Edit: Removed the Proficiency Bonus sidebar (wasn't necessary), fixed a few errors (hit points and hit dice got switched), and added a printer friendly version.
As an Adventurers League DM, I find myself teaching D&D a lot -- often to people who have no concept of what D&D is, or even what an RPG is for that matter.
Things came to a head last month when I taught D&D to three of my young nephews who very much love CRPGs, board games, and genre novels, movies, and television. Nevertheless, as soon as I handed them a 5th Edition pregen, their eyes glazed over -- the same look I've gotten time and time again over the years at conventions and in stores. And even though it's followed by an explanation of the rules, I'm only human; my explanations can range from succinct to confusing depending on where I am mentally when this all takes place.
THERE HAS TO BE A BETTER WAY!
Solution: I put my ten years of professional graphic design experience to use and made a character sheet for beginners. What went into this project is a lot of back and forth between new and old players alike; grognard or otherwise. It's come a long way from the first version, but this is it. It's done and ready to be used.
In the two PDFs are the five pregens from the Starter Set, full color and black & white, 11x17 (tabloid), and double-sided. This sheet is meant to replace the pregens while providing an eye-catching, logical layout, as well as giving context to the rules by placing in-line explanations. It is meant for absolute newcomers, but can be useful for people who have a hard time remembering certain rules. It is not meant to be used past Level 1, nor is it meant to replace the DM, who should be on hand to provide answers to questions that the sheets will naturally bring up. It is also not meant for custom characters, though I have included blank versions in both color and black & white, as during its creation that was an often asked for addition. This also means I have no plans to provide form-fillable versions.
I hope this is of some use to the people out there who want a quicker, easier way of teaching D&D 5th Edition!
Lastly, as we are in the digital age, I will never consider it "done." So if anyone has any critiques or suggestions, please feel free to post them!
Is there a more fillable version? (One that allows you to create your own custom character).
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Devious serpent folk devoid of compassion, yuan-ti manipulate other creatures by arousing their doubts, evoking their fears, and elevating and crushing their hopes. From remote temples in jungles, swamps, and deserts, the yuan-ti plot to supplant and dominate all other races and to make themselves gods.
Is there a more fillable version? (One that allows you to create your own custom character).
When I made this, I figured that if someone knew how to make a character, they wouldn't need a sheet for beginners. I could make a form fillable one, though.
I know that. I've found it much easier to start people off with squares than feet. :)
The problem is I have with squares is they try to measure everything by squares then, and you have to convert it all - better to have a key saying 1 square = 5 feet and get them to learn.
I know that. I've found it much easier to start people off with squares than feet. :)
The problem is I have with squares is they try to measure everything by squares then, and you have to convert it all - better to have a key saying 1 square = 5 feet and get them to learn.
Especially since in the 5th edition rules movement is done foot-by-foot, not in 5-foot chunks.
I've received a ton of feedback on Facebook and uploaded a new version.
Changes: New color palette. (Still not final; need to see how the white text looks when printed.) Added Hit Dice. Added my company logo. Fixed wording on casting and initiative.
Fixed the wording in some areas, cleaned up some grammar, and improved readability in the Abilities section. Also changed speed back to feet instead of squares! Now it's time to toss this in front of the target audience and see what they think.
Added small changes over both sides with input from some intrepid non-gamers who helped me soften/clean up/simplify the language. Also added a blank color and blank B&W version.
This is a great idea! I have run into the same issues in our local group, and had decided to design something very similar to this. Thanks for saving me a lot of work!
This is it -- the final product! It's exactly everything I wanted it to be and was created with the help of several helpful Facebook groups and a few young playtesters. Included in the PDF is every pregen from the Starter Set, as well as a blank in color and in black and white. I hope this is of some use to the people out there who want a quicker, easier way of teaching 5th Edition!
Moved text around, added some explanations, softened some text language, fixed layout and styling errors, and added an entire set of black and white versions of all the pregens. Barring any spelling or grammatical errors, this is the last version. Enjoy!
Increased font sizes across the board, moved intro text to the bottom front side and added advantage, disadvantage, and polyhedral dice explanations to the back. Also removed the icons.
Removed the Proficiency Bonus sidebar (wasn't necessary), fixed a few errors (hit points and hit dice got switched), and added a printer friendly version.
You have it listed under THE SIX ABILITIES that each ability has a score ranging from 3 to 20, however this isn't true. It is possible to get as low as 1, and it is also possible to get over 20. Barbarians Primal Champion skill has this by making the max possible constitution and strength 24.
I think you should just change that section to say that each ability has a score that NORMALLY ranges between 3 and 20.
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As an Adventurers League DM, I find myself teaching D&D a lot -- often to people who have no concept of what D&D is, or even what an RPG is for that matter.
Things came to a head last month when I taught D&D to three of my young nephews who very much love CRPGs, board games, and genre novels, movies, and television. Nevertheless, as soon as I handed them a 5th Edition pregen, their eyes glazed over -- the same look I've gotten time and time again over the years at conventions and in stores. And even though it's followed by an explanation of the rules, I'm only human; my explanations can range from succinct to confusing depending on where I am mentally when this all takes place.
THERE HAS TO BE A BETTER WAY!
Solution: I put my ten years of professional graphic design experience to use and made a character sheet for beginners. What went into this project is a lot of back and forth between new and old players alike; grognard or otherwise. It's come a long way from the first version, but this is it. It's done and ready to be used.
In the two PDFs are the five pregens from the Starter Set, full color and black & white, 11x17 (tabloid), and double-sided. This sheet is meant to replace the pregens while providing an eye-catching, logical layout, as well as giving context to the rules by placing in-line explanations. It is meant for absolute newcomers, but can be useful for people who have a hard time remembering certain rules. It is not meant to be used past Level 1, nor is it meant to replace the DM, who should be on hand to provide answers to questions that the sheets will naturally bring up. It is also not meant for custom characters, though I have included blank versions in both color and black & white, as during its creation that was an often asked for addition. This also means I have no plans to provide form-fillable versions.
I hope this is of some use to the people out there who want a quicker, easier way of teaching D&D 5th Edition!
Lastly, as we are in the digital age, I will never consider it "done." So if anyone has any critiques or suggestions, please feel free to post them!
B&W: https://drive.google.com/open?id=0BxTaDcSMIkaaVk90VUY1NGFZREE
5e measures speed in feet, not squares.
"Any society that would give up a little liberty to gain a little security will deserve neither and lose both" -- allegedly Benjamin Franklin
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Is there a more fillable version? (One that allows you to create your own custom character).
Devious serpent folk devoid of compassion, yuan-ti manipulate other creatures by arousing their doubts, evoking their fears, and elevating and crushing their hopes. From remote temples in jungles, swamps, and deserts, the yuan-ti plot to supplant and dominate all other races and to make themselves gods.
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Wary the wizard who focuses on homebrew, for he can create nightmares that you wouldn't even dream of
Let's pretend I put 25 feet and move on.
:)
Its colorful, I like it! +1
I've received a ton of feedback on Facebook and uploaded a new version.
Changes: New color palette. (Still not final; need to see how the white text looks when printed.) Added Hit Dice. Added my company logo. Fixed wording on casting and initiative.
Version 1.4: https://drive.google.com/open?id=0BxTaDcSMIkaaZ0lRRVdULWNZNEE
Fixed the wording in some areas, cleaned up some grammar, and improved readability in the Abilities section. Also changed speed back to feet instead of squares! Now it's time to toss this in front of the target audience and see what they think.
Version 1.5: https://drive.google.com/open?id=0BxTaDcSMIkaaWE1LTmNxSk01bzQ
This is a great idea! I have run into the same issues in our local group, and had decided to design something very similar to this. Thanks for saving me a lot of work!
Thanks! I've almost finished all five pregens. I'll be posting them tomorrow.
This is it -- the final product! It's exactly everything I wanted it to be and was created with the help of several helpful Facebook groups and a few young playtesters. Included in the PDF is every pregen from the Starter Set, as well as a blank in color and in black and white. I hope this is of some use to the people out there who want a quicker, easier way of teaching 5th Edition!
Version 1.7: https://drive.google.com/open?id=0BxTaDcSMIkaaOThQMGRNcG82aDg
Moved text around, added some explanations, softened some text language, fixed layout and styling errors, and added an entire set of black and white versions of all the pregens. Barring any spelling or grammatical errors, this is the last version. Enjoy!
Version 1.8
Color: https://drive.google.com/open?id=0BxTaDcSMIkaaOThQMGRNcG82aDg
B&W: https://drive.google.com/open?id=0BxTaDcSMIkaaVk90VUY1NGFZREE
B&W: https://drive.google.com/open?id=0BxTaDcSMIkaaVk90VUY1NGFZREE
Removed the Proficiency Bonus sidebar (wasn't necessary), fixed a few errors (hit points and hit dice got switched), and added a printer friendly version.
Version 1.9.1
Color: https://drive.google.com/open?id=0BxTaDcSMIkaaOThQMGRNcG82aDg
Printer Friendly: https://drive.google.com/open?id=0BxTaDcSMIkaaWUZROFl5dDdxVUU
B&W: https://drive.google.com/open?id=0BxTaDcSMIkaaVk90VUY1NGFZREE
This is awesome!! Thank you for sharing :)
You have it listed under THE SIX ABILITIES that each ability has a score ranging from 3 to 20, however this isn't true. It is possible to get as low as 1, and it is also possible to get over 20. Barbarians Primal Champion skill has this by making the max possible constitution and strength 24.
I think you should just change that section to say that each ability has a score that NORMALLY ranges between 3 and 20.