D&D General How to DM, best resource

[J-H]

If your 11 year old wanted to be a DM, what is the one best resource you would point that kid to?
I know there are several books out there. There are also a number of websites, although some (Angry DM) are not child appropriate.

I'm specifically wanting something that covers the basics of running the table, the DM's role as facilitator and not star, basic plot and encounter design, and... well, there's a lot.

 

[The Real Pixie]

Honestly it's probably easiest for them to learn by playing and seeing other GMs do it, then getting some direct advice from them to start.

I think it's hard to learn totally from scratch via online resources.

 

[Whizbang Dustyboots]

I would find a very simple actual play video. GinnyD has some, I think, on this very subject.

I also have high hopes for Heroes of the Borderland this fall.

 

[hawkeyefan]

The Mothership Warden’s Manual.

It’s notD&D, but it’s the most practical and applicable GM’s guide I’ve seen.

 

[kayakingpoodle]

I got a lot out of these books when I started DMing more than the odd one shot the last couple of years, friends getting into DMing have found the useful as well.

"The Lazy DM's" series of books by Michael Shea.

"The Monsters Know What They're Doing" series by Keith Ammann.

"So You Want To Be A Game Master" by Justin Alexander.

They are available in multiple formats.

 

[payn]

Join local adventurers league.

 

[AlViking]

If I had to pick just 1, and we're specifically talking D&D? That's tough but I'd say the new 2024 DMG. Not sure I would have recommended the 2014 version but the new one does a pretty good job of going through things.

 

[smetzger]

Honestly.... if the kid has played a few times... hand the kid the DM's guide (optional), monster manual and a sheet of graph paper for the dungeon.

Best way to learn is to do it. Giving the kid some how to guide to read through will probably just dampen the enthusiasm and make it seem like there is a right way and a wrong way.

 

[Theory of Games]

If your 11 year old wanted to be a DM, what is the one best resource you would point that kid to?

Myself. I have over twenty years of GM experience and most books don't explain the primacy of a GM.

I know there are several books out there. There are also a number of websites, although some (Angry DM) are not child appropriate.

I'm specifically wanting something that covers the basics of running the table, the DM's role as facilitator and not star, basic plot and encounter design, and... well, there's a lot.

Robin's Laws of Good Game Mastering: explains the variety of ttrpg playstyles and how a GM can design campaigns that focus on them.

World Builder's Guidebook: explains how to easily create unique settings using random tables.

Play Unsafe: explains how to incorporate improvisational techniques into creating and running ttrpg campaigns.

Master of the Game: Gary Gygax explains how to become an expert GM.

 

[LordEntrails]

A good mentor is the best resource. By far.

But, barring that? I guess I would go to the 2024 DMG based upon reviews (I don't have it). Not only should it have all the basics covered, it has specific rules that they may want to have access to when they actually run a game.

I would not suggest any old school resources, imo they establish an adversarial relationship between the DM and the players, and such simple causes more problems than it helps.