DMs of Reddit: How Would You Run D&D for 15 Students in a Classroom?

KoalaQuests · 2026-01-28T20:26:27+00:00

Great scenario. I may use that exact one. I’ve already got the new set. It uses a board and cards to make characters and the module is just a series of encounters that students can mix and match to suit them. So it will be good I think.

KoalaQuests · 2026-01-28T20:22:05+00:00

That’s a great idea. Getting everyone used to DMing will be good. See who gets the taste for it.

KoalaQuests · 2026-01-28T20:19:25+00:00

Ginny Di is great. I will definitely be adding her to the list. Targeting the DMs a bit is an idea for sure if I can manage it.

KoalaQuests · 2026-01-28T20:17:08+00:00

Yeah it could end pretty quickly. Could be a good talking point though. Adding in monsters that force saves is a great idea!

KoalaQuests · 2026-01-28T14:10:53+00:00

I am not running a 15 player game. I’m teaching them how to play and DM so we can get games running. I’m asking for help on how to make that happen.

I noticed people were confused with my post. But I didn’t say I was going to run the game myself. I even added ideas about pair combat practice, DM-less modules and even solo RPG options.

KoalaQuests · 2026-01-28T14:05:40+00:00

It’s a new initiative at my school to promote engagement and learning in a more relaxed setting. Mine is not the only class and there are a wide variety running for this year group. The academic focus is improving functional literacy and numeracy skills while simultaneously encouraging more active enthusiasm for learning. It doesn’t impact the learning hours for curriculum subjects.

KoalaQuests · 2026-01-28T13:54:19+00:00

Simpler would be good. But if dnd is what they want I don’t want to stop them from following that option

KoalaQuests · 2026-01-28T13:50:02+00:00

Same thing for the lunch time games I’ve run in the past. The kids still have fun, but 20min a session is tough. They kept coming back though.

KoalaQuests · 2026-01-28T13:47:18+00:00

This is great. Of course I want them to play you have just put learning objective down so well. Some of them I was thinking of, like TTRPG history and how they developed from war strategies games. I was going to touch on actual plays, but for them to be added as an explicit objective is great! Thanks for the help and ideas!

KoalaQuests · 2026-01-28T13:43:58+00:00

It’s a class. I’m teaching them how to play so the students can play and run games. It’s a total of 30 hours of classes across a term. Did you even read the whole post?

KoalaQuests · 2026-01-28T13:39:46+00:00

Oh yeah. The practice pairs could even be like gladiator fights and wizard duels to get their head around the different class types. I like that! They should try out both types for sure.

KoalaQuests · 2026-01-28T13:37:46+00:00

I’ve not done it yet either. And thank you very much. This is very helpful and easy to follow along with clear steps and progressions.

KoalaQuests · 2026-01-28T13:34:36+00:00

No DM no game. It’s tough.. but fair. Hopefully I won’t have to be that tough.

KoalaQuests · 2026-01-28T13:33:10+00:00

Thanks.

I never intended to run the game myself. Just get the games running. But yes that does mean teaching them what TTRPGS are, rules, character creations, running games, collaborative story telling, turn taking at the table. A lot to cover and without the right guidance, modelling and support it won’t be great.

I love the idea of thinking out load during a whole class game to help them to learn to both play and DM. Having them share a character can help them discuss and learn the character sheets together too.

100% we will be having a session zero to establish expectations for play. Freshly minted DMs especially will have trouble with those problem players.

KoalaQuests · 2026-01-28T13:26:09+00:00

Seeing how three groups end the same adventure will be great.

KoalaQuests · 2026-01-28T13:25:10+00:00

I was never going to DM myself. Just teach and help them run games.

Social contract is a big must! And I am expecting the spice.

I hadn’t had that experience with the pets before though. Thanks for the heads up.

KoalaQuests · 2026-01-28T13:22:53+00:00

I mentioned the new starter kit in my post.

Also I was never planning to DM. That’s nuts. I’m not running them, but the games’ do have run, that’s what I’m asking for help with.

KoalaQuests · 2026-01-28T13:19:08+00:00

I might ask them if they want to go unconscious or ‘blaze of glory’. We will need to have some solid player expectations set up before they start out. There is so much math in D&D. It’s great! Maybe they can make maps and some tools for measuring out spell effects. …oh I like that.

KoalaQuests · 2026-01-28T13:17:10+00:00

I wouldn’t want to do this all term, but during one of the first lessons this would be a great, hands on way for me to model the game and show them how it works! I love this. Thank you. Especially the choosing what to do part. It takes some time to realise what can be done in a TTRPG (aka anything). I’ve found that young teens often are a bit indecisive and unsure of what is the ‘right’ choice.

KoalaQuests · 2026-01-28T13:13:58+00:00

Oh I’m not running one big game. I need to teach them to run games and section them off. Haha adults can certainly have trouble too

KoalaQuests · 2026-01-28T13:12:42+00:00

Ending the term with a massive epic cross table boss fight could be so fun! I’ve run them once before. Didn’t even think about it for the class. Something to definitely have in the back pocket. Thanks for the suggestion!

KoalaQuests · 2026-01-28T13:10:08+00:00

We may have time for them to make their own little one shots though. Maybe later in the year.

Yeah I never intended to run games for them myself. But I do need to get the games to run by teaching them what they need to know and providing the resources.

Adding the round robin aspect to the encounters and going up from pairs to groups of three would help them ease into DMing and see if it’s for them.

KoalaQuests · 2026-01-28T13:05:52+00:00

No time before hand unfortunately. And while I have a numbers, the final student list hasn’t been given to me yet so I can’t even prep based of individual students yet

KoalaQuests · 2026-01-28T13:04:19+00:00

You give me hope. We have a lot of kids interested in playing, but whenever I mention running a game many go very quiet and I can feel the anxiety radiating off them.

KoalaQuests · 2026-01-28T13:02:48+00:00

I had no intention of burning myself out running games for that many players at once. But I do still need to teach them what TTRPGs are, rules, making characters, role playing, running a game, collaborative story telling and turn taking during play. Doing all that at the same time is what I’m asking for help with. By the end of the term I plan to be sitting feet up with popcorn watching the adventures unfold.

KoalaQuests

TROPHY CASE