That’s kind of a big question. Huge in fact. Is there anything in particular you were curious about because if it’s just “I’ve never heard of it I need everything” we could be here for weeks and there are YouTube channels that would do a much better job
Also at the top of the DDB screen is the link to D&D's Learn to Play Page.
I'd start with all of that and then you can come back and ask some more specific questions :)
Cheers!
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Breathe, dragons; sing of the First World, forged out of chaos and painted with beauty. Sing of Bahamut, the Platinum, molding the shape of the mountains and rivers; Sing too of Chromatic Tiamat, painting all over the infinite canvas. Partnered, they woke in the darkness; partnered, they labored in acts of creation.
Additionally, check out YouTube for learn to play D&D or watch a live play on Twitch. Both of which will give you a great starting point for how the game is played, though some information may be a little technical. You should also check with your local game/comic store wherever you live, see if they have any DM's willing to sit down with you to show you the basics. My local game store runs monthly learn to play days for new players or anyone interested in getting into D&D or other TTRPG's. I hope these suggestions help and welcome to the community!
That’s kind of a big question. Huge in fact. Is there anything in particular you were curious about because if it’s just “I’ve never heard of it I need everything” we could be here for weeks and there are YouTube channels that would do a much better job
I disagree, to get a general feel of what D&D is is really fairly easy. D&D is a shared fantasy adventure for a group of people. One member (known as the game master or dungeon master)(DM) sets up the basic scenario or uses a prepublished scenario full of foes, aides, bystanders etc (known as monsters if non”human” and NPCs (Non Player Characters) if more or less human. The others create the adventurers following a set rules. Then the DM describes the setting and events as the players describe their actions in the scenario. There are specific rules for combat and somewhat looser rules for personal interactions as well as exploration both indoors/underground and above ground. Dice are rolled to simulate the randomness of combat and interpersonal and exploration actions. The game continues, often with interruptions for real life, until the part6 is either killed or solves the scenario. Player Characters (PCs) that survive can and do advance through a series of 20(+) levels gaining additional abilities as the progress. Thats the basic idea - shared fantasy story telling. The details can get quite intricate but the basic idea isn’t.
That’s kind of a big question. Huge in fact. Is there anything in particular you were curious about because if it’s just “I’ve never heard of it I need everything” we could be here for weeks and there are YouTube channels that would do a much better job
I disagree, to get a general feel of what D&D is is really fairly easy. D&D is a shared fantasy adventure for a group of people. One member (known as the game master or dungeon master)(DM) sets up the basic scenario or uses a prepublished scenario full of foes, aides, bystanders etc (known as monsters if non”human” and NPCs (Non Player Characters) if more or less human. The others create the adventurers following a set rules. Then the DM describes the setting and events as the players describe their actions in the scenario. There are specific rules for combat and somewhat looser rules for personal interactions as well as exploration both indoors/underground and above ground. Dice are rolled to simulate the randomness of combat and interpersonal and exploration actions. The game continues, often with interruptions for real life, until the part6 is either killed or solves the scenario. Player Characters (PCs) that survive can and do advance through a series of 20(+) levels gaining additional abilities as the progress. Thats the basic idea - shared fantasy story telling. The details can get quite intricate but the basic idea isn’t.
<Cutting and saving this for future reference> True but after that the explanation becomes exponentially more complex hence me trying to find out what the actual question was and whether we'd be best answering or sending them elsewhere. Bob World Builder and Ginny Di have both done great intro to D&D videos on YouTube that would do a much better job than I think we could do
I’ve found that taking folks at their surface meanings is always a good place to start. If they want deeper meanings after that they can ask further questions. Trying to ferret out “what they really want to know “ is all too often a waste of time.
D&D is a fantasy game where you play an imaginary character in a world that is similar to a point in our history, typically between the Bronze age and pre-industrial age.
The game is narrated in story form by a DM and you play your character in his imaginary world, to complete quests, achievements and goals. Each time you go up a level, the range and sometimes intensity of those challenges increase. Most of your problems and challenges will be similar to those in any fantasy novel or movie. As for your personal goals, they could depend on your character. Maybe at a certain rank, you want your own kingdom, to be in charge of the Crowns Magic users, or one of the rulers of the many Thieves' guilds.
Here is the best 3 minute succinct explanation of D&D I've seen. From here there are many ways to go to learn more, whether you want to play or run a game or just watch other people play.
D&D, or Dungeons and Dragons, is a TTRPG. That means table-top roleplaying game. While the table-top isn't always true, since you can play on everything from Zoom to play-by-post, RPG still is a constant. This game is about you embodying a character you created in a story, or campaign, with a group of other people who are doing the same. There is also the DM, Dungeon Master, who runs the game. You control your character, but the DM controls everything else. Pretty much imagine, if you're a gamer, the DM as the computer. What story, time, and setting you play in is up to the DM. You could be in the alien world of Guzzgaz or the kingdom of Darnia. You could be a arrogant noble or a hardened soldier. It is a game of endless possibilities.
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In the words of the great philosopher, Unicorse, "Aaaannnnd why should I care??"
Best quote from a book ever: "If you love with your eyes, death is forever. If you love with your heart, there is no such thing as parting."- Jonah Cook, Ascendant, Songs of Chaos by Michael R. Miller. Highly recommend
pls
That’s kind of a big question. Huge in fact. Is there anything in particular you were curious about because if it’s just “I’ve never heard of it I need everything” we could be here for weeks and there are YouTube channels that would do a much better job
There’s a “New Player Guide” on this site which might be a good place to start.
Greetings xx_mateo_xx,
As you just started, here is a List of Free Items on D&D Beyond.
Here is a direct link to the Free Basic Rules.
Also at the top of the DDB screen is the link to D&D's Learn to Play Page.
I'd start with all of that and then you can come back and ask some more specific questions :)
Cheers!
Breathe, dragons; sing of the First World, forged out of chaos and painted with beauty.
Sing of Bahamut, the Platinum, molding the shape of the mountains and rivers;
Sing too of Chromatic Tiamat, painting all over the infinite canvas.
Partnered, they woke in the darkness; partnered, they labored in acts of creation.
Additionally, check out YouTube for learn to play D&D or watch a live play on Twitch. Both of which will give you a great starting point for how the game is played, though some information may be a little technical. You should also check with your local game/comic store wherever you live, see if they have any DM's willing to sit down with you to show you the basics. My local game store runs monthly learn to play days for new players or anyone interested in getting into D&D or other TTRPG's. I hope these suggestions help and welcome to the community!
I disagree, to get a general feel of what D&D is is really fairly easy. D&D is a shared fantasy adventure for a group of people. One member (known as the game master or dungeon master)(DM) sets up the basic scenario or uses a prepublished scenario full of foes, aides, bystanders etc (known as monsters if non”human” and NPCs (Non Player Characters) if more or less human. The others create the adventurers following a set rules. Then the DM describes the setting and events as the players describe their actions in the scenario. There are specific rules for combat and somewhat looser rules for personal interactions as well as exploration both indoors/underground and above ground. Dice are rolled to simulate the randomness of combat and interpersonal and exploration actions. The game continues, often with interruptions for real life, until the part6 is either killed or solves the scenario. Player Characters (PCs) that survive can and do advance through a series of 20(+) levels gaining additional abilities as the progress.
Thats the basic idea - shared fantasy story telling. The details can get quite intricate but the basic idea isn’t.
Wisea$$ DM and Player since 1979.
<Cutting and saving this for future reference> True but after that the explanation becomes exponentially more complex hence me trying to find out what the actual question was and whether we'd be best answering or sending them elsewhere. Bob World Builder and Ginny Di have both done great intro to D&D videos on YouTube that would do a much better job than I think we could do
I’ve found that taking folks at their surface meanings is always a good place to start. If they want deeper meanings after that they can ask further questions. Trying to ferret out “what they really want to know “ is all too often a waste of time.
Wisea$$ DM and Player since 1979.
D&D is a fantasy game where you play an imaginary character in a world that is similar to a point in our history, typically between the Bronze age and pre-industrial age.
The game is narrated in story form by a DM and you play your character in his imaginary world, to complete quests, achievements and goals. Each time you go up a level, the range and sometimes intensity of those challenges increase. Most of your problems and challenges will be similar to those in any fantasy novel or movie. As for your personal goals, they could depend on your character. Maybe at a certain rank, you want your own kingdom, to be in charge of the Crowns Magic users, or one of the rulers of the many Thieves' guilds.
Here is the best 3 minute succinct explanation of D&D I've seen. From here there are many ways to go to learn more, whether you want to play or run a game or just watch other people play.
https://www.tiktok.com/@ryanimeldm/video/7402314974413999402
Deborah Ann Woll is asked this question in an interview and basically starts running a game on the spot.
D&D, or Dungeons and Dragons, is a TTRPG. That means table-top roleplaying game. While the table-top isn't always true, since you can play on everything from Zoom to play-by-post, RPG still is a constant. This game is about you embodying a character you created in a story, or campaign, with a group of other people who are doing the same. There is also the DM, Dungeon Master, who runs the game. You control your character, but the DM controls everything else. Pretty much imagine, if you're a gamer, the DM as the computer. What story, time, and setting you play in is up to the DM. You could be in the alien world of Guzzgaz or the kingdom of Darnia. You could be a arrogant noble or a hardened soldier. It is a game of endless possibilities.
In the words of the great philosopher, Unicorse, "Aaaannnnd why should I care??"
Best quote from a book ever: "If you love with your eyes, death is forever. If you love with your heart, there is no such thing as parting."- Jonah Cook, Ascendant, Songs of Chaos by Michael R. Miller. Highly recommend