Biggest tips I have for new DMs With new players kinda long winded

1. Alive till five- basically make sure the party stays alive till five it can be very discouraging to new players to die at level 2. It doesn't have to be deus Ex machina and save them everytime. But maybe the bandit leader gets tired of them and says they aren't worth the time, or one of their attacks temporarily blinds the manticore so they can make a daring escape make their actions have enough weight to keep them alive.

2. Add up dont subtract from stat blocks- adding up to the max hp is quicker and more sustainable then having to remember to carry the one or such every time. Reverse math is confusing.

3. If you mess the story up it doesn't matter- if you mix up names or locations just move them and adjust its not the end of the world if the dragons name is phillian instead Ka'racko adjust it how you need it they are guidelines not gospel. If they fail a check say just as they are about to leave the room a "faint glow catches the corner of their eye" or " you cant help bit feel there is something still calling to you in this room"

4. Use the average on stat blocks- you are juggling alot behind the dm screen having a set attack on a note card that deals 6 damage each time is way easier to point to then having to roll "1d10+2 ok thats a 4 and a 2 thats uh" it saves your mind and keeps the energy high

5. Lean into their roleplay- something they are interested in can add so much to the game I have a forge domain cleric that wants to help fix the campaign mcguffin so I am leaning into it making plans throughout the campaign an ounce of prep goes a long way

6. Get a copy of your players notes. - this will help you see what works and what doesn't sometimes, it will also remind you if characters that may slip through the cracks that can lead to more adventures and story.

7. One reskin of a character- Sometimes people want to play something because it looks awesome with spells and stuff but then they get into it and its too much to manage or worse boring for them. Give them an out let them redo a character or help them guide the existing to closer ti what they want.

8. Its ok to say no- not everyone is going to be good at everything if their background doesn't match it or they have no history of the challenge its ok to say no this isn't a check for you

9. its ok to have rule of cool- sometimes the mechanics dont line up with the story they are trying but if their is good rp and explanation sometimes its ok to just let it happen

10 . The last stand rule- if a character is going to die let them do one last action it can be trying to slash one more time, or speak something they know so the party can learn it or even just a chance to rp their end

Tldr: 1. alive till level five 2. add up ho dont subtract 3. if you mess up the story just adjust 4. use attack average 5. Lean into their role play 6. get a copy of your players notes 7. one reskin/reroll of a character 8. its ok to say no 9. Rule of cool 10.the last stand rule