A group of my friends and I recently decided we wanted to play DnD , but no one really has an idea on how it works. We are going to get the starter kit and essentials kit and try to play tomorrow, I was looking for tips and tricks or general advice to better understand the game and help us enjoy it more. If you have any advice please let me know
Most importantly, the goal of D&D is to have fun. If you aren't having fun, then something needs changed, either a rule, behavior, or whatever.
Don't worry about getting all the rules right the first time. If stuck on what to do, the DM should make up something acceptable to the party, and then look it up later.
Most rolls are a d20 (twenty sided die) plus an attribute bonus (strength, dexterity, constitution, intelligence, wisdom, charisma) and then your proficiency bonus if you are trained in what you are doing (have proficiency in it). It will be versus either a static value (like skill check Difficulty Class, or Armor Class when attacking) or a contented roll where your opponent rolls an applicable thing (like Wisdom + Perception to spot someone trying to hide with Dexterity + Stealth)
There are a lot of great and entertaining Videos about running a game and the lore of the DnD universe on youtube. I dont know if anyone would agree with me but the following channels helped me a lot in being motivated to run my games and understanding the mechanics as well:
If you're the DM, then I would say you have a LOT of work to do. Especially if you've never played. I would suggest picking up the starter kit (Mines of Phandelver, not the Stranger Things one) and spend a good week reading through it. It's not like a board game where you pop the lid and figure out how to play in 15 minutes and off you go. I would say a DM spends at least 1:1 time in prep vs play. If you're crafting your own story, world etc.. it's probably closer to 3:1...
If you're the DM, then I would say you have a LOT of work to do. Especially if you've never played. I would suggest picking up the starter kit (Mines of Phandelver, not the Stranger Things one) and spend a good week reading through it. It's not like a board game where you pop the lid and figure out how to play in 15 minutes and off you go. I would say a DM spends at least 1:1 time in prep vs play. If you're crafting your own story, world etc.. it's probably closer to 3:1...
That is very true. But dont let that scare you off. Its VERY rewarding. Everytime my friends tell me that they cant wait for our next session and are eager to find out what happens next, its honestly the best feeling ever.
If you're the DM, then I would say you have a LOT of work to do. Especially if you've never played. I would suggest picking up the starter kit (Mines of Phandelver, not the Stranger Things one) and spend a good week reading through it. It's not like a board game where you pop the lid and figure out how to play in 15 minutes and off you go. I would say a DM spends at least 1:1 time in prep vs play. If you're crafting your own story, world etc.. it's probably closer to 3:1...
The Starter Set for me was exactly like popping open a board game and playing after taking 15-20 minutes to read the rules haha
These both are meant for super newbies and are very accessible. Even though I am a Matt Colvillian, you can't beat Matt Mercer & the Critical Role team when it comes to newbie friendliness.
You should only need either the starter kit or the essentials kit, I haven't played either starting adventure so I can't tell you which to go for. Hope you guys like the hobby (also second the matt coville running the game YouTube playlist)
Hi, I got back to D and D recently after playing it in the 80s and have been playing about 7 months now (loving it!). The Mines of Phandalar is a great place to start, it has a pretty good flow and is fairly interesting. My biggest challenge was the combat, which at first was confusing. Read the rules in the Player Manual alot, I think doing a lot of homework is helpful at first. You guys might want to do just a couple of fights to get the feel for it, maybe using some stock characters in the starter kit, either fighting each other or a monster or two before you start an official adventure. Just a suggestion.
Hi, I got back to D and D recently after playing it in the 80s and have been playing about 7 months now (loving it!). The Mines of Phandalar is a great place to start, it has a pretty good flow and is fairly interesting. My biggest challenge was the combat, which at first was confusing. Read the rules in the Player Manual alot, I think doing a lot of homework is helpful at first. You guys might want to do just a couple of fights to get the feel for it, maybe using some stock characters in the starter kit, either fighting each other or a monster or two before you start an official adventure. Just a suggestion.
If you want to try a starter combat, I usually start new players fighting 3-4 goblins beating an unarmed npc(non lethally) and run the goblins like the three stooges (start dumb, if the players play tactically have them get smarter after the first falls otherwise stay dumb so you don't overwhelm the team)
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A group of my friends and I recently decided we wanted to play DnD , but no one really has an idea on how it works. We are going to get the starter kit and essentials kit and try to play tomorrow, I was looking for tips and tricks or general advice to better understand the game and help us enjoy it more. If you have any advice please let me know
You can give the free basic rules a read on DDB.
Most importantly, the goal of D&D is to have fun. If you aren't having fun, then something needs changed, either a rule, behavior, or whatever.
Don't worry about getting all the rules right the first time. If stuck on what to do, the DM should make up something acceptable to the party, and then look it up later.
Most rolls are a d20 (twenty sided die) plus an attribute bonus (strength, dexterity, constitution, intelligence, wisdom, charisma) and then your proficiency bonus if you are trained in what you are doing (have proficiency in it). It will be versus either a static value (like skill check Difficulty Class, or Armor Class when attacking) or a contented roll where your opponent rolls an applicable thing (like Wisdom + Perception to spot someone trying to hide with Dexterity + Stealth)
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There are a lot of great and entertaining Videos about running a game and the lore of the DnD universe on youtube.
I dont know if anyone would agree with me but the following channels helped me a lot in being motivated to run my games
and understanding the mechanics as well:
XP to Level 3
Runesmith
WASD20
Also if you are looking for a fun introduction into the different classes for your players i strongly recommend Jocat's Crap guide to D&D:
https://youtu.be/00EvO-X6Wu4
might not be too informative but watch it for the lulz.
If you're the DM, then I would say you have a LOT of work to do. Especially if you've never played. I would suggest picking up the starter kit (Mines of Phandelver, not the Stranger Things one) and spend a good week reading through it. It's not like a board game where you pop the lid and figure out how to play in 15 minutes and off you go. I would say a DM spends at least 1:1 time in prep vs play. If you're crafting your own story, world etc.. it's probably closer to 3:1...
That is very true. But dont let that scare you off. Its VERY rewarding.
Everytime my friends tell me that they cant wait for our next session and are eager to find out what happens next, its honestly the best feeling ever.
The Starter Set for me was exactly like popping open a board game and playing after taking 15-20 minutes to read the rules haha
Since someone hasn't suggested it yet
Handbooker Helper
DM Tips with Matt Mercer
These both are meant for super newbies and are very accessible. Even though I am a Matt Colvillian, you can't beat Matt Mercer & the Critical Role team when it comes to newbie friendliness.
You should only need either the starter kit or the essentials kit, I haven't played either starting adventure so I can't tell you which to go for. Hope you guys like the hobby (also second the matt coville running the game YouTube playlist)
Hi, I got back to D and D recently after playing it in the 80s and have been playing about 7 months now (loving it!). The Mines of Phandalar is a great place to start, it has a pretty good flow and is fairly interesting. My biggest challenge was the combat, which at first was confusing. Read the rules in the Player Manual alot, I think doing a lot of homework is helpful at first. You guys might want to do just a couple of fights to get the feel for it, maybe using some stock characters in the starter kit, either fighting each other or a monster or two before you start an official adventure. Just a suggestion.
If you want to try a starter combat, I usually start new players fighting 3-4 goblins beating an unarmed npc(non lethally) and run the goblins like the three stooges (start dumb, if the players play tactically have them get smarter after the first falls otherwise stay dumb so you don't overwhelm the team)