The first thing any DM should consider when setting up a puzzle is what purpose it serves.

Related: Dungeons & Dragons: Why You Should Run Pre-Made Adventures Similarly, while it's tempting to build elaborate set pieces full of convoluted components, thinking too far outside the box can make it hard for players to follow your logic. A three-hour battle sounds epic but, unless the party is fighting a major villain, it can easily become a slog. To that end, here some tips on how to make players more passionate about your puzzles.Īs a general rule, puzzles are like combat in that bigger isn't always better. Whatever form they take, however, puzzles need to be engaging. They can be as humble as a riddle or a grandiose trap involving magical materials. A great puzzle is easy to explain, challenging to complete and brings the party closer together through cooperation.

In Dungeons & Dragons, puzzles present a unique opportunity to test the party's wits and challenge their skills in a setting other than combat. Unfortunately, developing memorable ones can be a challenging task, even for experienced Dungeon Masters.

How to hack puzzles and dragons