How to Manage the Spooky Stuff

Some people revel in grisly monsters, while others find high-stress imagery a bit too visceral. Neither is wrong! But as the DM, you have to be the thermostat for the room. Here’s how we keep the table safe and fun for everyone:

Session Zero:

Before the first dice roll, check in with your players individually. Ask them what’s cool and what’s “too much”. Knowing someone is terrified of spiders before you describe a giant web saves the session.

Skip the Death Parts:

In DnD Adventure Club, we skip the “Death Saves”. If a character hits zero Hit Points, they just fall unconscious. It keeps the stakes high without the trauma of perma-death.

The Safe Codeword:

Give your players a safe word like “Pineapple” or “Pegasus”. If things get too intense, anyone can say the word to instantly pause the action, no questions asked. We can then rewind, skip the scary bit, and get back to the fun.

The goal isn’t to remove the tension; it’s to make sure everyone feels safe enough to enjoy it!