Hey guys! I am starting a small campaign, just to acquaint my friends who have never played dnd with how the game works. However, I didn't want to overwhelm them with rules, and was wondering if there's a method of slightly simplified playing just for new players, to get them to try the game? Also, how do I dm in a way that will engage them and kind of guide them in the right direction (once again, they have never played before), without removing the freedom of the game? I guess my main question would be, how do I run a campaign for completely new players in an engaging way? I have never dmed before, I've only been playing for four years. Many thanks to whoever can help me out! :)
Take a look back at the games you played and what your favorite GMs did.
Generally speaking many campaign start off as a game introduction. They party starts wherever, in which case interact with NPCs. They may or may not have to roll skill checks (yes, make them make skill checks) to learn about how they work. Then wherever the party wants to go.
New players don't always know that they have as any options as they do. Sometimes they'll look to you to make choices for them. Let them know that they drive the game, if you did it, it would be railroading.
Talk to them together or as a group to see what kind of interests they have, what they might expect or want out of the game. What type of persona they might want to take on (race/class). Some GMs hand pre-made characters to new players.
Rollback Post to RevisionRollBack
"Sooner or later, your Players are going to smash your railroad into a sandbox."
-Vedexent
"real life is a super high CR."
-OboeLauren
"............anybody got any potatoes? We could drop a potato in each hole an' see which ones get viciously mauled by horrible monsters?"
If you want to extremely simplify the rules you make everyone roll a d20, do not add modifiers, high is success low is failure.
unfortunately or fortunately some rules are set up to benefit the game. Find out what rules you don’t like and the ones you do and find a good balance. Sometimes PCs prefer rules.
I would suggest having a dnd powwow with your players and having them come up with backstories for their characters. Also you should give them some background info on your world. If your world and their character backstories blend well together, you’re gonna have a good time.
For new players and new-ish DM's i recommend the starter set, the mines module is straight forward, and provides pre-generated characters that have all the skills, spells, and abilities needed to be successful, without getting too complicated with the rules.
Run one or two one shots with them to give them the feel of the game mechanics and race/class abilities. Some kind of skill challenges and very easy skirmishes. Do one at a level 1 and one with them at like level 5 with better gear so they have a taste of the impact of leveling up. Help them use some of their spells and abilities during those two one shots so they understand the flexibility of what they can do.There is a good chance they will have class envy after the a few sessions and regret their choices. Have a pre campaign session where they iron out their back stories and figure out why they want to be together as adventurers (I hate railroading players into being a team). If they don't describe their actions you do it for them. How you describe can either encourage them to do it or make them look forward to you doing it.
As a disclaimer, I have never played, and have not been dming for long so you can take this and 5 bucks and go to starbucks and maybe get a coffee.
Hey guys! I am starting a small campaign, just to acquaint my friends who have never played dnd with how the game works. However, I didn't want to overwhelm them with rules, and was wondering if there's a method of slightly simplified playing just for new players, to get them to try the game? Also, how do I dm in a way that will engage them and kind of guide them in the right direction (once again, they have never played before), without removing the freedom of the game? I guess my main question would be, how do I run a campaign for completely new players in an engaging way? I have never dmed before, I've only been playing for four years. Many thanks to whoever can help me out! :)
hello
Take a look back at the games you played and what your favorite GMs did.
Generally speaking many campaign start off as a game introduction. They party starts wherever, in which case interact with NPCs. They may or may not have to roll skill checks (yes, make them make skill checks) to learn about how they work. Then wherever the party wants to go.
New players don't always know that they have as any options as they do. Sometimes they'll look to you to make choices for them. Let them know that they drive the game, if you did it, it would be railroading.
Talk to them together or as a group to see what kind of interests they have, what they might expect or want out of the game. What type of persona they might want to take on (race/class). Some GMs hand pre-made characters to new players.
"Sooner or later, your Players are going to smash your railroad into a sandbox."
-Vedexent
"real life is a super high CR."
-OboeLauren
"............anybody got any potatoes? We could drop a potato in each hole an' see which ones get viciously mauled by horrible monsters?"
-Ilyara Thundertale
If you want to extremely simplify the rules you make everyone roll a d20, do not add modifiers, high is success low is failure.
unfortunately or fortunately some rules are set up to benefit the game. Find out what rules you don’t like and the ones you do and find a good balance. Sometimes PCs prefer rules.
I would suggest having a dnd powwow with your players and having them come up with backstories for their characters. Also you should give them some background info on your world. If your world and their character backstories blend well together, you’re gonna have a good time.
feel free to message me with any questions
For new players and new-ish DM's i recommend the starter set, the mines module is straight forward, and provides pre-generated characters that have all the skills, spells, and abilities needed to be successful, without getting too complicated with the rules.
Palmate
Run one or two one shots with them to give them the feel of the game mechanics and race/class abilities. Some kind of skill challenges and very easy skirmishes. Do one at a level 1 and one with them at like level 5 with better gear so they have a taste of the impact of leveling up. Help them use some of their spells and abilities during those two one shots so they understand the flexibility of what they can do.There is a good chance they will have class envy after the a few sessions and regret their choices. Have a pre campaign session where they iron out their back stories and figure out why they want to be together as adventurers (I hate railroading players into being a team). If they don't describe their actions you do it for them. How you describe can either encourage them to do it or make them look forward to you doing it.
As a disclaimer, I have never played, and have not been dming for long so you can take this and 5 bucks and go to starbucks and maybe get a coffee.
Have you already chosen an Adventure, If you have not, I would recommend Lost Mines Of Phandelver.
Elliott Neve