As a newcomer to the community, I'm intrigued by the idea of playing Dungeons and Dragons (D&D). However, I have no idea about the game mechanics and how it is actually played. While I am familiar with RPG video games like Mass Effect, Fallout, and Skyrim, I'm unsure of how these translate into a tabletop experience. I'd greatly appreciate any insights or advice on the following:
How does D&D work? Where is it set, and how does my character interact with the world? Do you create your own character or choose from presets? And if so, where do these character options come from? Are there elements of video game RPGs in D&D? Do levels, side missions, and main quests exist in the game? If there are levels, how does one level up in a tabletop game, and what impact does it have on gameplay?
The big difference between D&D and a computer game is the impact of the actions you decide is decided by a human being (the dungeon master) not by a computer. This means that a can be as creative as you like is how you solve probems, if you want to try to cut a hole in the wall instead of going though the door you can do just that and the the DM decides what happens rather than it just being impossible because the option was not programmed into the game.
"How does D&D work? Where is it set, and how does my character interact with the world?"
D&D can be set anywhere, there are a few "worlds" many of the published adventures are set in the Sword Coast, and others in places like Ravnica and Eberon but many games the campaign (the adventure played through from beginning to end) is made up by the DM, they may choose to set it in the world of one of the published adventures but they may choose to set it in a world they create.
You character inteacts by the world by responding the the environment (as described by the DM) by saying what they want to and the DM will narrate the results, possible asking for a dice roll to determine that. For example:
Dungeon Master (DM): After passing through the craggy peaks, the road takes a sudden turn to the east and Castle Ravenloft towers before you. Crumbling towers of stone keep a silent watch over the approach. They look like abandoned guardhouses. Beyond these, a wide chasm gapes, disappearing into the deep fog below. A lowered drawbridge spans the chasm, leading to an arched entrance to the castle courtyard. The chains of the drawbridge creak in the wind, their rust-eaten iron straining with the weight. From atop the high strong walls, stone gargoyles stare at you from hollow sockets and grin hideously. A rotting wooden portcullis, green with growth, hangs in the entry tunnel. Beyond this, the main doors of Castle Ravenloft stand open, a rich warm light spilling into the courtyard.
You: I want to look at the gargoyles. I have a feeling they’re not just statues. (there are clearly many other options you have hear)
Dungeon Master (DM): Roll an investigation check
Depending on how well you roll the check will determine whether you can tell the true nature of the gargoyles or not
"Do you create your own character or choose from presets? And if so, where do these character options come from?"
Usually you choose your own character, fro a choice of classes (each of which has a selection of subclasses), race and background, you also choose things like their appearance. You decide your characters backstory (what happened to them before the start of the adventure) with a bit of discussion with the DM about the world and enabling the back story to fit in with the you joining up with rest of the party.
Occasionally especially for a "one shot" with beginners (a short game that is over ina single gaming session) the DM will provide some preset characters to save the time of character creation.
Are there elements of video game RPGs in D&D? Do levels, side missions, and main quests exist in the game?
There are levels characters usually start at level 1 (sometime a little higher) and advance in levels through the game. While the highest possible level is 20 many campaigns end when the characters are around level 10-15. There is usually a main quest but this may be hidden from the players at the start in which case they are doing "quests" not knowing if they are side quests or the main quest, somethimes their are "Story Arcs" which could be a bit like a DLC in a computer RPG. The main quest might not be linear as in a computer RPG, For example in Skyrim to defeat Aldin you have to meet with the Greybeards, speak to Paarthurnax trap Ohdahviing, and travel to Sovngaard. In D&D there may be multiple ways to learn the Dragonrend should or to travel to Sovngaard to learn it, you are limited only by your imagination and the DM will determine whether it is possible or not or what is required for that approach to succeed.
If there are levels, how does one level up in a tabletop game, and what impact does it have on gameplay?
There are levels a game can either have milestone or XP based levelling, XP levelling means you gain XP for all the things to achieveand when to a certain number you level up, milestone means you level up when you achieve a significant achievment such as completing a story arc. Levelling up gives you extra abilities and/or makes your existing abilities more powerful, spell casters learn more and more powerful spells and can cast them more often. This makes the game, especially combat more complex as at early levels there are only a few options you can do where are you go up in levels you have many more.
As a newcomer to the community, I'm intrigued by the idea of playing Dungeons and Dragons (D&D). However, I have no idea about the game mechanics and how it is actually played. While I am familiar with RPG video games like Mass Effect, Fallout, and Skyrim, I'm unsure of how these translate into a tabletop experience. I'd greatly appreciate any insights or advice on the following:
How does D&D work? Where is it set, and how does my character interact with the world? Do you create your own character or choose from presets? And if so, where do these character options come from? Are there elements of video game RPGs in D&D? Do levels, side missions, and main quests exist in the game? If there are levels, how does one level up in a tabletop game, and what impact does it have on gameplay?
Thank Youuu
There are various D&D settings. I play in Spelljammer (magic spaceships), Witchlight (faerie Carnival), and Strixhaven (a magic school), but some people play Forgotten realms (more standard), Ravenloft (horror), etc. Often you have an option of creating your own character or using preset characters (D&D Character Sheets | Dungeons & Dragons (wizards.com)). Yes to levels, side missions, and main quests. Leveling up is either based on experience or milestones (it's been milestone nowadays for games I've been in). Leveling up means you are more powerful, have more HP and have more character options (including possible spells).
That is a link to a show where voice actors play D&D it is entertaining but might be somewhat misleading as to what to expect in a game that is not played to an audience of many thousands.
The aim of critical role is to entertain the audience, the aim of any game the OP plays would be for the players to have fun. Things like splitting the party and only 8nvolving half the players for an hour or two or long descriptive dialogs work on critical role but not on most games.
Matt Mercer is one of the best DMs in the world, he and all the players are professional actors do not expect the same quality of acting in a game with a bunch of friends.
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Hello fellow members,
As a newcomer to the community, I'm intrigued by the idea of playing Dungeons and Dragons (D&D). However, I have no idea about the game mechanics and how it is actually played. While I am familiar with RPG video games like Mass Effect, Fallout, and Skyrim, I'm unsure of how these translate into a tabletop experience. I'd greatly appreciate any insights or advice on the following:
How does D&D work? Where is it set, and how does my character interact with the world?
Do you create your own character or choose from presets? And if so, where do these character options come from?
Are there elements of video game RPGs in D&D? Do levels, side missions, and main quests exist in the game?
If there are levels, how does one level up in a tabletop game, and what impact does it have on gameplay?
Thank Youuu
www.njmcdirect.com
The big difference between D&D and a computer game is the impact of the actions you decide is decided by a human being (the dungeon master) not by a computer. This means that a can be as creative as you like is how you solve probems, if you want to try to cut a hole in the wall instead of going though the door you can do just that and the the DM decides what happens rather than it just being impossible because the option was not programmed into the game.
"How does D&D work? Where is it set, and how does my character interact with the world?"
D&D can be set anywhere, there are a few "worlds" many of the published adventures are set in the Sword Coast, and others in places like Ravnica and Eberon but many games the campaign (the adventure played through from beginning to end) is made up by the DM, they may choose to set it in the world of one of the published adventures but they may choose to set it in a world they create.
You character inteacts by the world by responding the the environment (as described by the DM) by saying what they want to and the DM will narrate the results, possible asking for a dice roll to determine that. For example:
Depending on how well you roll the check will determine whether you can tell the true nature of the gargoyles or not
"Do you create your own character or choose from presets? And if so, where do these character options come from?"
Usually you choose your own character, fro a choice of classes (each of which has a selection of subclasses), race and background, you also choose things like their appearance. You decide your characters backstory (what happened to them before the start of the adventure) with a bit of discussion with the DM about the world and enabling the back story to fit in with the you joining up with rest of the party.
Occasionally especially for a "one shot" with beginners (a short game that is over ina single gaming session) the DM will provide some preset characters to save the time of character creation.
Are there elements of video game RPGs in D&D? Do levels, side missions, and main quests exist in the game?
There are levels characters usually start at level 1 (sometime a little higher) and advance in levels through the game. While the highest possible level is 20 many campaigns end when the characters are around level 10-15. There is usually a main quest but this may be hidden from the players at the start in which case they are doing "quests" not knowing if they are side quests or the main quest, somethimes their are "Story Arcs" which could be a bit like a DLC in a computer RPG. The main quest might not be linear as in a computer RPG, For example in Skyrim to defeat Aldin you have to meet with the Greybeards, speak to Paarthurnax trap Ohdahviing, and travel to Sovngaard. In D&D there may be multiple ways to learn the Dragonrend should or to travel to Sovngaard to learn it, you are limited only by your imagination and the DM will determine whether it is possible or not or what is required for that approach to succeed.
If there are levels, how does one level up in a tabletop game, and what impact does it have on gameplay?
There are levels a game can either have milestone or XP based levelling, XP levelling means you gain XP for all the things to achieveand when to a certain number you level up, milestone means you level up when you achieve a significant achievment such as completing a story arc. Levelling up gives you extra abilities and/or makes your existing abilities more powerful, spell casters learn more and more powerful spells and can cast them more often. This makes the game, especially combat more complex as at early levels there are only a few options you can do where are you go up in levels you have many more.
There are various D&D settings. I play in Spelljammer (magic spaceships), Witchlight (faerie Carnival), and Strixhaven (a magic school), but some people play Forgotten realms (more standard), Ravenloft (horror), etc. Often you have an option of creating your own character or using preset characters (D&D Character Sheets | Dungeons & Dragons (wizards.com)). Yes to levels, side missions, and main quests. Leveling up is either based on experience or milestones (it's been milestone nowadays for games I've been in). Leveling up means you are more powerful, have more HP and have more character options (including possible spells).
Check the new player guide up top in the menu (dndbeyond.com/how-to-play-dnd) for more info.
Food, Scifi/fantasy, anime, DND 5E and OSR geek.
Have a look here:
https://critrole.com/campaign-1/
playing since 1986
That is a link to a show where voice actors play D&D it is entertaining but might be somewhat misleading as to what to expect in a game that is not played to an audience of many thousands.
The aim of critical role is to entertain the audience, the aim of any game the OP plays would be for the players to have fun. Things like splitting the party and only 8nvolving half the players for an hour or two or long descriptive dialogs work on critical role but not on most games.
Matt Mercer is one of the best DMs in the world, he and all the players are professional actors do not expect the same quality of acting in a game with a bunch of friends.