How to Make Sure D&D Game Preparation Is Fun

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Preparing our D&D game can and should be fun

Playing D&D is fun. But as DMs preparing for our next session should also be fun. We can think of preparing for a session as an extension of that session. It’s part of the game. And the game should be fun. Preparing for the session is probably not going to be as entertaining as playing the game itself. But at the very least it shouldn’t be a chore. Preparing for a session shouldn’t feel like work.

I used to have a massive to-do list for my weekly D&D game. I would chip away at it but I would add items to the list at the same pace at which I would cross them off. The result was an intense pressure that felt more like work than playing a game.

Preparing for our game should be fun. And it can be.

Find a system that works for you

Finding a reliable system for D&D preparation can help. Having certain steps that we go through every time we prepare for a session accomplishes two things.

First, a systematic approach lets us limit the time we spend on game prep. Whatever the steps are, once we’ve gone through them all, we are done. The game is prepared. A task has been accomplished.

We can never prepare for every situation in our game. Otherwise, we would keep preparing forever. We can always write down more details, create more mechanics, and imagine more NPCs. But having a system which we go through in an acceptable amount of time gives us the feeling of completion that we would otherwise never achieve. Therefore, a D&D preparation system lets us build confidence for the next session.

Secondly, a system for D&D preparation divides prep into chunks. Instead of a monolithic task of “preparing the game” we go through a list of incremental steps. This

Whatever the system is for you, the important part is to have one. Maybe it’s taking out a sheet of paper, drawing a rough dungeon map on it, and filling it with evocative descriptions. It might be following the steps of Return of the Lazy Dungeon Master. Maybe it’s just flipping through your favorite monster book, and marking interesting creatures for the next session. Find a system that works for you so preparing for a game can feel manageable, and fun.

Change it up as soon as D&D preparation becomes a chore

Similar to the pressure meter, we should be mindful of our D&D preparation. We can regularly ask ourselves, “Am I having fun while preparing for my D&D game?” If the answer is yes, that’s great. If the answer ever moves towards no, we need to change something.

We can try out a different system for preparing D&D. Setting a timer lets us monitor and potentially reduce the time we spent preparing. We can identify parts of prep that are making the activity less fun for us and cut these parts out.

Identifying that we’re not having fun preparing for our D&D game is the first and vital step. Asking ourselves regularly whether preparing D&D is still fun reminds us that it should be. D&D is a game. Preparing for D&D should feel like playing a game. If it ever doesn’t, change something.

Find what part of preparing D&D excites you

Matt Colville tells us, “the DM is a player too.” It’s an eye-opening statement. Yes, we are responsible for providing a world and a scenario for the players to have fun with. But the DM isn’t a service provider. We want to have fun too. We are also a player.

This means we can find out what is the most fun aspect of game preparation for us. What brings us joy in preparing for our D&D sessions? Is it making maps? Creating secrets and clues for our party to uncover? Is it choosing inspiring monsters for the next session? We can focus on whatever part of game prep gives us, as the DM, the most joy.

Once we know that we really enjoy skimming through the Monster Manual and choosing awesome foes, we can use that knowledge. We can motivate ourselves when we’re not feeling like preparing for D&D. Start with the monsters and see where that leads us. Hell, if the other parts of our preparation system just feel like work this week, don’t do them. Choose monsters and let the rest of the session develop through improvisation. We are a player in this game too. We should do what’s fun.