D&D 5E Adv. League: What's in it for a GM?

[MerricB]

I always imagined the only reason to play AL is to meet new people, and if you all get on, over time turn the group into a home game.

No-one plays AL for an extended period, do they? I dont know maybe they do.

I've got people playing D&D AL in my local store who have been playing there for the past three or more years. And for most of that time, we were playing just D&D Encounters (levels 1-3). They were incredibly happy when it branched out into higher-level play, but the point is they kept coming because they enjoyed the games.

The fact is that not everyone can manage a home game. Home games also have disadvantages. Because I've been running games at my store for the past four years, I've met lots and lots of people, some of whom have joined my home game. I've inspired some to start their own games. I've introduced players to D&D, and seen some of them becomes DM themselves. The players get exposed to a greater range of DMing styles than if they just stayed in one home game.

Another advantage is that I get about 26 free adventures each year to run.

Cheers!

 

[kbrakke]

I've been dming an Adventurer's League game for the last 6 months or so. I like it because in the group we have, I dm the Hoard of the Dragon Queen exlusively, so the players who show up on Wednesday get to play a long storyline. We've gone to Casual play for the higher levels. One or Two weekends a month another player Dms, and I get to play my own NPC in an Expedition with friends I have made there. The owner gives us DMs a discount on DnD stuff and free drinks and we generally have a good time.

TL;DR: I do it because I like playing DnD, and this is another consistent way to play DnD. It's not as good as my home games, but it's still good DnD.

 

[Warmaster Horus]

I just started at our store. Lots of players so lots of DMs are needed. It's a nice, low impact way to DM as games are only a couple of hours long each week. People have fun, enjoy the hobby and you're appreciated.

 

[not-so-newguy]

I'll be joining in the fun on Wednesday.

I stopped by the local hobby store today to check things out. The guy behind the counter said they had two DMs going on that day. This will be my first non-home game ever.* Looking forward to it!





*my normal group now meets very seldom due to distance.