The 14 Must-Have Tools for Dungeon Masters
Being a Dungeon Master (DM) is a rewarding role, every game or campaign is different and with so many ways to play Dungeons and Dragons, as a DM, you have the freedom to craft unforgettable experiences for your players. However, having the right tools for Dungeon Masters can streamline your campaign, increase immersion, and help you stay organised. In this guide for dungeon masters, we’ll cover the best D&D Dungeon Master tools that will enhance your gaming sessions.
1. The DM Screen
A DM screen is an essential tool for a Dungeon Master. It allows you to hide your dice rolls and notes, which keeps the mystery alive for your players. There are two main types of DM screens:
- Digital Screens: If you run virtual games, digital screens like Fitz's 5e DM Screen are excellent for displaying quick references without cluttering your desk.
- Physical Screens: For in-person games, you’ll need a physical barrier to prevent players from peeking, like the Nerd Wood Custom DM Screen. These wooden screens add a touch of flair while keeping your gameplay organised.
Why Use a DM Screen?
A DM screen adds an element of surprise to your campaign by hiding important details from your players - things such as plotlines or twists, enemy HP, damage strengths and weaknesses etc. Basically, anything you don’t want your players to know ahead of time, or that you want them to discover through gameplay, a DM screen keeps hidden for you.
Top Recommendations:
- Fitz's 5e DM Screen for virtual games.
- Nerd Wood Custom DM Screen for a premium in-person experience.
Are you interested in learning how to be a better DM? Check out our DND Dungeon Master Guide and make your campaigns more memorable!
2. The Ultimate Initiative Tracker
An initiative tracker is a game changer of a dungeon master tool, and highly useful for keeping combat encounters running smoothly. Simple solutions like index cards can get the job done, but advanced options like the D&D Combat Ready Board can offer more features, especially if you’re running a hybrid or virtual campaign.
How Initiative Trackers Improve Combat
A good initiative tracker ensures that players always know when their turn to act is coming, so they can prepare for it ahead of time, keeping combat fast-paced and flowing.
Top Recommendations:
- Index Cards are a budget-friendly option.
- D&D Combat Ready Board for a more advanced and interactive solution.
3. Immersive Dice Sets and Towers
High-quality dice sets are a must-have tool for every Dungeon Master. They not only provide a tactile experience but can also enhance the immersion of the game. SkullSplitter Metal Dice offers a premium feel, while virtual DMs can opt for automated dice rollers like Avrae on Discord. Don’t forget that it’s often a good idea to have extra communal dice on hand during a session, and that it’s often on the DM to provide these.
Why Use Dice Towers?
Dice towers ensure fairness and prevent dice from rolling off the table. A clear option like the Clear Dice Tower adds excitement to every roll while ensuring that the results are still absolutely random.
Top Recommendations:
- SkullSplitter Metal Dice for a tactile and immersive experience.
- Clear Dice Tower for fairness and excitement in your game.
4. Custom Dice and Spell Cards
Customising your dice is a great way to add a personal touch to your D&D campaigns. Platforms like HeroForge allow you to create custom dice suited to your style. Additionally, managing spells can be a hassle, but tools like D&D Beyond Spell Cards or The Deck of Many make it easier.
Why Use Custom Dice and Spell Cards?
Custom dice provide a unique element to your game, while spell cards make managing NPCs and enemies much simpler.
Top Recommendations:
- HeroForge Custom Dice for personalisation.
- D&D Beyond Spell Cards for easy spell management.
5. Digital and Physical Mapping Tools
Creating immersive maps is essential for any D&D campaign that isn’t run in the ‘theatre of the mind’ style. Digital tools like Dungeon Alchemist allow you to build custom maps quickly, while physical tiles like Dungeon Dealer Dungeon Tiles offer a tangible experience for in-person sessions.
Mapping Tools for Different Campaigns
Depending on whether your campaign focuses on battles or exploration, you may need different mapping tools. Digital maps are often best for battle-heavy games, while physical tiles are great for exploration.
Top Recommendations:
- Dungeon Alchemist for digital map creation.
- Dungeon Dealer Dungeon Tiles for in-person, tactile campaigns.
6. Soundtrack Integration with Tabletop Audio
Music can significantly enhance your campaign’s atmosphere. Tools like TableTop Audio allow you to create ambient sounds and music that sync with your game, whether you're playing in person, or online through VTTs like Foundry or Roll20.
Why Use Background Music?
Music helps set the mood for different parts of your campaign, whether it's a boss fight or a peaceful exploration scene. Platforms like YouTube or Soncraft Bot can also provide background tracks for virtual play.
Top Recommendations:
- TableTop Audio for immersive soundscapes.
- Soncraft Bot for easy music integration in virtual games.
7. Modular Table Toppers for Hybrid Play
Table toppers enhance the physical gaming experience, providing a designated space for your campaign.
Why Use a Table Topper?
A table topper not only organises the play area but also enhances the gaming experience, providing a clean surface for maps, dice, and miniatures to sit on.
Top Recommendations:
- Game Toppers LLC Mycroft for portability and ease of use.
- Tabletop Companion Board Game Mat for a budget-friendly option.
8. Reference Guides and QuickRef Apps
Quick access to game rules is an important dungeon master tool that can make all the difference in the heat of the moment. Physical reference decks like The Deck of Many provide an easy-to-read solution, while online tools like QuickRef 5e allow you to access rules instantly on your phone or tablet.
When to Use Digital vs Physical Guides
Digital guides are great for quick access during virtual games, while physical guides like The Deck of Many are ideal for in-person sessions where you might not want to pull out a device.
Top Recommendations:
- The Deck of Many for in-person reference.
- QuickRef 5e for digital rule checking.
9. Customisable Miniatures
Miniatures bring characters and monsters to life in a way that enhances player engagement. Platforms like HeroForge let you create detailed custom minis, while Eldritch Foundry offers high-quality 3D printing services for truly unique pieces.
Why Use Custom Miniatures?
Custom minis add a personal touch and can make important encounters, like boss fights, feel more significant.
Top Recommendations:
- HeroForge for fully customisable miniatures.
- Eldritch Foundry for high-quality 3D prints.
10. Realm Management Tools
Managing your campaign’s lore, maps, and NPCs can get overwhelming. D&D Dungeon Master tools like LegendKeeper and Obsidian Portal help DMs organise everything in one place, making it easy for both you and your players to access important information.
Why Use Realm Management Tools?
These DM tools help in keeping the story consistent, tracking characters’ histories and development, and ensuring that nothing gets forgotten in long campaigns.
Top Recommendations:
- LegendKeeper for campaign organisation.
- Obsidian Portal for player-friendly access to campaign lore.
11. Integrated Virtual Tabletop Tools
If you’re running a virtual or hybrid campaign, a Virtual Tabletop (VTT) is essential. Roll20 and Foundry VTT offer comprehensive features for remote play, while Owlbear Rodeo provides a lighter, faster option for quick setups.
Choosing the Right VTT
Different VTTs offer different features, so choose the one that fits your game’s needs best. Foundry provides more customisation, while Roll20 is more user-friendly for beginners.
Top Recommendations:
- Roll20 for ease of use.
- Foundry VTT for advanced customisation.
12. Procedural Dungeon Generators
Dungeon generators like DunGen and DonJon create random dungeons for those times when you need a quick map on the fly. These tools are perfect for DMs who want to keep the game moving without spending hours on prep.
Why Use Dungeon Generators?
Dungeon generators allow you to create unique, randomised dungeons, saving you time while keeping the game unpredictable and fun.
Top Recommendations:
- DunGen for quick dungeon creation.
- DonJon for detailed random encounters.
13. Homebrew Creation Tools
Creating custom monsters, items, and storylines is one of the best parts of being a DM. Tools like Natural Crit and Shieldmaiden help you bring your homebrew content to life, offering easy formatting and customisation options.
Why Use Homebrew Creation Tools?
These tools make it easier to create and balance custom content, ensuring your homebrew creations fit seamlessly into your campaign.
Top Recommendations:
- Natural Crit for homebrew content formatting.
- Shieldmaiden for creating balanced encounters.
14. Encounter and Combat Balancing Tools
Balancing encounters is essential to ensure that the events and confrontations your players face are winnable, and still challenging at the same time. Tools like Kobold Fight Club help you calculate the difficulty of encounters based on your party’s strength.
Why Use Combat Balancing Tools?
These tools for Dungeon Masters allow you to adjust the difficulty of encounters on the fly, preventing Total Party Kills (TPKs) while still providing a challenge.
Top Recommendations:
- Kobold Fight Club for encounter balancing.
Conclusion
Equipped with the right tools for Dungeon Masters, you can transform your campaign from a simple game into an unforgettable adventure. Whether it's a custom DM screen to add a touch of professionalism, an immersive dice set for added excitement, or a digital tool like Foundry VTT to manage your virtual sessions, these tools help streamline gameplay and improve the overall experience for you and your players.
Take the time to explore these dungeon master tools, experiment with what works for your table, and watch as your D&D adventures become legendary.
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