Introduction
Running a tabletop RPG as a Dungeon Master (DM) can be an incredibly rewarding but challenging experience. From keeping track of intricate world details to managing player interactions, the right tools can make all the difference. Over the years, I’ve experimented with a variety of DM tools that streamline planning, enhance gameplay, and keep everything organized.
In this article, I’ll share my absolute favorite DM tools—from campaign planning software to AI-powered brainstorming assistants. Whether you’re a seasoned DM or just starting out, these tools will help take your game to the next level.
Notion – The Ultimate DM Tool for planning
If I had to pick just one tool to manage my campaigns, it would be Notion. It’s a powerhouse for organizing everything, and the way I structure my database has completely transformed how I plan and run games.
I don’t just use Notion for story beats—I use a single database to track everything I need:
- NPCs, magic items, locations, and more—all stored in the same database.
- Tags let me filter entries easily (e.g., NPC, magic item, location).
- Story beats are also stored in the database, letting me track key moments.
Because everything is in one place, I always have instant access to my world’s details—whether I’m actively DMing or deep in planning mode. This has been a huge game-changer for my campaign management.
My Notion setup is heavily inspired by SlyFlourish and his Notion template, which I highly recommend. If you grab his template, you’ll get a solid foundation for how I organize my campaigns.
(I’ll also be writing a separate article on how I plan story arcs in the future, so stay tuned for that!)
D&D Beyond – The Best Player, Ability & Encounter Manager
While D&D Beyond isn’t a full campaign manager, it’s an invaluable tool for tracking player abilities, character backstories, and encounters.
- Players enter their backstories, which I reference constantly.
- I encourage players to keep backstories updated to stay aligned with the campaign.
- The Encounter Tracker simplifies combat, allowing me to track initiative, monster stats, and conditions in one place.
D&D Beyond ensures I always have the most up-to-date information on my players, letting me seamlessly integrate their histories into the unfolding story.
ChatGPT – Your AI Brainstorming Assistant
Sometimes, as a DM, you need to bounce ideas off someone—but you can’t exactly ask your players what the villain’s next move should be. That’s where ChatGPT comes in.
- Brainstorming twists and character motivations.
- Generating inspiration when I’m stuck on where to take the story.
- Quickly coming up with unique NPCs, quests, or lore ideas.
While I take AI suggestions with a grain of salt, ChatGPT has been an incredible tool for creative problem-solving. It doesn’t replace my own storytelling, but it sure helps spark new ideas.
World Anvil – A Dedicated Worldbuilding Powerhouse
For worldbuilding, World Anvil is one of the best tools out there. While Notion works great for my personal workflow, World Anvil is designed specifically for game masters who want a structured way to build expansive worlds.
- Like Notion, it allows cross-referencing between NPCs, locations, and items.
- Unlike Notion, it offers player handouts—perfect for revealing lore gradually.
- You can create a public-facing version of your world, so players can explore what’s available.
While I primarily stick to Notion, I love that World Anvil is tailored specifically for RPGs. If you want a tool that makes it easy to structure lore and share it with your players, it’s definitely worth checking out.
MidJourney – AI-Powered Visual Storytelling
One of the biggest challenges as a DM is painting vivid pictures with words on the spot sometimes. That’s where MidJourney comes in—it lets me generate stunning visuals to bring my world to life.
- Creating NPC portraits that match the vibe I envision.
- Designing unique magic items with detailed visuals.
- Generating atmospheric scene art for key locations.
For those who struggle with describing intricate settings or want an extra storytelling tool, MidJourney is a game-changer. Instead of relying solely on descriptions, I can show my players what a place or character looks like instantly.
Battle Mapping Tools – A must have in your DM Tools
MapMe – My Go-To Map Builder
Obviously, I am biased here: MapMe is my number one tool for making custom battle maps. Whether I need a layout for a boss fight or a unique battlefield, it gives me the flexibility to design maps tailored to my campaign.
- Works great on iPad, making it easy to create maps on the go.
- Lets me add custom terrain, objects, and features to make each battle feel unique.
There are other tools out there like Dungeondraft, DungeonFog, etc. if you don’t own an iPad. They’re also worth checking out and I have relied on them heavily before I started developing MapMe.
Affinity Photo – Taking Maps to the Next Level
When I want to refine my maps further, I export them to Affinity Photo. This lets me:
- Adjust lighting and shadows for extra depth.
- Create detailed layered effects to enhance visuals.
- Add elements that bring the battlefield to life.
PosterRazor – Printing Full-Size Battle Maps
For in-person games, PosterRazor helps me take digital maps and turn them into printable versions. It slices up large maps into sections that fit standard printer paper, allowing me to assemble massive battle maps for the table.
Virtual Tabletops (VTTs) – Running Games Online and In-Person
For digital play, Virtual Tabletops (VTTs) are essential. Whether I’m running an online session or need a quick way to display a battle map at the table, these are my top picks.
Encounter Plus – My Personal Favorite
As an indie iOS developer myself, I love supporting other indie devs, and Encounter Plus is an amazing VTT built by a solo developer. It’s polished, powerful, and an absolute joy to use.
Roll20 – The Industry Standard
Roll20 is one the most well-known VTT, widely supported, and packed with features for online games. If you’re looking for a reliable, well-integrated platform, this is the one to try.
Foundry VTT – A Strong Competitor
Although I haven’t used it personally, I keep hearing incredible things about Foundry VTT. It’s system-agnostic but works particularly well for Dungeons & Dragons, and many DMs I know swear by it.
Other Great Options
While these are my top recommendations, there are plenty of other VTTs worth exploring, including:
- Owlbear Rodeo – A lightweight, easy-to-use VTT.
- Fantasy Grounds – A feature-rich alternative.
- The list goes on.
VTTs aren’t just for online play—I often use them during in-person sessions as well when I need to pull up a battle map quickly. Having a digital option ready to go is incredibly useful.
ShiftSpace – Instant Random Table Rolls
As a DM, improvisation is key. Players love to go off the rails, and that means coming up with NPC names, shop inventories, or weather conditions on the spot. That’s where ShiftSpace comes in.
- Press Shift + Space to open a search bar and quickly roll on a random table.
- Instantly generate NPC names, tavern drinks, weather effects, and more.
- Eliminates the awkward pauses when players ask for details you hadn’t planned.
This is one of those tools I wish I had way earlier—it makes improvisation effortless, letting me focus on storytelling instead of scrambling for details.
This is another project of mine that I’ve been working on and off on for the past year. It’s in beta currently and if you want, I would be happy if you gave it a shot. It is currently macOS only.
Conclusion – What Are Your Favorite DM Tools?
There are a ton of amazing DM tools out there, and these are the ones that have completely changed how I run my games. From planning and worldbuilding to maps and encounters, each tool has made my life easier as a DM.
Now, I’d love to hear from you! What tools do you use in your campaigns? Are there any hidden gems I should check out? Drop your recommendations in the comments—I’m always looking for ways to improve my setup.
Until then, happy DMing!