Oi, mighty Dungeon Master! Planning to sling dice, crush dreams, and unleash glorious chaos? You’re gonna need more than a crooked smile and a battered notebook!
Whether you’re just gettin’ started or you’ve been behind the screen longer than a dwarven king’s beard, the right tools make the difference between a night of legends… and a night of apologizin’ to angry players.
If you’re brand new to the world of tabletop roleplaying, check out our Beginner’s Guide to D&D 5e to get familiar with the game’s core concepts before diving into Dungeon Master prep.
Here’s yer official checklist, straight from Dave “The Kegslayer” — loudmouth, ale-slinger, and long-time survivor of questionable dice rolls!
📝 The Must-Have DM Tools (Trust Me, You’ll Thank Me Later)
- Dice. A Pile of ‘Em.
One set? Ha! Get several. Players will “borrow” them and then swear they were always theirs. - The Core Rulebooks
Player’s Handbook, Dungeon Master’s Guide, and Monster Manual. Your holy trinity of makin’ magic, mayhem, and monsters. - Character Sheets
Bring extras. Players are weirdly good at losin’ them in plain sight. - DM Screen
Hide your secrets, shield your evil grins, and slam it down dramatically when you reveal a mimic. - Adventure Notes
If you think you’ll remember that plot twist in a week, you’re lying to yourself. Write it down, mate. - Maps and Minis (or Anything That Looks Close Enough)
Battles get way better when players can point and scream at the board. Coins, bottlecaps, little wooden pigs — it all works!
🔥 Bonus Gear to Make Yer Games Legendary
- Digital Tools
D&D Beyond, Roll20, Foundry VTT — saves time and sanity when nobody can remember how grappling works. (Spoiler: Nobody remembers.) - Random Encounter Generators
Because sometimes the only thing better than a planned dragon is an unexpected stampede of possessed goats. - Condition Rings/Markers
Keeps track of who’s stunned, frozen, cursed, or just really bad at life right now. - Initiative Trackers
Combat gets messy. This keeps it moving so you can spend more time killin’ goblins and less time yelling “WHO’S TURN IS IT?!” - Props and Handouts
Nothing makes players suspicious faster than handing them a crumpled “ancient” map or a rusty-looking key. - Epic Soundtracks
Nothing like battle drums when the big bad shows up. Or ominous whispers when a cursed sword appears. (Cue dramatic eyebrow raise.)
🌟 The Kegslayer’s Favourite DM Tricks (Use With Caution… or Don’t!)
Even the best Dungeon Master needs a few dirty tricks up their sleeve. Here are a few of my favourites — tried, tested, and usually resulting in total chaos.
1. The “Mysterious Key” Gambit
Hand your players a rusty old key. Don’t tell ‘em what it opens.
Hint: It opens nothing. At least not yet. Watch as they tear through your world trying to find the door it fits!
Why it works:
Players LOVE mystery. Even if you make it up later, they’ll feel like they uncovered something epic.
2. Random Pub Games for Big Rewards
Sometimes, instead of a standard battle, I throw down a pub game — like a drinking contest, arm wrestling, or a goblin dice hustle.
Winner gets magical loot. Loser gets… a very embarrassing story.
Why it works:
It breaks up serious sessions and keeps the party laughing (or plotting revenge).
3. The Secret Timer Trick
Set a hidden timer on your phone during intense moments (like a bomb about to blow or guards getting suspicious).
When the timer buzzes, BAM! Something happens — an alarm sounds, a dragon wakes up, a treasure vanishes!
Why it works:
It makes the world feel alive. Pressure makes players act wild and keeps the story rolling.
⚔️ Final Word from Your Friendly Neighbourhood Kegslayer
Being a Dungeon Master ain’t about being perfect. It’s about building a world so wild, so real, your players wake up wondering if it actually happened. To master the art, don’t miss our ultimate guide: How to Be a Dungeon Master in 2025.
Gear up, roll those dice, and when in doubt — MORE GOBLINS!
Now get out there and wreck some timelines, hero. Grim Tavern’s got yer back!
