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The No-Prep Gamemaster: Train Your Brain to Run Tabletop Roleplaying Games

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Run D&D and other RPG Sessions Without the Stress - Second Edition of the Platinum Bestseller
- PDF and EPUB

Are you a game master who’s short on time, overwhelmed by prep, or tired of burnout? The No-Prep Gamemaster is your solution.

This updated and expanded second edition of Matt Davids’ well-known guide offers a practical, inspiring approach to running unforgettable tabletop RPG sessions, with little to no prep beforehand.

Inside, you’ll discover:

  • A mindset shift that takes the pressure off GMing
  • How to improvise encounters and adventures on the fly
  • Tips for training your brain to generate ideas naturally
  • The power of random tables and how to use them
  • Ways to engage players without hours of planning
  • Practical reflections to help you improve with every session

Whether you’re a brand-new GM or a veteran looking to rekindle your love of the game, this book is packed with tools, insights, and encouragement to help you prep less and play more.

Let go of the guilt. Embrace the chaos. Run better games.

See the first edition, or all dicegeeks resources.

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Reviews (1)
Discussions (8)
Customer avatar
JJ P July 07, 2025 4:10 pm UTC
Don't know the rules for submission of pages to include in previews. Yours does provide a good number of pages - 19 - to be exact. Unfortunately, eight of them are either blank pages, or devoid of useful content. Conscious decision or limitation of the software? I'm thinking maybe you only can give a single range of pages (1-19) as opposed to (just making this up) "Cover page, pgs 2-5, 7-10, 12, 13-16, and so on. This would give any author the ability to highlight pages that lists or discusses mechanisms of the rules, show them in use, mention known limitations, etc.

Cheers,
John
Customer avatar
Geoff W July 06, 2025 2:14 am UTC
PURCHASER
Will there be a cover added to the EPUB version?
Customer avatar
Steve I June 09, 2025 8:45 am UTC
I bought this in print from Amazon, and i am only partly through, but it is a very good read, and resonates with my early experiences of RPG's... I was fortunate however to play in a group where almost everyone was happy, and even keen, to GM... usually a different game. What i've read so far affirms much of what i have always felt/thought/done... a valuable resource for a very reasonable price.
Customer avatar
Joshua V June 04, 2025 7:29 pm UTC
Are there a lot of random tables in this?
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Customer avatar
Steve I June 27, 2025 10:33 pm UTC
No tables at all... it is not that kind of book
Reply
Customer avatar
Joshua V July 08, 2025 1:49 pm UTC
Shame
Customer avatar
Jeff B June 03, 2025 8:03 pm UTC
PURCHASER
Is an EPUB version of the book included or available?
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Customer avatar
Matthew D June 03, 2025 11:04 pm UTC
PUBLISHER
I just added the EPUB.
Customer avatar
Keith D May 31, 2025 8:12 am UTC
PURCHASER
This product is less of a system—more of a description of a mindset. What struck me most is that, perhaps without intending to, Matt has outlined a method that closely mirrors the techniques found in solo and GMless roleplaying systems. To many, this approach feels disjointed—but it works. Something that comes through, though never said explicitly, is that the randomness is just a support system for the GM’s creativity, and the no-prep GM does have prep—the GM must absorb as many stories as possible.

It’s clear Matt has delved a little into fiction writing structure and doesn’t try to reinvent the wheel with it. I’ve read many solo play systems that seem to go out of their way to eliminate story structure, perhaps feeling that having structure goes against the solo play ethic—it doesn’t—and, in fact, it supports it. Matt, maybe this is just my journalling perspective talking, but I encourage you to delve even more into story structure; there’s a lot more to explore. Your willingness...See more
Customer avatar
Hermit K May 30, 2025 5:36 am UTC
PURCHASER
any thoughts about bringing this to POD?
Reply
Customer avatar
Matthew D May 30, 2025 6:03 am UTC
PUBLISHER
Yes, it's in the works.
Customer avatar
Shawn H May 29, 2025 5:00 pm UTC
Is there a preview and maybe Table of Contents?
Reply
Customer avatar
Matthew D May 29, 2025 7:23 pm UTC
PUBLISHER
It should be available soon.
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Product Information
Platinum seller
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Pages
176
File Size:
1.74 MB
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File Last Updated:
June 03, 2025
This title was added to our catalog on May 29, 2025.
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dicegeeks
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