D&D Session Zero Checklist: The Complete Guide for Successful Campaigns

Running a successful Dungeons & Dragons campaign starts before the first die is rolled, with what experienced DMs call a "Session Zero." This essential planning meeting helps prevent misunderstandings and creates a foundation for an enjoyable adventure for everyone at the table.

What Is a D&D Session Zero?

A Session Zero is a pre-campaign meeting where players and the Dungeon Master establish expectations, boundaries, and shared goals for their D&D campaign. This crucial first step aligns everyone's vision and creates a social contract that guides gameplay throughout your adventure.

D&D Session Zero Checklist

Campaign Foundations

• Campaign theme and tone: Heroic fantasy, dark adventure, political intrigue, or comedy?
• Expected duration: One-shot, short adventure, or long-term campaign?
• Session schedule: Weekly, biweekly, or monthly meetings? How long per session?
• Absence policy: What happens when players can't attend?

Character Creation Guidelines

• Allowed sourcebooks: Core rulebooks only or expanded content?
• Character building methods: Standard array, point buy, or rolled stats?
• Starting level: Level 1 or higher-level start?
• Restricted classes or races: Any content that doesn't fit your setting?
• Party composition: Balanced group or specialized team?
• Character connections: How does the party know each other?

Game Mechanics

• House rules: Any modifications to standard D&D 5e rules?
• Leveling method: Milestone or experience points?
• Death and resurrection: How permanent is character death?
• Rest variants: Standard or gritty realism rest rules?
• Combat expectations: Tactical focus or narrative approach?

Table Expectations

• Content boundaries: Topics or themes to avoid at the table
• Safety tools: X-cards, lines and veils, or other consent mechanics
• Player vs. player: Allowed, restricted, or prohibited?
• Table etiquette: Phone usage, crosstalk, and out-of-character discussions
• Spotlight sharing: Ensuring everyone gets time to shine

World Integration

• Essential lore: What every player should know about your world
• Backstory integration: How character histories connect to the campaign
• Player worldbuilding: Can players contribute to setting details?
• Campaign hooks: Initial adventure hooks and character motivations

How to Actually Do This

1. Get everyone together: In person or online, with snacks (always with snacks)
2. Write stuff down: Nobody will remember everything, so keep notes
3. Make characters together: Avoid the "we have four rogues and no healer" problem
4. Plan check-ins: Sometimes things need adjustment as you go
5. End with a mini-scene: Get everyone hyped with a taste of the adventure

Why Your D&D Game Needs a Session Zero

Campaigns that begin with a thorough Session Zero typically last longer and provide more enjoyment for everyone involved. This initial investment prevents the most common reasons D&D groups fall apart:

• Mismatched expectations about game style
• Character concepts that clash with the world or other players
• Uncomfortable content that crosses personal boundaries
• Mechanical imbalances in party composition

Customizing Your D&D Session Zero

Every group has unique needs. Feel free to adapt this checklist to focus on what matters most to your table. The key is creating a space where everyone feels comfortable expressing their preferences and concerns before the adventure begins.

Common Fails to Avoid

• Speed-running important topics: "Any questions? No? Great, let's move on!"
• DM info-dumping: Boring everyone with your 30-page world history
• Skipping the "why are we a party" talk: Avoiding the cliché tavern meeting
• Ignoring safety tools: Because even your best friend might not want to role-play your graphic torture scene

Bottom Line

Yeah, it's tempting to skip straight to the dragon-slaying, but trust me – a good Session Zero makes everything better. It turns random players into a solid crew ready to tackle whatever crazy stuff you throw at them.

The best D&D stories don't start with "you all meet in a tavern" – they start with everyone getting pumped about the same kind of game at Session Zero.