Skip to content ↩ Game Master
How to Play

How to Play

The guide built into Game Master, published from the same source: 22 chapters, the same screenshots and the same glossary links. The app keeps its own copy, so help works offline.

Quick StartQuick StartPlay a first scene in a few minutes.Quick StartGM Quick StartPrepare, start and run a session.Quick StartPlayer Quick StartJoin, act, roll and end your turn.

Start here

The suggested order for a first campaign.

  1. Create or open a campaign
  2. Add locations
  3. Build or choose maps
  4. Create characters
  5. Add NPCs and monsters
  6. Create encounters
  7. Add items and rewards if needed
  8. Start a session
  9. Connect players on other devices
  10. Begin play

All chapters

  1. 1Quick StartPlay a first scene in a few minutes with the built-in adventure, before reading anything else.For everyone
  2. 2What Is Game Master?Game Master helps run tabletop RPG campaigns by handling the bookkeeping and rules math while players still make their own decisions and…For everyone
  3. 3CampaignsA campaign holds everything for one game: its rules, story, places, maps, characters, monsters, encounters, items and sessions.For the GM
  4. 4CharactersA character page shows one player character: their numbers, skills, weapons, spells, inventory and story. The app works the numbers out…For everyone
  5. 5Maps & Map MakerThe Map Maker draws the grid maps play happens on: floors, walls, doors, furniture, trees, traps, and invisible rules such as water depth.For the GM
  6. 6NPCsNPCs are the people the GM plays: innkeepers, guards, villains. Each has a public description and private GM notes.For the GM
  7. 7MonstersThe monster library holds every creature encounters can use, with its stats, attacks, abilities, defenses and loot.For the GM
  8. 8EncountersAn encounter is a scene prepared before play: which monsters, where they stand, when more arrive and what it is worth. During a session the…For the GM
  9. 9Items & RewardsThe item library holds one reusable definition of every item: weapons, armor, potions, gear. Characters, monsters, chests and rewards all…For the GM
  10. 10Starting a SessionA session is one sitting of play. It keeps its own copy of positions, HP, items and turn order, saved as you go.For the GM
  11. 11Free PlayFREE PLAY is exploring without turn order: players act whenever they like while the GM runs the world.For everyone
  12. 12CombatCombat gives every creature a turn in initiative order. On your turn you move and act; the app works out every hit and every point of…For everyone
  13. 13Dice & RollsPlayers do their own rolls. Game Master does the math: it shows the roll needed, adds every modifier and works out the result.For everyone
  14. 14Player ControlsEverything a player sees and taps: their character's status, the map, the action buttons and their messages.For players
  15. 15GM ControlsThe GM's session screen: every location in play, the controls for characters, NPCs and monsters, searchable objects, fog and the log.For the GM
  16. 16Fog of WarFog of War hides the parts of the map a character can't see. Players see what their characters see; the GM sees everything.For everyone
  17. 17Session LogThe Session log is the history of the session: the Introduction, GM messages, discoveries, story and combat results.For everyone
  18. 18LAN MultiplayerPlay on several devices on the same Wi-Fi or wired network. The GM's device hosts; players join from theirs. For players elsewhere, see…For everyone
  19. 19Internet MultiplayerPlay with friends anywhere. The GM's device still runs the game; players join with a Join Code through the Game Master server, which only…For everyone
  20. 20Tabletop ModeFor one real table: physical dice, paper sheets and miniatures, with a projected or shared map. The GM runs the app; player phones are…For the GM
  21. 21Save & Quit / End SessionHow to stop playing for now, and how to close a session for good. They are very different.For the GM
  22. 22GlossaryThe Glossary explains every game term in plain words, with notes on how the campaign's ruleset uses it.For everyone