West Marches & Sandboxes, Explained

Here's why and how to run West Marches and Sandbox campaigns in D&D.

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This video explores the pitfalls of storytelling in Dungeons & Dragons, particularly how the focus on a central campaign story arc can lead to railroading and linear gameplay. The video introduces the concept of player-directed campaigns, where the focus shifts from a singular villain or plot to more episodic, emergent storytelling driven by player choice. The three types of player-directed campaigns—sandbox, West Marches, and patron-focused—are discussed in depth, each offering different ways to empower player agency and flexibility. This approach allows for greater variety in adventures, more NPC interactions, and flexibility in player attendance, making it a dynamic alternative to traditional campaign structures.

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