5 tips that will bring your Dungeon Master to tears (of joy)

Being a Dungeon Master is often a tough job: Getting players to meet on the same day. Remembering what happened last time. Preparing monsters and NPCs that the party will inevitably ignore. Teaching Jirka how to roll for initiative for the umpteenth time. It’s a lot to handle, which is why all DMs deserve some understanding and, most importantly, love. Especially since March 4th is their special day – International GM Day. But how do you show your DM that you care?

Take some of the load off

The best way to appreciate your DM is to make their life easier. Why not take over some of their responsibilities?

You can plan the sessions and chase down players to fill out the Doodle. Or take notes during the adventures. Trust me, well-written session logs will bring any Dungeon Master or Game Master to tears. 😉

Learn the rules

Few people can master every single rule, and DMs are no exception. Unlike players, they have way more balls to juggle. It helps a lot if you learn the rules for your own character so they can take that off their plate.

Also, don't argue about rules unnecessarily. Whoever is right, a half-hour spent flipping through a book ruins the fun for the whole table.

Give them feedback

Many DMs aren't sure what players like or dislike, and they often just guess what to put in the adventure to keep the table entertained. Learn to give them feedback at the end of the session.

It doesn't have to be complex; just highlight one moment you enjoyed the most and mention one thing you'd like to experience next time. And never underestimate the power of a simple "Thank you".

Fun is everyone's responsibility

It might seem obvious, but many groups forget this. Every player should make sure everyone else is having fun – including the Dungeon Master, who is a player too!

Okay, that's easy to say, but how do you do it in practice? Try to share the spotlight and don't try to solve everything for everyone.

If you agreed on something as a group, stick to it and don't try to derail it. If you don't like something, talk about it with the others out-of-character so you're all on the same page.

Once you've agreed to explore the dungeons of Ungelbnandarg, it would be silly to declare in the middle of the session that you actually want to run for mayor in Galgartarta and refuse to go to the next level.

Make your DM happy with a gift

Want to make your Dungeon Master happy and ensure your campaign becomes legendary? How about gifting them a proper D20 that's a joy to roll (and adds weight to their decisions)? Or a set of miniatures to help visualize the story?

Dungeons & Lasers: NPC miniature pack

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Dragon Shield Storage Box - Dice Companion

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The Ultimate RPG Game Master's Guide

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Hexcrawl token set - Manor

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Dice set with case: Lord of Chance

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Twenty-sided die - DM's Revenge (4 cm)

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Pick one of these gadgets – or all of them – and show your DM that you truly appreciate their work. From durable storage boxes and useful game accessories to epic dice with plenty of critical hits…

Be kind to each other – not just at Christmas

International GM Day is a great opportunity to show your DM you care, but you can make them happy every single session. So don't hesitate to surprise them with something that will soften their hardened heart and show how much you value their effort.

And most importantly, remember the golden rule of all RPGs: as long as everyone at the table is having fun, nothing else matters.

author Ondřej Mráz