Remember, in your D&D game, you can run things however you like. Knowing the rules can be a useful foundation for your storytelling, but your creativity and roleplaying bring the game to life. The rules serve you, not the other way around. #DnD
— Jeremy Crawford (@JeremyECrawford) February 8, 2018
golden rule
The beautiful liberty of D&D is that each group can shape the game to suit their tastes and story
The beautiful liberty of D&D is that each group can shape the game to suit their tastes and story. People still like to know what’s in the books, and I’m happy to provide clarity. Clarity about what the text does and doesn’t say is no more than a tool for your creations. #DnD https://t.co/RbKx1c1V9h
— Jeremy Crawford (@JeremyECrawford) February 2, 2018
Rules in D&D are meant to be a benign tool that we use together to build our shared fun
Why does an open-ended activity like D&D have rules? Rules give us a framework for our play. Rules are also a common language. They’re a way to shape what characters do and to determine whether things succeed. Rules help make D&D a game, rather than simply make-believe. #DnD
— Jeremy Crawford (@JeremyECrawford) February 8, 2018
Knowing the rules well can speed up play. Having rules fluency as a DM also makes it easier to improvise—to speedily come up with ways of resolving unusual situations on the fly. #DnD
— Jeremy Crawford (@JeremyECrawford) February 8, 2018
Understanding the rules—knowing what they do and don’t say—is a great foundation for when you want to codify a house rule (as opposed to a quick ruling). Warning: having a bunch of codified house rules risks putting the focus on rules, rather than on story. #DnD
— Jeremy Crawford (@JeremyECrawford) February 8, 2018
As DM, letting the rules play out in your game—seeing where the dice fall—can invite all sorts of exciting, funny, scary, or moving moments that you didn’t see coming. They let you play a game too. But if you need to improvise something to heighten your group’s fun, do it. #DnD
— Jeremy Crawford (@JeremyECrawford) February 8, 2018
Rules in D&D are meant to be a benign tool that we use together to build our shared fun. They should never be used as a weapon against each other. Let the DM settle disputes. At the game table, fun and friendship are the key. #DnD
— Jeremy Crawford (@JeremyECrawford) February 8, 2018
I’ve played this game since elementary school, and that magic—bringing us together—never wanes
You know what I love about D&D? That friendly people of all backgrounds can come together, build fantasy characters and worlds, and weave splendid tales at the game table. I’ve played this game since elementary school, and that magic—bringing us together—never wanes. #DnD
— Jeremy Crawford (@JeremyECrawford) January 23, 2018
Thoroughly explore worlds only YOU can create within your mindscape
Thoroughly explore worlds only YOU can create within your mindscape. Push every boundary to its breaking point… then share it with your players and watch it grow in ALL the ways THEY can imagine. #DungeonMaster
— Christopher Lindsay (@Onnatryx) January 25, 2018
Running one of our published adventures?
Running one of our published adventures? Don’t stress yourself out trying to get everything right. The moment you start running the adventure, it’s yours. Make it your own. It’s going to unfold like no else’s version of the adventure. Embrace that liberty. #DnD
— Jeremy Crawford (@JeremyECrawford) January 18, 2018
You learn from what doesn’t work, and move forward with that knowledge
General note: There were design mistakes in the map last night, and elements that didn’t play out as I expected. It’s the same with any game you run, and that’s ok. You learn from what doesn’t work, and move forward with that knowledge. 🙂
— Matthew Mercer (@matthewmercer) December 8, 2017
Start with triumphs, tragedies, and betrayals, not maps.
When creating a setting, remember that people make it come to life, not geography. Start with triumphs, tragedies, and betrayals, not maps.
— Mike Mearls (@mikemearls) September 29, 2017
Thanks – inspiration straight from Vampire, FWIW. Thanks – inspiration straight from Vampire, FWIW.
— Mike Mearls (@mikemearls) September 30, 2017
But…..I love maps Do what works for you! It's an insight I've had that has helped me with my own writing, YMMV
— Mike Mearls (@mikemearls) September 30, 2017
So, if we already built some events and a map any advice for how to work with it? I have people but the races/cities/culture is not well built yet.
— Voidtalon (@VoidtalonGaming) September 30, 2017
IMO, the map is how you build more conflict/tension. That LE kingdom ruled by warlocks? Across the mountains from your LG theocracy. https://t.co/IvzgxS5TMU
— Mike Mearls (@mikemearls) September 30, 2017
Or draw your map and, in so doing, imagine what lives there and who the "bad neighbors" are. #WOTCstaff https://t.co/GMU2ta00sf
— Chrisferatu (@ChrisPerkinsDnD) September 30, 2017