

A massive roper flings its tentacles at a crouched wood elf shadow, thrusting him into the air. A half-devil dragonborn lets loose a bolt of electricity that arcs across the battlefield, zapping multiple tiny ropers. On the other side of the cavern, a blue dragonborn monk leaps into the fray, pummeling the massive roper with reinforced fists and claws while dodging his companion's lightning strike. And then a halfling bard — is not prepared. He fumbles with his lute, unsure of what to do. Unfortunately, the battle stalls to a halt.





Everyone wants a battle to go smoothly. Everyone takes their turn, one by one, until one side achieves victory. All of the orcs are slain. The kobold prisoners are saved. The abyssal portal is closed. The mercenary reinforcements arrive. The green dragon concedes. However, there are plenty of possible hindrances to a smooth combat.



One of them is a player, including the Dungeon Master, not knowing what to do on their turn.



How can we solve that problem and keep the battle moving?

Pay Attention and Prepare! The easiest way to solve being out of touch and unprepared is to pay attention and prepare. Instead of looking at your phone, perusing the internet on your laptop, or talking about something out-of-game during combat, ready what you want to do. Pay attention to the layout of the battlefield and what your companions and enemies are doing. If you know what you’re going to do on your turn, think of a way to connect your action to the action of one of the battle’s participants. If the thri-kreen lancer impales her spear into the ground after a missed attack, change your attack description to include taking advantage of her momentary weakness. By the time you’ve thought up an exciting move, it will be your turn. If it’s not, just pay attention to your fellow players. You’re there to play D&D, not scroll through Reddit, Twitter, or Facebook.

Recap the Battle Primarily, this is a tip for Dungeon Masters. To ensure everyone is paying attention and immersed in the action, constantly describe the battlefield. Let’s say Joras and Wren are fighting a deadly phase spider. Instead of going from turn to turn with no description, at the beginning of Joras’ turn, urgently say:



“The phase spider crawls before you, blood spurting out of multiple wounds on its body. It screams out in pain as its mandibles grow closer to your tiny form. Joras, what are you doing?”



This creates a sense of urgency in the battle and gives them a springboard for Joras’ player’s description. If we move to Wren next, state:



“As Joras stabs the phase spider with his steel dagger, it stumbles backward a few steps — straight toward you, Wren. What are you doing?”