If you’ve ever stepped into the role of Dungeon Master, whether for Dungeons & Dragons, Dungeon Crawl Classics, Pathfinder, Call of Cthulhu, or any other tabletop roleplaying game, you’ve probably had that nagging thought: “Am I a bad DM?” Maybe you can’t remember all the rules, don’t know how every spell works, or can’t do those incredible character voices. Perhaps you even mix up which monster goes in which room. But here’s the truth: you are a great DM. Stop telling yourself you’re a bad DM.
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Here are five reasons why you, yes, you, are a fantastic Dungeon Master. Make sure to stick around for reason number five, because it’s undeniable proof of your greatness.
Reason 1 You’re Not a Bad DM: You Care
The first reason you’re a great Dungeon Master is simple: you care. Some Game Masters seem to be in it only for themselves, their world, and their story. But you’re different. You understand that running a game isn’t just about memorizing every rule, crafting a perfect plot, or ensuring your plans unfold flawlessly. It’s about creating a fun experience for your players. And that puts you exactly where you need to be.
We’ve all been there: the pre-game jitters, the creeping self-doubt, the classic imposter syndrome. “I’m screwing this up. Nobody’s having fun.” It’s easy to get caught in these thoughts. Sometimes, even the most experienced DMs, like me, feel overwhelmed when prepping a game or forget a crucial detail in the heat of battle. We might kick ourselves, convinced we’re the worst DM ever. These feelings are universal among DMs, and they mean one important thing: you care whether your players have fun. That’s a truly good thing, and it means you’re not a bad DM.
Reason 2 You’re a Great DM: You Bring the Game to Life
The second reason you’re a great Game Master is that you bring the game to life. You contribute so much to the experience, often more than you realize. You’re the storyteller, the world builder, the referee. You give life to NPCs, even if they all sound like you. The heart and creativity you pour into the plot and the world, even if you’re running a published adventure instead of homebrew, make each game session special. Every decision you make helps create memorable moments for your players.
You are not Matt Mercer, and neither am I. Your players aren’t the cast of Critical Role, and that’s perfectly okay. They’d tell you the same. Everyone’s “best” is different. You’re doing your best, and it’s working. Don’t forget that! You’re not a bad DM.
Reason 3: You Adapt and Improvise
The third reason you’re a great DM is your ability to adapt and improvise. No session ever goes exactly as planned. Players make unexpected choices, and dice rolls rarely go perfectly. Even if you don’t see yourself as decisive or a quick thinker, you find yourself making calls on the fly. You’re learning to think on your feet and adapt to the unpredictable nature of the game, which keeps the game exciting and dynamic.
Beyond that, you’re actively seeking resources, watching videos like this one, and looking for ways to run games better. You’re adapting and growing, and that’s one of the most vital characteristics of a great Game Master. That’s certainly not the sign of a bad DM.
Reason 4 You’re Not a Bad DM: You’re Having Fun
Reason number four why you’re a great Dungeon Master—and while not the ultimate proof, it’s still a big one—is that you’re having fun. Tabletop roleplaying games are, at their core, games. And games serve two main purposes: they build community, and they’re fun. If you’re not enjoying yourself, your players probably aren’t either. If you are having fun, you’re doing it right.
None of us are necessarily experts at every aspect of running an RPG, nor do we enjoy every single part of it. A recent poll showed that “Adventure Design” was a clear favorite for many GMs, but world building, storytelling, and roleplaying also ranked highly. Everyone finds joy in different parts. Of course, you need to dedicate time to all the necessary components, but lean into what you love. If you love worldbuilding, immerse yourself in it. Unless your players are truly difficult, they will respond positively to your excitement. Having fun means you’re not a bad DM.
Reason 5 You’re a Great DM: Your Players Keep Coming Back
And now for reason number five—this is the ultimate proof that you’re a great Game Master. I informally polled some fellow DMs online, asking them what they’d tell someone to encourage them that they’re good at it. The same answer kept coming up: Your players keep coming back.
This was the most common piece of encouragement my GM friends shared. If your players consistently return week after week to play your game, they’re having fun. And if they’re having fun, you’re clearly doing something right. Think about it: if your players keep showing up at the table, even with scheduling difficulties or missed sessions, you are succeeding as a DM. That’s definitive proof you’re not a bad DM.
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A Special Message for the Players
To all the players out there, please remember that being a DM can be incredibly overwhelming. Sometimes we feel like we’ve taken on too much, especially when we see other Game Masters make it look so easy and fun. And often, players don’t fully realize the amount of work and preparation that goes into making the game happen.
So, players, do your DM a favor. Send them a quick text or message, just to say, “Hey, thanks for all your hard work so we can have fun.” It means more than you know.
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