DUNGEON MASTER ADVICE : “SESSION 0”
Greetings adventurers! Welcome to The Maze! I wanted to take a moment to discuss the importance of a Session 0 at your table. There are various levels of depth you may need to go into in a Session 0 at your table depending on a few factors:
Have you played with this group before?
How long have you been playing together?
What is the level of experience at your table?
How many players will be at your table?
I have been playing with my Kingdom of Keshanar group for nearly four years now. Even though we know each other fairly well and are familiar with one another's play styles, I still have a Session 0 with them every time we start a new campaign, though the length of time we spend discussing items, but I feel that setting expectations and knowing exactly what they want from you as a DM will help you prepare a game that will be enjoyable and memorable for everyone.
So, what I will be covering in this article is the items I cover in a Session 0 for a new group. Below are the things that I discuss at the table with my players:
1) What sort of game would you like to play?
Do you prefer sandbox (open world) or a linear campaign?
This will help you and your players decide what sort of campaign world you want to play in
Do you want a heroic campaign? Epic campaign?
I think it is important to decide on what style of play your party is looking for. Are they looking to save the world, just their local town, or are they just looking to make their way in the world?
2) Are there any possible themes that may upset or bother you?
murder?
racism?
sexual assault?
slavery?
violence on children?
It's important to determine what, if any, narrative themes could be off limits for your players to avoid offending or upsetting them
3) Backstory as hooks?
I like to use elements from my characters backstories into the game to add a personal stake in the world and plots
I like to bring in NPCs from the characters pasts, as either mentors, contacts, or even villains for the players to deal with at points
4) Rulings?
Are the players okay with house rules?
Rules as written?
questioning rules / rulings?
I am open to discuss any rules and come to a consensus on how we want to interpret ambiguous or questionable rules and use the agreed upon understanding moving forward
5) What are your goals for this game / campaign?
Does your character have a goal they want to accomplish?
What are your character's ambitions?
What level would you like to play to?
6) Milestone
Do you prefer XP or Milestone for leveling?
7) 3 Pillars
Roleplay, Combat, & Exploration
I think that all 3 pillars are important
What pillars are important to your players? Is there overlap or consensus?
Knowing which of the elements and to what degree are important to your players will allow you to tailor your game to your table
9) Dungeon Crawls?
Do the players want dungeon crawls? Do they prefer smaller dungeons?
Do they want to explore dungeons at all?
10) What is important to your character?
What motivates the characters?
What motivates the players?
11) Cellphones at the table
step away if necessary; we all have a life outside of the game and sometimes we need to communicate, but don't let it disrupt others enjoyment
Useful for in game info, looking up spells, feats, etc.
avoid distractions - we are all here to have fun, but when phones become a distraction they can slow down the game, cause other players to become annoyed or present a problem with engagement with the DM or the world you are playing in.
some DMs will say no cell phones at the table at all, but I think that may be a bit overboard unless it becomes a problem
12) Avoidance of real world themes
politics
religion
news items
I for one play D&D as a means of escaping reality. I don't discuss these topics and prefer not to engage in this topics before, during or after a game
13) Player Expectations?
What are your players' expectations of you as the DM?
It is important to know what your players expect from you as DM so that you do not set them up for disappointment and yourself for failure
14) DM Expectations of the players
be on time
be engaged
learn your character
be ready for your turn
ask questions
communicate issues / concerns
your character does NOT know what you know
no murder hobos
"You are free to choose, you are NOT free from the consequences of your choices"
These are the points I go over with my tables. What are some of yours? Do you use a Session 0? Have you found it helps create a better synergy at your table? What points have I missed in my list above that you think are relevant and should be added? Let us know! We would love to hear from you.
Until next time, keep your sword arm free and we will see you back here next time, in The Maze.