Lazy Dungeon Master method streamlines prep for busy DMs

Sly Flourish's long-running DM advice has been concentrated into a straightforward, repeatable prep routine that many tables now rely on to keep sessions lively without burning extra hours. The lazy dungeon master approach centers on minimal, high-value preparation that leaves room for player agency while giving GMs just enough structure to start and steer a session.

The core of the method is simple and practice-ready. Before play, answer three questions: where the adventure begins, three possible paths the players might take, and three notable NPCs complete with brief notes on motivations and likely moves. Write that seed on a single 3x5 card. That compact note becomes your session engine: small, portable, and easy to consult mid-scene when the party does something unexpected.

Practical add-ons make the system useful at the table. Randomized name lists cut the time it takes to create throwaway contacts. A short villain concept keeps conflict focused without scripting every encounter. A compact encounter cheat sheet lists challenge goals, terrain notes, and likely tactics so you can run a fight smoothly while reacting to player tactics. These tricks prioritize improv over scripting, so you can respond to ideas players bring without losing dramatic momentum.

This approach is system-neutral and scales for multiple formats. Use it for repeat campaigns, one-shots at conventions, or the chaotic schedule of weeknight games. The method's strength is habit: spending five to fifteen focused minutes before a session builds a reliable prep routine that lowers stress and increases table fun. For busy DMs who juggle families, jobs, or multiple games, that consistency matters more than producing encyclopedic notes.

Community impact is practical. New GMs gain a clear, bite-sized workflow to follow; experienced DMs get a lean framework to slim down bloated prep. The card-based seed also makes it easy to hand off a packed table to a backup GM or to pick up a campaign after a break. Because it keeps the narrative flexible, the method preserves player agency rather than railroad players with scripted beats.

If you want to test it, commit to a week of five-minute prep using the three-question seed and a 3x5 card. Track which parts of that seed you actually use during play and refine the cheat sheet to match your table's pace. Over time the method tends to free up more time for play, improvisation, and those memorable "off-script" moments that make sessions sing.