My girlfriend is very keen to try D&D, and I am happy to play with her. However, neither of us have played it before.
From my initial research, it IS possible to play with just the two of us, even though larger groups are recommended.
What I was wondering is, are there any specific sets/starter packs/adventures that would lend themselves to two players with no experience to learn the game?
You could check out the basic rules Basic Ruleshere on DND beyond. That will at least get you what you need to make your characters and the basics of playing the game. It's free for everyone. If you don't have a Game Master, then you'll likely want to try to find a table. There are all sorts of resources to find them and any city will have places you can go to play (some cost money). DND Beyond also has a forum for finding games. You could easily find a single session adventure to decide if this is something you'll enjoy. DND is a ton of fun but getting into it can be somewhat intimidating! Stick with it though and you'll both really enjoy yourselves.
You can certainly try. You could even play a character and DM at the same time if you wanted. All you really need is Dice. If you think this is something you'll get into, I'd suggest heading over to Amazon and buy a pack of dice. I recently got a 5 pack of dice for $10. My girlfriend and I were talking about getting involved so I went ahead and got us some dice. (We had a DM friend running the show).
Aside from that, I would recommending watchthese videos from Matt Colville. Matt is a D&D guru who you can learn a great deal from and these videos are probably a great place to start. He'll have all sorts of advice for running a successful campaign.
So you wouldn't recommend my buying a set and attempting to be the DM whilst she plays?
Depends on your expendable cash, and what your guess is about whether you'll enjoy it. If for you a Players Handbook isn't a big expenditure, then go for it.
And finding a group is helpful, but maybe not necessary. What I'd recommend if you do want to start with just yourselves is to have her roll up a character, and then roll up one or two other characters who she knows, who are allies, and will be the rest of the party. They'll do what she tells them too--she's in charge--but you can roll for them, or you can both roll for them, whatever works. Just because it's easier to get into fights and steal things and investigate dungeons with help :)
You can also think about novel or movie scenarios that have involved only one character, and recreate those. For example, if she rolls up a rogue, maybe her first session is that she's new in town, she has to prove herself to the local thieves' guild, so she has to break into a manor house on the edge of town and steal a valuable necklace. Get yourself a layout of a manor house, some guards, figure out where everything is, who is around, that sort of stuff, and off you go :) If at any time you as the DM are not sure what to do, what she finds behind the door, what challenges she'll face, just think--what would happen in the movie? :) When you're starting out, that sort of thinking can help a lot.
You can do it with just the two of you, but you may want to create at least one other character to help her out. First 3 levels can be deadly. Although you'll be the DM, another character can help keep her from going down in the first or second turn, especially if she wants to play a squishy class.
There is a starter set, but you'll have to change a lot for your lack of players. You could also just use it as a base for a small excursion around a town. Perhaps a burglary gone bad, or a quick adventure to nab an item for some big shot in town while racing a rival (that you can play.)
Hi,
My girlfriend is very keen to try D&D, and I am happy to play with her. However, neither of us have played it before.
From my initial research, it IS possible to play with just the two of us, even though larger groups are recommended.
What I was wondering is, are there any specific sets/starter packs/adventures that would lend themselves to two players with no experience to learn the game?
You could check out the basic rules Basic Rules here on DND beyond. That will at least get you what you need to make your characters and the basics of playing the game. It's free for everyone. If you don't have a Game Master, then you'll likely want to try to find a table. There are all sorts of resources to find them and any city will have places you can go to play (some cost money). DND Beyond also has a forum for finding games. You could easily find a single session adventure to decide if this is something you'll enjoy. DND is a ton of fun but getting into it can be somewhat intimidating! Stick with it though and you'll both really enjoy yourselves.
Thank you for the reply and the information.
So you wouldn't recommend my buying a set and attempting to be the DM whilst she plays?
You can certainly try. You could even play a character and DM at the same time if you wanted. All you really need is Dice. If you think this is something you'll get into, I'd suggest heading over to Amazon and buy a pack of dice. I recently got a 5 pack of dice for $10. My girlfriend and I were talking about getting involved so I went ahead and got us some dice. (We had a DM friend running the show).
Aside from that, I would recommending watch these videos from Matt Colville. Matt is a D&D guru who you can learn a great deal from and these videos are probably a great place to start. He'll have all sorts of advice for running a successful campaign.
Hope this helps!
Depends on your expendable cash, and what your guess is about whether you'll enjoy it. If for you a Players Handbook isn't a big expenditure, then go for it.
And finding a group is helpful, but maybe not necessary. What I'd recommend if you do want to start with just yourselves is to have her roll up a character, and then roll up one or two other characters who she knows, who are allies, and will be the rest of the party. They'll do what she tells them too--she's in charge--but you can roll for them, or you can both roll for them, whatever works. Just because it's easier to get into fights and steal things and investigate dungeons with help :)
You can also think about novel or movie scenarios that have involved only one character, and recreate those. For example, if she rolls up a rogue, maybe her first session is that she's new in town, she has to prove herself to the local thieves' guild, so she has to break into a manor house on the edge of town and steal a valuable necklace. Get yourself a layout of a manor house, some guards, figure out where everything is, who is around, that sort of stuff, and off you go :) If at any time you as the DM are not sure what to do, what she finds behind the door, what challenges she'll face, just think--what would happen in the movie? :) When you're starting out, that sort of thinking can help a lot.
Looking for new subclasses, spells, magic items, feats, and races? Opinions welcome :)
You can do it with just the two of you, but you may want to create at least one other character to help her out. First 3 levels can be deadly. Although you'll be the DM, another character can help keep her from going down in the first or second turn, especially if she wants to play a squishy class.
There is a starter set, but you'll have to change a lot for your lack of players. You could also just use it as a base for a small excursion around a town. Perhaps a burglary gone bad, or a quick adventure to nab an item for some big shot in town while racing a rival (that you can play.)
Lots of videos online can help you understand the basics. These are from Critical Role.