D&D Adventurers League

Getting Started as a Friendly Local Game Store Owner

So, you’re the owner of a local games store and you want to get some D&D Adventurers League games going. Great!

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There’s no need to register your store in any way in order have an AL games night.

Step 1: Get some DMs

First and foremost, without DMs, you have no games. Find one person to DM a game, that’s all you need to start.

Know the AL rules

Have your DMs read the AL Players Guide and AL Dungeon Masters Guide from 📄Documents.

Understand your DMs

Your DMs may have their own triggers, phobias, or preferences when running AL games. Know what those are and work with your DM to create any accommodations.

Compensate your DMs

Reward your DMs with something to entice them to DM at your store:

Don’t force DMs to pay to DM at your store.

Step 2: Determine how you want players to sign-up for games

This will come down to personal preference. There are a few different options that stores use.

In-Store Sign-Up

You can have players sign-up for games in your physical stores.

Online Sign-Up

Warhorn is a popular online tool that some stores use to manage their game sign-ups.

Warhorn Superior event management for gamers. warhorn.net

Drop-Ins

You can have players simply drop-in to play.

However, it’s difficult to plan ahead using this method. But some stores like it anyways.

Step 3: Execute your plan

Find ways to advertise your AL nights.

Start at Tier 1

Until you get a decent-sized pool of regular players, keep games at Tier 1. Its easier to start new players at level 1.

Once you have enough players wanting to break into Tier 2, add a Tier 2 table for them, but try to keep a Tier 1 table open for new players too.

This will become a balancing act for you once you know your regular players.

Prepare your DMs

In-store AL works really well for inconsistent players. This means that one-shots work much better than longer campaigns.

Supply the adventures to your DMs that are going to be played. DMs are choosing to DM at your store. Don’t make them pay for the adventures.

Listen to your DMs

If your DMs have problems, listen to them. If you don’t listen to them, you may lose them. DMing D&D should be fun for everyone, including the DMs.

If you’re turning away players, then get more DMs

If you fill up your tables and you’re turning players away, get some more DMs.

Don’t be “AL Lite”

If you’re going to host AL games, then please host true AL games. Don’t pick and choose the AL rules you want to follow. If you’re not going to follow the rules for AL games, then don’t call it Adventurers League.

Encourage Your DMs to Make Sure Players Log Their Adventures

Players need to log their adventures. DMs should tell players about logs. See 📝Logging Your Adventures for more information.

Optional Extras

Create a Code of Conduct

Create a Code of Conduct under which all games, players, and DMs must abide. This helps with disruptive players.