Session 0 Isn’t Step 1: How to Prepare Your D&D Players Before Session Zero

Most DMs treat session zero as step one. It’s not — it’s where prep pays off. Professional DM Justin Lewis breaks down five conversations to have with your D&D players before session zero ever starts.

From setting expectations to building real excitement to a player brief people actually reread, this is a practical guide to getting your table ready before the dice hit the table. For more, grab the Dungeon Master Level Up Guide: https://session0studios.com/newsletter

Covers: what session zero actually is, setting player expectations one-on-one, the DM/player promise, building excitement with new and experienced players, onboarding brand-new TTRPG players, writing a player brief, setting table norms and culture ahead of time, sending backstory and character questions before session zero, and a real story of a DM breaking his own promise mid-campaign in Out of the Abyss. Useful for D&D 5e groups, homebrew campaigns, and any tabletop RPG table looking to run a better session zero.

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