Why a New Book?
Because there’s more to talk about.
While the eight steps continue to hold up, how we use them (how I use them) evolves in different ways and in different situations. What works well for an investigation-focused game is different than what works well for a more tactical combat-focused game. What we think about when reviewing the characters (step 1) or developing fantastic locations (step 5) can change depending on the system we choose and the adventure we’re running.
For example, when developing fantastic locations, what you prepare for an overland travel adventure is different than what you prepare for a dungeon crawl. A location along a journey might have a monument with three notable features while each room in a dungeon might only have an evocative label.
Last updated: June 26, 2026 09:53
Is Return of the Lazy Dungeon Master Obsolete?
A lot changed in the past eight years, even though the concepts of Return continue to serve GMs well. We’ve learned a lot. I’ve learned a lot. And I wanted to share that.
Rise expands what falls within the eight steps. What are the many different ways you think about your characters in step 1? What are all the different things you can fit into step 2 – scenes? What are the different ways to capture information about locations in step 5. I’ve expanded each of the eight steps based on new experiences and offer new examples for each.
Rise also focuses on the most popular part of Return – the eight steps, and uses it as a model throughout the book. Ten chapters of the book talk about how to customize the eight steps for ten different adventure types from dungeon crawling to roleplaying and intrigue-based scenarios.
Last updated: June 30, 2026 09:07
Is Return of the Lazy Dungeon Master Still Good?
Yes!
Return of the Lazy Dungeon Master broke down the art of gamemastering into three main topics:
- How to prepare for your game
- How to run your game
- How to think about your game
It includes chapters like
- High-value Preparation Activities
- Reskinning
- Top Traits for Good GMs
- Three Tricks for Group Storytelling
- Improvising NPCs
- Improvising Scenes and Situations
- Using Multiple Combat Styles
- Priming the GM’s Brain
- Conducting GM Brain Exercises
- Embracing the GM’s Truth
- Developing Your Own Style
- Two sections on surveys of DMs
While some elements of these chapters are captured in Rise as tools in the massive toolbox chapter, they’re not spelled out in as much detail as they are in Return.
Rise of the Lazy Gamemaster focuses heavily on the eight steps, campaign planning, adventure types, and your lazy GM toolkit; Return focused on more big-picture activities and thoughts focused on prepping your game, running your game, and thinking about your game.
I think both books work well together and both books also work well on their own.
Last updated: June 26, 2026 09:53
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