08/30/2024

As a Dungeon Master, improvisation is an essential skill. Whether your players veer off the planned path or come up with creative solutions, thinking on your feet can make the game more dynamic and engaging. Here’s a guide to honing your improv skills and keeping your sessions smooth and exciting.

Why Improv Matters for DMs

Improv allows you to adapt to unexpected situations, breathe life into NPCs, and create memorable moments on the fly. It helps you maintain the flow of the game without breaking immersion. By improving your improv skills, you become a more flexible and confident DM, capable of handling whatever your players throw your way.

5 Tips to Improve Your DM Improv Skills

Embrace “Yes, And…”

One of the core principles of improv is to accept what others offer and build on it. If your players come up with a wild idea, find a way to make it work within the story instead of just saying no. This keeps the game moving and encourages creativity at the table.

Create a Toolbox of NPCs and Locations

Having a list of ready-made NPCs and locations can be a lifesaver. Create a few generic characters with distinct personalities, goals, and quirks. Also, look at creating flexible locations that can be slotted into any scenario, which I refer to as Schodinger’s Scenarios. I talked about those in a previous post here. This way, you’re never caught off guard when players take unexpected detours.

Practice Storytelling Prompts

To improve your on-the-spot storytelling, regularly challenge yourself with random prompts. For example, pick a random object or location and build a short encounter around it in five minutes. This exercise will help you think creatively and quickly, a crucial skill for any DM. Plus, some of these encounters could be added to your folder of Schodinger’s Scenarios.

Listen Actively

Good improv comes from paying close attention to your players. Listen to their ideas, motivations, and dialogue, and use that information to craft replies that feel organic. The better you listen, the easier it will be to weave their actions into the narrative seamlessly.

Stay Flexible with Your Plans

While preparation is important, don’t be afraid to deviate from your plans. Improv requires you to go with the flow, so embrace unexpected twists and turns. If your players’ actions take the story in a different direction, trust your instincts and let the game unfold naturally.

Practicing Improv Between Sessions

Collaborative Storytelling Games

Engage in improv games that focus on collaborative storytelling. Games like “Fiasco” require participants to build stories together without a set plan, making them excellent practice for quick thinking and narrative development.

Join Improv Classes or Workshops

If you want to take your skills to the next level, consider joining an improv class or workshop. These sessions provide structured exercises that hone your ability to think on your feet, react to others, and develop creative ideas in real-time. If you want to DM like Matt Mercer, you need to train like Matt Mercer.

Watch and Learn from Improv Shows

Watching live improv performances or shows like “Whose Line Is It Anyway?” can be entertaining and educational. Pay attention to how performers build on each other’s ideas to keep the momentum going and try to apply similar techniques to your DMing.

Journal Your Sessions

After each game, take some time to reflect on the moments where you had to improvise. What worked? What didn’t? Analyzing your performance helps you identify areas for improvement and refine your approach for future sessions. You can also ask some of the players what they thought of the session and incorporate their feedback into the journal.

Conclusion

Improving your dungeon master improv skills is a journey that involves practice, creativity, and a willingness to embrace the unexpected. By trying the tips and exercises outlined here, you’ll become a more adaptable and confident DM, ready to handle whatever challenges arise during your games.

Keep on gaming!