Hello! My husband and I are new to D&D and we are preparing for a campaign where my friend will be the DM. I am getting somewhat acquainted with how things work, but my husband and I could both use some hands-on experience before jumping into this campaign with our friends. Is there a way to do some kind of test run with some quick build characters? We don't need a full campaign, just a means to try things out. I appreciate any help I can get!
Essential kit doesn't have premades iirc, starter set does. There are also some pregens here https://dnd.wizards.com/charactersheets As for running some short (<5 hours) adventure, I don't think there is some OFFICIAL one available for free.
I'd create a few characters in the character builder just to see what options you have, and read a couple of parts of the basic rules - ch. 7, using ability scores, and ch. 9, combat. Even just that is probably more than you really need to do, and you certainly don't have to memorize any of it. Just try to get the basic concepts, as a head start for your first session. If your DM didn't ask you to read anything or suggest a learning session beforehand, I assume they plan on showing you how things work there and then. Which is a great way of doing things, I do that myself with new players at my table.
Rollback Post to RevisionRollBack
Want to start playing but don't have anyone to play with? You can try these options: [link].
So we're good to go on the pre-made characters. What I'm looking for is a way to simulate a sort of test game session so we can get used to the mechanics of gameplay and roleplaying. Would the best way be to talk with a DM and have them work something out for us, or are there any sources where we can follow along and sample things? Hope this makes sense.
You basically need a DM... there's some degree of automation that's possible, but it's really hard to accurately recreate the game without a human DM to help run things.
That said... something you could do with your husband is just to have one of you take on the role of DM for something like a short battle or encounter. You don't need to know all the rules to do a test run, and you don't need multiple players just to test things and figure them out. You might also want to post something in the Looking For Group subforum. You might find a DM who's excited to teach some new players about the game. Just scanning the front page I can see multiple threads that are open to new players, although I assume a lot of them are for more long form games.
While I appreciate you wanting to do your homework, I'd just say don't stress. It's really tough to understand how to play without just doing it. But I'd say, yes to your idea of talking to the DM, maybe they will be willing to run a mini pre-session to help you get your feet wet. But if they don't have the time, don't worry. Everyone who's played with new players knows to expect you'll need some help. I'd say read over the PHB chapters 7, 8 and 9. also 10 if you have a spellcaster. Do it with your character sheet sitting next to you, and try and match up what you read to the the things you see on your sheet.
You could also try watching a stream, but that can give a skewed perspective. Pretty much every table plays the game slightly differently. So if you watch a stream expecting that will show you what its like, you may be confused when your game starts. The stream could help you with some of the basics, but the overall game experience will almost certainly be different from what you see.
Every DM and every group have their own particular way of doing things, but there are several campaigns getting streamed and/or put up on youtube. If you check them out, do keep in mind those are usually people with years and years of experience, sometimes acting talent or other well-developed creative skills, who've been playing together in their respective group for a long time. Don't expect or hope to emulate them - if you stick with it there's every chance you can become just as accomplished, but nobody expects you to jump in and play along like that right away.
This is how I've been getting familiar with it, and I definitely think it's very valuable and will keep in mind that I can't do it like them. However, my husband is a hands-on learner and has a harder time learning and getting excited simply by watching others do it. I appreciate your help very much, I will at least check these out on my own.
If you are looking for a hard copy, you can find the Player's Handbook at pretty much any book store, game store, or Amazon. I think its around $50
If you want it electronically, you should ask your DM about which, if any, electronic platform you are using. Buying it on here, for example, doesn't allow you to use it on Roll20. So better to just buy it once on the platform you use. If you are playing in person, and not using a virtual tabletop, then here is a good choice since it will allow you to make characters here.
Well, wait, a two-person "test simulation" of D&D is just PvP isn't it? I mean, the OP can do this with just the basic rules and a set of dice at their disposal. They have pregens already. The OP plays Ken, the husband plays Ryu, they can see each others' cards, all the rolls are in the open and they both learn how the combat turn works. Or they do contested skill checks and say their characters are arm-wrestling for beers. Look up how much each other can bench press; see who can run faster...Constitution saves for a drinking contest You get the idea. You don't need a DM to learn 90% of what a DM does. The DM just does it for everyone else in the universe.
A word of warning about taking this advice: I'm used to a very theater of the mind style. If you guys are playing with minis or online with a tabletop, the basic rules I linked to don't show grids and arcs and radii and what not. But I think you could practice that at home as well with a chess set or a crafting grid and some pennies.
Here, I'll be your DM: In a foggy bower full of cherry trees in blossom, two lifelong rivals meet. They will do battle again today and only one can walk away with the prize!!!
<SOUND: That Queen song from that old movie Highlander>
Then you run whatever kind of contest you want to run and the winner gets 50 gp and you both go up a level. Repeat until you both feel confident! It's just supposed to be fun.
This is how I've been getting familiar with it, and I definitely think it's very valuable and will keep in mind that I can't do it like them. However, my husband is a hands-on learner and has a harder time learning and getting excited simply by watching others do it. I appreciate your help very much, I will at least check these out on my own.
You and your worthy companions gather at a friend's house to celebrate a Moonday. Right before the final dish is served, you hear a crashing sound outside with shouting and a grunt of pain.
What do you do?
Rollback Post to RevisionRollBack
"Sooner or later, your Players are going to smash your railroad into a sandbox."
-Vedexent
"real life is a super high CR."
-OboeLauren
"............anybody got any potatoes? We could drop a potato in each hole an' see which ones get viciously mauled by horrible monsters?"
-Ilyara Thundertale
To post a comment, please login or register a new account.
Hello! My husband and I are new to D&D and we are preparing for a campaign where my friend will be the DM. I am getting somewhat acquainted with how things work, but my husband and I could both use some hands-on experience before jumping into this campaign with our friends. Is there a way to do some kind of test run with some quick build characters? We don't need a full campaign, just a means to try things out. I appreciate any help I can get!
The starter set and the essentials kit both have pre-made characters that you can use. Is that the sort of thing you mean?
WOTC lies. We know that WOTC lies. WOTC knows that we know that WOTC lies. We know that WOTC knows that we know that WOTC lies. And still they lie.
Because of the above (a paraphrase from Orwell) I no longer post to the forums -- PM me if you need help or anything.
Essential kit doesn't have premades iirc, starter set does. There are also some pregens here https://dnd.wizards.com/charactersheets As for running some short (<5 hours) adventure, I don't think there is some OFFICIAL one available for free.
I'd create a few characters in the character builder just to see what options you have, and read a couple of parts of the basic rules - ch. 7, using ability scores, and ch. 9, combat. Even just that is probably more than you really need to do, and you certainly don't have to memorize any of it. Just try to get the basic concepts, as a head start for your first session. If your DM didn't ask you to read anything or suggest a learning session beforehand, I assume they plan on showing you how things work there and then. Which is a great way of doing things, I do that myself with new players at my table.
Want to start playing but don't have anyone to play with? You can try these options: [link].
So we're good to go on the pre-made characters. What I'm looking for is a way to simulate a sort of test game session so we can get used to the mechanics of gameplay and roleplaying. Would the best way be to talk with a DM and have them work something out for us, or are there any sources where we can follow along and sample things? Hope this makes sense.
You basically need a DM... there's some degree of automation that's possible, but it's really hard to accurately recreate the game without a human DM to help run things.
That said... something you could do with your husband is just to have one of you take on the role of DM for something like a short battle or encounter. You don't need to know all the rules to do a test run, and you don't need multiple players just to test things and figure them out. You might also want to post something in the Looking For Group subforum. You might find a DM who's excited to teach some new players about the game. Just scanning the front page I can see multiple threads that are open to new players, although I assume a lot of them are for more long form games.
Watch Crits for Breakfast, an adults-only RP-Heavy Roll20 Livestream at twitch.tv/afterdisbooty
And now you too can play with the amazing art and assets we use in Roll20 for our campaign at Hazel's Emporium
While I appreciate you wanting to do your homework, I'd just say don't stress. It's really tough to understand how to play without just doing it. But I'd say, yes to your idea of talking to the DM, maybe they will be willing to run a mini pre-session to help you get your feet wet. But if they don't have the time, don't worry. Everyone who's played with new players knows to expect you'll need some help. I'd say read over the PHB chapters 7, 8 and 9. also 10 if you have a spellcaster. Do it with your character sheet sitting next to you, and try and match up what you read to the the things you see on your sheet.
You could also try watching a stream, but that can give a skewed perspective. Pretty much every table plays the game slightly differently. So if you watch a stream expecting that will show you what its like, you may be confused when your game starts. The stream could help you with some of the basics, but the overall game experience will almost certainly be different from what you see.
Every DM and every group have their own particular way of doing things, but there are several campaigns getting streamed and/or put up on youtube. If you check them out, do keep in mind those are usually people with years and years of experience, sometimes acting talent or other well-developed creative skills, who've been playing together in their respective group for a long time. Don't expect or hope to emulate them - if you stick with it there's every chance you can become just as accomplished, but nobody expects you to jump in and play along like that right away.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iRhnx4lI6TA&list=PLlUk42GiU2gt8zTU2_qnl5KEjfcq8E_Dk
https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PL1tiwbzkOjQxD0jjAE7PsWoaCrs0EkBH2
https://www.youtube.com/c/HighRollersDnD/playlists?view=50&sort=dd&shelf_id=2
https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLfS8QgUdeGYpErbmZ_JAeYBhpGOrPYV6N
https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLQMqiULo_05O1l_x7wym1Th1DTdqiaO0P
https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC35wQWlxy5jaBz76BbUgnKA
https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLPjdPog_vKX3BsTsdBDumADisAlrNoMTR
Want to start playing but don't have anyone to play with? You can try these options: [link].
Any idea of where I can purchase something? I'm not too picky about cost as long as it isn't in the triple digits lol
This is how I've been getting familiar with it, and I definitely think it's very valuable and will keep in mind that I can't do it like them. However, my husband is a hands-on learner and has a harder time learning and getting excited simply by watching others do it. I appreciate your help very much, I will at least check these out on my own.
If you are looking for a hard copy, you can find the Player's Handbook at pretty much any book store, game store, or Amazon. I think its around $50
If you want it electronically, you should ask your DM about which, if any, electronic platform you are using. Buying it on here, for example, doesn't allow you to use it on Roll20. So better to just buy it once on the platform you use. If you are playing in person, and not using a virtual tabletop, then here is a good choice since it will allow you to make characters here.
And don't forget dice if you are in person.
Well, wait, a two-person "test simulation" of D&D is just PvP isn't it? I mean, the OP can do this with just the basic rules and a set of dice at their disposal. They have pregens already. The OP plays Ken, the husband plays Ryu, they can see each others' cards, all the rolls are in the open and they both learn how the combat turn works. Or they do contested skill checks and say their characters are arm-wrestling for beers. Look up how much each other can bench press; see who can run faster...Constitution saves for a drinking contest You get the idea. You don't need a DM to learn 90% of what a DM does. The DM just does it for everyone else in the universe.
A word of warning about taking this advice: I'm used to a very theater of the mind style. If you guys are playing with minis or online with a tabletop, the basic rules I linked to don't show grids and arcs and radii and what not. But I think you could practice that at home as well with a chess set or a crafting grid and some pennies.
Here, I'll be your DM: In a foggy bower full of cherry trees in blossom, two lifelong rivals meet. They will do battle again today and only one can walk away with the prize!!!
<SOUND: That Queen song from that old movie Highlander>
Then you run whatever kind of contest you want to run and the winner gets 50 gp and you both go up a level. Repeat until you both feel confident! It's just supposed to be fun.
You and your worthy companions gather at a friend's house to celebrate a Moonday. Right before the final dish is served, you hear a crashing sound outside with shouting and a grunt of pain.
What do you do?
"Sooner or later, your Players are going to smash your railroad into a sandbox."
-Vedexent
"real life is a super high CR."
-OboeLauren
"............anybody got any potatoes? We could drop a potato in each hole an' see which ones get viciously mauled by horrible monsters?"
-Ilyara Thundertale