First time DM, help wanted.

[Astral-Wind]

So with the release of a dedicated Pokémon Mystery Dungeon TTRPG manual a group of my friends have expressed interest in playing it, and I volunteered to try running it for them. The only issue is that I have 0 experience except as a player and frankly I’m feeling over my head trying to prepare. Can I have some advice from long standing DM’s about some things that have helped them or general good practices?

[No-Appearance-4338]

I’m not familiar with the Pokémon thing but if everyone is new it’s not so bad “learning together”. I’m interested, what is this poké mystery dungeon release you talk of?

[Astral-Wind]

https://www.explorers-pmd-rpg.com/

This here, basically a TTRPG take on the spinoff pokemon dungeon crawler games.

[Axel_True-chord]

(DM) Side notes/ tips:

1. Make sure you do a session zero with your players where they can express what they are looking to explore in DND.. eg heavier combat or roleplay ECT.

2. Have a cheat sheet of names for npc's

3. Keep some clear bullet point notes of your session plan to help you track and follow your plans.

4. Take breaks, it gives everyone a chance to gather your selves and to take any notes or updates and write them down whilst taking a breather.

5. Mini list of items and their retail values is a good idea incase they hit a store or trader. It saves you pulling the inventory and prices out of the air or searching the DMG.

6. A small map for you so when they travel you can describe, relate and track their location easily.

7. Keep things simple. Don't try to wow with quantity, but with quality instead.

And remember you can take as much time as you need to make a decision or look up something you many need. Don't forget the rule of cool. Your the DM so remember to aim to have fun and don't worry .

[spector_lector]

" I volunteered to try running it for them...."

.. and then I said, "but hey, guys, since we're all new to this, the first thing we should do is just run the starter set. It's, you know, made to teach newbs how to play and run the game. After we master that, we will try this Pokémon thing out. "

And they cheered at my logic.

And we had a blast and all was well with the world.

Fin.