Dungeons And Dragons: How To Create The Perfect One Shot

Dungeons and Dragons is a game that, at its best, is the sum of its parts. Certainly there are parties of murderhobos that just want to ruin everyone's day with a well placed axe to the face. Similarly there are amateur thespians who relish deep role play and intrigue who don't wish to sully themselves with combat.

For the most part, however, players and DMs alike will get the most out of a well-balanced game. One that includes role play sufficient to understand the motivations of the characters, combat that raises the stakes, and traps and puzzles that can pose obstacles that can't just be solved through traditional means.

As nice as all of those things are, puzzles oftentimes can be the bane of a one-shot. A complex brainteaser that puts the group in mortal peril, or a devious riddle that puts a halt to forward progress can grind the game down to a halt. Remember, players aren't emblematic of their characters; the Wizard might have a 22 intelligence, but Jeff is sitting there rocking an 11.

Puzzles, riddles, and their ilk certainly have a place in the game, but be extremely cautious about whether or not their use will interrupt the flow of the game more than it challenges the party. Failing to do so may result in a game that is ultimately left incomplete, and a table of unsatisfied adventurers.