From the GM's Table

The UGM Blog

Tips, tools, and table-tested techniques to help you run unforgettable sessions.

Beyond Initiative: Mastering Non-Combat Encounters
D&D puzzles
Beyond Initiative: Mastering Non-Combat Encounters

As a Game Master, you’ve likely spent countless hours crafting thrilling combat encounters. But what about the moments...

Leave Them Wanting More: How to End Every Session on a Powerful Cliffhanger
cliffhangers
Leave Them Wanting More: How to End Every Session on a Powerful Cliffhanger

Ending every session on a powerful cliffhanger is one of the highest-leverage skills a Game Master can develop....

Voices in the Dark: Running Memorable NPCs That Bring Your World to Life
D&D
Voices in the Dark: Running Memorable NPCs That Bring Your World to Life

Your players will forget the dungeon, but they will never forget the nervous innkeeper who knew too much....

D&D 2024 vs 5th Edition (2014): A Dungeon Master’s Complete Guide
D&D
D&D 2024 vs 5th Edition (2014): A Dungeon Master’s Complete Guide

With the release of the revised Dungeons & Dragons core rulebooks starting in 2024, many Dungeon Masters are asking...

Beyond Initiative: Crafting Engaging Non-Combat Encounters
exploration
Beyond Initiative: Crafting Engaging Non-Combat Encounters

When we think of exhilarating moments in tabletop RPGs, epic battles often come to mind. However, some of...

Monster Mayhem Managed: Designing Balanced D&D 5e Combat Encounters
Balanced Encounters
Monster Mayhem Managed: Designing Balanced D&D 5e Combat Encounters

As a Game Master, crafting the perfect combat encounter can feel like walking a tightrope. You want your...

Keep Players Hooked: Mastering Engagement in Your Campaign
Campaign Strategies
Keep Players Hooked: Mastering Engagement in Your Campaign

As a Game Master, keeping your players engaged is both an art and a science. There's nothing more...

Prep Like a Pro: Effective Time-Saving Techniques for Game Masters
Dungeon Master Tips
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...

Tips for Designing or Choosing Functional GM Screens for Gamemasters
Campaign Planning
Tips for Designing or Choosing Functional GM Screens for Gamemasters

Complete Guide to GM Screens: For D&D 5e, Pathfinder, and All TTRPGs Types, Uses, Reviews, and DIY Ideas...