Hi everyone! I hope I am posting in the right Forum. I am a brand new player to DND, I just finished building my character using this website but I am unsure if I even did it right. Are there any tips or tricks? I tried to look up as much information as I could and landed on playing an Eladrin with a Paladin class. I'm mostly worried about the skills I chose to go along with my character. I am also a bit nervous about just jumping into a campaign when I am so new. Should I buy the beginner's guide before attempting to play? Any advice would be welcomed !
1. Remember that this is a game and you're meant to have fun. Don't let ANYTHING about this stress you out.
2. Most everyone learns by doing. Until you get in the game and make a few mistakes like the rest of us, you'll never get the full understanding you're looking for.
3. Know that you'll never know it all. We are all still learning almost every time we play.
4. Ask questions. The DnD community is a welcoming one and most everybody will be happy to help you figure it out.
5. Youtube. It's great. Use it to see the game in action. You'll learn a ton.
Everyone who plays D&D was a beginner once and in 5e most players were beginners fewer than 7 years ago. Everyone worth playing with will want to help you have a good time playing too. Remember the first rule of D&D is not to let the rules get in the way of having fun. If using Youtube only look at the live plays / streamed games, don't watch any of the "build" or "X is too/not enough powerful" videos, but also don't expect your game to be the same as those live plays. Most tables I've played at don't do different voices, and they don't do tear-wrenching character drama. Just go have a good time and the real secret/tip is if you are playing in person bring snacks to share, you'll instantly be a favourite at the table.
There is one DND group I follow on my TikTok, and they are so funny I love watching them play together! I'll also check out the live games to better understand how they run! Thanks for the advice :)
1. Remember that this is a game and you're meant to have fun. Don't let ANYTHING about this stress you out.
2. Most everyone learns by doing. Until you get in the game and make a few mistakes like the rest of us, you'll never get the full understanding you're looking for.
3. Know that you'll never know it all. We are all still learning almost every time we play.
4. Ask questions. The DnD community is a welcoming one and most everybody will be happy to help you figure it out.
5. Youtube. It's great. Use it to see the game in action. You'll learn a ton.
If you have a local game shop that runs games you most likely would be welcomed with open arms to watch. Ask questions during breaks etc... Most game shops are filled with helpful gaming geeks like us.
Have fun, don't sweat it if you feel like you made a mistake or if you die because a new character is just a few dice rolls away.
All of the above is good advice, I would add... focus on story not stats. This is a roleplaying game, but too many treat it like it's a game of chess. To quote one fairly famous D&D streamer... "failed rolls are more fun". That's because a failed roll forces you to improvise, and leads to the best roleplaying moments.
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Playing D&D since 1982
Have played every version of the game since Basic (Red Box Set), except that abomination sometimes called 4e.
I would just dive in and find a group. Will you make mistakes? Sure - so what you make mistakes all the time - they are called learning experiences. The point is to have fun and make some new friends. After 40+ years of gaming I’m still having fun- and still learning. Yes, there are the occasional bad tables and “killer DMs” but they disappear quickly because they are killjoys for everyone else so if you run into one early take it in stride and move on to a better group. Your PC sounds good, don’t worry too much about the skills, the reality is you pretty much have all of them anyway, just some are better than others like in real life. And, like in real life, sometimes you roll a 20 and sometimes you roll a 1 even on your best skills.
Have fun above everything else! Don't feel too much pressure to be a perfect roleplayer, or to "maximise" your character stats the most. Chances are no matter how long the other players or the DM have been into D&D, there are going to be things they need to double check or just don't already know off the top of their heads- there's nothing wrong with needing a little extra time to understand abilities or check your resources, and the others in your party will likely need to do that same from time to time. Make sure respect is mutual all the way around the table and just have fun with getting in your character's headspace and you'll have a blast!
Adding to the great advice above. When its your turn, you don't need to figure out whats on your character sheet. You can usually tell the DM the basic idea of what you are trying to do and they can help you put it into the terms of game mechanics. Or a mentor can help you clarify ideas regarding what you want your character to do.
Hi everyone! I hope I am posting in the right Forum. I am a brand new player to DND, I just finished building my character using this website but I am unsure if I even did it right. Are there any tips or tricks? I tried to look up as much information as I could and landed on playing an Eladrin with a Paladin class. I'm mostly worried about the skills I chose to go along with my character. I am also a bit nervous about just jumping into a campaign when I am so new. Should I buy the beginner's guide before attempting to play? Any advice would be welcomed !
Thanks so much! :)
I'm doing this off the top of my head so I might miss something.
Important skills
Perception, stealth, insight, deception, and persuasion are probably the top five skills. Intimidation, arcana, history, and survival are runner ups. Most other skills have uses but are more situational. Acrobatics and athletics come in handy for escaping things, but rarely ever outside of that.
Next important deal is your spellcasting ability. 80% of the time that needs to be your primary stat. 20% of the time you don't have to worry about it. For example if you are only ever casting beneficial spells or spells that increase your damage it is less important. If you attack or have spell saves it needs to be primary, if you aren't then you don't need to worry about it. This depends on class and your build and how you want to play the character. But don't think the spell ability always needs to be the highest.
In 2014 thieves tools were the only tool you were likely to need.
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Hi everyone! I hope I am posting in the right Forum. I am a brand new player to DND, I just finished building my character using this website but I am unsure if I even did it right. Are there any tips or tricks? I tried to look up as much information as I could and landed on playing an Eladrin with a Paladin class. I'm mostly worried about the skills I chose to go along with my character. I am also a bit nervous about just jumping into a campaign when I am so new. Should I buy the beginner's guide before attempting to play? Any advice would be welcomed !
Thanks so much! :)
Hey friend, my advice is as follows:
1. Remember that this is a game and you're meant to have fun. Don't let ANYTHING about this stress you out.
2. Most everyone learns by doing. Until you get in the game and make a few mistakes like the rest of us, you'll never get the full understanding you're looking for.
3. Know that you'll never know it all. We are all still learning almost every time we play.
4. Ask questions. The DnD community is a welcoming one and most everybody will be happy to help you figure it out.
5. Youtube. It's great. Use it to see the game in action. You'll learn a ton.
Hope that helps. :-)
Hi Friend!!
Thank you so much for your advice. I feel like I am putting too much pressure on myself for being a beginner lmao!
I'll check out some videos tomorrow, I already bought a DND-themed mug to motivate me !! xD
Thanks again for your advice!
Everyone who plays D&D was a beginner once and in 5e most players were beginners fewer than 7 years ago. Everyone worth playing with will want to help you have a good time playing too. Remember the first rule of D&D is not to let the rules get in the way of having fun. If using Youtube only look at the live plays / streamed games, don't watch any of the "build" or "X is too/not enough powerful" videos, but also don't expect your game to be the same as those live plays. Most tables I've played at don't do different voices, and they don't do tear-wrenching character drama. Just go have a good time and the real secret/tip is if you are playing in person bring snacks to share, you'll instantly be a favourite at the table.
There is one DND group I follow on my TikTok, and they are so funny I love watching them play together! I'll also check out the live games to better understand how they run! Thanks for the advice :)
Great advice.
If you have a local game shop that runs games you most likely would be welcomed with open arms to watch. Ask questions during breaks etc... Most game shops are filled with helpful gaming geeks like us.
Have fun, don't sweat it if you feel like you made a mistake or if you die because a new character is just a few dice rolls away.
All of the above is good advice, I would add... focus on story not stats. This is a roleplaying game, but too many treat it like it's a game of chess. To quote one fairly famous D&D streamer... "failed rolls are more fun". That's because a failed roll forces you to improvise, and leads to the best roleplaying moments.
Playing D&D since 1982
Have played every version of the game since Basic (Red Box Set), except that abomination sometimes called 4e.
I would just dive in and find a group. Will you make mistakes? Sure - so what you make mistakes all the time - they are called learning experiences. The point is to have fun and make some new friends. After 40+ years of gaming I’m still having fun- and still learning. Yes, there are the occasional bad tables and “killer DMs” but they disappear quickly because they are killjoys for everyone else so if you run into one early take it in stride and move on to a better group. Your PC sounds good, don’t worry too much about the skills, the reality is you pretty much have all of them anyway, just some are better than others like in real life. And, like in real life, sometimes you roll a 20 and sometimes you roll a 1 even on your best skills.
Wisea$$ DM and Player since 1979.
Have fun above everything else! Don't feel too much pressure to be a perfect roleplayer, or to "maximise" your character stats the most. Chances are no matter how long the other players or the DM have been into D&D, there are going to be things they need to double check or just don't already know off the top of their heads- there's nothing wrong with needing a little extra time to understand abilities or check your resources, and the others in your party will likely need to do that same from time to time. Make sure respect is mutual all the way around the table and just have fun with getting in your character's headspace and you'll have a blast!
Adding to the great advice above. When its your turn, you don't need to figure out whats on your character sheet. You can usually tell the DM the basic idea of what you are trying to do and they can help you put it into the terms of game mechanics. Or a mentor can help you clarify ideas regarding what you want your character to do.
I'm doing this off the top of my head so I might miss something.
Important skills
Perception, stealth, insight, deception, and persuasion are probably the top five skills. Intimidation, arcana, history, and survival are runner ups. Most other skills have uses but are more situational. Acrobatics and athletics come in handy for escaping things, but rarely ever outside of that.
Next important deal is your spellcasting ability. 80% of the time that needs to be your primary stat. 20% of the time you don't have to worry about it. For example if you are only ever casting beneficial spells or spells that increase your damage it is less important. If you attack or have spell saves it needs to be primary, if you aren't then you don't need to worry about it. This depends on class and your build and how you want to play the character. But don't think the spell ability always needs to be the highest.
In 2014 thieves tools were the only tool you were likely to need.