Are you a Dungeon Master or player looking for a fresh take on your Dungeons & Dragons campaign? The West Marches style of D&D might be exactly what you need. In this post, we’ll explore what West Marches is, how it differs from traditional D&D campaigns, and why it’s perfect for larger, more flexible playgroups.
What Is a West Marches D&D Game?
The West Marches campaign style was originally created by Ben Robbins to solve a common problem: how do you run a D&D game for a large group of players with inconsistent schedules?
Instead of a regular weekly session with a fixed party, West Marches campaigns are open-world, sandbox-style adventures where players form their own adventuring parties each session and choose where they want to explore. The game world is persistent, but player groups vary from session to session.
Key Features of West Marches:
- Player-driven exploration: Players decide where to go, what to do, and who joins each session.
- No fixed party: Group composition can change each session.
- Shared world: All players exist in the same world and contribute to its evolving story.
- Scheduling flexibility: Players organize sessions around their own availability.
- Emphasis on exploration and discovery over plot-heavy storytelling.
How Is West Marches Different from Traditional D&D?
In a typical campaign, the Dungeon Master (DM) drives the plot, and players follow a mostly linear narrative. In West Marches, the DM is more of a world-builder and referee, reacting to the players’ choices rather than guiding them through a set story.
Some other differences include:
- No central town adventures: The home base is typically safe and off-limits for gameplay. All sessions start and end there.
- Danger increases the farther you travel: This creates a natural progression and sense of challenge.
- Note-taking and communication among players is essential: Since knowledge is gained session-by-session, players must share discoveries.
Why Run a West Marches Campaign?
If you’re managing a community of D&D players or want to experiment with a new game format, West Marches is ideal for large groups. It’s perfect for:
- Online communities
- D&D clubs
- Streamed or recorded actual play series
- Friends with busy or irregular schedules
Benefits of West Marches:
- Allows players to drop in and out as needed.
- Encourages teamwork and meta-strategy among players.
- Enables multiple DMs to share world-building duties.
- Supports organic storytelling through player choices.
Tips for Running a Successful West Marches Campaign
Here are some best practices for Dungeon Masters considering this style:
- Build a rich, consistent world: Since players chart their own course, make sure there’s plenty to explore—ruins, dungeons, forests, mountains, mysteries, and factions.
- Use a shared platform: A Discord server, Google Docs, or a campaign management site like Westmarches game can help track quests, maps, and logs.
- Encourage player communication: After-action reports and map-sharing foster engagement.
- Balance encounters: Players may end up in dangerous areas. Make it clear that not everything is level-appropriate—and retreat is sometimes the best option.
- Reward exploration: Magic items, lore, and world secrets can be powerful motivators.
Is West Marches Right for Your Group?
If your players crave freedom, unpredictability, and collaboration, a West Marches-style campaign offers an unforgettable D&D experience. It takes more setup and organization upfront, but the payoff is a campaign world that truly feels alive.
Whether you’re a veteran Dungeon Master or a curious newcomer, the West Marches D&D format is a bold way to explore storytelling, world-building, and shared adventure.
Final Thoughts
The West Marches D&D campaign style is an exciting alternative to traditional campaigns. It empowers players, relieves scheduling stress, and brings a refreshing open-world element to tabletop roleplaying.
If you’ve been searching for a campaign format that’s scalable, flexible, and rich in player-driven narrative, give West Marches a try—you might never go back to linear campaigns again.
