BenHolder’s Lair
Factions play a vital role in my D&D game, and as DMs, it’s essential to create ones that are memorable and engaging for players. To
“Game design (related) pet peeve: imho, homebrew is game design that individual GMs make for their groups and/or share online. Homebrew is awesome and how
In a recent session, I needed to determine when a pirate attack would strike Neverwinter. My players were busy preparing for the inevitable, and I
The title of this blog is obviously a joke—my players (and likely yours) are great. It’s actually a reference to a quote from an Eldritch Lorecast episode
As a Dungeon Master, my go-to tool is the monster book. I can wing just about everything else in a session—NPCs, plot twists, you name
Many players are disappointed or upset when their detailed backstories are not used in service of the game, and many DMs wish that player backstories
As I hit my two-year mark as a Dungeon Master, I’ve been reflecting on what has made the biggest difference in how I run games.
Every DM hits a point where growth slows. Early on, you’re learning fast—figuring out your style, making mistakes, and improving every session. But after a
Most D&D campaigns have a main villain pulling the strings, but players rarely meet them before the final battle. That’s usually because if the villain
One of the best ways to make every battle more dynamic and memorable is by adding an environmental effect. Too often, combat takes place in
I really enjoy the concept of Legendary Resistances in D&D. As DMs, we want boss monsters to have the opportunity to use their cool abilities,
I think one shots are a fantastic opportunity to experiment with different aspects of tabletop RPGs. Because they only last for a single session, there’s
Monsters of the Multiverse (2022) made a step in monster design that I loved. For monsters that cast spells, if the spell was relevant for
Hi, I am Ben! I love DMing and wanted to share my experiences and give advice. Hope you enjoy!