How to Take D&D Notes Like Matt Mercer: Complete Campaign Prep Blueprint
By Maya Lin-Takahashi
Mercer organizes his physical notes across three distinct functional tiers: the Immediate Session Layer, the Regional Hub, and the World Archive. Each tier serves a different cognitive need during play.
The Immediate Session Layer occupies the physical center of the binder. It rarely exceeds three to four pages. Page one holds the immediate scene setup, including where the party went to sleep, unresolved social tensions, and the weather. Page two contains branching encounter nodes, short bulleted lists outlining what happens if the party travels north toward the docks versus south into the catacombs. Pages three and four hold combat stat blocks stripped down to essential mechanics.
The Regional Hub sits immediately behind the active pages. This section contains one-page settlements, shop inventories with fixed pricing margins, and faction rosters for the local area. When Campaign 2 moved through the city of Zadash, Mercer did not hold the politics of the entire Dwendalian Empire in his immediate folder; he kept the local Crownsguard commanders, the local crime syndicate contacts, and three tavern hooks.
The World Archive sits at the back. It holds pantheon relationships, deep historical dates, and overarching villain motivations. Mercer rarely touches this section during an active broadcast. It exists strictly as an anchor to prevent continuity errors when players ask an unexpected question about an ancient god.
Maya is a hardware enthusiast who tests and reviews smart home devices, smartphones, wearables, and audio gear. She focuses on practical consumer value and build quality.
