The Art of the Session Zero: Planning Your Campaign Success

Every great campaign starts before the first die is rolled. It starts with Session Zero.

Session Zero is a dedicated meeting where the Dungeon Master (DM) and players agree on the tone, rules, and logistics of the game. It is the foundation of a healthy table. Skipping it is the number one cause of "DM Burnout" and "RPG Horror Stories."

What to Cover in Session Zero

1. Tone and Genre

Is this a grimdark fantasy like Dark Souls, or a lighthearted romp like Guardians of the Galaxy?

• Expectations: If one player builds a goofy bard and another builds a tragic rogue, there will be friction unless the tone is established early.
• Reference Points: Use movies or books as touchstones. "We are aiming for Lord of the Rings, not Monty Python."

2. House Rules & Homebrew

Clarify your mechanical deviations.

• Do potions take a bonus action?
• How do you handle critical hits?
• Are any races or classes banned?

3. Safety Tools

Tabletop RPGs can explore intense themes. Discuss boundaries.

• Lines & Veils: What topics are off-limits (Lines) and what can exist but happens "off-screen" (Veils)?
• X-Card: Implement a safety signal to pause the game if things get too uncomfortable.

4. The Logistics (Crucial!)

This is often overlooked but is the most practical part of Session Zero.

• Scheduling: How often do we play? Weekly? Bi-weekly?
• Duration: How long is a session? 3 hours? 5 hours?
• Location: Whose house? Or are we online (VTT)?
• Food/Snacks: Who brings the chips?

Pro Tip: Use this time to set up your Tabletop Time group. Create the event, have everyone bookmark the link, and do a test run of scheduling the first real session. Getting everyone used to the tool now saves headache later.

Drafting the Party

Session Zero is the perfect time to build characters together.

• Connections: How do the characters know each other? "We served in the same army" or "We are siblings."
• Party Balance: Ensure you don't end up with 4 Rogues and no Cleric (unless that's the plan!).
• Group Patron: Give the group a shared employer or goal to unite them instantly.

The "Social Contract"

Agree on table etiquette.

• Phone Policy: Are phones allowed at the table?
• Attendance: What is the policy for missing a game? (See our guide on the Quorum Rule).
• PvP: Is Player-vs-Player combat allowed? (Usually, the answer should be "No, unless agreed upon").

Managing Expectations for New Players

If you have new players, Session Zero is where you teach them the basics.

• Explain the core dice mechanic (d20 + mod).
• help them visualize their character.
• assure them that "roleplaying" doesn't mean doing silly voices (unless they want to).

Conclusion

A successful campaign isn't built on nat 20s; it's built on clear communication. A solid Session Zero prevents 90% of table disputes. Take the time to plan, align your schedules, and build a world everyone wants to play in.