I'm have never played D&D before and I'm wondering other than the new players guide are there other important information tools I should read/ look up to know what I need to know to play.
In short, read the beginner rules and get some of the basics, start playing and if you are having fun then start reading the Player Handbook. As a DM the Dungeon Masters Guide is a good source as well…
After that just look for books you are interested in.
In short, read the beginner rules and get some of the basics, start playing and if you are having fun then start reading the Player Handbook. As a DM the Dungeon Masters Guide is a good source as well…
After that just look for books you are interested in.
Okay, I'm just super nervous about messing up or being a pain my very first time playing just because I don't know all the mechanics and things.
The Basic Rules are the basics. If you want to swot up as it were, the Player's Handbook is next on yo lust, which gives you the full rules, more classes and races, as well as lots of useful information. First, do at least one game with the Basic Rules - if you like it, then you can splash out $40ish on the PHB. If you don't like it, you'll thank me later. Not that D&D isn't good, it's actually great, but everyone has their taste and you won't know if it's good until you've played at least one game, if not several.
After that, it really depends on what you want, which you won't know just yet.
So, to bullet point my advice:
1. Get the Basic Rules. These are available for free on the net (link above). You can also get them in the Starter Set and the Essentials Kit. The SS comes with the rules, a few premade characters and 6 dice as well as an adventure. Personally, I'd go for (and did go for) the Essentials Kit. It's only slightly more, but gives you a DM screen, 11 dice (instead of 6, which are useful) and the rules for creating your own character, so you're not stuck with theirs. Even better, you get a free copy of the adventure (which goes to level 7 instead of 5) on DDB, and a further three adventures on DDB that take you to level 13).
2. Once you've played a few games and reasonably confident that you like the game, get the PHB. Other than the Basic Rules, everything in the Essentials Kit will be useful still.
3. When you feel you want more from the game, come back with what you feel you're missing, and we can guide you for the next purchase(s). There are a lot of things you can buy, and what you need really depends on what is missing from your game (extra rules, extra classes, miniatures for a more visual experience, etc).
Rollback Post to RevisionRollBack
If you're not willing or able to to discuss in good faith, then don't be surprised if I don't respond, there are better things in life for me to do than humour you. This signature is that response.
Don't be! A huge part of the game is the vast amount of mechanics and rules. If you get a good group and a good DM, they will make sure to let you know about any important things. Just be open to learning about it and it should be fun! Just remember that if you aren't having fun, you can always try talking with your group about anything relating to the game. I started my DnD experience with my friends and I know how lucky that make me, but at the end of the day, it's all about having a good time.
Okay, I'm just super nervous about messing up or being a pain my very first time playing just because I don't know all the mechanics and things.
Honestly? Don't.
If you're going online and joining a random group, make sure the DM knows you're new. They might say they're not wanting to take a new player, that's fine, look somewhere else. Someone will. After that, they have nothing to complain about. People make mistakes all the time. We have multiple threads on here where people who have been playing for years get things wrong.
Ask questions and just be willing to learn, and you'll be fine. Read through the Basic Rules and that should give you most of it - after that, it'll be mostly touching up and refining your understanding. Anyone worth playing with will be happy to respond to your questions. Honestly - deep down you're making them feel good about themselves that their inner geek is actually doing some good.
Rollback Post to RevisionRollBack
If you're not willing or able to to discuss in good faith, then don't be surprised if I don't respond, there are better things in life for me to do than humour you. This signature is that response.
In short, read the beginner rules and get some of the basics, start playing and if you are having fun then start reading the Player Handbook. As a DM the Dungeon Masters Guide is a good source as well…
After that just look for books you are interested in.
Okay, I'm just super nervous about messing up or being a pain my very first time playing just because I don't know all the mechanics and things.
I'd just make sure to tell people you are new when you find a group. Lots and lots of groups are fine with new people and happy to teach them the ropes, some of us even kind of enjoy it. There are, unfortunately, some who really don't like new players, so just make sure to avoid them. If they want to be all snobby and forget that they had been new at one point, that's their problem.
In short, read the beginner rules and get some of the basics, start playing and if you are having fun then start reading the Player Handbook. As a DM the Dungeon Masters Guide is a good source as well…
After that just look for books you are interested in.
Okay, I'm just super nervous about messing up or being a pain my very first time playing just because I don't know all the mechanics and things.
Try to understand what's on your character sheet and where it is on your character sheet - things like what a save is and where your different save modifiers are, where you hit points are, how to tell which skills you're proficient in and which you're not, what to roll for attacks and damage rolls, the special abilities your character gets from class levels, stuff like that. If you can find those things quickly, you're more than likely good. You don't really need to know the mechanics: your DM does, and when you tell them what your character does they'll tell you how that translates into the mechanics. But if you don't know and can't easily find your character's abilities and qualities you won't be able to execute those mechanics, that's when it can get annoying and frustrating for everyone else. Telling you to make an attack roll or to add or subtract hit points from your total or to make a Constitution save, those are things a DM does anyway, for newer and more experienced players alike. All we really want is that you have a basic understanding of what we're talking about when we do that.
Rollback Post to RevisionRollBack
Want to start playing but don't have anyone to play with? You can try these options: [link].
I'm have never played D&D before and I'm wondering other than the new players guide are there other important information tools I should read/ look up to know what I need to know to play.
Read the basic rules (https://dnd.wizards.com/articles/features/basicrules)
Then go looking for a game in the looking for group forum (https://www.dndbeyond.com/forums/d-d-beyond-general/looking-for-players-groups)
My homebrew content: Monsters, subclasses, Magic items, Feats, spells, races, backgrounds
Not yet!
In short, read the beginner rules and get some of the basics, start playing and if you are having fun then start reading the Player Handbook. As a DM the Dungeon Masters Guide is a good source as well…
After that just look for books you are interested in.
Alright thank you
Okay, I'm just super nervous about messing up or being a pain my very first time playing just because I don't know all the mechanics and things.
The Basic Rules are the basics. If you want to swot up as it were, the Player's Handbook is next on yo lust, which gives you the full rules, more classes and races, as well as lots of useful information. First, do at least one game with the Basic Rules - if you like it, then you can splash out $40ish on the PHB. If you don't like it, you'll thank me later. Not that D&D isn't good, it's actually great, but everyone has their taste and you won't know if it's good until you've played at least one game, if not several.
After that, it really depends on what you want, which you won't know just yet.
So, to bullet point my advice:
1. Get the Basic Rules. These are available for free on the net (link above). You can also get them in the Starter Set and the Essentials Kit. The SS comes with the rules, a few premade characters and 6 dice as well as an adventure. Personally, I'd go for (and did go for) the Essentials Kit. It's only slightly more, but gives you a DM screen, 11 dice (instead of 6, which are useful) and the rules for creating your own character, so you're not stuck with theirs. Even better, you get a free copy of the adventure (which goes to level 7 instead of 5) on DDB, and a further three adventures on DDB that take you to level 13).
2. Once you've played a few games and reasonably confident that you like the game, get the PHB. Other than the Basic Rules, everything in the Essentials Kit will be useful still.
3. When you feel you want more from the game, come back with what you feel you're missing, and we can guide you for the next purchase(s). There are a lot of things you can buy, and what you need really depends on what is missing from your game (extra rules, extra classes, miniatures for a more visual experience, etc).
If you're not willing or able to to discuss in good faith, then don't be surprised if I don't respond, there are better things in life for me to do than humour you. This signature is that response.
Don't be! A huge part of the game is the vast amount of mechanics and rules. If you get a good group and a good DM, they will make sure to let you know about any important things. Just be open to learning about it and it should be fun! Just remember that if you aren't having fun, you can always try talking with your group about anything relating to the game. I started my DnD experience with my friends and I know how lucky that make me, but at the end of the day, it's all about having a good time.
Honestly? Don't.
If you're going online and joining a random group, make sure the DM knows you're new. They might say they're not wanting to take a new player, that's fine, look somewhere else. Someone will. After that, they have nothing to complain about. People make mistakes all the time. We have multiple threads on here where people who have been playing for years get things wrong.
Ask questions and just be willing to learn, and you'll be fine. Read through the Basic Rules and that should give you most of it - after that, it'll be mostly touching up and refining your understanding. Anyone worth playing with will be happy to respond to your questions. Honestly - deep down you're making them feel good about themselves that their inner geek is actually doing some good.
If you're not willing or able to to discuss in good faith, then don't be surprised if I don't respond, there are better things in life for me to do than humour you. This signature is that response.
I'd just make sure to tell people you are new when you find a group. Lots and lots of groups are fine with new people and happy to teach them the ropes, some of us even kind of enjoy it. There are, unfortunately, some who really don't like new players, so just make sure to avoid them. If they want to be all snobby and forget that they had been new at one point, that's their problem.
Try to understand what's on your character sheet and where it is on your character sheet - things like what a save is and where your different save modifiers are, where you hit points are, how to tell which skills you're proficient in and which you're not, what to roll for attacks and damage rolls, the special abilities your character gets from class levels, stuff like that. If you can find those things quickly, you're more than likely good. You don't really need to know the mechanics: your DM does, and when you tell them what your character does they'll tell you how that translates into the mechanics. But if you don't know and can't easily find your character's abilities and qualities you won't be able to execute those mechanics, that's when it can get annoying and frustrating for everyone else. Telling you to make an attack roll or to add or subtract hit points from your total or to make a Constitution save, those are things a DM does anyway, for newer and more experienced players alike. All we really want is that you have a basic understanding of what we're talking about when we do that.
Want to start playing but don't have anyone to play with? You can try these options: [link].
There's also a New Player Guide tab on this site in between the Forums and Subscribe tabs that could be helpful for you.
Only spilt the party if you see something shiny.
Ariendela Sneakerson, Half-elf Rogue (8); Harmony Wolfsbane, Tiefling Bard (10); Agnomally, Gnomish Sorcerer (3); Breeze, Tabaxi Monk (8); Grace, Dragonborn Barbarian (7); DM, Homebrew- The Sequestered Lands/Underwater Explorers; Candlekeep