Like many D&D players, I was introduced to the game through a combination of word-of-mouth and through an actual-play show. This is a time where many D&D campaigns are streamed and recorded for anyone to watch, and that’s pretty crazy! There’s Critical Role, Dice, Camera, Action, and so many more.

Watching one of these shows is a great way to improve as a player and a DM. Watching others really helped me as I started (and continue to learn) Dungeon Mastering! So, I highly recommend finding a show you like to watch—you have plenty of options. And, of course, you can learn from the players and DMs you already know.

As a player

There are plenty of players I look up to and want to learn from! I try to pin down what exactly I admire in the players I tend to like. These are some questions that can help you do the same thing!

  • What do these players do with their characters?

How do the players roleplay their characters? How do they use their character’s abilities? How do these players roleplay with the other characters, and how do they engage with their fellow PCs?

  • How do these players interact with their DM?

What sorts of questions do the players ask? How do they engage with the world the DM has presented?

I’m drawn towards players who put a lot of thought into their roleplay. On the other hand, a player who has a strong grasp on how to use their character is really impressive! As a whole, the players I want to emulate are very enthusiastic about the game, and that helps them become invested in their characters, their fellow PCs, and the world the DM has created.

As a Dungeon Master

There are lots of different ways to run Dungeons & Dragons, and every DM has their own style. As above, here are some questions to think about what style a DM has!

  • How do they interact with their players?

How do they answer players’ questions? How do they incorporate the PCs into the campaign world? How do they begin and end each session?

  • How do they present things in the campaign world?

Do they read the read-aloud text, if there is some? How do they describe the world around the players? How does the world respond to the PCs’ actions?

  • What does their world “feel” like?

Are there specific motifs or themes that come through? What is the tone of the campaign?

  • What sort of house rules do they use?

Fairly self-explanatory! Do they allow you to stack inspiration? Do they have a special way to do initiative? What do you think about their house rules?

Observing other DMs can give you a lot to think about! Of course, every DM does things that are specific to their own group; there are always variants and optional rules that may work out differently for your group. Looking at how others play D&D can help give you some perspective and grow as a player or DM!