So I’d like some advice from whoever would be kind enough to answer.
only until recently I got into DnD and I really would like to start my first campaign. The question is how? I have 1 more willing participant to role play with me and other people I’ve invited are more flaky and skeptical. I’ve tried contacting some of those hire-a-DMs but most of them never respond. How the hell do I get started playing DnD online? Any help is appreciated.
I hate to say it but you are probably going to have to be the DM. Get your 1 faithful friend and 1 or 2 more people you can rely on, and then you do the arranging, scheduling, and DMing. There is an old saying, "If you want something done right, you've got to do it yourself."
Probably not what you want to hear but it is the hard truth. There are probably 10 people who want to play for every 1 willing to DM, which is why you don't hear from the hire-a-DM people. They are already booked. So if you and some friend(s) want to play D&D, one of ya needs to step up.
Rollback Post to RevisionRollBack
WOTC lies. We know that WOTC lies. WOTC knows that we know that WOTC lies. We know that WOTC knows that we know that WOTC lies. And still they lie.
Because of the above (a paraphrase from Orwell) I no longer post to the forums -- PM me if you need help or anything.
To add to BioWizard's statement, the person who usually ends up stepping up, is the one who wants it the most. At the moment, you have convinced one person to try it out, and possibly a couple more. You went the extra and actually came here seeking advice from folks. Out of the group (of what, 4, 5?) of you, you seem to want it.
Start which what you have: a yes and a couple of shaky maybes, and free access to all the material you need to get started.*
The Basic Rules are available for feee, as are a couple of other resources that add quite a bit of free content (SRD, EEPC). This website has all of that available to use free of charge. (In fact, they even consolidated the Basic Rules & SRD for us.) This website also offers a free character builder & sheet that interacts with all of that free content. Later, if you decide you want to spend money, thus system (mostly) works with all of that too. The character sheet also includes a free, partially integrated dice roller so you don't even need to buy those. (It's still in testing phase so it doesn't do everything for us yet, but it does quite a bit and we can use the dice and our brains ourselves and do the rest.)
This website also has some free pre-written adventures to use, and there are plenty more out there. Those include everything you need to run your first few adventures. All you have to do is invent some story that ties them together for your friend(s). And there are some other tools in testing phases that can help organize you and your player(s), and also help you organize the encounters you run. They also offer plenty of helpful articles and other useful resources specifically to help new people get started. And you've already found the forum here, so you know where to ask questions.
All of that was just what's both free, and either official or from this website. There are tons of other resources out there.
So, now all you need is to do the thing. Easy, right? 😉
Welcome to D&D.
*
Heck, I knew folks who got started with less, and had to pay a lot more. Back then, the core books cost about $30 each (same as the discounted price that this website offers), and you had to buy at least the PHB and a set of dice.
I really have no qualms being the DM... eventually. Honestly the idea of creating my own adventure with the creative writing and narrating with full role-play does sound really fun. It’s just that I feel like I really should do at least one campaign so I can see another DM in action so I get an idea of all I need to do. (That and I just want to get my lv1 character some XP)
But anyways, thank you very much both of ya. I appreciate it. But so let me ask one more thing. Can you maybe recommend a good pre-written campaign (either from Beyond or an official release) that would be good for some lv1 beginners? Thanks
There is one in the Starter Box that can take a group of PCs from 1st-(I think 11th level), but either of the free adventures I linked could take a group of PCs from 1st to at least 3rd.
And you can play in dozens of campaigns each with different DMs and you’ll see that. None of us do things the same way. You might watch campaigns online to see how others do things, but that often makes folks think they have to do it that way and you don’t.
If you really want what I (and frequently BioWizard) consider to be the best advice we could give you, then here it is:
I really have no qualms being the DM... eventually. Honestly the idea of creating my own adventure with the creative writing and narrating with full role-play does sound really fun. It’s just that I feel like I really should do at least one campaign so I can see another DM in action so I get an idea of all I need to do. (That and I just want to get my lv1 character some XP)
But anyways, thank you very much both of ya. I appreciate it. But so let me ask one more thing. Can you maybe recommend a good pre-written campaign (either from Beyond or an official release) that would be good for some lv1 beginners? Thanks
An old jr high / high school buddy of mine brought a bunch of us together in the pandemic who long ago moved away from Texas. He found a DM from Canada and presto campaign. His rates are really fantastic, his flexibility and communication also great. He DM's really for the love of the game, and uses zoom, miniatures, and cameras.
First, as I've been watching his approach, I thought I was ready to return to DMing ... brought two of the players for the above campaign into a new campaign, combined with my brother (a long time player like me). One of those two players thought I was boring ... and communicated it very clearly to the group. Translation: this is an art to getting it right. So paying somebody to get you started and later taking over with a new campaign is a great approach.
Second, this forum has some friendly dedicated players / DMs ... you already are asking, but stick around and let others help you.
Finally, our great campaign has already lost two players. One was when a player got married. Our DM said that happens all the time: life! He was flexible, and we picked up another college buddy, on we go. Number two may be out (I hope she'll return, she is a great player), but we have a replacement for her lined up ... and as for the party composition, it just means my character may start leveling up in a totally different area. We're pretty flexible. My point is players will add and drop all the time.
p.s. I will still work through my story telling and DM, but just will double down and constantly check in with my remaining players to see how they want the story arc to generally unfold so their characters can grow.
I really have no qualms being the DM... eventually. Honestly the idea of creating my own adventure with the creative writing and narrating with full role-play does sound really fun. It’s just that I feel like I really should do at least one campaign so I can see another DM in action so I get an idea of all I need to do. (That and I just want to get my lv1 character some XP)
But anyways, thank you very much both of ya. I appreciate it. But so let me ask one more thing. Can you maybe recommend a good pre-written campaign (either from Beyond or an official release) that would be good for some lv1 beginners? Thanks
I felt apprehensive about being the DM for my group too, but the reality was that if I wasn't going to step up, then nobody in my group would be playing D&D. It does seem overwhelming, but there are lots of resources out there for you. And don't beat yourself up if you don't do things "right" or you don't know all the rules; becoming a DM is a process that takes time.
There are several beginner boxes like the Starter Set (which includes the Lost Mine of Phandelver adventure that will get your group to level 5), the Essentials Kit (which includes 4 linked adventures that will take you to level 13), the Stranger Things starter set, and the Rick & Morty starter set. You can of course just buy the digital versions, but I bought my group physical copies of the Essentials Kit for Christmas when they were going for $8 (and it also includes codes for unlocking the adventures on D&D Beyond). Which set you choose would depend on what you think you and your players would like.
If you like making each other laugh and enjoy goofiness, the Rick & Morty set is great. The basic rules have lots of interjections from Rick that pokes fun at things and the adventure itself has a nice little mix of puzzles, combat, and social interaction. If you're looking for more standard D&D fare, Lost Mine of Phandelver is very popular and I've ran it once with my group. It's fine, but you'll have to do some extra work to make things more interesting because the book gives you zero insight for the big bad's motivations for instance. It also lacks puzzles and seems more geared for combat unless you push your party to roleplay (which might be hard with beginners). I can't comment on the quality of the Stranger Things or Essentials Kit though.
As far as seeing other DMs in action, I'd just watch a couple of streams. Different DMs have different styles, but you can pick up a lot from observing.
So I’d like some advice from whoever would be kind enough to answer.
only until recently I got into DnD and I really would like to start my first campaign. The question is how? I have 1 more willing participant to role play with me and other people I’ve invited are more flaky and skeptical. I’ve tried contacting some of those hire-a-DMs but most of them never respond. How the hell do I get started playing DnD online? Any help is appreciated.
I hate to say it but you are probably going to have to be the DM. Get your 1 faithful friend and 1 or 2 more people you can rely on, and then you do the arranging, scheduling, and DMing. There is an old saying, "If you want something done right, you've got to do it yourself."
Probably not what you want to hear but it is the hard truth. There are probably 10 people who want to play for every 1 willing to DM, which is why you don't hear from the hire-a-DM people. They are already booked. So if you and some friend(s) want to play D&D, one of ya needs to step up.
WOTC lies. We know that WOTC lies. WOTC knows that we know that WOTC lies. We know that WOTC knows that we know that WOTC lies. And still they lie.
Because of the above (a paraphrase from Orwell) I no longer post to the forums -- PM me if you need help or anything.
To add to BioWizard's statement, the person who usually ends up stepping up, is the one who wants it the most. At the moment, you have convinced one person to try it out, and possibly a couple more. You went the extra and actually came here seeking advice from folks. Out of the group (of what, 4, 5?) of you, you seem to want it.
Start which what you have: a yes and a couple of shaky maybes, and free access to all the material you need to get started.*
The Basic Rules are available for feee, as are a couple of other resources that add quite a bit of free content (SRD, EEPC). This website has all of that available to use free of charge. (In fact, they even consolidated the Basic Rules & SRD for us.) This website also offers a free character builder & sheet that interacts with all of that free content. Later, if you decide you want to spend money, thus system (mostly) works with all of that too. The character sheet also includes a free, partially integrated dice roller so you don't even need to buy those. (It's still in testing phase so it doesn't do everything for us yet, but it does quite a bit and we can use the dice and our brains ourselves and do the rest.)
This website also has some free pre-written adventures to use, and there are plenty more out there. Those include everything you need to run your first few adventures. All you have to do is invent some story that ties them together for your friend(s). And there are some other tools in testing phases that can help organize you and your player(s), and also help you organize the encounters you run. They also offer plenty of helpful articles and other useful resources specifically to help new people get started. And you've already found the forum here, so you know where to ask questions.
All of that was just what's both free, and either official or from this website. There are tons of other resources out there.
So, now all you need is to do the thing. Easy, right? 😉
Welcome to D&D.
*
Heck, I knew folks who got started with less, and had to pay a lot more. Back then, the core books cost about $30 each (same as the discounted price that this website offers), and you had to buy at least the PHB and a set of dice.
Creating Epic Boons on DDB
DDB Buyers' Guide
Hardcovers, DDB & You
Content Troubleshooting
Hm....... *Sigh*
I really have no qualms being the DM... eventually. Honestly the idea of creating my own adventure with the creative writing and narrating with full role-play does sound really fun. It’s just that I feel like I really should do at least one campaign so I can see another DM in action so I get an idea of all I need to do. (That and I just want to get my lv1 character some XP)
But anyways, thank you very much both of ya. I appreciate it. But so let me ask one more thing. Can you maybe recommend a good pre-written campaign (either from Beyond or an official release) that would be good for some lv1 beginners? Thanks
There is one in the Starter Box that can take a group of PCs from 1st-(I think 11th level), but either of the free adventures I linked could take a group of PCs from 1st to at least 3rd.
And you can play in dozens of campaigns each with different DMs and you’ll see that. None of us do things the same way. You might watch campaigns online to see how others do things, but that often makes folks think they have to do it that way and you don’t.
If you really want what I (and frequently BioWizard) consider to be the best advice we could give you, then here it is:
Watch Me:
Creating Epic Boons on DDB
DDB Buyers' Guide
Hardcovers, DDB & You
Content Troubleshooting
An old jr high / high school buddy of mine brought a bunch of us together in the pandemic who long ago moved away from Texas. He found a DM from Canada and presto campaign. His rates are really fantastic, his flexibility and communication also great. He DM's really for the love of the game, and uses zoom, miniatures, and cameras.
First, as I've been watching his approach, I thought I was ready to return to DMing ... brought two of the players for the above campaign into a new campaign, combined with my brother (a long time player like me). One of those two players thought I was boring ... and communicated it very clearly to the group. Translation: this is an art to getting it right. So paying somebody to get you started and later taking over with a new campaign is a great approach.
Second, this forum has some friendly dedicated players / DMs ... you already are asking, but stick around and let others help you.
Finally, our great campaign has already lost two players. One was when a player got married. Our DM said that happens all the time: life! He was flexible, and we picked up another college buddy, on we go. Number two may be out (I hope she'll return, she is a great player), but we have a replacement for her lined up ... and as for the party composition, it just means my character may start leveling up in a totally different area. We're pretty flexible. My point is players will add and drop all the time.
p.s. I will still work through my story telling and DM, but just will double down and constantly check in with my remaining players to see how they want the story arc to generally unfold so their characters can grow.
I felt apprehensive about being the DM for my group too, but the reality was that if I wasn't going to step up, then nobody in my group would be playing D&D. It does seem overwhelming, but there are lots of resources out there for you. And don't beat yourself up if you don't do things "right" or you don't know all the rules; becoming a DM is a process that takes time.
There are several beginner boxes like the Starter Set (which includes the Lost Mine of Phandelver adventure that will get your group to level 5), the Essentials Kit (which includes 4 linked adventures that will take you to level 13), the Stranger Things starter set, and the Rick & Morty starter set. You can of course just buy the digital versions, but I bought my group physical copies of the Essentials Kit for Christmas when they were going for $8 (and it also includes codes for unlocking the adventures on D&D Beyond). Which set you choose would depend on what you think you and your players would like.
If you like making each other laugh and enjoy goofiness, the Rick & Morty set is great. The basic rules have lots of interjections from Rick that pokes fun at things and the adventure itself has a nice little mix of puzzles, combat, and social interaction. If you're looking for more standard D&D fare, Lost Mine of Phandelver is very popular and I've ran it once with my group. It's fine, but you'll have to do some extra work to make things more interesting because the book gives you zero insight for the big bad's motivations for instance. It also lacks puzzles and seems more geared for combat unless you push your party to roleplay (which might be hard with beginners). I can't comment on the quality of the Stranger Things or Essentials Kit though.
As far as seeing other DMs in action, I'd just watch a couple of streams. Different DMs have different styles, but you can pick up a lot from observing.