Prep Like a Pro: Effective Time-Saving Techniques for Game Masters

As a Game Master, one of the biggest challenges can be finding enough time to prepare for your sessions. Prep fatigue is a common issue, but it doesn't have to be your reality. With efficient techniques, you can tackle prep like a pro, ensuring that you spend more time enjoying the game and less time being bogged down by the details. Here's how you can work smarter, not harder, when it comes to session preparation.

Understanding the Importance of Modular Prepping

Modular prepping is all about preparing interchangeable scenes and elements that can be reused across different sessions. This technique not only saves time but also adds flexibility to your storytelling.

• Interchangeable Scenes: Create a set of scenes that can fit into any part of your campaign. This allows you to quickly adjust your story based on your players' actions.
• Reusable NPCs: Develop generic NPC templates that can be customized on the fly, reducing the need to create fresh characters for every session.

Leveraging Published Materials and Online Generators

Utilizing published adventures and online tools can fill gaps in your prep, allowing you to focus on crafting the overarching narrative.

• Published Materials: Don’t shy away from using modules; they provide ready-made maps and storylines.
• Online Generators: Use tools to generate names, encounters, and loot quickly, which can free up your mental bandwidth for more creative endeavors.

Prioritizing Your Prep Work

Focus your efforts on the elements that will impact the game the most, and be ready to improvise the rest. The Lazy GM style, popularized by Sly Flourish’s Lazy Dungeon Master, promotes this efficient method.

• Key NPC Motivations: Understanding your key characters' motivations can help drive the story naturally, requiring less scripted content.
• Broad Strokes Worldbuilding: Outline the general world rules and notes, which allow you to improvise details when needed.

Tools to Speed Up Your Prep

There are various digital and physical tools available that can drastically reduce the time you spend on prep.

• Campaign Management Apps: Consider using apps to organize your notes, character backstories, and plot points.
• Ultimate Game Master’s Campaign Planner: Use specialized planners to keep your sessions organized and focused.

Ultimate Game Master's Screen for Reference

The UGM Screen allows GMs to have stats and reference tables on hand during sessions, cutting down on note flipping.

Conclusion

By implementing these smart prep techniques, you'll reduce burnout and free up more time for the enjoyable aspects of GMing. Whether you adopt modular prepping or embrace the Lazy GM style, the key is working smarter, not harder. Start streamlining your prep today and enjoy a more dynamic, responsive, and fun game session. Ready to take your prep to the next level? Check out our resources and get started!