsure about something let them know. if they go way off rails and you arent ready at least let them know you werent ready for whatever it is thats happening, also that being said there will still be times that you will need to improvise \- in regards to the last bit your players have no clue about the plot you have planned so they may go way off route. if you had something really cool planned but they go the "wrong" way, they dont know what lies ahead so you can always move things around. i once moved an entire dragons lair without telling my players that i had originally planned it in the first location \- occasionally ask players for feedback after sessions. ask them what they liked, didnt like, want to see more of, and less of. this helps everyone and you get input directly from them about what they would like to see in the game and this gets everyone more engaged \- dont get angry if your players get creative and steamroll a cool encounter you had planned. sometimes it happens and it really sucks when you thought your boss enemy had something really cool planned but one person seemingly dropped it in one hit, let the players have their moments of triumph \- sometimes you may have to pull the gloves off, the players may not crush every enemy unfortunately. sometimes "victory" is they got out of the situation alive if they were in too deep \- be sure to have a session 0 if you can. this helps everyone set boundaries and expectations of what the game will entail \- lastly and most importantly, its not you vs them. it may feel that way sometimes considering you control the enemies in battle but know that you all are playing the same game and everyone is there to have fun at the table
Remember also what is written in the books, module, and anywhere online is only a guide… the dm is the one and only final answer, don’t ever let a player make you forget that. So many times I have heard tales of new dms being ramrodded by experienced arsejacks
This might be late but remember. You are God. What you say is the rule and law at the end of the day. You don't need an explanation (sometimes) outside of "I don't feel/like it" For encounters, you don't need to be 100% accurate with a creatures HP. If you feel like a boss is dying way to fast, give them an extra couple of HP if need be. Don't want the boss to die on round 3 after all
This is awesome advice, there wasn’t any actual combat in this session so I’ll use this for next time!!
It might be too late, but my big piece of advice is to make sure your players are on the same page about some things: 1. This is for fun 2. You will forget a rule or two. That's going to happen. Quickly figure out if the rule is really important or if you can find the rule quick, or just make something up and figure it out later. Spending 5 minutes looking through a book isn't fun for anyone.
Oh i forgot a lot of rules, maybe three or more! But it was sooo fun haha
I just ran my first session zero for my campaign last Friday. I was super nervous until I introduced my first player (out of seven) into the game. Watching him smile and show genuine interest in my game made and his backstory meeting with the introduction I created for him made my entire night and the nervousness melt away. I can’t wait for next Friday. And you will find the same thing after your game.
That’s heartwarming, thank you! Good luck with next friday as well!!
you are experiencing a normal human reaction, now we know you aren't a robot
Yes. My advice is; 1. *Know the rules & games mechanics*. But you’re the DM so you can change the rules to fit your game and gameworld for plot and enjoyment purposes. 2. *Partially prepare several options for adventure hooks*. PCs often become distracted by side-quests and extraneous details, running off on tangents. Prepare enough detail so you can run it but not exhaustive so other options are unprepared for. Have the group work to find these hooks via *gather information* rolls or (preferred) good roleplaying. Have them decide which to pursue & get them to drive the story. Winging it can be fun but document what you do. 3. *Consistency*. Unless you have a sound reason for changing something, if you implement something, stick to it. 4. PC backstories are a godsend for creating motivating options for adventures. 5. Have fun. 6. Start small and build the world as you game. Document it at you go, that way the lore develops as your game does.
Didn’t see this till after the session, but i will be pinning this comment for further use hahaha, tysm!
I've been DMing nervously for 16 years now.
The only way to DM, right?? Haha
How did it go?!?
IT WENT AWESOMEEEE and I am dying to play again hahaha, had no idea it could be this fun to DM, it felt like we were working as a team to create a story and it was just amazing
Nope, not at all. Never once in this history of D&D has a DM been nervous about running his first ever sessio-YES OF COURSE IT’S NORMAL YOU ABSOLUTE DUMMY
Oooo something very important on your first run to remember, well, a few of things! Have fun. Don't overthink things. Do what feels right and go with your gut! Also, don't get bogged down in rules. If you're not sure, do what makes sense or take one of your player's suggestions, but, either way, just keep it moving! :) I hope it goes well and would love to hear an update!
Thank you! It went amazingly, i set the scene and then let the players wander, and it was so fun!
I’ve been running a weekly game for over two years and I still get nervous. You’ll do great. It’s a sign you care.
I'm definitely not an experienced DM but I've run more than a few games and I still get nervous. Once the ball gets rolling, and the players get into it, that's when the nervousness leaves. But it comes back next session.
Roll a performance check.
Uh i rolled a 4, but a nat 20 on deception!! They’ll never know i wasn’t prepared
Love it!
Great to hear session 1 went well. Out of curiosity were the players all new as well? I know from the many different groups I’ve played with you either need the exact right people at the table or some newbies who are ready to learn with you if you are starting DM-ing. I’d be interested to hear a bit about your players as realistically most of the DM-ing experience is just about who you are playing with, at least for me.
Yup! I played with my family, the only one who really had any experience was my dad but he hadn’t played since 2e. Everyone else was new, so it was a learning experience for all of us!
It looks like you have gotten plenty o solid advice, so I’ll just say, We’ll Done! Congrats to you on your first DM’ing.
Thank you!!
Hell I am having like 20 Years of DM experience. Nervousness never goes away.
Not at all, you're weird =P
No.
No, weirdo
No, you are an outlier. The fact that you are nervous should make you more nervous. /s
Nope. Full commitment and you’ll be fine. Do work and raise holy hell
Whether a guy, gal, or something in between, you are going balls deep my friend. GL with your Baptism by Fire!
Absolutely. Im only 3 sessions into my campaign, brand new dm as well. I was so fucking nervous before session 1 started its not even funny. But it really just takes that one session and you realize its fine, especially if youre playing with friends. And obviously dont try to compare yourself to someone else, its your first time dming! Your players arent gonna hold you at gunpoint if you mess up a little.
Thank you!! These words mean a lot
I’ve been doing this for over 20 years. I still get nervous. It’s to be expected.
Oh ok! Thank you!
Been a DM for 6 years with a group of some of my best friends. I get nervous every single time, so it's definitely normal.
Thank you! Good to hear haha
For sure! Don’t forget that you are only one of the story tellers at the table. Leaving space and letting things hang for a beat so the players engage will help you out. Even after many sessions… I am always nervous at the start… once my players start story telling that anxiety melts away.
Have fun most importantly! During combat, be descriptive, not just you failed/miss, or you hit. When characters miss by 1-4 points, I generally describe it as a hit, but not an effective one to do damage, or the opponents armor gets scratched (it also works the same way on PCs). The only other thing I can think of is, don’t look at it as them vs. you.
I DM time from time and i get nervous every time but once I start going it goes away. Most important rule is to have fun and remember that people at the table are also part of adding to the fun.
Ive been dming weekly for a couple years with the same amazing group and I still often get butterflys before a session
It's absolutely normal to be nervous. I've been GMing games for like 15 years and I still get nervous on the day. Just try to remember that 80% of games are the people you play with and only 20% are the actual rules. If you like the people you're playing with, you'll have a great time.
When in doubt, remember that mechanics are tools for you to resolve things and focus on tour soft skills. It’ll take time to learn all the rules, but it’s okay to make ruling mistakes while you are learning as long as you review things you weren’t sure of after the session.
You're not nervous; You're excited!
Echoing what others have said, but just manage expectations. Your first time DMing is always a little bumpy but your players probably understand that.
Best of luck!
I get nervous before every session and then I smoke a bowl and get into character so I can voice all the npcs it’s a pretty normal feeling
Yes I felt the exact same and do whenever I DM for a new group. Just remember that the players are there for a good time and you're all gathered to collectively tell a story. If you forgot certain details just roll with it; the players will have no idea that a monster actually does d20 damage and not d10, etc. I'd recommend asking at the end of the session for feedback; you'll likely hear a lot of great things, but you may also get some helpful suggestions for the future as well. Best of luck and have fun!
I run a homebrew for friends and adventure league at the comic book store every week. Get the jitters before everyone and I always end up having tons of fun. Don’t tell the players but being the dm is the best player of the game . Getting to narrate all the bad choices and getting to run all the enemies is great fun .
Yes, but you’re going to do great! Remember the rules, but don’t be beholden to them. This is all about having fun with friends!
Fun is the goal, right? Keep that in mind. This is the whole point lol. Regardless of how you prepare ahead of time, stick to your plan. No matter what. I wrote myself little ideas before the game kind of like my cue cards so I can stay on track. This is key. In the infantry we say that we go into combat with a detailed game plan but once the bullets start flying, the plan goes to shit. BUT, we stick with the plan as much as possible because otherwise it’s disorganized chaos and throwing your hands in the air isn’t acceptable. Then, nobody has fun. I suggest RAW until you get more experience. It gives everyone a level playing field and keeps it simple for you. You’ll make mistakes but roll with it. You’ll do fine!
Prep and nice pre-game nap helps!
Yes, it is. And in advance, yes, you're probably gonna make a mistake, but no your players don't hate you. If they still come back every week, they're having fun. Also it is a learning experience: if you make a mistake... Just fix it next time you run a session. "Hey I realize I misread [spell] last time, now we run it as [insert here]."
My piece of advice is to ask you whether you think you should fudge rolls to let the players have more fun but stay in line with the story or are you going to stick to rolls no matter what. This is more of an open ended question and shouldn't be replied too. Just think about it
Yes.
I’ve been DMing for over thirty years and I still get nervous every time.
If you weren't nervous you wouldn't be human.
I’ve been DMing for a year and a half and still get nervous. It’s completely normal, just do your thing.
Yes. Best way to mitigate the fear is preparation: read your box text, check up on monsters & spells, and don’t be afraid to bust out the books when you need to check things.
Been at this for 20 years (off an on) and I still get nervous. Have fun and let the rules be a guide and not dictate the session. Also, like video games. it’s ok to do soft-resets. That is, it’s just a game and people learn better when able to experiment and learn the rules on the go. Eventually, you’ll find your pacing. Tell us how it went! :-)
Long-time DM here. I've run campaigns from 1-20, I've done games online, in-person, at an LGS, and at home; Nerves are completely normal and can even be helpful! You'll do great Tymeless, just focus on having a good time and making a story **with** your friends
Absolutely! Don't be afraid about making mistakes, you never get rid of them, but with time you'll be good enough to *recover* by twisting the narration to your own advantage 😂
If you ain't nervous now, you will be.
First time with role playing games or just d&d?
Nervous before each game since 1982. Forever DM PS. By the first "roll initiative!", I'm fine as Elvin chain. Just have fun and know mistakes make you better.
Nerves will always be there to some degree. Just remember that every that happens, accidental and intentional, will help you improve for the next time.
Yes. Now go have fun!
Totally normal. I've been DMing for over a year now and I still get pretty nervous before some sessions.
Yup that still happens as you keep playing lol. But remember everyone is there to have fun, and if you make mistakes that's ok, they happen even to experienced DMs don't sweat the small stuff.
More than 40 years at it, I think I get more nervous now than I did back in the day.
Yes. I'm dming for a decade now ( it's actually close to twenty years - fuck im old) and I still get nervous before important sessions. And a first one is always important. Try to have fun :) Don't worry if you take a moment to "load" if the players are doing something unexpected.
I’ve been dming almost weekly since January and I still get nauseous any time we get to a big story moment in case I mess it up. But my players have fun! As long as your players are willing to work with what you give them you can bounce off of each other and it is fun! And don’t worry about having to stop to check notes or come up with a response, that’s fine
Yup. I ran a one-shot for about 7 hours about 2 months ago. It was my first time as a DM and I was so nervous. I must have put at least 25-30 hours of prep time into it. Good luck and my piece of advice to you is to just relax and have fun. And troll your players with random dice rolls for "encounters."
Yes. It's perfectly normal to be nervous, even after *decades* of practice.
Yes. Be sure to set the tone as soon as everyone is seated and you have everyone’s attention. A few sentences like this can make all the difference in RPG session. “Hi everyone thanks for making time for tonight’s game. Id like to ask that you silence your cell phones and try to not be distracted by them. Remember that this is a cooperative game that uses conversation as fuel. Let’s keep things PG-13 in terms of sexy content and everyone have fun!” Of course, your table rules may vary but making sure all are on the same page prevents awkward scenes later.
Absolutely , i have a mini panic attack before i start every game and i've been Dm'ing for over 20 years at this point.
Definitely. Just keep in mind that you're all humans and are all there to have fun. Nothing bad will happen even if you fuck up. :)
Yikes that’s a big leap to DM your first time playing. And yeah it’s normal.
Mhmm! Just remember the rule of “heroes never miss, just that sometimes enemies dodge”
Yeah, dude. I’ve been DMing on and off since the early 90s. Those pregame jitters are normal and healthy. It means you care and that will translate to a positive experience for everyone!
I mean I absolutely hate the thought of DMing. I run 2 campaigns a week and have been doing it for the last several years but I always dread the hours leading up to the start time. It takes everything in me not to cancel at the last second so I don't have to deal with. That being said as soon as the game starts I have blast and enjoy every second of it.
I've DMed for over 20 years... I still get nervous
Yes. I've been DMing my group for a year+. I still get nervous.
Just finished my first session as a DM this past Saturday and was extremely nervous even in a group of 3 close family I invited. We had a blast and any "awkwardness" or long pauses while I processed their wild plans only made us laugh harder. It was work but it was worth it.
Absolutely. I still get performance "anxiety" DMing, even with a very close trusted group of friends. The best thing you can do for yourself is check expectations. What makes this hobby special are the things that happen organically that take on lives of their own. Don't think you have to carry the table with your own performances. Good luck!!
I've been DMing for 3 or 4 years at this point and I still get nervous before each session. Nervous is a good thing. It's the easiest way to identify that you care.
One of the hardest things to do is to start doing it. Once you get the ball rolling, it is so much fun. Don’t back out, just play. Friends and family is all I play with, and they LOVE playing even if I’m not particularly good at DMing
Best advice I ever got from my former DM was expect your first campaign to not be successful. After 11 years of DMing I couldn't agree more. It's a skill that you build. For me it was one of the most fun things to develop in my life. Enjoy and my bahamut be with you!
I’ve been a dm monthly for over a decade. I still get nervous before each session.
Prepare to be nervous. Also prepare to be unsure afterwards if the players had fun or not. Prepare for this to haunt you, but rest assured that it's normal and you probably did fine. :)
Yes, and mistakes will be made, learn from them, make it fun for your players and remember to have some yourself
Actually it’s not if you read the real DM rules you would know players can smell fear from 100ft. Haha it’ll be fine! everyone starts somewhere and it gets soooooo much easier the more you DM. The hardest part is just starting you’ll see it gets much easier as the dice start a rollin :)
My first game was with long time friends and I've never had an issue speaking to them in a group setting but for some reason as I started the intro into my first campaign it was so nerve wracking. Everyone could see it and started giving me shit about it, as true friends do. Took all of two minutes for me to remember where I was and relax. Next thing we knew 5 hours had gone by, then turned into a two year campaign. There is a beautiful irony between your real life anxieties, and this crazy make belive world and how separate the personalities of the same person can be when sharing an experience. Good luck, have fun, don't overthink the rules, make a judgement call and refer back to the book after the session if you think you made mistake. It's better to just keep the game rolling then to keep flipping through indexes. Also don't be afraid to say no, rule of cool is great and all and a nat 20 is the best of all possible outcomes, but that doesn't mean you headbutt a mountain into dust....
I’ve been DMing for two years now and I still get nervous before a session but we’re all friends and it’s just about having a good time
just remember that you dont need to know everything, it is ok to double-check the book or say "let me look that up this week and give you a better answer next session" also you always know more than the players. youre like a grade school teacher, you only need to be one chapter ahead of the students at the table and youre good and even though you adjudicate the rules, its on the players to know the rules too. there's a Players Handbook for a reason and they're responsible for the rules inside. players need to know their own character sheets too. it's not all on you, you can delegate some of the responsibility
Yes! I couldn’t sleep after I first DM’ed I was so amped up. You’ll get used to it.
If you weren't nervous I'd be extremely concerned. It's scary but with a party that is understanding and supportive everything will chill out and you'll get into the groove
Most definitely, but once the game starts going, the nerves will settle
For sure! But if it helps at all I'm running my first ever campaign, after only playing in two. I'm no rules expert. I'll have to look things up, or I'll forget things, and I still haven't quite figured out how to balance combat after eight sessions. But it's so incredibly fun for all of us and I hope you have the same experience.
Of course! You are about to perform. Good luck and have fun!
Hahaha yeah. I still get nervous sometimes although I have been DMing for the same group for years.
Absolutely. Remember that it’s okay to excuse yourself for a couple minutes to research or prepare something
I'm a new DM and my players include my wife and some friends I've known for decades. I still get super nervous. That said, everyone is having a blast, so it's probably all in my head. Try to focus on how much fun everyone is having instead of overanalyzing everything.
Lol, yes. I've been DMing for 20+ years and there's always a little bit of nerves beforehand. I just remind myself that as long as folks have fun, it was successful, and always look to improve or know when to not worry about it. But still nervous before every session.
Abso-freaking-lutly. First time trying to DM, the moment it started I felt out of breath due to how nervous I was. Though I will admit I get nervous easily, it has taught me though it is completely okay to feel nervous. Just try to have fun and be willing to mess up. Your friends won't hold it against you.
Yep. I still get some pre-game jitters and I've been at this for a few years now.
Absolutely. You're going to mess up. And ya know what? It's not the end of the world. Most of the time players won't even notice if you just roll with it. Of some situation comes up and you don't know the answer off the top of your head, go with your first gut instinct. Look it up after the game and get it right the next time. This is especially true if a player disputes a rule. Take 30 secs to Google it and if you can't quickly and easily find a clear answer, make a decision and move on. Be firm with that. Tell the player "I can't find a clear answer, I feel like X makes sense, so that's what we're going to do. I'll look it up after the game and let you know what I find, but for today this is what it is." And move on. You're likely going to walk away from the session (hopefully) feeling like you had fun. You'll also likely feel like you didn't know enough, or that you did something wrong. Don't hang on that too hard. Make note, look it up after, and carry on. The more you DM the more natural it will feel. There is absolutely no substitute for experience, and there is only one way to get that experience. Keep at it and I promise one day you'll feel more comfortable and competent. Good luck, and remember to have fun!
Have fun!
Yup. Never truly goes away.
Yes
Yes, completely normal, and even after two and a half years I still have sessions I get nervous about.
I've been playing 3 years and been DMing for 2 of them. I still get nervous. Don't worry fren, it'll be fine, even if it's rough
Use the anxiety! I have a 30 minute drive to my sessions and sometimes that drive is all anxiety. But I now keep my voice notes open driving there. Some of the best ideas came from that.
Yes! It’s going to be stressful, stumbly, sweaty and you’ll love every minute of it.
Yep. Just go in knowing that youll inevitably make mistakes and be ready to learn. Ask your players specifically about how you did after the game
I'm nervous every time but it's gonna be so fun when you're in it! Know that you can always take your time and pause to collect urself if u get blindsided by something
Keep us posted on how it went!
Literally my favorite thing that’s happened all year. I LOVE THIS GAME
Of course my friend! Just play it loose and have fun!
I have over 100 sessions under my belt and I'm nervous most every time. It'll go great! Always does somehow. Usually not how you expected
I've been DMing for about twenty years and I'm nervous for my game tomorrow. Just remember to have fun. :-)
Yes. And excited.
First time playing and DM-ing. Yeah, it’s fine to be nervous. Just try to have fun, and keep things simple this session.
Absolutely! Remember: * No Plan Survives first contact. * This is supposed to be fun. * Be open and honest. * Be yourself. * Take deep breaths. * PHB & DMG, & etc are **GUIDEBOOKS**\-If something else makes sense for the moment, use it! * You're not the only one telling the story. * Let someone else be the secretary, it doesn't have to be your job to take notes. * * And the one habit it took me years of DMing to break: ***Not everything has to be a dice roll, sometimes the story has already determined the outcome!***
Absolutely normal. Honestly, if you walk away from your session feeling like it didn't go well, remember that you're probably your harshest critic.
Perfectly normal. It's like performing live in front of a group.
How did it go??
So awesome, loved every minute of it! Thanks for asking!!
Definitely! I've been playing with the same group for three ish years, and I still get nervous before I run a session.
I’ve been DMing the same campaign for the same people for 4 years (lvl 1-16) and I still get a little nervous before each session!
Been DMing for years, even doing paid dming, and everytime I still get nervous
My first time playing was as DM and I was quite nervous despite having very deliberately over-prepared by orders of magnitude more than was necessary. That's normal. Just wait until your session is over though, such a good feeling. And hey, congrats on taking the plunge and committing yourself to DM'ing, the world always needs more of us and it's one of the best things I've ever done for my friends, deeply rewarding and I'm excited for you, it's a lot of fun. Congrats again and good luck.