Hi everyone! I'm brand new to dm'ing (I've never done it before), and I want to run a one-shot for a few of my friends who have never played D&D.
I'm just wondering if anyone can give some insight about the new Prisoner 13 adventure released for free on DnD Beyond? Would it be too hard for a new DM to run? Would it be hard for new players https://routerlogin.uno/?
It looks super interesting and I love the vibe, so I'm really hoping it will be okay to run.
Strongly disagree with both of the above. Level 1 and 2 are extremely linear and boring, especially for martial users, to the point folks don’t feel like they experience a lot of the game. While true going to level 3 or 4 might increase complexity some, the delta increase in complexity is far eclipsed by the entertainment value of being able to actually make meaningful character decisions and having options available during gameplay. This is especially true since you can help folks come up with their character and walk through the process with them.
I’ve thrown brand new players into a level 14 one-shot before and it worked fine—they just needed a little DM help. A couple level 4 characters should be plenty manageable.
Hi everyone! I'm brand new to dm'ing (I've never done it before), and I want to run a one-shot for a few of my friends who have never played D&D.
I'm just wondering if anyone can give some insight about the new Prisoner 13 adventure released for free on DnD Beyond? Would it be too hard for a new DM to run? Would it be hard for new players?
It looks super interesting and I love the vibe, so I'm really hoping it will be okay to run.
Thanks in advance!!
Personally, I'd run Lost Mine of Phandelver instead. It's not amazing, but it's free, and since it is levels 1-5, it gives you a decent run to try the game out. It should be in your library, free with your DDB account.
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 also second running LMoP. It's a great introductory adventure for both DMs and players, and so many people have run it by now that you will find a great deal of support materials/info for it online.
"Orcs are savage raiders and pillagers with stooped postures, low foreheads, and piggish faces with prominent lower canines that resemble tusks." MM p245 (original printing) You don't OWN your books on DDB: WotC can change them any time. What do you think will happen when OneD&D comes out?
Strongly disagree with both of the above. Level 1 and 2 are extremely linear and boring, especially for martial users, to the point folks don’t feel like they experience a lot of the game. While true going to level 3 or 4 might increase complexity some, the delta increase in complexity is far eclipsed by the entertainment value of being able to actually make meaningful character decisions and having options available during gameplay. This is especially true since you can help folks come up with their character and walk through the process with them.
I’ve thrown brand new players into a level 14 one-shot before and it worked fine—they just needed a little DM help. A couple level 4 characters should be plenty manageable.
Yes levels 1 and 2 lack complexity, but that's a strength here. The DM and players already have to figure out the complexity that are the rules of the base game and basic character creation, and unlike when you ran level 14 characters with new players, this group doesn't have you, an experienced DM to explain everything to them.
I think it's far more valuable to start simple with the caveat to the players that yes they might be a little samey while everyone's finding their feet but once we get this down things will pick up, rather than throwing everyone into the fire at the risk of inexperience leading to combat slog, encounter imbalance, and generally a potentially un-enjoyable first impression with dnd.
Levels 1 to 2 are definitely more "tutorial" levels, but this is not a game a whole party of new players wants to skip the tutorial on.
Lost Mine of Phandelver is good for new players, however it is not a one-shot, so that would rule it out if you want a one-shot. I think starting at 4th level is okay, if you just accept that there will be certain abilities your characters don't use, because both you and the player forget about them. In my experience, there will be a lot of focus on reminding them what options they have during combat. Trying to remember they have the option to disengage, dodge, dash, grapple, etc., let alone remembering what they do and the mechanics of how they work.
Just remember it's a game and the point is to have fun, and try not to worry too much about getting everything "right". If Prisoner 13 sounds like fun to you, then give it a go. Good luck, and happy gaming; I hope you have a great time!
Lost Mine of Phandelver is good for new players, however it is not a one-shot, so that would rule it out if you want a one-shot. I think starting at 4th level is okay, if you just accept that there will be certain abilities your characters don't use, because both you and the player forget about them. In my experience, there will be a lot of focus on reminding them what options they have during combat. Trying to remember they have the option to disengage, dodge, dash, grapple, etc., let alone remembering what they do and the mechanics of how they work.
Just remember it's a game and the point is to have fun, and try not to worry too much about getting everything "right". If Prisoner 13 sounds like fun to you, then give it a go. Good luck, and happy gaming; I hope you have a great time!
It might be possible to run the Goblin Ambush and the Cragmaw Hideout as a one-shot. You can end the session with the PCs (hopefully) saving Sildar Hallwinter, and hand wave that they then make it to town where Sildar rewards them.
Then the players can decide if they want to continue the adventure as written, or leave it there.
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"Orcs are savage raiders and pillagers with stooped postures, low foreheads, and piggish faces with prominent lower canines that resemble tusks." MM p245 (original printing) You don't OWN your books on DDB: WotC can change them any time. What do you think will happen when OneD&D comes out?
Hi everyone! I'm brand new to dm'ing (I've never done it before), and I want to run a one-shot for a few of my friends who have never played D&D.
I'm just wondering if anyone can give some insight about the new Prisoner 13 adventure released for free on DnD Beyond? Would it be too hard for a new DM to run? Would it be hard for new players?
It looks super interesting and I love the vibe, so I'm really hoping it will be okay to run.
Thanks in advance!!
Are you an experienced player? If you are, and don't think you'd have too much trouble explaining rules and such, I think Prisoner 13 would be fine for a one-shot. It's very mission-focused, which helps, and as C_G said tossing brand-new players in at level 4 actually gives all the players some meaningful options and decisions. That said, you'd probably have to help the casters with their spell lists etc. to avoid having one of them pick true strike or something
If you do want a level 1 one-shot instead, the one in Candlekeep Mysteries (The Joy of Extradimensional Spaces) is pretty fun
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Active characters:
Carric Aquissar, elven wannabe artist in his deconstructionist period (Archfey warlock) Lan Kidogo, mapach archaeologist and treasure hunter (Knowledge cleric) Mardan Ferres, elven private investigator obsessed with that one unsolved murder (Assassin rogue) Xhekhetiel, halfling survivor of a Betrayer Gods cult (Runechild sorcerer/fighter)
Try one of the starter sets, I've been running Dragons of Stormwreck Isle with a group of new players and it's very good to get going as a DM and explains it all. Reduce the number of Kobolds in the starting location though as there are too many to track (just have some of them out on the island and the party can meet them somewhere else), SlyFlourish do a very good video on running it.
I wouldn't advise starting with a party with 4th level players as you'll end up running the adventure and all their players as well and they'll just get confused and bored.
Dive in. Do what sounds like fun to your group. My first edition of D&D was Advanced Dungeons & Dragons. I considered doing a nostalgia campaign with AD&D rules. I went back to reread the PHB and the DMG.
I don't know what we were playing back then, but it was not AD&D (by the rules). LOL
But I remember we had a blast and made some memories that brought us back to the game years later.
Hi everyone! I'm brand new to dm'ing (I've never done it before), and I want to run a one-shot for a few of my friends who have never played D&D.
I'm just wondering if anyone can give some insight about the new Prisoner 13 adventure released for free on DnD Beyond? Would it be too hard for a new DM to run? Would it be hard for new players https://routerlogin.uno/ ?
It looks super interesting and I love the vibe, so I'm really hoping it will be okay to run.
Thanks in advance!!
I would advise against it solely because it starts at 4th level. I'd strongly recommend running an adventure that starts at 1st level for new players.
[REDACTED]
Seconded. Most of the time you won't need to start every adventure at level 1, but when you and your players are all new you definitely should.
Strongly disagree with both of the above. Level 1 and 2 are extremely linear and boring, especially for martial users, to the point folks don’t feel like they experience a lot of the game. While true going to level 3 or 4 might increase complexity some, the delta increase in complexity is far eclipsed by the entertainment value of being able to actually make meaningful character decisions and having options available during gameplay. This is especially true since you can help folks come up with their character and walk through the process with them.
I’ve thrown brand new players into a level 14 one-shot before and it worked fine—they just needed a little DM help. A couple level 4 characters should be plenty manageable.
Personally, I'd run Lost Mine of Phandelver instead. It's not amazing, but it's free, and since it is levels 1-5, it gives you a decent run to try the game out. It should be in your library, free with your DDB account.
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 also second running LMoP. It's a great introductory adventure for both DMs and players, and so many people have run it by now that you will find a great deal of support materials/info for it online.
Here is a thread about tips for being a new DM: https://www.dndbeyond.com/forums/dungeons-dragons-discussion/dungeon-masters-only/6695-so-youre-going-to-dm-tips-for-beginners
"Orcs are savage raiders and pillagers with stooped postures, low foreheads, and piggish faces with prominent lower canines that resemble tusks." MM p245 (original printing)
You don't OWN your books on DDB: WotC can change them any time. What do you think will happen when OneD&D comes out?
Yes levels 1 and 2 lack complexity, but that's a strength here. The DM and players already have to figure out the complexity that are the rules of the base game and basic character creation, and unlike when you ran level 14 characters with new players, this group doesn't have you, an experienced DM to explain everything to them.
I think it's far more valuable to start simple with the caveat to the players that yes they might be a little samey while everyone's finding their feet but once we get this down things will pick up, rather than throwing everyone into the fire at the risk of inexperience leading to combat slog, encounter imbalance, and generally a potentially un-enjoyable first impression with dnd.
Levels 1 to 2 are definitely more "tutorial" levels, but this is not a game a whole party of new players wants to skip the tutorial on.
Lost Mine of Phandelver is good for new players, however it is not a one-shot, so that would rule it out if you want a one-shot. I think starting at 4th level is okay, if you just accept that there will be certain abilities your characters don't use, because both you and the player forget about them. In my experience, there will be a lot of focus on reminding them what options they have during combat. Trying to remember they have the option to disengage, dodge, dash, grapple, etc., let alone remembering what they do and the mechanics of how they work.
Just remember it's a game and the point is to have fun, and try not to worry too much about getting everything "right". If Prisoner 13 sounds like fun to you, then give it a go. Good luck, and happy gaming; I hope you have a great time!
It might be possible to run the Goblin Ambush and the Cragmaw Hideout as a one-shot. You can end the session with the PCs (hopefully) saving Sildar Hallwinter, and hand wave that they then make it to town where Sildar rewards them.
Then the players can decide if they want to continue the adventure as written, or leave it there.
"Orcs are savage raiders and pillagers with stooped postures, low foreheads, and piggish faces with prominent lower canines that resemble tusks." MM p245 (original printing)
You don't OWN your books on DDB: WotC can change them any time. What do you think will happen when OneD&D comes out?
Are you an experienced player? If you are, and don't think you'd have too much trouble explaining rules and such, I think Prisoner 13 would be fine for a one-shot. It's very mission-focused, which helps, and as C_G said tossing brand-new players in at level 4 actually gives all the players some meaningful options and decisions. That said, you'd probably have to help the casters with their spell lists etc. to avoid having one of them pick true strike or something
If you do want a level 1 one-shot instead, the one in Candlekeep Mysteries (The Joy of Extradimensional Spaces) is pretty fun
Active characters:
Carric Aquissar, elven wannabe artist in his deconstructionist period (Archfey warlock)
Lan Kidogo, mapach archaeologist and treasure hunter (Knowledge cleric)
Mardan Ferres, elven private investigator obsessed with that one unsolved murder (Assassin rogue)
Xhekhetiel, halfling survivor of a Betrayer Gods cult (Runechild sorcerer/fighter)
Try one of the starter sets, I've been running Dragons of Stormwreck Isle with a group of new players and it's very good to get going as a DM and explains it all. Reduce the number of Kobolds in the starting location though as there are too many to track (just have some of them out on the island and the party can meet them somewhere else), SlyFlourish do a very good video on running it.
I wouldn't advise starting with a party with 4th level players as you'll end up running the adventure and all their players as well and they'll just get confused and bored.
Dive in. Do what sounds like fun to your group. My first edition of D&D was Advanced Dungeons & Dragons. I considered doing a nostalgia campaign with AD&D rules. I went back to reread the PHB and the DMG.
I don't know what we were playing back then, but it was not AD&D (by the rules). LOL
But I remember we had a blast and made some memories that brought us back to the game years later.