Being a Dungeon Master does not require a table full of expensive equipment. The most useful Dungeon Master accessories are the ones that make information easier to find, keep the session moving and help the players understand what is happening.
A new DM can begin with the rules, an adventure, dice and some notes. As you discover how your group likes to play, a few carefully chosen additions can make preparation and game night much more comfortable.
Here are five practical accessories that can earn their place at your table, whether you are preparing your first Dungeons & Dragons adventure or running an established campaign.
What Does a Dungeon Master Actually Need?
The Dungeon Master describes the world, plays its supporting characters and creatures, presents challenges and helps the group apply the rules. That sounds like a great deal to manage, but you do not need to memorise every detail.
Good organisation is more valuable than owning every available accessory. Start by asking where your sessions tend to slow down. If you regularly search for rules, a screen or reference book may help. If combat positions cause confusion, a grid or modular terrain may be more useful. If your notes are scattered across several places, an organiser could make the biggest difference.
If you are preparing to run your first game, our Dungeons & Dragons beginner guide explains how to gather a group, choose an adventure and begin playing.
5 Essential Accessories Every Dungeon Master Needs
1. A Useful Dungeon Master Screen
A Dungeon Master screen gives you a private space for notes, maps and information the players have not yet discovered. Many screens also place frequently used rules and tables where they can be checked without interrupting the conversation.
The screen is not there to separate the DM from the group. Think of it as a compact workspace. Keep only the information you genuinely use behind it, such as character names, important locations, an encounter outline and a short list of improvised names.
A campaign-specific screen can be especially helpful when it includes references suited to the adventure you are running. A more general screen is a flexible choice if you regularly move between different campaigns.
2. Polyhedral Dice and a Dice Tray
One complete set of polyhedral dice is enough to start, but a Dungeon Master often rolls several of the same die during encounters. A few additional dice can make those moments quicker without changing the fairness of the game.
Choose clear, easy-to-read dice rather than feeling you need a particular colour or design. A dice tray is also useful on a crowded table because it keeps rolls away from miniatures, drinks and character sheets.
You can browse tabletop gaming dice when you are ready to assemble a practical set for your sessions.
3. Battle Maps, Modular Terrain and Miniatures
Not every encounter needs a map. Theatre of the mind works brilliantly for conversations, exploration and simple scenes. A visual layout becomes particularly helpful when distance, cover and positioning matter.
A reusable grid gives you a flexible surface for drawing rooms and corridors. Modular terrain can create a ready-to-use location, while miniatures or simple tokens show where heroes, creatures and important objects are positioned.
You can mix these approaches rather than committing to one style. Use a rough sketch for an unexpected encounter and save detailed terrain for an important location. Our Tenfold Dungeons collection offers fold-out environments that can help bring those key scenes to the table quickly.
4. A Campaign Notebook and Quick References
A reliable notebook is one of the least glamorous but most valuable Dungeon Master accessories. It gives you one place to record non-player characters, locations, unanswered questions and the decisions that may affect later sessions.
Keep session notes short enough to use while the game is moving. A page containing the likely scenes, several names and the important creature details is often more practical than a long script. After the session, write down what changed and what the players plan to do next.
Bookmarks, reference cards and removable notes can also help you reach commonly used rules quickly. The aim is not to prepare for every possible choice. It is to make the information you are most likely to need easy to find.
5. A Game Master Organiser or Companion
As a campaign grows, dice, cards, maps, handouts and notes can become difficult to transport and store. A Game Master organiser or companion brings those materials together and helps you set up the table without searching through several bags.
The Dragon Shield Game Master Companion is a good example of this type of accessory. It is designed around campaign organisation and can be useful for Dungeon Masters who regularly take their game to another location.
An organiser is not essential for a first session, but it can become a worthwhile upgrade once you know which materials travel with you every week.
Useful Dungeon Master Accessories
Which Accessory Should You Buy First?
Choose the accessory that solves the clearest problem at your table. A DM who runs tactical encounters may benefit from a map before an organiser. Someone running a mystery with very little combat may get more value from a notebook, reference cards and a screen.
If you are buying for another Dungeon Master, check what they already use and how they run their games. A flexible product such as dice, storage or a general screen is often easier to choose than an adventure tied to a particular campaign.
You can explore the complete Dungeons & Dragons range, including rulebooks, adventures, maps and accessories. Our guide to buying Dungeons & Dragons in Essex also explains how Bomran Games can help if you would rather compare your options in person.
Bonus Tip: Music and Atmosphere
Music and ambient sound can help establish a location or mood, but they should support the conversation rather than compete with it. Keep the volume low and choose a small number of dependable tracks before the session so you are not constantly searching for the perfect sound.
Simple physical details can work just as well. A printed letter, a rough map or a distinctive description can make a scene memorable without requiring elaborate technology or scenery.
Simple Habits That Make Accessories More Useful
- Prepare for the likely session: bring the references and maps you expect to use rather than your entire collection.
- Keep information readable: brief notes and clearly marked pages are easier to use while players are talking.
- Stay flexible: players will make unexpected choices, so treat your preparation as support rather than a script.
- Let every player contribute: good tools cannot replace a table where everyone has room to speak and make decisions.
- Review after each game: notice which accessories helped and which ones remained untouched.
Build a Dungeon Master Setup That Works for You
The best Dungeon Master setup is not the one with the most products. It is the one that lets you find information quickly, respond to the players and enjoy the story alongside them.
Begin with the basics, then add a screen, dice, maps, notes or organisation as your campaign needs them. Each useful addition should remove friction from the session and leave you with more attention for the people around the table.
Continue Preparing Your Campaign
If you are choosing dice for the table, our D&D dice guide explains every die and how it is used. New Dungeon Masters can continue with our guides to running a first campaign, creating an unforgettable world and hosting a successful D&D game night.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I need expensive accessories to be a good Dungeon Master?
No. Clear communication, fair decisions and an adventure the group enjoys matter far more. Add accessories gradually when they solve a practical need.
Is a Dungeon Master screen necessary?
No, but it can keep private notes organised and place frequently used references within easy reach.
Can I run D&D without miniatures?
Yes. You can describe encounters without a map, use simple tokens or introduce miniatures only when positioning becomes important.
How many dice does a Dungeon Master need?
One complete polyhedral set is enough to begin. Extra dice can make encounters quicker when several creatures use the same type of roll.
What is a good gift for a Dungeon Master?
Dice, a dice tray, a general-purpose screen, campaign storage or a notebook can all be useful. Check what the recipient already owns before choosing a campaign-specific book.
