I run the occasional one-shot for a group of friends. It's a very loose campaign but each session ties together (i.e. they're doing jobs for the Lord's Alliance whilst a war wages on in the background). The focus is more on having fun and roleplaying than anything too rules-heavy. The most experienced player is my wife, who has been playing D&D since February, the other players have only played once or twice before. Sessions run for about 5-6+ hours as we make a day of it!
We have a friend (same friendship group) who will be a new player to D&D joining us for the next session in about a week's time. He enjoys Critical Role and wants to try D&D but hasn't been able to find a group. I've helped him to roll his character (lawful good-aligned paladin) ahead of time but I'm now thinking of ways I can introduce him to the party without it being too forced.
I'm curious to know how other DMs approach this? What tips do you have? What has worked well and not worked in the past when adding a new player to a campaign?
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Sir, the possibility of successfully navigating an asteroid field is approximately 3,720 to 1!
Things I've used: New Player was among prisoners that PC's had to release
New Player was a rookie adventurer who is essentially interning and assigned to the party
New Player is being mugged in view of the party (only works if they're at least KINDA good aligned lol)
New Player was doing the same quest but for a different goal that happened to align to the party eventually
Most importantly!! If your friend is coming in fresh to DnD after watching Critical Role, make sure to explain that what they see on CR isn't necessarily the exact experience they'll get! I have nothing but love for CR ( I watch it every week!) but I have seen new players who were introduced via CR become disenchanted and disinterested when the session is NOT like what they were expecting.
Distrustful lord of the alliance knows the party has a reputation for good work, but is dubious of their trustworthiness. As a result, they assign a knight that they know they can trust (Lawful good paladin seems suitable) to ensure that they wont be double crossed.
Alternatively, the Paladin could always be a client. I'm assuming they will join at the same level as the other players so they are somewhat experienced in universe. Maybe the Paladins previous team was killed somehow, and they are hiring the players to retrieve the bodies, end the mission they started, or just want some good old fashioned revenge. Gives plenty of RP opportunity to sink their teeth into.
More specific stuff kind of depends on how the party rolls, and the Paladins background and current role in the world (e.g., Mercenary, Soldier, Adventurer, Church affiliated) for how to believably slot them in.
Ways that we have introduced characters mid session:
Found and rescued the new character while the party was clearing a cave full of goblins
New character was infiltrating the same enemy base as the party and joined up for better strength of numbers
New character approached the party with something they needed help with, and then stuck around once it was solved
The party stumbled upon the new character while they were fighting some drow and intervened
One thing to keep in mind when adding a new character is that they just want to get to playing. Don't make it anything too complicated, and have it happen early on.
Hello Everyone,
I run the occasional one-shot for a group of friends. It's a very loose campaign but each session ties together (i.e. they're doing jobs for the Lord's Alliance whilst a war wages on in the background). The focus is more on having fun and roleplaying than anything too rules-heavy. The most experienced player is my wife, who has been playing D&D since February, the other players have only played once or twice before. Sessions run for about 5-6+ hours as we make a day of it!
We have a friend (same friendship group) who will be a new player to D&D joining us for the next session in about a week's time. He enjoys Critical Role and wants to try D&D but hasn't been able to find a group. I've helped him to roll his character (lawful good-aligned paladin) ahead of time but I'm now thinking of ways I can introduce him to the party without it being too forced.
I'm curious to know how other DMs approach this? What tips do you have? What has worked well and not worked in the past when adding a new player to a campaign?
Sir, the possibility of successfully navigating an asteroid field is approximately 3,720 to 1!
Never tell me the DC.
Things I've used:
New Player was among prisoners that PC's had to release
New Player was a rookie adventurer who is essentially interning and assigned to the party
New Player is being mugged in view of the party (only works if they're at least KINDA good aligned lol)
New Player was doing the same quest but for a different goal that happened to align to the party eventually
Most importantly!! If your friend is coming in fresh to DnD after watching Critical Role, make sure to explain that what they see on CR isn't necessarily the exact experience they'll get! I have nothing but love for CR ( I watch it every week!) but I have seen new players who were introduced via CR become disenchanted and disinterested when the session is NOT like what they were expecting.
Distrustful lord of the alliance knows the party has a reputation for good work, but is dubious of their trustworthiness. As a result, they assign a knight that they know they can trust (Lawful good paladin seems suitable) to ensure that they wont be double crossed.
Alternatively, the Paladin could always be a client. I'm assuming they will join at the same level as the other players so they are somewhat experienced in universe. Maybe the Paladins previous team was killed somehow, and they are hiring the players to retrieve the bodies, end the mission they started, or just want some good old fashioned revenge. Gives plenty of RP opportunity to sink their teeth into.
More specific stuff kind of depends on how the party rolls, and the Paladins background and current role in the world (e.g., Mercenary, Soldier, Adventurer, Church affiliated) for how to believably slot them in.
Ways that we have introduced characters mid session:
One thing to keep in mind when adding a new character is that they just want to get to playing. Don't make it anything too complicated, and have it happen early on.
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