When combat drags, it pulls players out of the flow of the game. What we want is for our players to think, “It’s my turn already!?” instead of “Finally, it’s my turn again.” Each combat round represents just six seconds in-game, so it shouldn’t take half an hour at the table. Keeping combat quick and engaging is essential for maintaining good pacing in our sessions. Here’s a few tips for running faster D&D combat rounds.

Keep the DM’s Turn Short

As Dungeon Masters, our turns are the one aspect of combat we fully control. The goal is efficiency without losing the excitement.

1. Average Damage: Rolling for every monster’s attack can slow things down. Instead, using the average damage listed in the stat block keeps things moving. For critical hits, we simply double that value. Quick and easy.
2. Simplify the Encounter: Having one complex monster with interesting abilities provides enough tactical depth. The other creatures in the fight can be simpler, straightforward attackers. This reduces the decision-making burden on us and keeps the combat from bogging down.
3. Streamlined Hordes: Running large numbers of monsters can slow our turns down. But sometimes, we want to have the players face an army of 200 skeletons. In that case, I recommend something like the encounter damage tally and Mike Shea’s Horde Rules. They are easy to remember and help us run large numbers of monsters smoothly.

Keeping Player Turns Snappy

While we can’t directly control how long our players take, there are ways we can set them up for faster, more focused turns.

1. Brief Descriptions: At the start of each player’s turn, a quick overview of the situation suffices. Then we adjudicate the actions the player is taking as efficiently as possible. At the end of their turn, we summarize how the situation has changed and use this summary to transition to the next player. Describing every movement or attack in detail can actually take us out of the action.
2. On-Deck Players: Calling out who’s next keeps players attentive and gives them time to think ahead. It also helps prevent the dreaded, “Wait, what’s happening again?” as they can stay engaged while the current player is resolving their actions.
3. Silent Pressure: If a player starts to slow down, there’s no need to rush them verbally. Simply waiting quietly creates its own sense of urgency without breaking focus. The silence alone can be a subtle nudge to speed things along.

When we keep the pace brisk, combat becomes a fast and fun experience. With these small adjustments, we’re more likely to hear that coveted, “It’s my turn already?!” from our players.