The role of Dungeon Master in the incredibly popularDungeons & Dragonscan feel intimidating. Many players never attempt running their own game as a DM due to fear of being under-prepared or lesser than whoever usually calls the shots. With the right mindset and tools at your disposal, running a fantastic campaign is far more approachable than you might think.
Everything on this list was chosen based on what can best assist a new Dungeon Master, whether they are just getting started or have run some games in the past. All the books and tools selected are meant to be used with the fifth edition of Dungeons & Dragons, although many can improve other tabletop gaming experiences as well.
So You Want To Be A Game Master
Solid teaching that makes playing D&D awesome
An extensive tome of knowledge for any game master this book provides you with a walkthrough of the DM experience. Advice is plentiful and the presentation is ideal for advancing your Dungeon Master skill set.
Offering the perfect launching point for someone interested in running TTRPG campaigns, So You Want To Be A Game Master contains a fully detailed walkthrough of planning your first game and running it to the conclusion. Whether you are completely new to the game or have run sessions before, you’ll find pages of helpful guidance. It covers topics in an order that makes sense with clear examples and easy-to-follow writing.
Everything to spawn a campaign that makes it to the finale is here. Skills covered are interactive roleplay between DM and player, crafting your dungeons and locations, and leading your game to a satisfying end. If you wish to purchase a single resource with which to play the game, this should be your go-to. A new DM can take this book and the freely available basic 5E ruleset to run a solid game. For those of you with plenty of D&D material already, this should be high on your wishlist too. It has plenty to offer even the most experienced of DMs making it well worth the price of entry.
Mordenkainen Presents: Monsters of the Multiverse (Dungeons & Dragons Book)
Cover all your bases as a DM for monsters and players alike
This multiversal sourcebook covers every creature and monster you could encounter while adventuring. Supplying Dungeon Masters with endless encounters it includes plenty of options for players as well.
The monsters make the encounter, and this will give you a lot of monsters. Mordenkainen Presents: Monsters of the Multiverse compiles all the creatures you’ll need for your campaign into one sourcebook. Written from the perspective of the prestigious wizard himself, the book contains player options and creatures ranging from simple beasts to terrifying dragons. The selection of monsters and their variants present in the book could carry years of DMing before you run out of creative juice.
You likely don’t have the selection of previous bestiaries such as the classic Monster Manual or other releases if you’re just starting out. This aptly covers what those collections gave you in terms of game resources in one affordable purchase. For the player characters in your game you will need at least a Player’s Handbook on your shelf as well. The character options inside this title are limited to what species your players are and cover little else. If you wish to wait before investing in further player tools the basic ruleset paired with this is plenty of variety to run fun gaming sessions. We also havea guide to the very best D&D sourcebooksif you want to expand your collection.
Arcknight Flat Plastic Miniatures: DM Starter Set
Set yourself up for success with every mini you could want
Present your combats with a starter including all the minis you need for gaming. With options for the player characters, minions and monsters, and even the final big bad. Have all your campaign creatures in one easy kit.
Visual aids and tabletop pieces help us see the state of the game quickly and without too many questions. A theatre of the mind where you play only through description without maps or tokens is fine, but many players don’t feel their game is whole without something to represent gameplay. Creating functional terrain on a budget and using figures or tokens already available to you may work. For those who want a visual feast, however, Arcknight is there to help you.
This DM starter set has all the miniatures you need to run unique sessions. With a variety of monsters, beasts, and humanoids, you can represent players and enemies with beautiful flat plastic minis. Having a physical unit to show where a creature is allows for much faster strategic planning for you and your players. These are functional and look great, and the cost per mini is hard to beat. Buying one large set like this one does require a large upfront cost, but if you’ve played through a campaign or two and want miniatures this is the best deal you’ll find.
Hexers Game Master Screen
A DM screen that will always suit your needs
Keep rules and resources handy while you hide away your DM secrets. With Hexers GM Screen you can have notes and rolls away from your players while showing art or handouts. Because the panels can have custom inserts you can display quests, initiative, or reference cards for easy gameplay.
The book collections from Wizards of the Coast often include a DM screen with rule references, difficultly check targets, and other helpful tidbits. Having a screen lets you keep notes right where you need them and perform secret rolls if necessary. A screen to shield yourself from the players is certainly not required for good gaming, but for newer DMs it can be incredibly helpful.
In this case, you have a highly flexible tool that can keep your notes organized, provide you with reminders or adventure plotlines, and perform other duties. Since this screen from Hexers can be written on with dry-erase and has slots for custom inserts, you can remain confident that it will adapt to any module or ruleset you run. The sheets included in this package are already quite useful, and you can easily write your own notes over them for fast access. As a growing DM the included material for the GM screen is helpful and practical, and as you continue to advance you can edit and adjust the slotted sheets for what you use most.
Dungeons & Dragons Monster Cards: Mordenkainen’s Tome of Foes
Skip flipping between pages and quicken your encounters with dangerous foes
Continue the multiversal fun with monster cards for Mordenkainen’s Tome of Foes. Easily reference stat blocks for any creature you need for your game. Many cards have art for you to show players, with all the info you need as the DM.
The power of quickly referencing rules cannot be overstated. These official stat block cards have many useful creatures included in their contents. With fantastic art on several monster cards, it provides visual references as well as rules. If you own Mordenkainen Presents: Monsters of the Multiverse, many of the stats found in that book can also be found here. Take note, these cards are from the previous D&D title Tome of Foes and while there is overlap, the selection will not be identical.
Regardless of any differences, this is a valuable tool to have. You can even forgo a monster supplement should you prefer to use reference cards instead. You will miss out on some of the info available in the books, but all the important info is here. Best of all, you don’t need to search through a book to locate what you need. Simply pull out the cards you expect to use and you’ll have easy access. Reference cards may be your highest priority, but they are key for a new DM. It lets you look through possible encounter setups without page-turning, and you won’t have to copy monster stat blocks into a notebook to have everything you need visible at once.
Melee Mats Ultimate Battle Grid Game Board
Map out any encounter you need with just one kit
Create the field of battle with Melee Mats for exciting combat and daring fights. This set of gridded maps can be used with the included dry-erase markers and stick-on terrain to form any environment you please. A variety of surfaces are present across the mats to make a suitable fit for indoor or outdoor encounters.
Maps are as important as miniatures when it comes to studying the field of combat. Visiting unique locations with different layouts and terrain also brings fresh experiences into your gameplay. To that end, to start your terrain collection right, pick something with a set of environments and objects that lets you represent many different places. This kit from Melee Mats includes two double-sided boards to cover a range of encounter locales.
The set includes indoor or outdoor maps to adorn with dry-erase markers and stick-on objects. Everything needed for the start of your DMing is included, such as the markers and a solid set of sticker decor. Plot out the insides of keeps and castles, run a forest encounter against fey tricksters, and anything else you imagine. It’s a wonderful entry point to for mapping tool beginners.
While the compatibility for large-scale maps and use with other products is low, these map boards will still be worth keeping in your DM backpack. Combining these with other brands is also possible, and the box is great to pack what you need and take your game on the move.
Official Dungeons & Dragons Spellbook Cards - Arcane
Track prepared spells and their effects easily with spellbook cards
Manage one of the more complex mechanics of D&D with ease using spellbook cards. You can use these to remember what spells are prepared, reference spell effects, and give to players with magical powers.
The power of monster reference cards can be found again with cards for spellcasting. Spells are one of the more complicated elements of Dungeons & Dragons for both players and DMs, and this set eases some of that burden. You can use spell cards in many handy ways, such as using them with dice to track duration. By holding only the spells that are prepared by characters or NPCs it’s easy to grab what you need in the moment.
For references to help newer DMs, especially if you have newer players, this is the gold standard. Keeping spell descriptions close by makes combat quicker and simpler to understand. If you plan to portray many NPC casters or monsters with spell abilities this can be a vital tool in your kit. Without duplicate spell cards, you will have to share or buy multiple sets if you wish for you and your players to make the most use of them.
The Game Master’s Handbook of Proactive Roleplaying
Improve your campaign with player agency and tips for smooth gameplay
Advance your skills and your game with a handbook to player engagement. Run a world where the players and their choices matter, and lighten the load of managing your campaign.
D&D campaigns often revolve around pre-written adventures, especially during your early days as a DM. Prepared resources for adventure can often be easier to run than something you must craft entirely from scratch. A problem you may run into when running these modules is the expectation for fairly linear play. There are things the players are directed to accomplish based on the whims of the story, and often the whims of NPCs.
Player agency and the ability to make choices that matter are things many DMs and players alike strive for. Running a player-led game can feel incredibly daunting and for new Dungeon Masters even more so. This entry in The Game Master’s Handbook series lightens the load and guides you in developing proactive play. When considering what books or resources can best increase your DMing prowess this is one of the top contenders. Gamers who have played for decades can still learn from this incredible tool, yet it remains approachable to a complete novice of the game.
FAQ
What’s The Bare Minimum I Need To Run D&D?
You can play enjoyable sessions of Dungeons & Dragons with nothing more than paper, pencils, and the free basic 5E ruleset or Player’s Handbook. That said, you may want to add more variety and spice to your gaming, and some of the recommendations above will help you accomplish that.
What Should I Buy After My First Games As DM?
Once you know that being a D&D DM is for you, sourcebooks or terrain and minis should be your next port of call. Arcknight offers wonderful yet affordable terrain and miniatures, and Wizards of the Coast boasts a large catalog ofexcellent D&D booksto set you on the right path.
