So, beyond reading my PHB, how can I best prepare for my first campaign? I know people take notes when they play, maybe some advice on how to do that efficiently? Any other tips for first time players that might help me get into things easier?
I was thinking about writing responses to common interactions that might come up, like my PC introducing himself, and other scripted responses. I'd also like to write down some funny or cool things to say or do. I have ZERO experience, but I don't want to just sit back and let everyone else investigate and explore while I sit back on /follow.
So, beyond reading my PHB, how can I best prepare for my first campaign? I know people take notes when they play, maybe some advice on how to do that efficiently?
First of all, as a DM, let me say that I love you. Player who take notes dutifully are agents of good and should be cherished.
As for efficiency, it varies, it can go from a simple sheet where you note down NPC's name so you can tell your DM "I wanna go see <x>" rather than "i wanna go see that guy with the thing that was at tavern and that told us where to go", or you can go for a small notebook, so you can scribe down NPC's name and a short summary of your interaction with the things he said you want to remember, and another place to note plot points and information you received. Anyway, try what comes naturally to you, and you'll figure out what works for you ;)
I was thinking about writing responses to common interactions that might come up, like my PC introducing himself, and other scripted responses. I'd also like to write down some funny or cool things to say or do. I have ZERO experience, but I don't want to just sit back and let everyone else investigate and explore while I sit back on /follow.
Preparing stuff to say for your character can be cool, especially for those classic set pieces such as introducing yourself, but most of the time you won't be able to anticipate the situations you'll find yourself in. I would say don't overthink it, try to have a few key personality points down, and to act from there.
I say a few because having too much information about how your character acts before even starting can make you second-guess yourself ("would they really act this way ?"), slow you down ("what would they say in this situation ?"), or even give you some slight RP paralysis. It's more about (for me): are they easygoing, or a bit rough, do they trust easily, are they a bit naive, just 2/3 of those personality traits. I usually call the first session "meeting my character", because that's where i find their voice, from their interaction with other players and other PCs.
Don't hesitate to ask your DM how you did after the session, and most of all, have fun ! It's a game after all ;)
Try and be very clear on what your character can do. Understand your abilities and/or spells and how they work, so you don't have to refer to the book every time you need to do something. Checking is inevitable, but the less you need to do it, the better the game will flow. And have all of your bonuses calculated, so you can just check your sheet, and not have to re-do the math from scratch every time you make an attack.
Remember there's no "right" way to play. If everyone is having fun, you're doing it right.
Hey, I really appreciate your response. :) I'll definitely try to keep it simple on my scripted responses, but I do want at least an intro written. And, I actually already wrote a big long backstory just to give me an idea on where my PC comes from, but I also broke that down into what I felt were key personality points. From there I wrote a short 2 paragraph backstory for my character sheet that others can read. I think it helped me refine my character, but I also have no clue where to go from there. I'm hoping the adventures themselves will fill in those blanks. My DM is building the world from scratch and says we have LOTS of freedom here to add our own lore and shape it around each character as needed.
First, Welcome to the game. I hope your adventures are dangerous and the battles are glorious.
As both a player and a DM I agree with most of the above. But every session and group has differences. Having fun is the most important thing.
And you don't have to write everything down. Just like how people don't remember everything they hear or see. Just quick notes of names and cities are usually enough. But write down anything you think is important to your character. If you want to recall more detail you can always ask to roll an Intelligence or History check and have the DM determine if you remember anything extra and then fill in the blanks for you. (And gives you a second chance to take important notes you might have missed the first time.)
I, personally, would practice a few lines for my characters. Their intro in particular. Think Inigo Montoya from The Princess Bride: "I am Inigo Montoya. You killed my father. Prepare to die." Maybe try a few accents too to give some flavor.
Having a big backstory is excellent. Be sure to share it with the DM so he can maybe play off of it. If you have enemies in your past, maybe they'll make an appearance. But for the other players... don't give everything away. People have secrets, and so do the characters you play. You can share as needed, but it can be a fun surprise when you whip out out a Forgery Kit and have to explain how you learned how to use it. "I was in real estate. I use to buy "horses" and then make a little change to the contracts and sell peoples "houses" for a profit. That didn't end well."
You will, as was mentioned above, inevitably check your sheets. But just like most people have a go-to move like a haymaker or the jab, so will your character. So if you can know your basic attacks or skills off the top of your head you can use those quickly. Then look for the more complicated stuff while it's someone else's' turn.
As for someone who have only played two times I would like to add about some practical preparations for your first game. Simple little things like to bring your own pen (and preferably dice if you have them) along with some softdrinks and snacks.
- When writing notes, keep it very brief. Don't note every. Single. Interaction. I've done this and it makes a hell of a mess. Mainly important interactions and NPCs/locations.
- Pay attention to the DM: This will be hard as you'll get taken in by tiny things and you might end up being side-tracked as you look down at your notes, or end up playing with something on the desk. Try to stay focused on what the narrator is saying. Also, if someone tries to whisper to you just polite ask them to wait a moment until the DM finishes.
- It's a game. Have fun.
- Remember what your character race/class does and check it over again until you've fully revised what you're meant to bring to the party. Don't worry about what your class does at later levels, focus on your current level and what your capabilities are.
- Bring a drink and a snack.
Think that's about it on my end. I'm still relatively new to tabletop forms of role-playing but this is something I've noted in my games. I need to get in to more but finding a good game is very difficult with time scheduling. Which brings in a point, if you have to cancel make sure to tell your DM ASAP!
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So, beyond reading my PHB, how can I best prepare for my first campaign? I know people take notes when they play, maybe some advice on how to do that efficiently? Any other tips for first time players that might help me get into things easier?
I was thinking about writing responses to common interactions that might come up, like my PC introducing himself, and other scripted responses. I'd also like to write down some funny or cool things to say or do. I have ZERO experience, but I don't want to just sit back and let everyone else investigate and explore while I sit back on /follow.
First of all, as a DM, let me say that I love you. Player who take notes dutifully are agents of good and should be cherished.
As for efficiency, it varies, it can go from a simple sheet where you note down NPC's name so you can tell your DM "I wanna go see <x>" rather than "i wanna go see that guy with the thing that was at tavern and that told us where to go", or you can go for a small notebook, so you can scribe down NPC's name and a short summary of your interaction with the things he said you want to remember, and another place to note plot points and information you received. Anyway, try what comes naturally to you, and you'll figure out what works for you ;)
Preparing stuff to say for your character can be cool, especially for those classic set pieces such as introducing yourself, but most of the time you won't be able to anticipate the situations you'll find yourself in. I would say don't overthink it, try to have a few key personality points down, and to act from there.
I say a few because having too much information about how your character acts before even starting can make you second-guess yourself ("would they really act this way ?"), slow you down ("what would they say in this situation ?"), or even give you some slight RP paralysis. It's more about (for me): are they easygoing, or a bit rough, do they trust easily, are they a bit naive, just 2/3 of those personality traits. I usually call the first session "meeting my character", because that's where i find their voice, from their interaction with other players and other PCs.
Don't hesitate to ask your DM how you did after the session, and most of all, have fun ! It's a game after all ;)
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Try and be very clear on what your character can do. Understand your abilities and/or spells and how they work, so you don't have to refer to the book every time you need to do something. Checking is inevitable, but the less you need to do it, the better the game will flow. And have all of your bonuses calculated, so you can just check your sheet, and not have to re-do the math from scratch every time you make an attack.
Remember there's no "right" way to play. If everyone is having fun, you're doing it right.
Hey, I really appreciate your response. :) I'll definitely try to keep it simple on my scripted responses, but I do want at least an intro written. And, I actually already wrote a big long backstory just to give me an idea on where my PC comes from, but I also broke that down into what I felt were key personality points. From there I wrote a short 2 paragraph backstory for my character sheet that others can read. I think it helped me refine my character, but I also have no clue where to go from there. I'm hoping the adventures themselves will fill in those blanks. My DM is building the world from scratch and says we have LOTS of freedom here to add our own lore and shape it around each character as needed.
First, Welcome to the game. I hope your adventures are dangerous and the battles are glorious.
As both a player and a DM I agree with most of the above. But every session and group has differences. Having fun is the most important thing.
And you don't have to write everything down. Just like how people don't remember everything they hear or see. Just quick notes of names and cities are usually enough. But write down anything you think is important to your character. If you want to recall more detail you can always ask to roll an Intelligence or History check and have the DM determine if you remember anything extra and then fill in the blanks for you. (And gives you a second chance to take important notes you might have missed the first time.)
I, personally, would practice a few lines for my characters. Their intro in particular. Think Inigo Montoya from The Princess Bride: "I am Inigo Montoya. You killed my father. Prepare to die." Maybe try a few accents too to give some flavor.
Having a big backstory is excellent. Be sure to share it with the DM so he can maybe play off of it. If you have enemies in your past, maybe they'll make an appearance.
But for the other players... don't give everything away. People have secrets, and so do the characters you play. You can share as needed, but it can be a fun surprise when you whip out out a Forgery Kit and have to explain how you learned how to use it. "I was in real estate. I use to buy "horses" and then make a little change to the contracts and sell peoples "houses" for a profit. That didn't end well."
You will, as was mentioned above, inevitably check your sheets. But just like most people have a go-to move like a haymaker or the jab, so will your character. So if you can know your basic attacks or skills off the top of your head you can use those quickly. Then look for the more complicated stuff while it's someone else's' turn.
But mostly... have fun.
As for someone who have only played two times I would like to add about some practical preparations for your first game. Simple little things like to bring your own pen (and preferably dice if you have them) along with some softdrinks and snacks.
Good Luck and have fun!
- When writing notes, keep it very brief. Don't note every. Single. Interaction. I've done this and it makes a hell of a mess. Mainly important interactions and NPCs/locations.
- Pay attention to the DM: This will be hard as you'll get taken in by tiny things and you might end up being side-tracked as you look down at your notes, or end up playing with something on the desk. Try to stay focused on what the narrator is saying. Also, if someone tries to whisper to you just polite ask them to wait a moment until the DM finishes.
- It's a game. Have fun.
- Remember what your character race/class does and check it over again until you've fully revised what you're meant to bring to the party. Don't worry about what your class does at later levels, focus on your current level and what your capabilities are.
- Bring a drink and a snack.
Think that's about it on my end. I'm still relatively new to tabletop forms of role-playing but this is something I've noted in my games. I need to get in to more but finding a good game is very difficult with time scheduling. Which brings in a point, if you have to cancel make sure to tell your DM ASAP!