Earning XP as the Dungeon Master

Being a good GM (or DM) is a lot like earning XP in a roleplaying game. The more you play, the more you learn, and the more confident you become in weaving together stories for your players. Over the years, I’ve realized that the real leveling up as a GM doesn’t come from memorizing every rule or having the perfect story planned out. It comes from adapting, learning from mistakes, and working with your players to create the most engaging experience possible.

For me, it’s crucial to know the basics—combat, social interactions, exploration—but not get too caught up in having every rule memorized. When I don’t know something, I make the best call I can and keep the game moving. I also prioritize Session Zero as a chance to establish boundaries and expectations. That’s something I never really did in my early days, but it’s now a key part of how I ensure a fun, safe experience for everyone at the table.

World-building is another big part of how I run games. I love creating lore and settings, but I’ve learned not to dump all that on my players at once. Instead, I introduce bits and pieces organically, often tied to history checks and character backgrounds. And I always try to weave the players’ choices into the world itself.

Organization is the biggest tool in my DM toolkit. Staying organized with notes and story beats means I’m ready to improvise when the players inevitably surprise me. That’s why I recommend Sly Flourish’s Return of the Lazy Dungeon Master—it’s helped me refine how I prep, focusing on what really matters for an exciting game.

If you’re curious about more of my personal insights or how I adapt and improv in real time, I break it all down in the video.

Thanks for reading—and for watching, if you check out the video too.
Cheers,
Brian