Tired of modules? Here’s a fast guide to making your own balanced and game-accurate content.
Maybe you’ve run a few D&D modules and are ready to run your first campaign, or you are a new DM playing Dungeons and Dragons for the first time, either way you need to learn how to make Homebrew.
Here’s a fast guide to creating homebrew versions of all the stuff you’ll need to create your own epic game of Dungeons and Dragons and be celebrated by your players as an epic DM for months to come!
Making A Homebrew D&D World
Most awesome RPG’s start with a great world. If you’re a first time DM it can be hard to know where to start. Fortunately there’s not a lot you can mess up at this point, as your world is 100% up to you. Great games of Dungeons and Dragons have happened from the high seas to barren deserts, so the choice is up to you.
Making a Custom Map
A lot of times I start with a hand drawn map of a world before I even know the story. This is a great way to start if you enjoy doodling. Draw a map that looks fun to explore with terrain of your choice, place a few cities, spooky looking forests and swamps, a couple caves, and you’re already halfway to a great homebrew world.
If you’re not much for drawing, WorldSmith has a built in map generator that sparks ideas fast and helps you start with something beautiful but flexible.
For additional worldbuilding inspiration, many DMs swear by the official 5e SRD reference (https://dnd.wizards.com/resources/systems-reference-document), which is great for checking lore and rules quickly.
Decide a Theme for your Game
Most great games of Dungeons and Dragons have a clear theme. For this I often look at books or movies I love. Maybe your heroes need to deliver a dangerous object to the one place it can be destroyed, or have been banished from a school of wizardry for misusing powerful magic.
Picking a strong theme for the game will also help you make decisions down the road on the rest of your homebrew. Is this a classic fantasy game with epic sword fights and treasure chests of loot? Or more a horror fantasy game with vampires and ghosts? Maybe it’s a comedic game where potions and wands have a chance of backfiring. Whatever you choose for your homebrew world, make sure it’s something you’re excited about and you think will match the expectations of your players.
If you’re new to DM’ing and this is your first game of D&D, don’t be afraid to pull ideas almost whole cloth from a book or movie you love. Most DM’s do this and it works great.
Don’t Get Carried Away
I’ve seen a lot of new DM’s think they have to make a whole custom world with every little detail. Not only do you not have to do this, it probably will be unhelpful. If you’re playing a campaign with level 10 characters or lower, they’re not likely to teleport around the world yet. Just focus on a broad world map and where the game will start.
If you want a good sampling of what is helpful to have in your custom homebrew world, check out WorldSmith’s world generator which lays out timelines, religions, factions, and the big-picture structure that makes session prep easier.
For extra inspiration, the Dungeon Master’s Guide summary on D&D Beyond (https://www.dndbeyond.com/sources/dmg) is one of the most referenced rule breakdowns among new DMs.
Homebrew Monsters
Dungeons and Dragons is a game about killing monsters at the end of the day, so making a homebrew monster is probably one of the first things you’ll be excited about doing. The Monster Manual is fun, but can be limiting. Here’s a few guidelines for creating your own custom monsters that are balanced for your party.
Pick a Monster Concept
Start with an idea. Maybe it’s a cat with dragon wings or a centipede that can disguise itself as a human. Whatever it is, imagine it clearly in your mind.
WorldSmith has a very slick monster generator that makes balanced statblocks fast. Just drop your full idea into the Custom Note field and you’ll get a close starting point.
Stabby, Tough, or Tricksy
When I make a homebrew monster, I generally try to give it a single strength: Stabby, Tough, or Tricksy.
Stabby monsters deal high damage but have lower armor class or fewer hit points.
Tough monsters have high AC and tanky defenses but moderate damage.
Tricksy monsters are spellcasters or weird utility creatures like mind flayers or gelatinous cubes.
Some monsters have all three strengths (looking at you, Liches), but when making homebrew I focus on just one.
Compare Challenge Ratings
Dungeons and Dragons uses Challenge Rating to balance monsters. In short, the total CR of whatever you throw at your party should equal their level (for a party of 3–5). Personally, I think Wizards of the Coast plays it conservative, so for a level 5 party I’ll often throw a CR 7 enemy at them because I like the tension.
Pick a CR, skim the Monster Manual to understand typical stats, then boost your monster’s focus area a bit and weaken a couple others. Toss in abilities, senses, immunities, death triggers, recharge abilities, or legendary actions for tough enemies.
WorldSmith’s monster generator does this extremely well. I often input my monster idea and chosen CR, get a solid statblock, then tweak and homebrew to taste.
Custom Magic Items
Dungeons and Dragons wouldn’t be complete without a healthy dose of murder tools. The good news about custom magic items is you don’t need to worry too much about balance. They’re for fun, not combat.
The Idea for the Magic Item
Think about what you want the item to accomplish. What would your players think is most fun? A box of TNT is only fun for players who love explosions.
Once you have your idea, try making it a single use item with a clear purpose. Consider charges or rare components so players can’t spam it. Avoid making “Swiss Army knife” items that do everything. It’s better to make one surprising, memorable effect and let players get creative.
Also, don’t feel obligated to reveal everything the item does. One perk of homebrew is players can’t look it up online. Keeping a curse or Nat 20 effect hidden can create dramatic moments.
On WorldSmith you can even mark items as cursed, giving them a chance to backfire or forcing players to struggle to let go. Delicious.
Shops, NPC’s, Treasure, Encounters etc.
The amount of stuff you can homebrew in Dungeons and Dragons is technically infinite. I’ve made custom combat systems, jousting mechanics, and even underground dungeon football.
Start with your map, a couple monsters, and a few magic items. Build only what the players actually see. Once you get comfortable, your homebrew will start writing itself.
WorldSmith is incredible for all the behind-the-screen grunt work like Dex saves, skills, flying speeds, loot, and more. I especially love using WorldSmith’s shop generator and its treasure generator when I get blindsided and need something mid-session.
Final Thoughts
Good luck homebrewing, and for everyone learning to run your first campaign, it’s not as scary as you think it is. Dive in and enjoy the ride.
See you on the other side when your players burn down a city.
Trust me. They will.
