Using the 8 Lazy DM Steps at the Table

Published 2024-04-17
Mike discusses using the 8 steps from Return of the Lazy Dungeon Master at the table.

Video Contents
00:00 Show Start
00:39 Summary of the Eight Steps of Return of the Lazy Dungeon Master
02:00 Reviewing the Characters
02:46 Strong Start
05:21 Outlining Scenes
06:21 Secrets and Clues
09:02 Fantastic Locations
10:47 Important NPCs
12:24 Monsters
14:37 Treasure and Magic Items

Return of the Lazy Dungeon Master
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All Comments (13)
  • @ChadLensch
    This book has changed how I DM, and made things so less stressful, and more fun for my players. I can’t recommend this book enough!
  • @orkcol
    This book is life changing
  • I think there is something there with that hibachi grill metaphor. I think GMs often try to pre-cook the food they're serving to their player down to the exact doneness, only to find out when serving it isn't seasoned correctly, the portion size is too large, or their players are in the mood for something else. Instead the best advice is to have all your food prepped and ready to be put on the grill and not worry about whatever doesn't get used; You can always use the leftovers for next time! I might just be a little hungry.
  • @jimcaruso4684
    I stayed away from this book because I thought it just dealt with D&D. I took a chance anyway, and I'm glad I did. I run a Star Wars RPG and all these steps helped me greatly. Highly recommend.
  • The book is a game changer, and not only for D&D but all the games I run, regardless of system or setting. Most GM probably do some of this already. But the way it is structured helps me get into a rhythm and makes me feel confident I can handle whatever the players throw at me. I can still improvise, but I don't risk going totally off the plot anymore.
  • @PhilC_PhD
    I have to say since starting to use the 8 steps, my inspiration for the world building has shot up through the secrets and clues. Since I run Shadowdark and an old school open sandbox game, there is an overarching plot but the players have full agency to interact with it as they will. The secrets and clues let me drop that plot in based on their actions so they see completely the consequences of their actions. I also learned to be much more open with how to drop information into the world. Thank you! Very eye opening stuff which has improved my GMing!
  • @seasidelion13
    Great advice as per usual. Clues and secrets in front of you is so important! Only having to improv how they get the clue, which usually is easy to make organic. (RotLDM got me into DMing, thank you)
  • @marcorivetti4045
    Finished reading the book this week, helped me a lot to start seeing the game from the gm perspective. Thank you a lot for you work and for continuing to give different examples and explanations of how this method works!
  • @IanPanth
    I started using Notion at your suggestion. So, now I can also just put links to DNDBeyond or create pages with other monster stats without worrying about grabbing the book and finding the page.
  • @karlmaust6172
    In my game prep I call it important information. I have general information and I also have it broken down by player as well