This app was mentioned in 21 comments, with an average of 3.00 upvotes
Not a mod or anything, but if you're too poor to buy the books (like I was when I first got into dnd) you can use this handy reference guide https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.vansteinengroentjes.apps.ddfive and/or make sure you have one set of books for your entire party by all pitching in.
I use this.
https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.vansteinengroentjes.apps.ddfive
You still need to import the correct data packs from their forum, but that post is easy to find as it is stickied there. Once it is all installed, it is pretty good!
I use this one although it's rather hard to find an app that's actually 1) free, 2) lets you level up, and 3) actually worth using
I use this on my Android phone and tablet.
https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.vansteinengroentjes.apps.ddfive
Lots of good info, especially if you visit their site and install the extra packages, giving you all the stuff from Sword Coast and whatnot.
Well as for the rules, if you create the world the rules are your play things. I personally recommend going as close to the handbook as possible cause custom rules can be difficult to remember. If you want to hide your dice rolls use an app on your phone. If you use Android this is a good one, it's what I use.
https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.vansteinengroentjes.apps.ddfive
And leading characters into action, I recommend listening to DnD podcasts, it's how I learned, other than that it's just experience. I have a DM that used an item that granted the quest giving NPC 3 wishes. The second wish was that we (a massive 8 or 10 character party, each player has 2 characters) did the quest that was given to us. I absolutely hated that he did that, but my brother who is my preferred DM thought it was genius.
5e Complete Refrence has been extremely useful. Have only tried the free version though. Paid version adds a few more tools.
https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.vansteinengroentjes.apps.ddfive
I have this app on my phone https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.vansteinengroentjes.apps.ddfive I'm unsure whether it's available on Apple devices but super useful for basic info and spells and the like.
Perhaps this is what you're looking for:
https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.vansteinengroentjes.apps.ddfive&hl=en
You have to add some data files after installation, but it has the things you mentioned in your post
I don't think they do. Especially with as fast and loose the play with the rules, I doubt an app would be useful.
I think they use those dry erase character sheets though.
Edit: well, guess who just finished the ep... So, Griffin mentioned looking through the app. I'm thinking it's this one
This is a really great app that I found. It's still in beta, but I find it super useful.
https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.vansteinengroentjes.apps.ddfive
For starters, if you're on here asking questions, you're a good DM. So keep that in mind, through any doubts you may have as a newbie. Looking for answers is great.
1) D&D is a game of improv on the part of the DM, modules will tell you a lot. A ton! and make things so much easier in terms of prep but at the same time. The module, the DMG, the PHB are all guides and you as the DM make those decisions. I'd say get a good idea in your head what your players will probably do next and maybe just make a rough flow chart on paper of what you expect and what you'll need if they do x.
2) If you have a DM screen some of these things are covered for example the rules on grappling and that's great but maybe you can't afford one or something is missed from it. So I'd say in point one if you can't afford one, get some cardboard boxes and print out a custom DM screen if needed. This for example is my one. Make it customised to the things you know you forget. Another top tip is to download the reference guide app to your phone. I have found it so much quicker than trying to look rules up in the book. If worst comes to it just accept you don't know and if it's going to take too long and slow things down to go find out. Make it up. You can go look up the rule later but for the rest of this session make it up, be consistent and stick to it. It's even ok to say "guys I don't remember this one but for the sake of expediency I'll say this is how it works and look it up later"
3) Battle maps and minis are pricey, you know what's not? Four A4 sheets of paper taped together and some jelly beans. If you need to, use what you have around you in a very speedy example of what the area looks like. I've only ever used some form of mini or these improvised ones so I can't comment on the "theatre of the mind" method of gameplay.
>Everyone seems to be having fun
As long as people enjoy it, you're going a great job as a DM.
You are not there to fight the party, just narrate the story.
Expect your players to do the unexpected, they'll always manage to surprise you.
Nobody expets you to be perfect, no DM is perfect.
Figure out what they want with this.
Create 5 "emergency" NPCs, try this.
When you get stuck on story ideas just ask why?
Why is this person/monster doing this? What's the motivation?
As long as your players are having fun. You're doing it right.
On the whole, you can play for free just using these two free PDFs provided by Wizards of the Coast.
Basic Player Rules and Basic DM Rules.
However, once you get a feel or if you want to invest a little more I'd advise getting the player's handbook and dungeon masters guide along with a nice DM screen.
Consider options for online resources for these books too such as D&D Beyond which I use and you can find my thoughts here on how it works for me or Roll20 which is very very popular especially for those playing solely online.
For an overview of the types of items, I use to run my physical game you can check this post but please note, these are all extras. All you need is a pen and paper and you're ready to play and in today's modern world really you don't even need that, just a mobile phone.
It's a good idea to watch people play to see what players do and how DMs react. I'd highly recommend Critical Role and Hero's and Halfwits because the video quality and cast quality is exemplary.
Other good shows include Save or Dice, Dragons in Places and Split the Party as well as the official Wizard of the Coast channel with a few series such as Dice, Camera, Action
If you would just like a quick taster, however, I'd say D&Diesel is a good intro. DM'd by Matthew Mercer from Critical Role with Vin Diesel, pro-D&D nerd.
Some series specifically for New DMs:
GM Tips
DM101
So You Wanna DM?
Great GM - 101
Running the Game
Tips and Tricks from Talking20
General good channels for DMs:
WebDM
Nerdarchy
Talking20
Seth
I've ordered them in a bit of a recommended order of viewing. I have to admit I learned most of the general rules and RP elements from watching Critical Role. Please fel free to PM me if you have any questions now or in the future and I'll do my best to offer any advice I can.
Good news! If you have a smartphone, you can get everything you need to play for free.
The 5e System Reference Document includes all the stats and spells and whatnot that you need to run a game. It's limited, so buying the official books gives you more options, but it's enough. Here's an app that'll let you download it to your phone: https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.vansteinengroentjes.apps.ddfive
Dice are really cheap on Amazon-- I got 7 sets plus dice bags for $10-- but if you are worried about space there are plenty of dice rolling apps like this one:
https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.ccp.rpgsimpledice
For a combat map, you can use the open source Dungeon Sketch: https://m.apkpure.com/dungeon-sketch/com.tbocek.dungeonsketch (No idea why I can't find it on the Play Store.)
Finally, you can either write your own content and carry it on Google docs, or most adventures are sold as PDFs nowadays, and many are even free.
Have fun!
I use this app
https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.vansteinengroentjes.apps.ddfive
I like it because I can favorite the spells I use frequently and is easy to reference
Read the cleric info on DnD 5e reference app:. That should help a lot https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.vansteinengroentjes.apps.ddfive
For something like this, a one-page dungeon can be a nice entry point. Some info here but I think you've got a good plan on the go there using cult.
Expect that whatever you have planned, your payers will do something else entirely. The amount of stuff Matt must make up on the fly is probably double what we all expect because he does so flawlessly.
I can recommend this app for yourself should you need to reference anything during gameplay and this for dice rolling.
You can also look at the quick start guide curated by Redditors here.
If you use Android, give this a try. With spellcasting monsters, it is even hotlinked to the spells
5e complete reference application if you're android..
https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.vansteinengroentjes.apps.ddfive
For d&d 5e, I found a complete reference app that I've found to be useful both as a player and as a DM: https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.vansteinengroentjes.apps.ddfive
Check this out too on the playstore. Damn useful app
https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.vansteinengroentjes.apps.ddfive