#dungeoncraft tip: When running a @Wizards_DnD adventure, make yourself a version of the map key depicting where all the monsters and NPCs are located in the dungeon. pic.twitter.com/h4RQ61SFiY

— WinningerR (@WinningerR) February 2, 2021

That way, when the PCs get into a fight, you can tell at a glance what monsters are located in nearby rooms so you decide how they’re going to react. As a general rule, I assume most creatures hear any battle that takes place within 60 feet of their starting location. Such creatures either emerge to investigate the battle, (possibly joining the fray themselves), hide, or begin building defenses and/or laying an ambush.

— WinningerR (@WinningerR) February 2, 2021

Creatures who are losing a battle or outnumbered, if possible, run to the nearest room housing potential reinforcements. Managing all the monsters in concert like this, and allowing them to react to the PCs' actions even before they're discovered goes a long way toward making your dungeons feel alive.

— WinningerR (@WinningerR) February 2, 2021

I liked how 4e had a large map and then smaller maps labelled with monster tokens in each room. I still use the same technique in my own adventuresFunny thing: I made that map :V

— Marco Bernardini 🗺️ MA4PS 🏳️‍🌈 (@MarcoMA4PS) February 2, 2021

#dungeoncraft tip: when designing @Wizards_DnD adventures, concentrate on presenting your players with *meaningful* choices. What does that mean? I'll explain by example.

— WinningerR (@WinningerR) January 28, 2021

As the adventurers approach your dungeon, a series of caves honeycombing a hill, they notice two entrances: a cave mouth at the base of the hill, and a second entrance located higher up the hill. The players have two options to enter the dungeon. Which entrance will they choose? This is an example of a *meaningless* choice. Without further context, there's no reason to argue for choosing one entrance over another. Your players may as well flip a coin to decide . . . and mentally, they will.

— WinningerR (@WinningerR) January 28, 2021

Suppose instead, the adventurers notice two hobgoblins guarding the entrance at the base of the hill, and understand that reaching the upper entrance requires a risky climb and the associated Attribute Checks? Now they have something meaningful to consider and debate–should we deal with the hobgoblins, or take our chances with the climb? Now they face a *meaningful* choice, an interesting choice.

— WinningerR (@WinningerR) January 28, 2021

Apply this same principle to as many decision points in your adventure as possible. Provide context and clear "pros and cons" for every option the players may select. Given them a reason to strategize and debate.

— WinningerR (@WinningerR) January 28, 2021

#dungeoncraft design tip: Inexperienced #dnd designers often develop compelling backstories for their adventures, but fail to provide the mechanisms that ensure the players will fully uncover that backstory.

— WinningerR (@WinningerR) January 27, 2021

If Princess Aurel hires a notorious thief to steal an heirloom she uses to blackmail a hag into cursing her sister, Queen Naar, whom Aurel has despised since childhood because Naar resembles their deceased mother, earning their father’s favor . . . Make sure the players learn *all* of that by the adventure’s end.

— WinningerR (@WinningerR) January 27, 2021