Yes, you can. It's colloquially known as a "DMPC", or "Dungeon Master Player Character". You can run them as either an NPC with the simplified stats you see in the bestiary, or just make a full-on character sheet. Just be careful... it can be hard to essentially play against yourself, since you always know exactly what's happening at all times, and therefore all your NPCs do as well.
I have added DMPCs to groups. Generally clerics pre5E. I would give the sheet to the most experienced spell casting player and let run it. But I had over ruled power. Adventure league does have formula to help you adjust adventures but it takes a little experience to do encounters from the books. You may want to do that.
A DMPC is usually considered a very bad idea in the community, and most tables frown upon it for the reasons that TransmorpherDDS has pointed out. Personally, I have hated all the instances of this, even with good DMs. It's like playing both sides of the fence, and there is no real justification for it. If you want to roleplay as a DM, create fantastic NPCs and make them interact with the PCs, but don't integrate them in the group. If you absolutely have to do it for some unfathomable reason, just make sure to clear it with your players out of the game, make it a small experiment at first and ensure that you can stop at any time if they tell you that they don't like it. Forcing it down their throat as some DMs do makes it far, far worse.
The one exception is when the players really want to get close to the NPC. Then at least consider them joining the party (when the characters go up to the NPC and ask them to join the party). Make them weaker than the characters (my characters once invited a commoner along because they happened to be helpful in fighting of a giant frog) and let the characters make all the decisions.
Generally not a great idea to run a DMPC, but running an integrated NPC (when the players want it) can work. But only when the players want it.
DMPCs can range from being essentially just a fancy NPC the DM is invested in to a full character that the DM plays in the game they are running.
The latter runs into the fundamental problem of conflict of interest. The DM knows what is going on and what will happen next. It is very hard to prevent this knowledge from affecting decisions that the DM tries to independently make for their PC. DMs have also been known to create situations where their PC outshines the rest of the party or similar issues because the DM creates the story and consciously or not has an image of their characters role in the story and then they make it happen - usually at the expense of the other players at the table. It can be very problematic and generally doesn't work.
That said, I've seen it work a couple of times
1) In a game where folks take turns DMing, the DMs PC becomes a party NPC when they are running the game. The character takes a back seat and the other players generally decide what actions the character will take in combat. Outside of combat, the DM may be consulted if the party has moral or other in-character decisions to make and needs the PCs viewpoint but the DMs NPC is not directly affecting the storyline.
2) The party needs a long term NPC to fill a role in the group. The party becomes attached to the NPC (which may be built using player character rules to make it easier to advance the character with the party) and it can become almost like a PC EXCEPT that the DM needs to keep in mind that it is just a favorite NPC.
It is not the DMs PC (even though it may be played similarly to one) and should be treated no differently from any other NPC. Although the only real difference may be in terms of how the DM perceives the character, this can make a large difference. A DM has to be impartial to PCs and NPCs alike - ideally they arbitrate the interactions of PCs and NPCs but if a DM becomes motivated to "save" a particular NPC because it is "theirs" then the game can go sideways as the DM plays favorites.
Anyway, although it sounds like a fun idea, DM PCs are usually best avoided especially as a new DM.
What is the solution you are trying to solve by being a player DM? If it is to fill a gap in a small party then there are now rules for sidekicks, they are in dragon of icespire peak and, I believe, tashas cauldron.
As a new DM playing a character is really not a good idea, you have enough to think about as a DM without then also playing a role in the party, letting the players go off the rails without using your player to make them feel conteolled, wondering when your character should do something like look for traps, or search for treasure and when you should just blindly walk into that corridor or not bother searching that room.
It is much like playing yourself in Chess. It can be done, 1 of 2 ways. The first is to look at every move and make the best move based on the board layout, with the intent to win. No in game knowledge is used, as you have to evaluate every turn as if it is the first. You can't plan ahead, as the next turn you couldn't evaluate the board without using that previous knowledge. The second way is to use in game knowledge, and fail because you cant be unbiased.
Having said all that, I have run solo adventures for myself where I had to separate in game knowledge from DM knowledge. I would create DC rolls to determine IF my character could possibly "know" something, then the DC roll that would normally be expected. An example, a secret door. First I would roll a probability to "notice" something that would make me want to "search" for something. If I fail the first roll, there is no need for the second roll.
You've got enough to do as it is, without trying to play the game and run it at the same time. If you need more characters than you have players, then either rebalance your adventure or at a push have a player play two PCs.
The closest I come to running a DMPC is to sometimes let an NPC tag along with the group if the group asks, and if it doesn't substantially change the game. I always make it abundantly clear to the group that the NPC will follow their lead, and cannot be looked to for any sort of original thinking or strategizing. They may have a certain amount of information that I've assigned to them, but that's the limit of what they bring to the table.
Example, a player wanted to cause a distraction in the town, and asked an NPC ally to join her. NPC said "I'll follow your lead". She started making a pretend drunken ruckus, so he did too.
I also homebrewed a raid on Phandalin during the LMOP campaign, and the players found Sildar already in combat with a bugbear while the townspeople tried to fight off goblins. I played Sildar, but he had a very defined role against an enemy that was not part of the encounter I had arranged for the players. He 'coincidentally' dealt the killing blow to the bugbear just as the players won the encounter.
I agree with the others on not using a dmpc, as lyxen said, make an interesting NPC and have them talk to the characters. One other option, if you really want to get someone in there, could be like a guest star kind of thing, where they are only active for a few sessions. A ranger to guide the party through the swamp, but who says goodbye on the other side; a wizard who is after a rare ingredient, so will go with them into the mountains, but then leaves once they finish their mission. Then you keep it more like an NPC, but can still maybe scratch that itch to play.
In short: yes, you absolutely can. As others have pointed out, this is not without it's pitfalls, but I am going to assume you have your reasons for doing so, and the only advice I'll give in this case is to say it would probably be best to make it clear that this character is very much a follower of the party, and any initiative in the game has to come from your players.
As for adding said character, just copy the invite link for your campaign and follow it yourself; it should then give you the option of choosing which character you want to join in your campaign.
Can a DM also play a character with his fellow players? If so how do i add my character to the Adventure?
Yes, you can. It's colloquially known as a "DMPC", or "Dungeon Master Player Character". You can run them as either an NPC with the simplified stats you see in the bestiary, or just make a full-on character sheet. Just be careful... it can be hard to essentially play against yourself, since you always know exactly what's happening at all times, and therefore all your NPCs do as well.
Watch Crits for Breakfast, an adults-only RP-Heavy Roll20 Livestream at twitch.tv/afterdisbooty
And now you too can play with the amazing art and assets we use in Roll20 for our campaign at Hazel's Emporium
I have added DMPCs to groups. Generally clerics pre5E. I would give the sheet to the most experienced spell casting player and let run it. But I had over ruled power. Adventure league does have formula to help you adjust adventures but it takes a little experience to do encounters from the books. You may want to do that.
No Gaming is Better than Bad Gaming.
The one exception is when the players really want to get close to the NPC. Then at least consider them joining the party (when the characters go up to the NPC and ask them to join the party). Make them weaker than the characters (my characters once invited a commoner along because they happened to be helpful in fighting of a giant frog) and let the characters make all the decisions.
Generally not a great idea to run a DMPC, but running an integrated NPC (when the players want it) can work. But only when the players want it.
Chilling kinda vibe.
DMPCs can range from being essentially just a fancy NPC the DM is invested in to a full character that the DM plays in the game they are running.
The latter runs into the fundamental problem of conflict of interest. The DM knows what is going on and what will happen next. It is very hard to prevent this knowledge from affecting decisions that the DM tries to independently make for their PC. DMs have also been known to create situations where their PC outshines the rest of the party or similar issues because the DM creates the story and consciously or not has an image of their characters role in the story and then they make it happen - usually at the expense of the other players at the table. It can be very problematic and generally doesn't work.
That said, I've seen it work a couple of times
1) In a game where folks take turns DMing, the DMs PC becomes a party NPC when they are running the game. The character takes a back seat and the other players generally decide what actions the character will take in combat. Outside of combat, the DM may be consulted if the party has moral or other in-character decisions to make and needs the PCs viewpoint but the DMs NPC is not directly affecting the storyline.
2) The party needs a long term NPC to fill a role in the group. The party becomes attached to the NPC (which may be built using player character rules to make it easier to advance the character with the party) and it can become almost like a PC EXCEPT that the DM needs to keep in mind that it is just a favorite NPC.
It is not the DMs PC (even though it may be played similarly to one) and should be treated no differently from any other NPC. Although the only real difference may be in terms of how the DM perceives the character, this can make a large difference. A DM has to be impartial to PCs and NPCs alike - ideally they arbitrate the interactions of PCs and NPCs but if a DM becomes motivated to "save" a particular NPC because it is "theirs" then the game can go sideways as the DM plays favorites.
Anyway, although it sounds like a fun idea, DM PCs are usually best avoided especially as a new DM.
What is the solution you are trying to solve by being a player DM? If it is to fill a gap in a small party then there are now rules for sidekicks, they are in dragon of icespire peak and, I believe, tashas cauldron.
As a new DM playing a character is really not a good idea, you have enough to think about as a DM without then also playing a role in the party, letting the players go off the rails without using your player to make them feel conteolled, wondering when your character should do something like look for traps, or search for treasure and when you should just blindly walk into that corridor or not bother searching that room.
It is much like playing yourself in Chess. It can be done, 1 of 2 ways. The first is to look at every move and make the best move based on the board layout, with the intent to win. No in game knowledge is used, as you have to evaluate every turn as if it is the first. You can't plan ahead, as the next turn you couldn't evaluate the board without using that previous knowledge. The second way is to use in game knowledge, and fail because you cant be unbiased.
Having said all that, I have run solo adventures for myself where I had to separate in game knowledge from DM knowledge. I would create DC rolls to determine IF my character could possibly "know" something, then the DC roll that would normally be expected. An example, a secret door. First I would roll a probability to "notice" something that would make me want to "search" for something. If I fail the first roll, there is no need for the second roll.
You've got enough to do as it is, without trying to play the game and run it at the same time. If you need more characters than you have players, then either rebalance your adventure or at a push have a player play two PCs.
The closest I come to running a DMPC is to sometimes let an NPC tag along with the group if the group asks, and if it doesn't substantially change the game. I always make it abundantly clear to the group that the NPC will follow their lead, and cannot be looked to for any sort of original thinking or strategizing. They may have a certain amount of information that I've assigned to them, but that's the limit of what they bring to the table.
Example, a player wanted to cause a distraction in the town, and asked an NPC ally to join her. NPC said "I'll follow your lead". She started making a pretend drunken ruckus, so he did too.
I also homebrewed a raid on Phandalin during the LMOP campaign, and the players found Sildar already in combat with a bugbear while the townspeople tried to fight off goblins. I played Sildar, but he had a very defined role against an enemy that was not part of the encounter I had arranged for the players. He 'coincidentally' dealt the killing blow to the bugbear just as the players won the encounter.
This.
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.
I agree with the others on not using a dmpc, as lyxen said, make an interesting NPC and have them talk to the characters.
One other option, if you really want to get someone in there, could be like a guest star kind of thing, where they are only active for a few sessions. A ranger to guide the party through the swamp, but who says goodbye on the other side; a wizard who is after a rare ingredient, so will go with them into the mountains, but then leaves once they finish their mission. Then you keep it more like an NPC, but can still maybe scratch that itch to play.
In short: yes, you absolutely can. As others have pointed out, this is not without it's pitfalls, but I am going to assume you have your reasons for doing so, and the only advice I'll give in this case is to say it would probably be best to make it clear that this character is very much a follower of the party, and any initiative in the game has to come from your players.
As for adding said character, just copy the invite link for your campaign and follow it yourself; it should then give you the option of choosing which character you want to join in your campaign.
Question: how do you properly create a monster?
nice arm you got there... be a shame if someone were to *BANG*
Like... How to balance one when creating it or just how to make one using dnd beyond?
Watch Crits for Breakfast, an adults-only RP-Heavy Roll20 Livestream at twitch.tv/afterdisbooty
And now you too can play with the amazing art and assets we use in Roll20 for our campaign at Hazel's Emporium
I think this should be it's own thread, rather than derail the original post. And as TransmorpherDDS says, you need to provide some clarification.
i'll just link one of mine you'll see whats wrong
https://www.dndbeyond.com/monsters/1528384-knitter-of-metal
its minion https://www.dndbeyond.com/monsters/1528394-spider-construct
nice arm you got there... be a shame if someone were to *BANG*