The Fate of the Dungeon: Wane and Collapse of D&D Journeys
In the realm of tabletop role-playing games, D&D 5e stands out as the most accessible and beginner-friendly edition, despite its relatively light focus on teaching Dungeon Masters (DMs) how to run dungeons within its core rules[1]. This approach, which emphasizes streamlined rules and provides numerous premade campaigns and adventure modules, has made D&D 5e an excellent entry point into the world of tabletop roleplaying.
The lack of formal, detailed tutorials on dungeon mastering within the core rulebooks has instead encouraged new DMs to learn through experience, community resources, and supplementary materials. For instance, Wizards of the Coast has released a variety of adventure modules and updated core rulebooks that aid beginners[1]. Furthermore, there are numerous online classes, live video sessions, and third-party guides that help aspiring DMs build confidence and skills outside the official books[2]. Enthusiast websites and forums also offer advice on qualities of good DMs and game-running techniques[5].
This community-driven learning approach has fostered a vibrant community where learning to DM is part of a shared social experience, promoting creativity and flexibility instead of rigid adherence to rules. Some argue that this hands-on learning contributes to a more personalized and improvisational style of DMing, which is a core appeal of tabletop RPGs.
The 5th Edition's approach to dungeon mastering is not a new issue, but a long-term trend in D&D rulebooks. Multiple generations of new players are learning from rulebooks that don't teach dungeon running. This is evident in some scenarios, where the lack of keyed dungeon maps can be attributed to the locations not being designed for exploration.
Recently, it has become clear that the problem of D&D not teaching new DMs how to run a dungeon is very real, as shown by examples on the DM's Guild. Many of the scenarios feature lengthy narrative descriptions of the dungeon rooms, but not maps showing how these areas relate to each other. In one example, a module describes a ruined castle, but no map is provided to illustrate the castle's layout.
The issue of not teaching new DMs how to run a dungeon is affecting a growing number of players. The original edition of D&D in 1974 contained specific instructions for both prepping a dungeon and running the dungeon[3]. However, since 2008, this practice has been largely absent from rulebooks, leaving a legacy of knowledge that is mostly oral tradition and degrades over time[4].
Despite these challenges, the RPG hobby continues to thrive, driven by the community's shared knowledge and the accessibility provided by editions like D&D 5e. The impact on the RPG hobby has been to lower barriers to entry for new DMs, stimulate a robust ecosystem of external resources, and encourage a dynamic, community-based learning culture that helps sustain and grow interest in tabletop roleplaying[1][2][5].
[1] Wizards of the Coast. (n.d.). Dungeons & Dragons 5th Edition. Retrieved from https://www.dnd.com/ [2] Pennington, J. (2018, June 28). The Best Resources for New DMs. Retrieved from https://www.dndbeyond.com/posts/749-the-best-resources-for-new-dms [3] Gygax, G., & Arneson, D. (1974). Dungeons & Dragons. Retrieved from https://www.dndclassics.com/ [4] Hackworth, J. (2019, July 15). The Legacy of Knowledge in RPGs. Retrieved from https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/726622261/the-legacy-of-knowledge-in-rpg-hobby [5] RPG Geek. (n.d.). Tabletop Roleplaying Games. Retrieved from https://rpggeek.com/
- In the absence of formal dungeon mastering instructions within the D&D 5e rulebooks, enthusiasts have turned to home-and-garden forums and lifestyle websites to learn and share techniques, fostering a vibrant community and a more personalized approach to dungeon running.
- Instead of relying on home-and-garden tutorials, a growing number of players have resorted to using third-party guides and online classes to learn the art of running dungeons, contributing to the RPG hobby's growing ecosystem of external resources and lowering the barriers to entry for new DMs.
