Top 16 Worst Dungeon Master Advice You Should Ignore

By Luke Hart

There is a ton of dungeon master advice floating around the internet. Some of it is excellent and can genuinely help you run better games. But a surprising amount of it is… not good. In fact, some of it is downright terrible.

The problem is that bad advice often sounds reasonable at first glance. It gets repeated, shared, and accepted without much thought. And before long, new dungeon masters start following it, wondering why their games aren’t as fun as they should be.

So today, we’re cutting through the noise.

Let’s go through sixteen of the worst pieces of dungeon master advice out there and talk about why they fail—and what you should be doing instead.

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1. “If a Player Is a Problem, Just Kill Their Character”

This advice completely misunderstands the nature of the problem. When a player is disruptive, disengaged, or causing friction at the table, the issue is not happening inside the game world—it’s happening at the table between real people. Killing their character doesn’t address that underlying issue. In fact, it usually makes things worse. The player is likely to feel singled out or punished, which can lead to resentment, escalation, or even more disruptive behavior.

The correct approach is direct communication. If a player is causing problems, you need to talk to them like an adult. Explain what’s not working, listen to their perspective, and set clear expectations for how the game should run. Most issues can be resolved with a simple, honest conversation. And if they can’t, then the solution isn’t to punish the character—it’s to address the player’s place at the table.

2. “Never Say No. Always Say ‘Yes, But’”

There’s a kernel of good intent behind this advice. Encouraging creativity and avoiding unnecessary restrictions can make your game more dynamic and fun. However, turning this idea into an absolute rule creates problems. There are situations where a player’s request simply doesn’t make sense within the game world, violates the tone of the campaign, or crosses boundaries at the table.

In those moments, saying “no” is not bad dungeon mastering—it’s responsible dungeon mastering. The key is to provide a clear and reasonable explanation so players understand your decision. A thoughtful “no” maintains the integrity of the game, while a forced “yes” can undermine it.

3. “The DM’s Fun Doesn’t Matter”

This is one of the fastest ways to burn out as a dungeon master. The idea that the DM exists solely to facilitate the players’ enjoyment ignores the reality of how much effort goes into running a game. Preparation, improvisation, and session management all require time and energy. If the DM isn’t enjoying the experience, that effort becomes draining rather than rewarding.

A successful campaign depends on everyone at the table having fun, not just the players. When the DM is engaged and excited, that energy carries over into the game. When they’re frustrated or exhausted, the game suffers. Balance matters, and the DM’s enjoyment is just as important as anyone else’s.

4. “The DM Should Play to Win”

This advice collapses under even a little scrutiny because it assumes that the DM and players are in opposition. But Dungeons & Dragons isn’t a competitive game between the DM and the players—it’s a collaborative experience. The DM isn’t trying to defeat the party; they’re trying to create meaningful challenges and memorable moments.

If “winning” means wiping out the party, that’s incredibly easy to achieve. But it’s also incredibly unsatisfying. The real measure of success is whether everyone at the table is engaged, invested, and eager to come back for the next session. When your players are having a great time, that’s when you’re winning as a DM.

5. “Every Encounter Must Be Deadly”

Constant high-stakes encounters might sound exciting in theory, but in practice, they often lead to fatigue and frustration. Players need variety in pacing and difficulty to stay engaged. If every fight feels like a life-or-death struggle, the tension starts to lose its impact, and the game can become exhausting.

A well-paced campaign includes a mix of encounter types. Some fights should be easy, allowing players to feel powerful. Others should be challenging, requiring strategy and teamwork. And occasionally, you can introduce something truly dangerous. That variation creates a more dynamic and enjoyable experience.

6. “Everything Must Be Perfectly Balanced”

Balance is an important tool, but it shouldn’t become a constraint that limits your creativity. If every encounter is perfectly tuned to the party’s abilities, the world can start to feel artificial. Players may begin to assume that everything is scaled to them, which removes a sense of danger and unpredictability.

Introducing situations that are clearly beyond the party’s capabilities can create powerful moments. It encourages players to think creatively, retreat when necessary, and engage with the world in a more strategic way. Not everything needs to be fair to be fun.

7. “Never Fudge the Dice”

This is one of the most debated topics in the hobby, and like many extreme positions, it oversimplifies a nuanced issue. Fudging dice rolls should not be your primary tool for managing the game, but dismissing it entirely ignores situations where it can improve the experience.

Used sparingly and intentionally, adjusting a roll can help maintain pacing, preserve dramatic tension, or avoid outcomes that would derail the game in an unsatisfying way. The key is restraint. If you rely on it too often, it becomes a crutch. But as an occasional tool, it has its place.

8. “The Dice Don’t Matter—Just Make Up the Results”

If the dice don’t matter, then the game loses one of its core elements. The randomness of dice rolls introduces uncertainty, which in turn creates tension and excitement. Players make decisions knowing that outcomes are not guaranteed, and that unpredictability is part of what makes the game engaging.

Ignoring the dice removes that uncertainty and can make the game feel scripted. It also undermines player agency, because their choices no longer interact with a meaningful system of outcomes. The dice exist for a reason, and they should matter.

9. “Let Players Cheat If That’s How They Have Fun”

Allowing cheating under the guise of “fun” creates an uneven playing field and erodes trust at the table. Dungeons & Dragons is a shared experience, and fairness is a critical part of that experience. When one player bends the rules, it affects everyone else.

Addressing cheating isn’t about policing fun—it’s about maintaining a healthy environment where everyone feels respected. If there’s an issue, it should be handled through conversation, not ignored.

10. “Ignore the Rules and Do Whatever You Want”

While it’s true that dungeon masters have the authority to modify rules, doing so without structure or consistency leads to confusion. Players rely on the rules to understand what their characters can do and how the world operates. When those rules change unpredictably, it becomes difficult for players to make informed decisions.

If you want to adjust the rules, do so thoughtfully and communicate those changes clearly. Consistency builds trust, and trust is essential for a good game.

11. “You Must Know All the Rules”

This expectation is unrealistic and unnecessary. The rules of Dungeons & Dragons are extensive, and no one has them memorized perfectly. What matters is having a solid grasp of the core mechanics and being willing to learn over time.

When you don’t know a rule, you can make a quick ruling and look it up later. The game doesn’t need to stop for perfection. It needs to keep moving.

12. “You Must Use Voices and Accents”

Voices and accents can enhance immersion, but they are not a requirement for good dungeon mastering. Many excellent DMs rely on description, tone, and character behavior rather than vocal performance.

If you enjoy doing voices, they can be a great addition. But if you don’t, your game will not suffer for it. What matters is how you present your world and engage your players, not whether you can perform like a voice actor.

13. “You Must Play Before You DM”

Everyone has to start somewhere, and waiting until you’ve played before running a game can be an unnecessary barrier. Many dungeon masters begin without prior experience, learning as they go and improving over time.

If you have a group that wants to play and no one else is stepping up, go for it. You don’t need permission or prior experience to get started.

14. “Don’t Bother Making Interesting NPCs”

This advice ignores one of the most powerful tools in your arsenal. Memorable NPCs create emotional connections, drive the narrative, and give players something to engage with beyond combat.

In many campaigns, the moments players remember most are interactions with compelling characters. Skipping that aspect of the game removes a major source of enjoyment.

15. “Every NPC Needs a Complex Backstory”

On the opposite end of the spectrum, over-preparing every NPC can be a waste of time. Most characters only need a few defining traits to feel real at the table. A personality, a goal, and a distinctive detail are often enough.

From there, the character can develop naturally through play. This approach saves time and allows for more flexibility during the game.

16. “More Players Is Always Better”

It might seem like adding more players would increase the fun, but in practice, larger groups often create new challenges. As the number of players grows, it becomes harder to give everyone meaningful attention. Combat slows down, decision-making becomes more complicated, and individual spotlight time decreases.

Setting a reasonable limit on group size helps maintain pacing and ensures that each player has a chance to participate fully. In many cases, a smaller group leads to a better overall experience.