GM Tips: Effective Use of Cliffhangers

Cliffhangers are the espresso shot of storytelling—short, sharp, and guaranteed to jolt your players awake. In TTRPGs like Dungeons & Dragons, a well-timed cliffhanger can turn a standard session into something your players won’t stop talking about (and texting each other about at 3 a.m.). Whether you're running the grandiose, dragon-infested halls of Tyranny of Dragons, the gothic despair of Curse of Strahd, or even your own homebrew chaos, a cliffhanger can be the perfect way to wrap up—or shake up—a session.

But like any GM tool, cliffhangers aren’t a one-size-fits-all solution. Use them too often, or use them poorly, and your players might roll their eyes instead of their dice. So let’s break down how to craft cliffhangers that hit like a critical and avoid the ones that fizzle out like a failed cantrip.

What Is a Cliffhanger, Really?

A cliffhanger is that moment when the story screeches to a halt, leaving a big, juicy question hanging in the air. It’s the “What happens next?!” moment. Think of the end of The Empire Strikes Back where Han’s frozen in carbonite, or the end of an episode of Critical Role when Matt Mercer drops a bomb like, “And then Vecna smiles.” It’s the narrative equivalent of dangling your players off the edge of a metaphorical cliff and then saying, “See you next week!”

In D&D, cliffhangers can take many forms:

  • A sudden, shocking revelation. (“The Archmage you’ve been working for this entire time has been dead for weeks. Who’s been giving you orders?”)
  • The arrival of a new, unexpected threat. (“You hear the sound of wings. Huge, leathery wings.”)
  • A moment of immediate danger. (“The floor caves in beneath you. Roll for initiative.”)

The goal is to leave your players desperate to know what happens next and keep them talking about the game until your next session rolls around.

Why Use Cliffhangers in TTRPGs?

Cliffhangers in TTRPGs aren’t just about suspense—they’re about engagement. They do a few things really well:

  1. Build Anticipation: Your players will spend the week between sessions theorizing wildly. Even if it’s a red herring, they’ll come back ready to throw themselves into the game.
  2. Emphasize Big Moments: Ending on a cliffhanger makes key story beats feel larger-than-life. It’s like putting an exclamation point on the scene.
  3. Prevent Drop-Off: If your players know the next session opens with a massive boss fight or a jaw-dropping reveal, they’re far less likely to cancel. Cliffhangers are your insurance policy against scheduling chaos.

That said, a poorly handled cliffhanger can have the opposite effect. Don’t abuse them, or you’ll end up with players who feel manipulated (or worse, bored).

When to Drop a Cliffhanger

A good cliffhanger is all about timing. Not every session or moment needs one. Here are some prime opportunities:

1. The End of a Session

The classic. This is where cliffhangers shine brightest. Instead of wrapping up neatly with the party camping for the night or shopping for potions, drop a narrative bombshell right before you call it.

  • Example (Curse of Strahd): The party finally reaches the Amber Temple, only to hear a deep, echoing voice from the shadows: “You should not have come here.” Boom. Session over.
  • Example (Tyranny of Dragons): The cultists’ ritual reaches its peak, and the sky splits open—Tiamat’s claw bursts through the portal. See you next week, folks.

2. Mid-Session Momentum Shifts

Cliffhangers don’t have to be saved for the end of the night. A mid-session cliffhanger can shift the tone or redirect the party when things start to lull.

  • Example (Out of the Abyss): As the party debates their next move in the Underdark, they suddenly hear a chorus of whispers in their minds: “She is coming.” (Yes, it’s Lolth.)
  • Example (Waterdeep: Dragon Heist): The party is celebrating their latest win in a tavern when a cloaked figure bursts in, bloodied and gasping: “They’re coming for you. Run.”

3. During Major Story Arcs

Big story moments deserve big cliffhangers. These are the turning points of your campaign, where every decision feels weighty and the stakes couldn’t be higher.

  • Example (Storm King’s Thunder): Just as the frost giant Jarl is about to strike, the doors to his hall explode open—and Imyrith, the ancient blue dragon, steps inside.

How to Craft Unforgettable Cliffhangers

A good cliffhanger isn’t just about shock—it’s about meaningful shock. Here are some tips to make sure your cliffhangers land:

1. Raise the Stakes

A cliffhanger works best when something the players care about is on the line. Maybe it’s their lives, their allies, their mission, or even their reputation. The more personal, the better.

  • Example: “The prisoner turns to you with a wicked grin. ‘Your sister says hello.’”

2. Leave Questions, Not Confusion

A cliffhanger should create intrigue, not bewilderment. Give your players just enough information to light the fuse but not enough to answer the question.

  • Good Cliffhanger: “You open the treasure chest, and inside is… your own severed hand.”
  • Bad Cliffhanger: “You open the treasure chest, and inside is… uh… something weird. Anyway, see you next week!”

3. Make It a Turning Point

The best cliffhangers feel like the moment when everything changes—when the party’s plans are upended, or the stakes suddenly escalate.

  • Example: “The villain laughs as they vanish into the portal, but not before tossing a single, burning letter to the ground. It’s addressed to you.”

4. Know Your Players

Some groups thrive on suspense and drama, while others might feel frustrated if a cliffhanger interrupts their tactical plans. Tailor your cliffhangers to your group’s playstyle.

Common Cliffhanger Pitfalls

Even the best GMs can fumble a cliffhanger. Here’s what to avoid:

1. Overdoing It

If every session ends on a cliffhanger, they lose their impact. Use them sparingly, like a spice, not a main dish.

2. Leaving Cliffhangers Unresolved

Nothing deflates excitement faster than a cliffhanger that fizzles out. If you end with “The dragon bursts through the wall,” make sure the dragon actually does something when the session resumes.

3. Forcing It

A contrived cliffhanger feels cheap. If the moment doesn’t naturally lend itself to suspense, don’t try to shoehorn in a dramatic pause.

Examples of Killer Cliffhangers

Here are some cliffhanger ideas to steal, tweak, or outright shamelessly copy:

  • Fantasy: “The artifact hums to life, and a voice echoes in your mind: ‘You have no idea what you’ve done.’”
  • Horror: “The reflection in the mirror isn’t yours. It’s grinning.”
  • Sci-Fi: “The ship’s AI crackles to life: ‘Emergency override activated. Self-destruct in 10… 9…’”
  • Mystery: “The journal ends abruptly, with one final line: ‘They’re already inside.’”

The Takeaway

Cliffhangers, when used wisely, are like a GM’s secret weapon—perfect for keeping your players on the edge of their seats (and coming back for more). Whether you’re running a published adventure or your own homebrew epic, a well-placed cliffhanger can turn a good session into a great one.

So go ahead—dangle your players off the edge of that narrative cliff. Just make sure you’ve got a strong story rope to pull them back up when the next session rolls around.

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