I have recently been running an in person homebrew campaign with 5 players. It's more flexible for me, and I have someone in my group who is a more experienced DM helping me out where needed. The player I need help with is brand new to the game, which I'm fine with because they are not the only one. ...But this one in particular we're realizing isn't the brightest. They were brought in by one of the other players. They do okay for roleplay, but during combat is a bit brain numbing. We have to tell/show them the same thing multiple times and common sense is not their strongest attribute. We have to remind them to read the prompts like the to hit modifier. I'm doing my best to be patient, but the other players seem to get irritated easily as all it takes is just reading the sheet to find the answer. Like I said, they are new, and I want everyone to have fun. Does anyone have any tips or advice that I can give this player to help them learn the system a little easier? Like I know I'm a hands-on learner. Does anyone learn a different way and how did you learn? I've recommended just messing around on the site with their character and I've even sent a video going over the character sheet to see if that helps them.
Expand your imagination! Read the new book coming out. Watch that new movie. Listen to that person's life story. Draw on your own life. Do not put a limit on your creativity!
Learning style, as you’ve hit on, can be a big part. Have you tried asking them what works for them? Or also just talking to them generally (in private and respectfully) that this is becoming a problem? Could be they don’t realize they’re doing anything annoying but would be willing to try harder if they knew it was a problem. Finally, some people just don’t really get it. I played with a guy in 4e that never even wrote things down on his sheet. Every attack, he had to re-calculate his to-hit bonus. The rest of us just learned to cope.
I had a similar issue with 3 people of my group being 1st time players. I found a compilation of "cheat sheets" so to speak on armorclass.co. They have them for all classes as well as for turn based directions. It tells of everything the player can do during a round.
They also have a handout for you the dm also. I found these very useful and they were less then $10 each. You purchase the digital copy and they send you an email that has all the files on it. Then just open and print how many you want. This may help, I know it helped some of my players.
This way you can have your new player on their turn go down the list and maybe feel more involved. Check it out and happy gaming.
Print out a paper that is just the basics: AC = ## | To Hit = +## | Spell DC = ##
Or maybe a flow chart. Longsword = 1d20 + mod | One handed? No = see Two Handed; Yes = 1d8 + Str mod | Two handed? Yes = 1d10 + Str mod; No = wtf are you doing with it then?
I have recently been running an in person homebrew campaign with 5 players. It's more flexible for me, and I have someone in my group who is a more experienced DM helping me out where needed. The player I need help with is brand new to the game, which I'm fine with because they are not the only one. ...But this one in particular we're realizing isn't the brightest. They were brought in by one of the other players. They do okay for roleplay, but during combat is a bit brain numbing. We have to tell/show them the same thing multiple times and common sense is not their strongest attribute. We have to remind them to read the prompts like the to hit modifier. I'm doing my best to be patient, but the other players seem to get irritated easily as all it takes is just reading the sheet to find the answer. Like I said, they are new, and I want everyone to have fun. Does anyone have any tips or advice that I can give this player to help them learn the system a little easier? Like I know I'm a hands-on learner. Does anyone learn a different way and how did you learn? I've recommended just messing around on the site with their character and I've even sent a video going over the character sheet to see if that helps them.
Can I ask, did you start at level 1? [If not, you should have and should start said player off at level 1, and rapidly level them up as they gain familiarity with mechanics of the character until they equalise level with the rest of the party. Do not underestimate how overwhelming starting at even level 4 can be for a new player.]
Do you alter any of the fundamental rules for the gameplay (or is the homebrew aspect just the world/setting you've created)? [This too can create extra complexities]
Both of these things can make it a little more difficult for new players to learn the game. It's for this reason I often run a back to basics adventure (Dragon of Icespire Peak, and Lost Mine of Phandelver) where I literally spell out everything and include no homebrew alterations or optional rules (that includes multiclassing and feats). Yes it can be tedious, but let's say you've got a character who's a Life Cleric it's not out of the question that you'll need to explain how each spell works. That you'll have to remind the player that they can re-prepare their spell list at the end of a long rest. Sometimes I need to go back to basics to ensure I can better run games for new players. It's something I honestly encourage every DM to do from time to time.
My tactic with new players is to get simple with it:
- You've got your Action, Bonus Action and Movement. - Do you want to move right now? - As your action you can [list available actions], do you want to do one of these? - As a bonus action you can [list available bonus actions], do you want to do one of these? - I then go as far as explaining which buttons to hit on the DDB character sheet to ensure they get it right.
This might well be absolute baby steps, but every character at level one has a minimum of 13 potential options for their action. Let's say a person needs to cover that information three times to retain it...that's 39 times you'll likely need to explain basic combat mechanics. Let's be clear here though, neither the DDB or physical character sheet are intuitive for someone unfamiliar. It can be daunting. So, sometimes being this clear and simple can actually reduce the time it takes for that person's turn. I tend to find being as clear as the points above results in less work than simply saying 'it's your turn what do you do?'
What I say next will sound horrid, but I mean it to be sincere and don't wish to cause offense - if you haven't got the patience (or your players don't have the patience) for scaffolding the absolute basics, then it's possible that you are not the DM for that player. They'd likely be better served by finding another group. Saying 'all it takes is to read the sheet to get the answer' makes me feel like this really is likely to be the case. I understand how easy it can be to forget how complex the character sheet can seem when new to the game. So I would suggest looking at the character sheet for a game like say FATE that maybe you're not familair with and considering the first impressions it makes.
Side note: Just to exorcise it from my brain It's worth saying that learning styles (and preferences) are largely a myth. There's a multitude of evidence to back this up...sadly too few education professionals understand this and continue to spread the myth. Pretty much all learning is based on repetition and refinement. Think about learning to drive. It's a behavioural exercise and pretty much everyone will undergo the same (or mostly the same) process to learn to drive. Much like driving, learning the game and the way it works might well just take longer for one person than another.
Tell them to bring a tablet or laptop, and play off their DNDB character sheet. Roll on-screen. Everything is laid out for you, you basically cannot get it wrong.
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Blanket disclaimer: I only ever state opinion. But I can sound terribly dogmatic - so if you feel I'm trying to tell you what to think, I'm really not, I swear. I'm telling you what I think, that's all.
Tell them to bring a tablet or laptop, and play off their DNDB character sheet. Roll on-screen. Everything is laid out for you, you basically cannot get it wrong.
But then someone has to buy all the stuff, and I'm assuming someone who isn't paying attention to how the game works also isn't about to spend money on it, and it's not fair that the DM should need to buy all the character's content just because the player doesn't put in the effort.
But then someone has to buy all the stuff, and I'm assuming someone who isn't paying attention to how the game works also isn't about to spend money on it, and it's not fair that the DM should need to buy all the character's content just because the player doesn't put in the effort.
You mean to tell me there are people on the planet who have neither a tablet or a laptop on which to play? Outrage.
No, but seriously, I kinda assumed the player in question had, or could borrow, such gear as is necessary.
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Blanket disclaimer: I only ever state opinion. But I can sound terribly dogmatic - so if you feel I'm trying to tell you what to think, I'm really not, I swear. I'm telling you what I think, that's all.
But then someone has to buy all the stuff, and I'm assuming someone who isn't paying attention to how the game works also isn't about to spend money on it, and it's not fair that the DM should need to buy all the character's content just because the player doesn't put in the effort.
You mean to tell me there are people on the planet who have neither a tablet or a laptop on which to play? Outrage.
No, but seriously, I kinda assumed the player in question had, or could borrow, such gear as is necessary.
I think the point here wasn't ownership of a laptop/tablet/phone, but instead pointing to the fact that if they haven't learned the game properly then they most likely also wouldn't have a character made in DND beyond or any other similar app.
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I know what you're thinking: "In that flurry of blows, did he use all his ki points, or save one?" Well, are ya feeling lucky, punk?
I think the point here wasn't ownership of a laptop/tablet/phone, but instead pointing to the fact that if they haven't learned the game properly then they most likely also wouldn't have a character made in DND beyond or any other similar app.
Well I think a sheet on DNDB doesn't cost any money. Of course it's possible that this players very first character requires piles and piles of stuff to recreate - I can't know - but in general, I find that extraordinarily doubtful.
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Blanket disclaimer: I only ever state opinion. But I can sound terribly dogmatic - so if you feel I'm trying to tell you what to think, I'm really not, I swear. I'm telling you what I think, that's all.
So, as others have said, have a respectful talk with them. Maybe make a SIMPLE cheat sheet with their go-to attack and modifier.
If all attempts to fix the situation fail, just let them roll the d20 and use the result without the modifier. Don't make a big deal of it; just move on. The only issue I would be concerned with is how long their turn takes. I couldn't care less if they apply their modifier (yeah, it kind of sucks for the players, but isn't the end of the world).
Also, some folks who have trouble with numbers just ignore them. My daughter was like that with dyslexia. For a LONG time, she would simply ignore written words that she wasn't specifically told to read. I think it's kind of like that with folks who have dyscalculia. Not all, of course, but some. And of course, that's an opinion, so take it with a grain of salt. I'm certainly not an expert.
I think the point here wasn't ownership of a laptop/tablet/phone, but instead pointing to the fact that if they haven't learned the game properly then they most likely also wouldn't have a character made in DND beyond or any other similar app.
Well I think a sheet on DNDB doesn't cost any money. Of course it's possible that this players very first character requires piles and piles of stuff to recreate - I can't know - but in general, I find that extraordinarily doubtful.
A dnd beyond character sheet is only free as long as you're using only SRD content, which means only PHB races and only 1 subclass per class.
Using any other PHB content or any other books and you have to buy it to use it on here. That's even more expensive now that you can't buy individual classes/races. If you wanna play a Aasimar Drunken Master, you have to buy Volo's Guide AND Xanathar's in their entirety.
A dnd beyond character sheet is only free as long as you're using only SRD content, which means only PHB races and only 1 subclass per class.
Using any other PHB content or any other books and you have to buy it to use it on here. That's even more expensive now that you can't buy individual classes/races. If you wanna play a Aasimar Drunken Master, you have to buy Volo's Guide AND Xanathar's in their entirety.
Well on the assumption that the GM - who appears to be a user of this forum - doesn't own anything ......................................................................... yes, you're right.
In any other case - even the case that someone, either player or GM, is ok with investing marginally in making my idea work, can you admit that I'm right?
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Blanket disclaimer: I only ever state opinion. But I can sound terribly dogmatic - so if you feel I'm trying to tell you what to think, I'm really not, I swear. I'm telling you what I think, that's all.
A dnd beyond character sheet is only free as long as you're using only SRD content, which means only PHB races and only 1 subclass per class.
Using any other PHB content or any other books and you have to buy it to use it on here. That's even more expensive now that you can't buy individual classes/races. If you wanna play a Aasimar Drunken Master, you have to buy Volo's Guide AND Xanathar's in their entirety.
Well on the assumption that the GM - who appears to be a user of this forum - doesn't own anything ......................................................................... yes, you're right.
In any other case - even the case that someone, either player or GM, is ok with investing marginally in making my idea work, can you admit that I'm right?
I'm a DM who uses this forum but doesn't own anything. I prefer hard copies as a lot of people do. It's not a ridiculous assumption to make that just because they're on here they might not own all the content.
Even if they own some, hopefully it's the same content the player is using, otherwise again, they have to buy an entire other book.
Hang on folks, let's remember here that Basic rules are free, and though limiting in options still give enough of a variety for new players to help learn the system.
I said previously, starting simple and taking baby steps can be helpful. The idea that you need to own everything here is nonsense. There's nothing wrong with limiting a new player to basic rules content only.
I think debating the socio-economics of access to DDB tools is digressing from the ask. The OP even mentions having brought up recommending "just messing around on the site" with the character as a way for the player to become more adept at making decisions and calculations and actions in the game.
I think the big thing to process, or the info we'd need to really make a recommendation is: Is the player in question enjoying the game? If they're just taking their time on their turn, but seem to be truly enjoying the game, that's a very different case from the player also being frustrated or stressed by the time it takes for them to deliberate, perhaps exasperated by the other players' impatience.
In the first case, it may just be a matter of getting the reps in to play closer to everyone else's pace. Slow is smooth, smooth is fast as they say when teaching people to shoot. Maybe there's something about the clutter of a character sheet, in which case there are accessibility-minded character sheet formats out there designed to help folks who find the standard D&D sheet, which DDB largely reflects, a bit overwhelming. There also may just be some circumstance that means the player simply deliberates more slowly and the rest of the group needs to develop more patience.
In the latter case, does the player really want to be there or are they attending because the player's friend thought it would be a good thing for them? If that's the case, everyone doesn't have to like D&D. Now if circumstances require the friends to be together (no idea what age anyone is here or maybe there's obligations regarding rides and such), we're back at the table developing patience and tolerance; but if the player is going through the motions and not putting in the work to learn the game because they don't really want to be there, there isn't much help to do.
So basically, it requires a determination as to whether the player wants to be playing. From there there's a number of ways I just cracked the surface on how a table may help, patience being the key element.
Just thinking out loud, when you do combat, do you do the "Player 1 is up, player 2, you're on deck" thing? If you do that and maybe assign, with player 2 consent, player 3 as player 2's sort of dug out coach, so the that when it's player 2's turn with the dice, player 3 has gone over some strategies and the like. Might be worth trying.
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Jander Sunstar is the thinking person's Drizzt, fight me.
I'm a DM who uses this forum but doesn't own anything. I prefer hard copies as a lot of people do. It's not a ridiculous assumption to make that just because they're on here they might not own all the content.
Even if they own some, hopefully it's the same content the player is using, otherwise again, they have to buy an entire other book.
Alright. Let's hew this down to something that you cannot really disagree with:
If the player owns whatever he's playing - or is willing to buy it - or the GM owns it and can share - can we then agree that my input will solve the issue?
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Blanket disclaimer: I only ever state opinion. But I can sound terribly dogmatic - so if you feel I'm trying to tell you what to think, I'm really not, I swear. I'm telling you what I think, that's all.
I'm a DM who uses this forum but doesn't own anything. I prefer hard copies as a lot of people do. It's not a ridiculous assumption to make that just because they're on here they might not own all the content.
Even if they own some, hopefully it's the same content the player is using, otherwise again, they have to buy an entire other book.
Alright. Let's hew this down to something that you cannot really disagree with:
If the player owns whatever he's playing - or is willing to buy it - or the GM owns it and can share - can we then agree that my input will solve the issue?
Hang on folks, let's remember here that Basic rules are free, and though limiting in options still give enough of a variety for new players to help learn the system.
I said previously, starting simple and taking baby steps can be helpful. The idea that you need to own everything here is nonsense. There's nothing wrong with limiting a new player to basic rules content only.
It sounds like the player has already made a character though. If they don't really know what's going on, how are they going to feel being told by the DM that they suddenly have to change characters? They might see it as being antagonistic, or the start of a Player vs DM dynamic.
I think the solution is more to try and gage how interested this player really is in the game, and tailor your solution to how much they're willing to work with you.
If they really want to do the work, you could ask them to make a note on a piece of paper whenever they encounter an issue/question, and you can try to go over then at a later time or via text. You could get them interested in a live play show they can listen to while doing the dishes or folding laundry so as to slowly, gradually internalize the system by listening to others interact with the rules. You could show them the rules index in the back of the book and how to use it.
If they're more casually into it and not looking for a lot of homework, then they'd agree to another more experienced player helping them during combat to handle the nitty gritty and take some pressure off the DM.
I'm not saying getting them to use this site would be useless, or even a bad thing, but you have to admit it does involve a lot of pay walls that I don't think most casual players are interested in breaching. Even if they are, or they do also own the stuff, or they're OK using the basic rules, I don't think shifting their character sheet to DDB should be the SOLE solution. Ultimately, knowing the rules and how they work for your character will benefit you greatly. They should try and get there any way that works for them in the long run.
Hang on folks, let's remember here that Basic rules are free, and though limiting in options still give enough of a variety for new players to help learn the system.
I said previously, starting simple and taking baby steps can be helpful. The idea that you need to own everything here is nonsense. There's nothing wrong with limiting a new player to basic rules content only.
It sounds like the player has already made a character though. If they don't really know what's going on, how are they going to feel being told by the DM that they suddenly have to change characters? They might see it as being antagonistic, or the start of a Player vs DM dynamic.
I think the solution is more to try and gage how interested this player really is in the game, and tailor your solution to how much they're willing to work with you.
I in no way disagree with this sentiment, in fact I'd offer two options - shift the sheet to an app (there are dozens out there) to help with the maths. - shift to a statblock type physical sheet where the options are all there and written as simply as 'choose one of these actions', 'choose one of these bonus actions'
I have recently been running an in person homebrew campaign with 5 players. It's more flexible for me, and I have someone in my group who is a more experienced DM helping me out where needed. The player I need help with is brand new to the game, which I'm fine with because they are not the only one. ...But this one in particular we're realizing isn't the brightest. They were brought in by one of the other players. They do okay for roleplay, but during combat is a bit brain numbing. We have to tell/show them the same thing multiple times and common sense is not their strongest attribute. We have to remind them to read the prompts like the to hit modifier. I'm doing my best to be patient, but the other players seem to get irritated easily as all it takes is just reading the sheet to find the answer. Like I said, they are new, and I want everyone to have fun. Does anyone have any tips or advice that I can give this player to help them learn the system a little easier? Like I know I'm a hands-on learner. Does anyone learn a different way and how did you learn? I've recommended just messing around on the site with their character and I've even sent a video going over the character sheet to see if that helps them.
Expand your imagination! Read the new book coming out. Watch that new movie. Listen to that person's life story. Draw on your own life. Do not put a limit on your creativity!
Learning style, as you’ve hit on, can be a big part. Have you tried asking them what works for them? Or also just talking to them generally (in private and respectfully) that this is becoming a problem? Could be they don’t realize they’re doing anything annoying but would be willing to try harder if they knew it was a problem.
Finally, some people just don’t really get it. I played with a guy in 4e that never even wrote things down on his sheet. Every attack, he had to re-calculate his to-hit bonus. The rest of us just learned to cope.
I had a similar issue with 3 people of my group being 1st time players. I found a compilation of "cheat sheets" so to speak on armorclass.co. They have them for all classes as well as for turn based directions. It tells of everything the player can do during a round.
They also have a handout for you the dm also. I found these very useful and they were less then $10 each. You purchase the digital copy and they send you an email that has all the files on it. Then just open and print how many you want. This may help, I know it helped some of my players.
This way you can have your new player on their turn go down the list and maybe feel more involved. Check it out and happy gaming.
Print out a paper that is just the basics: AC = ## | To Hit = +## | Spell DC = ##
Or maybe a flow chart. Longsword = 1d20 + mod | One handed? No = see Two Handed; Yes = 1d8 + Str mod | Two handed? Yes = 1d10 + Str mod; No = wtf are you doing with it then?
Can I ask, did you start at level 1? [If not, you should have and should start said player off at level 1, and rapidly level them up as they gain familiarity with mechanics of the character until they equalise level with the rest of the party. Do not underestimate how overwhelming starting at even level 4 can be for a new player.]
Do you alter any of the fundamental rules for the gameplay (or is the homebrew aspect just the world/setting you've created)? [This too can create extra complexities]
Both of these things can make it a little more difficult for new players to learn the game. It's for this reason I often run a back to basics adventure (Dragon of Icespire Peak, and Lost Mine of Phandelver) where I literally spell out everything and include no homebrew alterations or optional rules (that includes multiclassing and feats). Yes it can be tedious, but let's say you've got a character who's a Life Cleric it's not out of the question that you'll need to explain how each spell works. That you'll have to remind the player that they can re-prepare their spell list at the end of a long rest. Sometimes I need to go back to basics to ensure I can better run games for new players. It's something I honestly encourage every DM to do from time to time.
My tactic with new players is to get simple with it:
- You've got your Action, Bonus Action and Movement.
- Do you want to move right now?
- As your action you can [list available actions], do you want to do one of these?
- As a bonus action you can [list available bonus actions], do you want to do one of these?
- I then go as far as explaining which buttons to hit on the DDB character sheet to ensure they get it right.
This might well be absolute baby steps, but every character at level one has a minimum of 13 potential options for their action. Let's say a person needs to cover that information three times to retain it...that's 39 times you'll likely need to explain basic combat mechanics. Let's be clear here though, neither the DDB or physical character sheet are intuitive for someone unfamiliar. It can be daunting. So, sometimes being this clear and simple can actually reduce the time it takes for that person's turn. I tend to find being as clear as the points above results in less work than simply saying 'it's your turn what do you do?'
What I say next will sound horrid, but I mean it to be sincere and don't wish to cause offense - if you haven't got the patience (or your players don't have the patience) for scaffolding the absolute basics, then it's possible that you are not the DM for that player. They'd likely be better served by finding another group. Saying 'all it takes is to read the sheet to get the answer' makes me feel like this really is likely to be the case. I understand how easy it can be to forget how complex the character sheet can seem when new to the game. So I would suggest looking at the character sheet for a game like say FATE that maybe you're not familair with and considering the first impressions it makes.
Side note: Just to exorcise it from my brain It's worth saying that learning styles (and preferences) are largely a myth. There's a multitude of evidence to back this up...sadly too few education professionals understand this and continue to spread the myth. Pretty much all learning is based on repetition and refinement. Think about learning to drive. It's a behavioural exercise and pretty much everyone will undergo the same (or mostly the same) process to learn to drive. Much like driving, learning the game and the way it works might well just take longer for one person than another.
DM session planning template - My version of maps for 'Lost Mine of Phandelver' - Send your party to The Circus - Other DM Resources - Maps, Tokens, Quests - 'Better' Player Character Injury Tables?
Actor, Writer, Director & Teacher by day - GM/DM in my off hours.
Tell them to bring a tablet or laptop, and play off their DNDB character sheet. Roll on-screen. Everything is laid out for you, you basically cannot get it wrong.
Blanket disclaimer: I only ever state opinion. But I can sound terribly dogmatic - so if you feel I'm trying to tell you what to think, I'm really not, I swear. I'm telling you what I think, that's all.
But then someone has to buy all the stuff, and I'm assuming someone who isn't paying attention to how the game works also isn't about to spend money on it, and it's not fair that the DM should need to buy all the character's content just because the player doesn't put in the effort.
You mean to tell me there are people on the planet who have neither a tablet or a laptop on which to play? Outrage.
No, but seriously, I kinda assumed the player in question had, or could borrow, such gear as is necessary.
Blanket disclaimer: I only ever state opinion. But I can sound terribly dogmatic - so if you feel I'm trying to tell you what to think, I'm really not, I swear. I'm telling you what I think, that's all.
I think the point here wasn't ownership of a laptop/tablet/phone, but instead pointing to the fact that if they haven't learned the game properly then they most likely also wouldn't have a character made in DND beyond or any other similar app.
I know what you're thinking: "In that flurry of blows, did he use all his ki points, or save one?" Well, are ya feeling lucky, punk?
Well I think a sheet on DNDB doesn't cost any money. Of course it's possible that this players very first character requires piles and piles of stuff to recreate - I can't know - but in general, I find that extraordinarily doubtful.
Blanket disclaimer: I only ever state opinion. But I can sound terribly dogmatic - so if you feel I'm trying to tell you what to think, I'm really not, I swear. I'm telling you what I think, that's all.
So, as others have said, have a respectful talk with them. Maybe make a SIMPLE cheat sheet with their go-to attack and modifier.
If all attempts to fix the situation fail, just let them roll the d20 and use the result without the modifier. Don't make a big deal of it; just move on. The only issue I would be concerned with is how long their turn takes. I couldn't care less if they apply their modifier (yeah, it kind of sucks for the players, but isn't the end of the world).
Also, some folks who have trouble with numbers just ignore them. My daughter was like that with dyslexia. For a LONG time, she would simply ignore written words that she wasn't specifically told to read. I think it's kind of like that with folks who have dyscalculia. Not all, of course, but some. And of course, that's an opinion, so take it with a grain of salt. I'm certainly not an expert.
A dnd beyond character sheet is only free as long as you're using only SRD content, which means only PHB races and only 1 subclass per class.
Using any other PHB content or any other books and you have to buy it to use it on here. That's even more expensive now that you can't buy individual classes/races. If you wanna play a Aasimar Drunken Master, you have to buy Volo's Guide AND Xanathar's in their entirety.
Well on the assumption that the GM - who appears to be a user of this forum - doesn't own anything ......................................................................... yes, you're right.
In any other case - even the case that someone, either player or GM, is ok with investing marginally in making my idea work, can you admit that I'm right?
Blanket disclaimer: I only ever state opinion. But I can sound terribly dogmatic - so if you feel I'm trying to tell you what to think, I'm really not, I swear. I'm telling you what I think, that's all.
I'm a DM who uses this forum but doesn't own anything. I prefer hard copies as a lot of people do. It's not a ridiculous assumption to make that just because they're on here they might not own all the content.
Even if they own some, hopefully it's the same content the player is using, otherwise again, they have to buy an entire other book.
Hang on folks, let's remember here that Basic rules are free, and though limiting in options still give enough of a variety for new players to help learn the system.
I said previously, starting simple and taking baby steps can be helpful. The idea that you need to own everything here is nonsense. There's nothing wrong with limiting a new player to basic rules content only.
DM session planning template - My version of maps for 'Lost Mine of Phandelver' - Send your party to The Circus - Other DM Resources - Maps, Tokens, Quests - 'Better' Player Character Injury Tables?
Actor, Writer, Director & Teacher by day - GM/DM in my off hours.
I think debating the socio-economics of access to DDB tools is digressing from the ask. The OP even mentions having brought up recommending "just messing around on the site" with the character as a way for the player to become more adept at making decisions and calculations and actions in the game.
I think the big thing to process, or the info we'd need to really make a recommendation is: Is the player in question enjoying the game? If they're just taking their time on their turn, but seem to be truly enjoying the game, that's a very different case from the player also being frustrated or stressed by the time it takes for them to deliberate, perhaps exasperated by the other players' impatience.
In the first case, it may just be a matter of getting the reps in to play closer to everyone else's pace. Slow is smooth, smooth is fast as they say when teaching people to shoot. Maybe there's something about the clutter of a character sheet, in which case there are accessibility-minded character sheet formats out there designed to help folks who find the standard D&D sheet, which DDB largely reflects, a bit overwhelming. There also may just be some circumstance that means the player simply deliberates more slowly and the rest of the group needs to develop more patience.
In the latter case, does the player really want to be there or are they attending because the player's friend thought it would be a good thing for them? If that's the case, everyone doesn't have to like D&D. Now if circumstances require the friends to be together (no idea what age anyone is here or maybe there's obligations regarding rides and such), we're back at the table developing patience and tolerance; but if the player is going through the motions and not putting in the work to learn the game because they don't really want to be there, there isn't much help to do.
So basically, it requires a determination as to whether the player wants to be playing. From there there's a number of ways I just cracked the surface on how a table may help, patience being the key element.
Just thinking out loud, when you do combat, do you do the "Player 1 is up, player 2, you're on deck" thing? If you do that and maybe assign, with player 2 consent, player 3 as player 2's sort of dug out coach, so the that when it's player 2's turn with the dice, player 3 has gone over some strategies and the like. Might be worth trying.
Jander Sunstar is the thinking person's Drizzt, fight me.
Alright. Let's hew this down to something that you cannot really disagree with:
If the player owns whatever he's playing - or is willing to buy it - or the GM owns it and can share - can we then agree that my input will solve the issue?
Blanket disclaimer: I only ever state opinion. But I can sound terribly dogmatic - so if you feel I'm trying to tell you what to think, I'm really not, I swear. I'm telling you what I think, that's all.
Yes, but that's a lot of ifs.
It sounds like the player has already made a character though. If they don't really know what's going on, how are they going to feel being told by the DM that they suddenly have to change characters? They might see it as being antagonistic, or the start of a Player vs DM dynamic.
I think the solution is more to try and gage how interested this player really is in the game, and tailor your solution to how much they're willing to work with you.
If they really want to do the work, you could ask them to make a note on a piece of paper whenever they encounter an issue/question, and you can try to go over then at a later time or via text. You could get them interested in a live play show they can listen to while doing the dishes or folding laundry so as to slowly, gradually internalize the system by listening to others interact with the rules. You could show them the rules index in the back of the book and how to use it.
If they're more casually into it and not looking for a lot of homework, then they'd agree to another more experienced player helping them during combat to handle the nitty gritty and take some pressure off the DM.
I'm not saying getting them to use this site would be useless, or even a bad thing, but you have to admit it does involve a lot of pay walls that I don't think most casual players are interested in breaching. Even if they are, or they do also own the stuff, or they're OK using the basic rules, I don't think shifting their character sheet to DDB should be the SOLE solution. Ultimately, knowing the rules and how they work for your character will benefit you greatly. They should try and get there any way that works for them in the long run.
I in no way disagree with this sentiment, in fact I'd offer two options
- shift the sheet to an app (there are dozens out there) to help with the maths.
- shift to a statblock type physical sheet where the options are all there and written as simply as 'choose one of these actions', 'choose one of these bonus actions'
That's just me though.
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