Running Your First Tabletop RPG One-Shot

Running Your First Tabletop RPG One-Shot

A one-shot is a complete tabletop RPG adventure you finish in a single session. It is the perfect way to try being the Game Master without committing to a months-long campaign.

A few tips for your first time behind the screen:

• Use a pre-written adventure. Plenty of free beginner one-shots exist for D&D and other systems. Do not write your own world the first time out.
• Pre-make the characters. Hand players ready-built sheets so you can jump straight into the action.
• Keep the cast small. Three or four players is the sweet spot for a smooth first session.
• Aim for three scenes. A hook, a complication, and a climax is a complete story. Anything more can wait.
• Say yes more than no. Your job is everyone having fun, not enforcing every rule perfectly.

Once you have a one-shot ready, post it on our events page — there are always players looking for a table.