Storytelling & Worldbuilding Improvisation Tips for DMs

In this first post of our multi-part improv series, we'll share practical improvisation tips for DMs to help you seamlessly navigate any storytelling and world-building situation your players come up with. 

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Let’s get into it!

Why is improvisation necessary for DMs?

Improvisation is essential for any dungeon master wanting to create a seamless, immersive experience for their players.

It's the ability to react to unexpected player choices and events and to keep the game moving forward without consulting rulebooks or tables during a key moment.

Nothing is more deflating to a climatic situation than stopping to look up some archaic rule.

Alternatively, nothing is more stifling to a player than an inflexible world on rails that you push the party along. 

It might feel “safe,” and like you’re protecting the intricate and detailed plot you’ve woven for the campaign. 

But here’s the thing, your players want to tell their story, not yours. And they’ll resent their agency being limited or robbed. Don’t do it!

Instead, combine improvisation techniques with collaborative worldbuilding and storytelling to “yes, and…” your way into an exciting character-driven story you can facilitate and watch.

Understand that improvisation isn’t just about making up things on the spot. It’s more about being able to react and play off player choices and dialogue.

In this sense, we’re providing help with two frameworks of DM improv: story and rules improvisation. 

Having accessible tools to improv, or shortcut, unexpected circumstances helps you keep the game moving while incentivizing creativity in your players. 

Check out our D&D Campaign Template, designed to help you organize your most critical campaign notes as a foundation for improv.

Tips for DM Improvisation

Say yes.

This is the most important rule of improvisation. When your players make a suggestion, even if it's crazy, try to find a way to make it work (within reason). 

This will help keep the game moving and your players engaged. Here’s an easy way to do it.

Put it in, the but.

Okay, I’m being silly. However, putting a “but” in that yes gives space for the suggestion while allowing you as the DM to apply limitations, consequences, or tradeoffs.

Does the monk want to pull off some crazy acrobatics to try and catch a fleeing thief?

Yes, but they must succeed in a series of checks successfully or risk them getting away. Way more fun than, “He got away, moving on!”

Yes, but. Say it with me. YES, BUT!

There is tremendous power in the but. Use it to encourage player creativity while maintaining the integrity of the game. 

Build on what your players say. 

Actively listen to what your players are saying and use their words to help you create the story. This will make the game feel more immersive and believable. 

Having notes on the character’s backstories ready can help you pull meaningful details into the story at a moment’s notice, delighting your players. 

Check out our guide on Zero Sessions and Pocket Wizard Download for tips on getting great info from your players.

This also applies to collaborative storytelling and worldbuilding. Here’s an example using our Tales of Eoa homebrew campaign.

Let’s say Lord Wizardclaws wants to look for rare alchemy materials in a far off town, but Billy the DM didn’t create it.

We can build off this initial interest together to create a shop, NPC, or fun little side quest he can engage with for a chance to fulfill his goal.

That’s way more fun than saying, “Sorry, no alchemy shops in these parts!” and adds more richness to the world. As a player, adding this detail is a reward in and of itself.

Don't be afraid to make mistakes. 

If you’ve realized you’ve made a mistake, admit it.

Everyone makes mistakes, even professional improvisers. The important thing is to roll with it and keep the game moving forward.

Instead of working to cover it up and potentially having it blow up later, build trust with your table by pointing out you caught an error and want to fix it so your players have the best experience.

If a player points out a mistake or error, thank them for pointing it out, and don’t take it personally.

DMs have a lot to manage, and we’re only human. Use your players as an extension of rules and story lore instead of combative rules-lawyering fact-checkers.

Sometimes you might be forced to make a correction. Laugh it off with your players and work through it together. 

If you can, avoid retcons (retroactive continuity), especially to fix improv mistakes.

Changing past events can be a slippery slope, and it’s usually better to accept that randomness and chaos will tell a better story in the end.

Ask for help. 

If you're stuck, don't be afraid to ask your players for help. They might have some great ideas that you can use to improve the game.

You can incentivize this by awarding inspiration or bonuses to skill or ability checks as a reward. 

For example, if Umren wants to visit the Dwarven Quarter in Granitos, but that wasn’t something Billy foresaw in his planning, Billy could ask Mark for help in fleshing out what this would look like and get ideas for what kind of encounter he wants to have there.

As a reward for this contribution, perhaps Umren gets an advantage on persuasion checks when prying secrets from the Dwarves there.

Preparation + Improvisation = One Helluva Good Time!

Knowing when and where to improvise is a true sign of DM improv mastery. 

Coming prepared with a solid Campaign Template or outline will make you feel like Hawkeye, who always seems to have an arrow for everything. Seriously, a USB hacking arrow? Yes, but!

This also helps keep you from making improv mistakes. Get comfortable building off core pieces of information and asking your players for input to take your improv to new heights.

Taking notes during each session will also help you keep track of your off-the-cuff moments and align them sessions you have planned.

Conclusion

Building a solid improvisational skill set takes time and practice, but we hope this guide has given you practical tools to get started. Invite your players to improv and practice alongside you!

Don’t forget to subscribe to stay tuned for our upcoming posts on 5e Rules Improvisation Tips for DMs and Roleplaying Improvisation Tips for D&D.