modifiers are what you add to rolls. If you have a +2 to your dex, you add 2 to any dexterity rolls you would make
#dnd-newcomers
hollow pendant
hollow pendant
exactly
shut dove
Cool
shut dove
exactly
Do you suggest I fill out a blank chracter sheet for my character or do I use the site? The site was pretty confusing
hollow pendant
i honestly have slightly mixed opinions about this. I think that d&d beyond is a very good way to get started. the only minor issue that i have with it is that it does everything for you. this means you can get a sheet quickly but can sometimes make it hard to learn for yourself
shut dove
So I think I will use the sheet then
Should I print it or is there a way to fill it on the computer easily?
echo kelp
It is a form-fillable PDF
teal basin
Does anyone know why the new phb alt cover is so expensive? I want to buy one, but I'm not sure if it's worth waiting until later.
shut dove
It is a form-fillable PDF
Great
echo kelp
Does anyone know why the new phb alt cover is so expensive? I want to buy one, b...
This the newcomers channel - check with folks in #dnd-discussion
Likely it’s because it’s a limited print run
teal basin
This the newcomers channel - check with folks in <#520318450615189540>
Yup, sorry.
cerulean salmon
if you want stealth and spellcasting, druid/ranger/bard all do that very well
shut dove
if you want stealth and spellcasting, druid/ranger/bard all do that very well
No rogue?
cerulean salmon
arcane trickster is decent but if all you care about is stealth and spellcasting id do bard
if you want spellcasting,stealth, and to be good at assassinating people, id do a gloomstalker ranger
you get an extra attack at the start of every fight, and you are invisible to things with darkvision while in the dark
shut dove
Mhmmmm
Interesting
I mean, you can always create new characters right lol? I think I will start with an Arcane trickster or a souldknife for now
I hope I can find a Dm that has great world building
cerulean salmon
most dms would get a bit annoyed if you repreatedly ask to swap characters mid campaign
shut dove
most dms would get a bit annoyed if you repreatedly ask to swap characters mid c...
I didn't mean mid campaign, I mean later
cerulean salmon
but like your hypothetical gloomstalker or arcane trickster could still be the same person and whatnot
shut dove
Ya
shut dove
but like your hypothetical gloomstalker or arcane trickster could still be the s...
I have a last question tho, when I skimmed through the spells chapter in the handbook, there wasn't a single spell that had rogue written next to it, it was all mage, warlock and stuff like that, how can rogues and warriors and those guys cast spells?
cerulean salmon
in their subclasses they tell you what spell list they use
usually it's the wizard spell list with some restrictions
vivid bison
Hello
echo kelp
Welcome!
If you're new to D&D check out #learn-to-play and the pinned messages here in the channel.
exotic remnantBOT
meager bolt
This server is excellent! I’m new to DND and found this server and I’ve had a great time just reading all the different channels. Really like all the tips for the newcomers.
stoic dagger
Hi everyone, Trying to find a group to play with.
shell pumice
red niche
Hey everyone I just received my first D&D starters kit after expressing interest in playing and I’m looking forward to part of this community. Super new player btw so please be patient
haughty bough
hi
devout sail
I've been dabbling in D&D since quarantine started. I wouldn't consider myself to be that knowledgeable when it comes to understanding how the game works. But I have been a DM and part of a party on several occasions. Most of them are disbanded now, but I really enjoyed my time with em. Was hoping I could try out with strangers instead of friends for once.
restive geode
awww yeahhhhh! Kobolds!
crimson steeple
I came to the realization that it's not easy to convert a story character into D&D
timid vector
I came to the realization that it's not easy to convert a story character into ...
One of the most popular questions on D&D forums is... "What class would XXXX be? What would their stats be?"
crimson steeple
One of the most popular questions on D&D forums is... "What class would XXXX be?...
Picture, a story where you've already finished the character, and all their lore. Most D&D stores happen in the middle, or at the beginning. But not at the end of a character story. Struggling to find the right starting point where he's not overpowered, and if at some point he survives the story he retires to become what he is in the finished storyline
crimson steeple
One of the most popular questions on D&D forums is... "What class would XXXX be?...
Yes... Exactly
twilit wraith
wassup gang, im new here
exotic remnantBOT
dawn sphinx
Thinking about buying something basic to learn how to play along with my 10 and 8 year old sons. Is there a cost-efficient starting set?
carmine shuttle
There is! You’ve got 2 choices, both of which have MSRPs between $20 and $25 USD. One is called the Starter Set; the other is called the Essentials Kit.
Both have a condensed rule book, a poster map that shows the area around the town of Phandelver in the Forgotten Realms, a set of dice (12 total if I remember right - 2d20, 4d6, and one of everything else), and an adventure.
harsh fjord
Thinking about buying something basic to learn how to play along with my 10 and ...
Or you can run the free adventure Peril in Pinebrook, which was made specificially for younger players with streamlined rules: https://www.dndbeyond.com/posts/1625-peril-in-pinebrook-a-free-introductory-adventure
carmine shuttle
The adventure in the Starter Set is called Dragons of Stormwreck Isle. I think it’s marginally the better one for brand-new GMs, because it has a more structured plot and advice from scratch. The Essentials Kit adventure is called Dragons of Icespire Peak. It also has some handout cards, and at least used to come with discount codes to claim 3 more adventures for free on D&D Beyond, and for 50% off a Player’s Handbook purchase there. I can’t swear to whether it still has either.
carmine shuttle
Or you can run the free adventure Peril in Pinebrook, which was made specificial...
Not sure I knew that existed, or at least that is was aimed at younger players.
harsh fjord
It's only for a single session, but it's a nice test-run rather than jumping into a full campaign.
carmine shuttle
Stormwreck is probably 3-4 sessions. Icespire can go lomger, especially with the sequel stuff.
dawn sphinx
looks like Amazon actually has both of them in one set for $25, looks like a good deal https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0DN4ZRCH8/ref=ox_sc_act_title_1?smid=ATVPDKIKX0DER&psc=1
harsh fjord
That is a good deal.
carmine shuttle
Especially if the discount codes are still included.
Though the Player’s Handbook code might go to the 2014 printing.
dawn sphinx
Especially if the discount codes are still included.
what kind of codes are typically included in these starter sets? for digital versions or something else?
carmine shuttle
Digital, on DnDBeyond.
echo kelp
I believe the previous DnDBeyond discount codes are no longer shipped with the product
carmine shuttle
I believe the previous DnDBeyond discount codes are no longer shipped with the p...
Does that include the follow-on adventures?
echo kelp
I believe that was ended when WoTC bought DnDBeyond.
I'll have to check but I think the follow-up adventures are still available for free...
carmine shuttle
In my opinion, not including the discount codes is an error. Without it, I would not have purchased anything on DDB.
echo kelp
I'm not on the marketing and sales team - I'm just a community moderator.
carmine shuttle
As it stands, I’ve got a solid 6-10 sourcebooks gradually acquired.
Plural, anecdote, etc.
exotic remnantBOT
The following items on D&D Beyond can be claimed at no cost.
carmine shuttle
I'm not on the marketing and sales team - I'm just a community moderator.
I figured. But I also figure that marketing/sales/etc eventually has things filter back to the,.
timid vector
I've been playing 5e since the playtest... I've never used D&D Beyond... Just not my thing but nothing wrong with it either.
echo kelp
I figured. But I also figure that marketing/sales/etc eventually has things filt...
Yeah - we can try and pass things back via #ddb-feedback
dawn sphinx
Bought that combo pack, thanks for the feedback. Will give it to my boys for Christmas
stray trail
hey guys i have some questions about pact of the blade
is there a way to make multiple or is it just the one
is there a limit on the size i can make the weapon
and can you upgrade it
candid terrace
hello
me and my friend want to try playing dnd for the first time
what is the best way to get started
harsh fjord
There is no single best way. It really depends what works for you. Here are some options:
- You could watch some games played on YouTube or Twitch just to see what it's like in action. (Podcasts also work for this purpose.)
- Or play the demo.
- Or read #learn-to-play.
- Or you could read through the Free Rules.
- Or you could watch the Handbooker Helper videos (or WASD20's Rules School) on YouTube.
- Or you could sign up for a learn-to-play session through the virtual weekends linked in the server's Events channel.
- Or you can do any/all of these in increments. Read one rules chapter. Watch one explainer video.
crude elk
Hello!, i'm creating a druid and i see there are spells for expanded rules? Is It convinient to choose a spell from there or should i go with the core rules?
main fulcrum
and can you upgrade it
It works exactly as it says it does. So you can create 1 weapon, or bond with 1 magic weapon.
The weapons are the normal size because it doesn't say they can be larger.
And it doesn't upgrade because it doesn't say it can
harsh fjord
Hello!, i'm creating a druid and i see there are spells for expanded rules? Is I...
That'll be up to your DM. Probably just stick with the core rules for the moment until you get the green light to look at other options.
crude elk
Thank you lots!!!
modern hull
Is paid lfg better then non-paid lfg?
deft sigil
Is paid lfg better then non-paid lfg?
Not necessarily - though people are more likely to show up when they have paid for the slot in the game - DMs might prep a little more or at least you could expect a bit more from one you are paying for
gloomy sandal
Hi, brand new here. I havent played DND in probably 15-20 years. Just created a character on DND Beyond. have no idea how to get started in playing and probably need a little hand holding for the first go around. Any suggestions?
tall surge
Can any dm teach me and my friend how to play we would like to learn
exotic remnantBOT
frosty basin
Which online shops are best to find fancy, pretty dice? I perused Etsy a bit but the prices and quality seem to be all over the place. What are your favorite types to play with?
open zenith
I have a small group of just 3 of us that normally play table top games on board game arena. Im looking to maybe start up a campaign with me as the dm, and the other 2 players as the party. beyond d&d was suggested as a resource with Lost Mine of Phandelver as the started adventure. I cant tell from the web site if the module is free or not.
sorry d&d beyond. (noob here)
main fulcrum
Lost Mines used to be free, but I don't believe it is anymore
However there are other free adventures on the site
karmic junco
In the DM guide it says that players can not see the full map, yet part of the map can be seen, the part that can be seen is the city area ?
hearty escarp
You'll mostly cover dangerous and unknown parts that the party is actively exploring, such as a dungeon or maybe unknown lands. A city is 'safe' and is easy to navigate. I usually keep that open.
shut dove
Is the speed ans size of the character just the speed and size if the species?
And how does the background effect the ability points?
edgy onyx
Yes, the race/species will give you your speed in feet (usually 30 ft.), and your size, sometimes giving a choise (medium or small)
dusk surge
Hello there, Im new to dnd and i want to make my first campaign as a Dungeon Master im currently studying everything i need to know but i would love to find people and play as a character so i can learn more abut the game before starting my campaign
shut dove
Yes, the race/species will give you your speed in feet (usually 30 ft.), and you...
Can't the speed be increased?
shut dove
Hello there, Im new to dnd and i want to make my first campaign as a Dungeon Ma...
I'm new too and I can't tind a DM to play with
hearty escarp
Speed is mostly changed by class, such as monk or barbarian.
Species will have 25-35 base, so all pretty similar.
shut dove
Speed is mostly changed by class, such as monk or barbarian.
For example does rogue change the speed?
edgy onyx
Yeah some fratures can increase your speed
You can dash with any class
Barbarian and monk i believe give some extra speed at least, and mobile feat increases it
karmic junco
With different roles/classes/etc how easy is it to get a bot to keep up with the storyline job quests for each player involved? Would it be easy to set up a bot with a save database that players can interact with?
hearty escarp
For example does rogue change the speed?
Not really. But rogue gets more options in how to use the speed they have, such as dashing with a bonus action or better climbing as a thief.
karmic junco
Although I thought rogue would be one if the fastest classes
Also it depends on the roll of the dice
edgy onyx
In a way they can be, thanks to the bonus action, so they can dash twice on their turn (:
shut dove
In a way they can be, thanks to the bonus action, so they can dash twice on thei...
Great
edgy onyx
Speed rarely depends on a roll of the die
hearty escarp
Although I thought rogue would be one if the fastest classes
Yeah sometimes the game mechanics aren't exactly what our preconcieved notions are. It's best to read the class features and make your own judgement.
shut dove
Also it depends on the roll of the dice
I'm so confused about the dice
edgy onyx
Very simplified: D20, the 20 sided die is the one you use to see of something succeeds
The rest are basically used when required, and there's usually text stating so
edgy onyx
Usually its something like 4d6, which for example would mean you roll four six-sided dice, and take the total result
Or is there some other symbols you mean? Can't immediately recall any relating to dice at least
shut dove
Usually its something like 4d6, which for example would mean you roll four six-s...
Lmao why
shut dove
Or is there some other symbols you mean? Can't immediately recall any relating t...
No I meant those like 4d6, thanks
shut dove
Btw how do you fill those other abilities under the main ones?
hearty escarp
Lmao why
For damage, mostly.
Say you're a rogue and you hit an enemy (which involves the d20). Once you hit, you get to roll damage. Rogue can sneak attack, which gives them more damage in the form of 1d6 at first level. If your weapon already did 1d6, you now roll 2d6 because of that. And so forth.
hearty escarp
Way too swingly. Essentially, for game design reasons.
shut dove
For damage, mostly.
Say you're a rogue and you hit an enemy (which involves the...
Damn that's a lot
edgy onyx
Lot of things can be surprisingly strong! But usually there's some limit or cost
For example, rogue needs to meet certain conditions to be able to sneak attack, while most other classes that attack with weapons tend to get extra attacks
hearty escarp
Btw how do you fill those other abilities under the main ones?
Do you mean the ability scores? The process for determining those is explained in the free rules. It's step 3 of making a new character. https://www.dndbeyond.com/sources/dnd/free-rules/creating-a-character#Step3DetermineAbilityScores
topaz garnet
Why not just use 1 d20
because 1d20 is an even chance for anything from 1 to 20, whereas rolling four six-sided dice and discarding the lowest of the set is much more reliable for producing a gameplay-usable array of ability scores.
shut dove
No I meant the smaller things under each ability score, like insight and animal handiling
shut dove
because 1d20 is an even chance for anything from 1 to 20, whereas rolling four s...
Cool
topaz garnet
Those are Skills
shut dove
I didn't excpect the game to be this complicated
topaz garnet
Typically, your Background will give you two, and your Class will give you a choice of "Pick any two skills from the following list"
Some classes have different lists of skills they let you choose from, and Rogue and Bard each get more skill proficiency choices
shut dove
Typically, your Background will give you two, and your Class will give you a cho...
And I add a skill point into every skill of those?
karmic junco
I didn't excpect the game to be this complicated
Ikr
karmic junco
Mine too we are in the same boat.
topaz garnet
Let's also preface:
There are three kinds of D20 Tests.
Attack rolls, used when trying to regularly attack things, like a fire bolt, a crossbow, a sword, etc, trying to get a high roll to beat the target's AC in order to say you did do some damage.
Ability checks, which can sometimes use proficiency in a certain skill as a bonus to the roll. For example, a Strength check might be a Strength (Athletics) check, letting your skill in athletics make you more likely to succeed.
Saving Throws, which is in most cases ever, "something says you make a save, so make the saving throw to determine if you get the full brunt of the bad thing or if you take less or no effect"
karmic junco
There's a set of 15 dice I have coming in the mail.
topaz garnet
Ability Checks are what skills tack onto.
So sometimes a DM might just say to make a Dexterity check.
They might make it a Dexterity (Acrobatics) or Dexterity (Stealth) check depending on if the check's context is something like keeping your balance on a pole, or staying quiet and not making rustling sounds, respectively.
Typically, skills are associated with an ability, that they're usually accompanying - like charisma for the 'social skills' like persuasion, deception, etc.
If you're using DNDBeyond things like this are automatically calculated.
karmic junco
What about magic stats, how do they calculate
topaz garnet
And I add a skill point into every skill of those?
And we don't have skill points in D&D 5e (fifth edition is what has been going since 2014, and is getting a big update in 2024)
topaz garnet
What about magic stats, how do they calculate
Well, what do you mean by "magic stats"?
Because there's no direct 'magic stat' in the game, there are three "physical" abilities and three "mental" abilities
wheat crystal
Do you mean your spellcasting ability modifier, DC, and spell attack? That will be determined by your class. It’ll be under the spellcasting section of your class table
topaz garnet
And typically anything using magic uses one of those three "mental" stats to calculate how good their magic is
like as a player making a character sheet using character creation rules, you just do what StarOfTheLight said.
karmic junco
Do you mean your spellcasting ability modifier, DC, and spell attack? That will ...
Yes, this
wheat crystal
In general your DC will be 8 + your spellcasting ability modifier + proficiency bonus , and your spell attack will be your spellcasting ability modifier + proficiency bonus
hearty escarp
It might be best to have a read of the first two chapters of the free rules instead of getting that information slowly fed over the same time it would take you to read it tbh.
shut dove
Maybe I should use the character creation tool
topaz garnet
And spell descriptions will just say things like "Make a ranged spell attack" or "The target makes a (ability) saving throw" and doesn't list the math - it's because that depends on how good you are with the magic. Like a Wizard with high intelligence, when they cast a spell they'd have a higher bonus to attacks with their spells, or enemies have a harder time avoiding the negative effects of their spells
topaz garnet
Maybe I should use the character creation tool
And there is a ? symbol for advice and explanation in the builder on DNDBeyond
vernal smelt
Hii im pretty new, and was wondering abt the simic hybrid
topaz garnet
That's from Guildmaster's Guide to Ravnica, a setting book for Ravnica, so be sure to ask your DM if you can use it.
It'd could come across like rolling up to a game with a Plasmoid from the space supplement, to a Dragonlance war campaign
could potentially clash
vernal smelt
So theyre basically a mix between human/elf/whatever and an animal right
I was wondering if in a village where simic hybrids live, would they have the same half animal or the same nature, it both or neither? Isn it random?
topaz garnet
Simic Hybrids don't really... "live in a village"
They're more... Getting to be a Simic Hybrid is an achievable perk of being part of the Simic Combine guild in Ravnica.
vernal smelt
Simic Hybrids don't really... "live in a village"
They're more... Getting to be ...
Simic combine guild?
topaz garnet
Yes, it's a Ravnica thing.
Simic Hybrid is what happens when the Simic Combine turns a person into a hybrid (from fish things, like lobster claws or manta ray glidey bits).
(at least, the player-facing mechanical option for character creation)
So, typically, someone would make a Simic Hybrid character in a Ravnica campaign, their character being part of the Simic Combine guild, which is why their character was able to become a Simic Hybrid.
vernal smelt
Could i have more details abt the ravnica campaign? Not sure what that is
topaz garnet
Ravnica is a setting, a world in which a DND campaign can take place.
hearty escarp
There's a bit of an overview in the FR wiki. https://forgottenrealms.fandom.com/wiki/Ravnica
topaz garnet
Said setting has multiple guilds in it, so Factions.
One such faction is the Simic Combine, part of their gimmick is augmenting people into being partially-fish-people
vernal smelt
Oo so these simic combine can turn ppl into simic hybrids? Or can they turn themslebes into simic hybrids?
Are tgey able to turn only guild members into them?
Or is there other requirments to do so
And do they do that to have more simics, like some kind of organisation?
topaz garnet
Simic is a guild, a faction, not necessarily a people
"Hybrids are the product of Simic magic. It’s not impossible for a hybrid to leave the Simic Combine and join another guild, but the Simic would consider the individual a deserter. And the new guild might never fully welcome a hybrid who could easily be a Simic spy."
vernal smelt
Simic is a guild, a faction, not necessarily *a people*
How so? I thought guilds are composed of people? Or is it different in dnd
hearty escarp
I believe Auditor meant 'a people' in the definition of:
the members of a particular nation, community, or ethnic group
shut dove
Why doesn't all the backgrounds in the handbook exist in the character creation tool?
hearty escarp
DnDBeyond is effectively a separate product. You'd have to license the player's handbook on DDB to gain access to all the content therein. Even if you already own a physical copy of the PHB.
topaz garnet
It's like having a Demo (Basic Rules '14 / Free Rules '24), the Core rules (PHB, DMG, MM), and then DLC (supplements and expansions).
shut dove
Damn it
topaz garnet
To give an example
It's like the Binding of Isaac, having its 'free / basic' version as that flash game back in the day, then having the "Rebirth" version being a more filled out game, then having the DLC release, being AB, AB+, and Repentance, to expand upon the game.
vernal smelt
Okay so to sum it up, simic hybrids are turned into that by simic combine, who are a guild. Simics only exist in Ravnica setting. Becoming a simic hybrid is a perk of joining said simic combine guild, although these hybrids can change guilds.
topaz garnet
You got the basics, you got the "meat on the bone", you got the extra content to jam-pack the content
topaz garnet
Okay so to sum it up, simic hybrids are turned into that by simic combine, who a...
That's about the gimmick, yeah
vernal smelt
Okk tysm!!
topaz garnet
Not necessarily automatically "Thanks for being team Simic become a fish man" but it's like, this ideological upper eschelon for them, elite soldiers yknow
And someone wandering into your guild with "Hello I was a special boy from this other faction and have special perks from them" can come across oddly
trim ether
Hello
I have never played D&D in my life but I am greatly interested and so I chose to make a campaign for a D&D world. I was wondering if you guys would like to take a look and give some feedback
hearty escarp
I think for world building feedback, #dm-world-building is probably the go-to place
trim ether
Thanks
upper sandal
hearty escarp
Hey there. Check #find-a-game to learn how the looking for group process works here.
lyric fjord
I made an snd character
serene valve
I'm still trying to understand how spellcasting works. Are spell slots how many times I can use spells?
Meaning I can only use 4 1st-level spells and 2 2nd-level spells at level 3?
carmine shuttle
You're 95% of the way there. the missing 5% is that you could use your 2nd-level spell slots to cast your 1st-level spells if you wanted, usually but not always to increased effect.
And cantrips do not require a spell slot.
serene valve
upcasting, yeah i remember that
carmine shuttle
Like I said, you had the general gist for basically everything.
serene valve
ok, good
carmine shuttle
More nuance: In general, spell slots refresh on a long rest, though most "full caster" classes (which would include the example you used) have a way to refresh some spells slots in between long rests. Warlocks are different, generally getting 2 spell slots total, but they refresh on a short rest and automatically increase in level/potency.
serene valve
Is there any kind of way to make a character sheet without DnDBeyond and Roll20? Roll20's doesnt let me put in Spells properly...
Roll20 is asking me weird things like "output" and my only options are "spellcard" and "attack"
carmine shuttle
Is there any kind of way to make a character sheet without DnDBeyond and Roll20?...
I'm not a Roll20 expert (might find some help in #third-party ), but: Spellcard will print out the spell description (as you put it in); "Attack" will go through rolling an attack roll and damage.
If the spells are part of the compendium, you should be able to drag-and-drop them.
ornate kiln
you can fill out pdf too
carmine shuttle
you can fill out pdf too
Might be less useful for the implied VTT situation.
ornate kiln
true enough, but yeah roll20 isnt super intuitive but one should be able to to make everything work theoretically
wild onyx
If you can get a presence on the VTT to enable your character to be represented and have some way of rolling dice, you can play. The more automation you want to enable, the more you'll have to learn about the tools and options available.
vast plaza
Hi. I'm brand new to d&d and always wanted to get into it.
exotic remnantBOT
harsh fjord
The links above are a good place to start!
sacred plume
Hey I have some questions for a project I'm working on if anyone here has time to be interviewed
I'm doing a project to convince people to play D&D for a University class. It had to be a persuasive presentation and I'd like some outlooks from other Dms and new players
lyric fjord
I’m brand new to dnd, do I need the handbooks and character models, physical dice etc? If so I have a 3d printer, what could I print?
echo kelp
All you need to play D&D is the free rules (to start), dice (digital or physical), a way to communicate (in person or online), character sheets (to track character information), and folks willing to play
lyric fjord
All you need to play D&D is the free rules (to start), dice (digital or physical...
Thank you!
exotic remnantBOT
lyric fjord
Hi this is a copy paste from #dnd-discussion but:
Hi, I’m brand new to d&d, I know some basic things but would anyone be able to voice chat to help show me the ropes for like an hour. Not trying to do a full campaign just a one time thing ig
carmine shuttle
There are enough people going through here that one-on-one like that really isn't practical. My suggestions would be:
- Start with the demo, if you haven't looked at it already
- If you still want a sense of what the game looks like in practice, my current favorite two intros for complete rookies are Deborah Ann Woll explaining it to John Bernthal, and Ginny Di's one from a couple weeks ago that's called something to the effect of "D&D for the Absolute Beginner". They're both linked elsewhere in this channel.
- If you're trying to figure out the building a character but have an idea what kind of a character you want to end up with, either here or #character-discussion are your best bets.
umbral spire
Hi this is a copy paste from <#520318450615189540> but:
Hi, I’m brand new to d&...
Same here , i know a some stuff but trying to figure out the charecter sheet stuff and dont know how to do that but, can I maybe hop in a vc and show me what to do?
lyric fjord
Same here , i know a some stuff but trying to figure out the charecter sheet stu...
Hi, someone has helped me through some things like really quickly, it’s actually pretty easy, maybe I could start you off now?
umbral spire
yes plz i appreciate that
carmine shuttle
Same here , i know a some stuff but trying to figure out the charecter sheet stu...
No voice chat channels in this server. But, what sort of a character are you trying to build? Tell me about them without using any game mechanics terms except maybe species.
umbral spire
I ame trying to make a charecter that is very strong maybe a tiefling, palidin/ fighter but don't know how to do the insight stuff must ui roll it or can u chose becuse i have played bg3 and dont know if that mechanic works here but if u want i can call u on dc then share my sscreen if that would help
and is muli classing also here or not
tough osprey
New players are usually suggested to not multiclass to start. It can be alot to balance 2 classes when you're just learning the game
umbral spire
oh ok thx 🙂
carmine shuttle
I ame trying to make a charecter that is very strong maybe a tiefling, palidin/...
One piece at a time. Describe the character for me. Using words, try answering the following 3 questions:
- What was their childhood like?
- Where do their natural inclinations lie? (Weapons or magic? Tough as nails or break if you sneeze on them? Forceful personality or shrinking violet? that kind of a thing?)
- What do they want?
As for multiclassing: Until you've got some experience under your belt as a player, it can be very easy for a multiclassed character to end up as less than the sum of its parts. That's why Shinslap (and others) will have said to not multiclass to begin.
carmine shuttle
No voice chat channels in this server. But, what sort of a character are you try...
@umbral spire Two examples that might help illustrate what I'm trying to convey:
Arritay is a man who looks to be on the far side of middle-age, with a salt-and-pepper beard and hair that are heavier on the salt than the pepper, looking like he trims things himself with his own daggers. Studded leather armor rests on and under plain clothes in browns and greens, and a mottled gray-and-green cloak with a deep, deep cowl that can keep his face concealed in shadows when he's not letting piercingly sharp brown eyes be seen. A double scabbard on one hip has a short sword and a pair of throwing knives, balanced on the other with a quiver full of arrows. A bow that, when unstrung, is taller than he is is carried in one hand.
Or, Taliesin is a human male whose ears have a hint of a point that suggests the likelihood of elven ancestry someplace back in his family tree. While his beard is trimmed fairly short, reddish hair falls to his shoulders in a style that begins braided around the level of his ears. The riveting work on the small shield slung on his back and worked into the guard on his rapier have suggestions of harp-like motifs, and his voice naturally carries clear to the back of the room even when he's not trying to be noticed.
If you've got a description or somebody like the above (and the tiefling is a place to start), we can help you build the mechanics to support the vision you've got.
umbral spire
i think i have something in mind
carmine shuttle
Excellent.
umbral spire
Alexander is man who is in his middle-age with dark hair and with a shortend beard and has a scar on his right eye ,his eyes glowing red with a tint of orange in combat he uses n greatsword when he fights the evil , or good from the land's of allfinheim where his home is and in battel the enemy is terified of his looks and is tought to fight and has a deep voice and wear's a heavy armor plate that has dark look and helmet fearsome look and blood on his legsings from the enemy and trying to find the power of what he was bestowed upon himself.
carmine shuttle
OK. You've said tiefling, and the heavy plate armor/greatsword suggests that he's going to be more inclined to weapons than magic.
umbral spire
yes
carmine shuttle
The heavy armor tends to preclude either rogue or barbarian. "when he fights the evil" tends to cue a warrior who's sworn to some kind of a purpose.
That suggests, but doesn't have to commit to, paladin over a fighter.
umbral spire
becuse i wanna be in the fight so maybe a fighter for now and see how it goes
carmine shuttle
(By the way... I've started this list as a way of illustrating what some of the sets of game terms might look like when related back to characters from books/film/TV): https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/1efuUmEVnpyO0ZVLNwFgMltVHJo5MdVC3-5Cq9PxZKUA/edit?usp=drive_link
umbral spire
the subclass i think eldritch knight would work not sure yet
carmine shuttle
becuse i wanna be in the fight so maybe a fighter for now and see how it goes
Some fighter examples might include Arritay from my description above (He's a fighter who happens to be an archer), Uhtred Ragnarsson from The Last Kingdom, or a Jedi from the Star Wars films. A Paladin might be Batman (who's a weird kind of a paladin, but is still arguably a paladin), Michael Carpenter from the Dresden Files, Sir Galahad or Sir Palomides from Arthurian legend, or Captain America.
carmine shuttle
the subclass i think eldritch knight would work not sure yet
Will the magic you want to dabble with come from deliberate study, or be granted as part of a promise or code of behavior?
(The character my wife plays is a paladin who's literally a cop, and all of whose spells amount to "magically enhanced cop giving orders")
umbral spire
becuse i think like the spells of eldritch knight can be like binded dont know if that works like an burn mark on my charecters arm that crants the spells
carmine shuttle
Flavor is free - that description could work either way.
umbral spire
that's cool
carmine shuttle
I mean, leaning into the darker side of paladins, the burn marks/brands could be a sign of commitment to their oaths, especially for the oaths of Vengeance or Conquest.
umbral spire
yea , i feel like i ame leaning to wards palidin of fighter becuse i think for my first campaign evil and then de 2nd good
but i also wanted to have like a fire paladin that does fire spells or something like that i want it to look like a dark knight with fire look's cool
carmine shuttle
i feel like i ame leaning to wards palidin of fighter
I'm trying to help you narrow down which one of the two. It'll guide some of the other decisions.
carmine shuttle
but i also wanted to have like a fire paladin that does fire spells or something...
OK, we can work with that. so, we're leaning toward Tiefling Paladin, who's going to lean into one of the spooky/scary oaths when they get there.
What was their life like "before" (before what? Before the game begins.)
umbral spire
Before it began he was in the shadows of the wood's looking for an ancient relic called the Stone Of BloodEmber when he was looking for it something happen's as he walked through the woods and stumpeld upon a portal he thinked it is where the relic was but when he gone through he was in a tarven with players looking for adventure he seeked a group and found one and was hoping to find the relic while he is on the adventure with them.
carmine shuttle
OK, that's the immediate past. What about growing up?
(What I'm trying to do is help you narrow down the background that's the best fit)
umbral spire
growing up he was looking up to his father who has ruled a city but one day his father started to change he was not normal and was scary one night when he wass looking for his father he was no where to be seen when he looked outside he saw a dark shadow with red eyes and when he looked at him he was scared and the dark shadow sed run while u still can and he runed fast as he can and hiding in a dark alleyway wanting not to believe that shadow can be his father but his father was wearing the amulet that was his mother's (before she died she gave the amulete to him) he was scared and looking to find a way out before the shadow finds him
muted mesa
I love this whole conversation
carmine shuttle
Got it. That description suggests to me one of Criminal, Noble (depending on family circumstances before what you described), or Wayfarer. I could make cases for Guard or Soldier, but they're weaker.
carmine shuttle
I love this whole conversation
This is always the approach I take in helping people through their first characters -- you describe the fiction; I'll help you decide what mechanics fit.
carmine shuttle
Got it. That description suggests to me one of Criminal, Noble (depending on fa...
For reasons that tie into the ability scores paladins tend to prioritize, Criminal and Wayfarer are the weakest choices of the lot. Neither gives a boost to Strength, which as a greatsword user you'd value most highly.
umbral spire
so would noble work?
carmine shuttle
Sure. Means his family would have been at least a little important, but that can be worked with.
umbral spire
ok
carmine shuttle
The Noble background means you start proficient in the History and Persuasion skills. You can pick one game (dice, cards, chess, or 3-card monte) that you can play well enough to cheat at, or to catch other people cheating at it. You'll get to pick 3 other skills of your choice to be proficient in - we'll come back to that in a moment - and can apply some ability bumps to Strength, Intelligence, and/or Charisma. Again, we'll hit that in a moment.
If you're working with a paper character sheet, fill in the bubbles next to the History and Persuasion skills. On this sheet, History is under Intelligence and Persuasion is under Charisma. https://media.dndbeyond.com/compendium-images/phb/downloads/DnD_2024_Character-Sheet.pdf
carmine shuttle
what score must i make it?
We'll do math in a bit. We don't have all the information we need for everything else beyond the check/bubble.
umbral spire
ok
carmine shuttle
As a brand-new baby paladin, ou're also proficient in the Wisdom and Charisma saving throws. fill the bubble next to "saving throws" under their respective ability scores. You also get to be proficient in any 2 skills from the follwoing list: Athletics, Insight, Intimidation, Medicine, Persuasion (you're already proficient in it for being noble; no benefit to picking it twice), or Religion. Choose any 2 and fill in the checks.
Athletics: Parkour!
Insight: You're lying to me, scumbag!
Intimidation: what it says on teh tin
Medicine: first aid, and/or "He was poisoned"
Religion: basic familiarity with the practices of various faiths, knowing their symbols, learning about things like fiends/demons/celestials/etc.
umbral spire
wait i ame a littel bit lost
carmine shuttle
Where's the last place you weren't lost?
umbral spire
As a brand-new baby paladin, ou're also proficient in the Wisdom and Charisma saving throws
carmine shuttle
As a brand-new baby paladin, ou're also proficient in the Wisdom and Charisma sa...
A little of it is my sense of humor coloring how I'm describing things. But, on the character sheet I linked, there are spots under each of the ability scores that read "Saving throw". A Saving Throw is a chance to avoid a negative effect from something the world tries to impose on you that isn't strictly an attack.
umbral spire
oh ok
carmine shuttle
A Dex save, for example, might be used for dodging a trap. Paladins are better through training at Wisdom and Charisma saves.
So right this minute, you should have the Wisdom and Charisma saving throw boxes checked, along with 4 skills - History, Persuasion, and any two of Athletics, Insight, Intimidation, Medicine, or Religion.
umbral spire
is it the circl stuff next to it that i must fill in
carmine shuttle
Right.
(We'll come back to numbers if I don't run out of time before heading home, I promise.)
umbral spire
k
carmine shuttle
Then, while we're on skills, the Skilled Feat you get for being Noble (you had lots of free time to pratice whatever you wanted) will let you be proficient in any 3 skills you want.
(You can generally follow along with what I'm doing here for paladin-specific things: https://www.dndbeyond.com/sources/dnd/free-rules/character-classes#Paladin and here for character creation generally: https://www.dndbeyond.com/sources/dnd/free-rules/creating-a-character#CreateYourCharacter)
carmine shuttle
Just to be sure I don't run out of time, we'll let you deal with the class features on your own and jump to ability scores so you can get the math figured out.
You have 6 Ability scores to assign values to: Strength, Dexterity, Constitution, Intelligence, Wisdom, and Charisma. The standard array of ability scores lets you assign a 15, a 14, a 13, a 12, a 10, and an 8 once each wherever you like.
carmine shuttle
3 skills you want. so can i chose more like inssight and stuff?
Yup. 2 from the short list that are specifically Paladin skills, and then any 3 you want anyplace.
carmine shuttle
Just to be sure I don't run out of time, we'll let you deal with the class featu...
Paladins care most about Strength and Charisma. Everybody cares about Constitution to one degree or another, because it will determine how hard you are to take down.
carmine shuttle
so lets say i can put 8 on dex right?
Either Dex or Intelligence are the usual ones for a Paladin. The 15 and either the 14 or the 13 want to go to Strength and Charisma, respectively.
umbral spire
ok
carmine shuttle
This is also where we come back to one of the things I said being a Noble would do for you: Among your Strength, Intelligence, and Charisma, you can either add one to each of them, or add 2 to one score and one to a different one, leaving the third alone. The +2/+1 option is probably more common among new players, and there's nothing wrong with it.
carmine shuttle
Sure. One way the scores might distribute, then, could look like:
Strength: 15 +1 = 16
Dexterity: 10
Constitution: 14
Intelligence: 8 + 1 = 9
Wisdom: 12
Charisma: 13 +1 = 14
Feel free to shuffle things around as you like.
Each ability score has a modifier associated with it. You can look the modifier up toward the end of https://www.dndbeyond.com/sources/dnd/free-rules/creating-a-character#Step3DetermineAbilityScores
To be sure the math on saves and skills is explained: If you aren't proficient in a save or a skill, your total with that save/skill is just the modifier for the relevant ability score. If your Charisma modifier is +2 and you didn't pick Performance as one of your proficiencies from Skilles, then your Performance skill would just have a value of +2.
umbral spire
ok i ame gann send an frend inv on dc so when u are free u can see if it is right what i ame doing
carmine shuttle
If you are proficient, you add a proficiency bonus to it. At 1st level, that proficiency bonus is +2.
carmine shuttle
ok i ame gann send an frend inv on dc so when u are free u can see if it is rig...
I'm fairly shortly going to be tied up in things like heading home, walking the dog, and cooking dinner. But something like a Google Drive link or a DND Beyond character sheet link will let people take a look at it.
plucky ridge
8 - 10 is generally regular human levels
20 is super human
slender iris
Hey how much "roleplay" is too much? I've recently started a few campaigns, I'm super into the game but I am just starting out. Really loving it. But the 2 characters I've created are meant to talk a certain way- one is a fast talking con man, the other is a noble, well educated diplomat.
I keep finding myself putting way too much into their vernacular compared to the other players. Everyone else basically talks to NPCs as themselves, while I have an accent, and a big eccentric personality. No one has said anything, a few players seem to enjoy it, but sometimes I find myself stuttering on longer speeches, to keep up that character.
Am I DnDing wrong? Is this annoying behavoir?
^sorry, I type a lot. Maybe I'm just at a table that isn't as into the roleplay. I just feel weird, am i doing too much?
edgy onyx
There's not really a specific "too much" for roleplay, outside of it being heavily dependent on the party
At the point where they character gets hard to understand, annoying, or when "its what my character would do" turns actively harmful towards the party's enjoyment, that would be too much 😛
From what you've said, nobody seems to mind, so you should be good. No harm in asking the party if you're unsure though!
slender iris
Gotcha gotcha, yeah I'll talk to my party a bit. They're some nice strangers I recently met on a discord server, and I'm an awkward guy, so I've just been putting that off.
Makes sense though, I don't ~think~ I've been doing that, but definitely need their opinions on it
slender iris
From what you've said, nobody seems to mind, so you should be good. No harm in a...
Lol exactly! I'll ask em. The only one that might be an issue is the fast talking con man. My prob there is he's literally BUILT to lie. I cannot roll under a 22 on Deception or Persuasion. So I basically always try to lie, but the party is more lawful good. Again they don't seem to mind, a lot of them think it's funny, but it rarely works
Like he has no real options for combat, just all charm spells and deception features. Might just talk to my DM and change characters, I think he's just not built for that group
^unrelated. But yeah thanks for the advice!
edgy onyx
Anytime 😎
umbral spire
if someone can , can u maybe check if my charecter sheet is right
what i have done so far
edgy onyx
#character-discussion would be the place to share it 😎
And you actually need to post the character for anyone to be able to check it 😛
umbral spire
oh ok how do i share the character must i copy the link
edgy onyx
Yep, that should work
bold veldt
Hey guys never played before but interested in learning and finding a group. Where's a good place to start?
slender iris
Hey guys never played before but interested in learning and finding a group. Whe...
Here, toure gonna wanna scroll through "looking for players" to find DMs who are looking to run games, but need players. Ive found some other smaller fun discord servers just by asking around, but I'm pretty new to those so idk if I can add new members :/ but fr just keep asking and you'll find some like that.
You can also check reddit, specifically the lfg subreddit (looking for game), and some other ones on like the roll20 subreddit.
Aaaand if you're willing to pay anywhere from like $10-30 per session, check out startplaying.games or something like that. I'll admit, paying for games is annoying, but I've done that twice, once sucked, like really bad, he only wanted money. But the other time the DM was probably the most emmersive and fun DM I've ever had. He was seriously a ~professional~
Good luck! I'm also pretty new. But there's a lot of games going on all over the place Just need to keep asking and learning more!
gloomy sandal
Im trying to learn and get in a group and play. haven't played in like 20 years. curious if I should just pay to play or if there are good beginner groups out there looking and welcoming to newish players.
cerulean mirage
try the find a game thread or looking for players thread. There are tons of games out there and you definitely dont have to pay unless you find one you want to
gloomy sandal
thanks for responding, just not sure how everything works online, assume its different for everyone, I created a character on dnd beyond, do i not use that on other platforms ?
cerulean mirage
you 100% can. Most online games use DNDBeyonds VTT (virtual table top) for maps or other websites like owlbear radio and roll20 and discord for the voice/video (like a conference call) and you just play. Just like tabletop but with a virtual table. The story still comes form the DM and players.
Alot of new people think that just because you play DnD online your playing like a video game but we use these different platforms to just play normal DnD with people across the world instead of trying to get friends nearby to be interested in this beautiful game.
gloomy sandal
thats what I wanted to know, sounds great, i want to play a traditional style game just on VTT sounds great.
cerulean mirage
Exactly. I have had the same group for a year so far and a few of us are about to move away so having the ability to switch over to VTT in the place of in-person makes it so that our campaign can continue. Plus it makes it easier for people to connect. Instead of telling someone they have to get ready for in-person social interaction can take a toll on people but if you tell them they can sit at their computer in the comfort of their own home in their pajamas and play with friends it just makes it easier.
gloomy sandal
sure does, being a bit of an older guy, that's the thing that really draws me to the vtt instead of trying to find in person, I have tried, but again, a bit difficult. figured this would take alot of the social pressure and travel, getting to know people, not wanting to be the oldest guy in the room kinda weird setting lol
cerulean mirage
Absolutely. If you have any questions. Feel free to send me a dm. I love this game and Im also on the older side (well older than all of the people I play with)
gloomy sandal
yup you get it then, appreciate the help, very much. If you ever have an opening for a newish player keep me in mind.
cerulean mirage
No problem!
white ice
Hi there! I'm pretty new at DND, and so i would like to ask how to properly find a game who have patience with me. Also, english is not my first language, so if I'll be playing a new game and learn all from zero I would like to do it in my native language. Do you know how to find games in other languages?
timid moon
So I’m like really new to dungeons and dragons and we just wondering like what should be some things I should pick up I have plenty of dice don’t need to worry about that but what else?
harsh fjord
So I’m like really new to dungeons and dragons and we just wondering like what s...
Are you a player or a DM?
weak oracle
echo kelp
Have you checked the #looking-for-community ? Those are other D&D servers that may have many different typse of D&D games you could join.
exotic remnantBOT
meager bolt
I am new and got together with 6 of my friends and we hired a professional DM from Rough Magic in Chicago. Best Decision we could make. Unbelievable fun and he answers all our questions. We are having a blast. Anyone have some friends that want to play I would go that route.
bitter musk
Um I'm just heavily confused on how to play and am willing to give it a try I've done it once with a friend I was the dm wasn't very good... I have the ideas just not sure how to use em looking to play with some one more professional to show me the ropes thinking I want to be a player this time
shut bison
Um I'm just heavily confused on how to play and am willing to give it a try I've...
Glad to see you made it! If youre looking for more games #looking-for-community , #looking-for-dm are great places to find some games.
bitter musk
Glad to see you made it! If youre looking for more games <#880956314308714566> ,...
Ok and how do I use #looking-for-dm
shut bison
Ok and how do I use <#1241960756858060881>
bitter musk
Thanks
shut bison
Np
shut bison
Thanks
Also check out #looking-for-players for DMs that might have a spot open.
bitter musk
Oki
pine mortar
heiyah
i have an idea about using burning hands to grab someone's face
so the question is
how much the damage would it do instead of the normal one
(assume that the target failed the check)
wheat crystal
It would do the normal damage. 5e doesn’t have “called shots” such as targeting a specific body part
pine mortar
huh, alright
topaz garnet
Also, spells only do what they say. "Grabbing someone's face" wouldn't do anything to the effects of a Burning Hands spell.
hearty escarp
Spells have a damage range (beause of the damage dice), so what you can do *narratively * is describe why the spell does more or less damage each time you cast it. Had a low roll? You barely singed their trousers. High roll? You did indeed grab their face.
topaz garnet
The issue is burning hands doesn't even have anything to do with grabbing.
It's a cone of fire. It's more like a miniature burst of a flamethrower.
hearty escarp
Yeah, you have to be right next to the enemy for that narrative to support what happened on a mechanical basis.
little stream
entirely new to dnd could someone show me a link or something to the general most followed rules to the game? ive been super interested i just want to get around to learning it
exotic remnantBOT
frigid sedge
Hi
arctic acorn
Check the message above you.
frigid sedge
Alrighty tysm
frozen kite
anyone willing to help me and a friend with dnd characters?
frozen kite
my oc is a barbarian blacksmith minotaur (a big softie who's scared of everything and very quiet)
and my friend's oc is a Tabaxi Maniac
echo kelp
Check the free rules (see pinned message here for link to online free rules). Work your way through the character creation steps listed there and feel free to ask specific questions here or in an appropriate channel.
exotic remnantBOT
echo kelp
The first steps are identifying your class, species, and background.
frozen kite
Check the free rules (see pinned message here for link to online free rules). Wo...
kk thank you
wild onyx
kk thank you
Pop by #character-discussion if you've got further questions there.
echo kelp
Look through places that do game finding and look for the terms “play by post” or “PBP”
exotic remnantBOT
echo kelp
You may want to check in the #looking-for-community channel for D&D community servers that may offer a variety of D&D games including play by post.
lost wyvern
Look through places that do game finding and look for the terms “play by post” o...
alright ty
harsh fjord
how to find a play by post game
Besides Noob's excellent advice, if you want to expand your search outside this server, you can find play-by-post games on the D&D Beyond forums, Role Gate, Gamers Plane, RPG Crossing, and Reddit’s r/pbp.
Other options include Myth Weavers, No Goblins Allowed, Ongoing Worlds, RolePlay onLine, Roleplayer Guild, Tavern Keeper, and The Tangled Web.
lost wyvern
Besides Noob's excellent advice, if you want to expand your search outside this ...
ty for the help.
also another question does pbp happen in real time or do people type out the text and leave it be
harsh fjord
Some are asynchronous, and some require everyone to be participating in real time.
lost wyvern
okay
ruby escarp
Hi
abstract turret
Okay, so what type of character would you like to play?
ruby escarp
What character can i choose?
abstract turret
Tell me an idea and I'll see if there's a way to make it work
ruby escarp
I don't know, i don't have any idea of how is the game sorry
abstract turret
Don't worry! Just answer this question: do prefer magic, swords , or both?
ruby escarp
Magic
wild onyx
Says this content is no longer available. Could you share it via imgur, perhaps?
abstract turret
Magic
(Sorry I got distracted) the options for spellcasting classes are: warlocks, wizards, clerics, bards, sorcerers, and druids
smoky adder
And rangers, paladins, and artificers!
carmine shuttle
And the Eldritch Knight fighter subclass and Arcane Trickster rogue subclass.
smoky adder
Clerics are fun!
ruby escarp
What can they do?
harsh fjord
Clerics get access to the heaviest armor, making them durable. They have spells that can handle a lot of situations: damage, healing, buffs/debuffs, and more. They are quite versatile!
smoky adder
Clerics harness divine magic -- the power of the gods.
carmine shuttle
What can they do?
A lot will depend on which domain they pick.
ruby escarp
What kind of domain they have?
carmine shuttle
What kind of domain they have?
Think of it as a philosophy or area of specialization. Every class eventually picks a specialty; for clerics they're called Domains. The four in the most recent printings of the Player's Handbook and their associated blurbs/taglines are:
- Life Domain: Soothe the Hurts of the World (in game terms, they're healers extraordinare)
- Light Domain: Bring Light to Banish Darkness
- Trickery Domain: Make Mischief and Challenge Authority
- War Domain: Inspire Valor and Smite Foes.
ebon gyro
Me and my wife are looking for a group willing to take on two new players. Wanting to meet about once a month because I am a Restaurant manager so my schedule is never set. I can always work out a week day with enough notice.
exotic remnantBOT
ruby escarp
Clerics harness divine magic -- the power of the gods.
What does that mean?
smoky adder
The magic they use is given to them by the god they serve.
odd oasis
Hey ! I just started getting into dnd, and never even played a game yet. Im talking to some of my friends about doing a campaign together. One slight problem : not a single friend of mine knows anything about this game, so i have to do the homework. What do i do ? Since im 99% sure that i'll be the DM, i gotta find a campaign, and fast.
P.S : if im a player, im thinking about making a mercy monk, so tips on making a build for this class is appreciated.
Oh also, 2024 rules. Not like i know any of them
exotic remnantBOT
harsh fjord
The rules are linked above, as are some other useful learning materials. As for adventures, D&D Beyond has some free material. DMsGuild too. (Google will get you there.)
?tag ddb claim
exotic remnantBOT
The following items on D&D Beyond can be claimed at no cost.
harsh fjord
For the new DM, I highly recommend reading this guide: https://howtogm.guide/
odd oasis
Nice ! Are those all singular adventures or campaigns (by that i mean veeeeeeryyyyy long, heard of 2 years long campaigns) ?
carmine shuttle
Every adventure listed up there can be done in 1-2 sessions.
harsh fjord
Those are just short adventures. I'd recommend using those as a test-run instead of committing to a long-term game right from the start.
odd oasis
And uh... i don't have all the dnd stereotypical stuff ( all the dices, the thing on the dm's part of the table...)... managable ? Guess imma use random number generators on my phone XD
carmine shuttle
Dragons of Stormwreck Isle, in the current Starter Set, is probably 3-4 sessions, assuming ~3 hours per session. Dragon of Icespire Peak, in the Essentials Kit, is probably ~6-8 sessions. Somebody yesterday posted an Amazon bundle that had both of them for something like $24 USD.
harsh fjord
Yep, you don't need much for D&D except the rules, an adventure, dice (which can be digital), a way to keep tabs on info (a character sheet, paper, Word, whatever), friends, and a way to communicate. All of these can be had for free, legally.
carmine shuttle
Each of those boxes has pregenerated characters, a condensed rulebook, a set of dice, and an adventure. the Essentials Kit has a few extra handouts-type things.
Or, a hobby shop will usually sell dice sets for ~$8-10 each on the cheap end.
odd oasis
Yep, you don't need much for D&D except the rules, an adventure, dice (which can...
Well i have the 2024 players handbook ( by the way do i need more big books like the 2024 DM guide ?), i'll prolly take one of the adventures you sent, and according to what you said, there are digital dices (whatever that means...) and i could print the character sheets... i should be good then.
harsh fjord
You can Google "dice roller" or just type in 3d6 (or whatever) in Google and you'll get places to use. And you don't need the DMG to run. If you wanna buy it, don't let me stop you, but it's not necessary.
carmine shuttle
Well i have the 2024 players handbook ( by the way do i need more big books like...
In my opinion, as long as you're working from pre-written adventures, buying the DMG can wait. The adventure will generally have everything you need.
If you start to get the itch for writing your own adventures, then you'll need it for a lot of guidelines.
(Encounter balancing; campaign planning; magic item descriptions all quickly come to mind.)
harsh fjord
The 2024 free rules include some handy DM guidance as well: https://www.dndbeyond.com/sources/dnd/free-rules/the-basics
odd oasis
Thanks, i'll keep this in mind. Now, the most difficult task of them all : learn most if not all of the classes, subclasses, feats, effects, monsters, origins, how do dice rolls work, and the spell lists HOLY, is this college ?
harsh fjord
You do not need to learn all there is to know about the game in order to run or play it.
odd oasis
You do *not* need to learn all there is to know about the game in order to run o...
Im quite the perfectionnist myself. (help)
harsh fjord
Hopefully DMing will help you realize that's an impossibly high bar to set for yourself. Learn to be okay with "good enough"!
carmine shuttle
I absolutely agree with razorwing. Rely on the players to learn/know what their characters can do after the first session or 2.
odd oasis
I have sinked way to many hours into dnd channels with veterans that probably know how to mentally do save throws.
But yeah its not possible to remember the entire wizard spell pool
carmine shuttle
If you understand the basics of how to make a d20 test, how to read a monster stat block, and reasonable DCs for easy/medium/hard/really tough tasks, you can do just fine from a published adventure.
main fulcrum
I've been DMing for 7 years and I still pull out my cheat sheet for most spells
odd oasis
Thank you. I was thinking that i had to make a campaign with Shakespeare level writing to make my players have fun. But now i realize that its way easier to impress a first timer than a experienced 2000+ hours into the genre.
And now i realize that im cursed to be the DM for the next 6 months, great.
harsh fjord
Fun should be your north star. Everything else can and should follow that.
main fulcrum
I also refuse to run anything but prewritten adventures and rarely do any prep. Hasn't stopped my players from coming back 😁
odd oasis
Just one more thing... since im basically the experienced one of my friend group (im the only one that slightly knows the rules)...
The look on their faces when i'll explain 300 pages worth of dnd isn't gonna be great.
Im gonna spend 2 hours explaining, aren't i ?
main fulcrum
Start them with the basics too
They only need to know what their characters can do right now and where to look up abilities
harsh fjord
Here's a good starting place: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hNNBjVmNbQI
main fulcrum
You'll probably have to explain advantage a few times, but most dice rolls can be explained in game
carmine shuttle
Here's a good starting place: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hNNBjVmNbQI
Can't pull the link right now. Is that DAW and John Bernthal, Ginny Di's explanation from a month or so ago, or something else?
harsh fjord
Ginny Di.
odd oasis
I really should just send them the server lmao. Also why do some ppl start their campaigns at lvl 3 ? Heard its for "character consistency" and cause a light breeze will kill a lvl 1 lol.
carmine shuttle
To the end of explaining die rolls in-game: If you can assemble a color-coded set of dice, it can help.
odd oasis
Ik i'll start at lvl 1, just curious.
harsh fjord
Characters at level 1 and 2 can die easily. Plus, you get some neat abilities at level 3, when your character specializes more.
carmine shuttle
I really should just send them the server lmao. Also why do some ppl start their...
Two reasons: First, level 1 characters can be very squishy. Second, under 2014 rules different classes acquired their subclass (specialization) at different times, but always by level 3, so it put people on a more even footing for development.
hearty escarp
The two level ranges also give you a different play experience. My group will start at level 1 if they want a more bootstrap "lowly hero" experience.
At level 3, you're getting your subclass which in some cases drastically changes the play experience and makes it more complex.
Experienced groups will sometimes start at level 3 (or even higher), because that lets them skip right to the 'meatier' part of the game.
odd oasis
The two level ranges also give you a different play experience. My group will st...
Everyone on the table will never have played dnd before, me included, so should we start at lvl 1 ?
harsh fjord
Some folks see levels 1 and 2 as the "tutorial" part of D&D, so jumping ahead to level 3 doesn't typically make sense for a group of new players.
hearty escarp
If you're worried about player characters potentially dying, you could give them a healing potion each for emergencies.
odd oasis
Oh yeah i should ask them to make a dnd beyond account so everyone has a digital dice
I do NOT have the financial capacity for those fancy dices 😭
Also when an ability does, for example, 4d6 + 3 dmg, it means 4 rolls of a d6 dice + 3 ?
carmine shuttle
I do NOT have the financial capacity for those fancy dices 😭
Two physical sets of dice - one for you and one for them - would suffice if you were looking.
carmine shuttle
Also when an ability does, for example, 4d6 + 3 dmg, it means 4 rolls of a d6 di...
Exactly.
odd oasis
So what do i do when by using ungodly techniques they do a 22d4 + 36 dmg ? Do i have to roll TWENTY TWO TIMES ?
hearty escarp
If you need to roll that, you're probably so far into DnD that you actually have those dice 
But otherwise just reuse them.
harsh fjord
That's also very rare. The math generally doesn't go so high.
odd oasis
If you are wondering where this number comes from, by using spike growth and having the monk drag the ennemy into the spike growth, you get an average 206 dmg. I watched too many of those shorts where they break the game before level 6.
hearty escarp
ah
well, that one works, but not all at once
timid locust
Even the notoriously dice-heavy spell Fireball (which your wizards can't get until at least level 5) only rolls 8 dice.
carmine shuttle
Shenanigans like that requires concerted effort from people who know what they're doing, and even then isn't always something that flies.
hearty escarp
It's also a bit of a memey tactic, not bound to actually play out like that at the table.
carmine shuttle
Also, a Session 0 would be a time to communicate expectations about everybody's fun and say something to the effect of "that 💩 doesn't fly here."
harsh fjord
Right where I was gonna go, Jeff!
One thing new DMs and players get hung up on—and your question proves this to be true—is they focus on it being a game (and thus breakable) rather than a social experience. Being willing to compromise, collaborate, and communicate is essential in this game because very real feelings of very real people can get hurt despite playing make-believe.
odd oasis
It's also a bit of a memey tactic, not bound to actually play out like that at t...
I hope. Because there are a lot of ppl ( and videos) where the DM gets ptsd of a player somehow one shotting everything around his level
hearty escarp
I'll thank those videos for bringing people into the hobby and nothing else.
odd oasis
I'll thank those videos for bringing people into the hobby and nothing else.
True lol
carmine shuttle
If the party's average level of optimization exceeds the GM's ability to challenge them, then the GM stops having fun. No GM, no game, no fun for aynybody....
harsh fjord
The GM is a player too, and their fun matters.
odd oasis
I'll thank those videos for bringing people into the hobby and nothing else.
Me personally, i saw monk and i was like " hell yeah anime punchy guy !!1!1"
Then i saw 3 different ways of making a monk kill gods and now im scared of being DM and fighting the voices telling me to min max.
harsh fjord
This is where session zero and open communication can help tremendously. Because the players make choices; the characters don't actually exist. If those choices are a problem, it needs resolution among the real people at the table.
hearty escarp
Me personally, i saw monk and i was like " hell yeah anime punchy guy !!1!1"
The...
You can absolutely do crazy shenanigans if you want to in DnD. But they are normally the exception. The typical fantasy is: we're cool fantasy heroes, not demigods
carmine shuttle
Yup. "If your internet-driven optimization starts to interfere with my comfort in running the game or enjoying what's happening, I will ask you to tone it down.
hearty escarp
I like the DnD movie because it actually shows quite well how a campaign might play out.
carmine shuttle
Including that you can see all kinds of different levels of player interest in what's happening.
soft escarp
Your DM skills will grow as your players learn. So by the time they learn to maximize their skills & can do real damage, you'll be fine. Hardest part of my first foray into DMing was the player with the Talk with Animals skill & had nothing to do with rolling at all 😂
carmine shuttle
Your DM skills will grow as your players learn.
This, more than anything else, is why to start the gropu at L1 as a new GM.
soft escarp
Theoretically!
odd oasis
Talking about this : i love making a strong character that can never die, but i know that i shouldn't so that the DM doesn't get a headache every time i take a turn.
Buuuuuuuuuuuuuut
Its really hard to not play optimally when you know you can. I see the Stone goliath stars druid open hand monk with grappler feat in my nightmares, telling me to give in... (im jk ofc)
hearty escarp
Love the "talk to animals" and "talk to dead people" abilities. So much opportunities to give players inormation.
harsh fjord
I've been DMing for three years, and we just did a one-shot with a druid player. I mentally bluescreened for a second when he cast Speak with Animals. Flubs will happen, so again perfection is a goal to strive toward but not a state to reach.
carmine shuttle
Yup. And if the group throws something unexpected at you and you need to call a short break to figure out how you want to handle it, do it.
hearty escarp
Talking about this : i love making a strong character that can never die, but i ...
But also, people have coined the phrase "optimizing the fun out of the game"
It's when you disregard fun ideas because they're not "optimal".
soft escarp
I've been DMing for three years, and we just did a one-shot with a druid player....
My son takes that damn spell at every opportunity just to mess with me nowadays
carmine shuttle
"Hey, y'all - I didn't expect this; can we take a quick 10 minute break dofr me to adjust?"
harsh fjord
^ Again, communication!
carmine shuttle
Happened to me about every 3-4 sessions with my last regular home group.
odd oasis
Talking about builds, i was thinking about making a mercy monk, cause it looks cool and does big dmg.
Oh god im already pre-planning my build, save me from this min-maxing nightmare.
hearty escarp
You can only save yourself 
harsh fjord
Heh. One thing I'd recommend is to make these character for fun but don't think you'll get to use them. Instead, consider what kind of characters you'd make to fit specific sorts of games (like a heist, or an exploration-focused one, or...).
And focus on the fiction first: who are they, what do they want, where do they come from.
Leave the mechanics aside.
odd oasis
In my defense, in a perma death game (until endgame that is), you don't really want your character to die, so you kinda want them to be strong so they don't die...
Why am i justifying myself at this point ?
carmine shuttle
In my defense, in a perma death game (until endgame that is), you don't really w...
Clerics have access to Raise Dead/Resurrection, and maybe still Reincarnate.
odd oasis
Clerics have access to Raise Dead/Resurrection, and maybe still Reincarnate.
Thats why i said till endgame
carmine shuttle
And focus on the fiction first: who are they, what do they want, where do they c...
@odd oasis , if you watch my character-related conversations here and #character-discussion , anytime I'm helping somebody out with a character, you'll notice that I follow this:
And focus on the fiction first: who are they, what do they want, where do they come from.
hearty escarp
Thats why i said till endgame
Raising the dead is possible from level 5 on, if the cleric doing it has a precious diamond on them.
Death, be it permanent on that character or just a fleeting memory, is never the end in DnD anyway.
You can just roll up a new character and continue the narrative from behind a different set of eyes.
odd oasis
Raising the dead is possible from level 5 on, if the cleric doing it has a preci...
Lmao nevermind its not a perma death game
odd oasis
You can just roll up a new character and continue the narrative from behind a di...
Also that character starts at the level of the deceased one ? Cause imagine a lvl 1 in a lvl 14 encounter...
hearty escarp
That is up to the group, but typically you'll start the new character at the average party level.
DnD groups have vastly different preferences as to how they want to handle that sort of thing. This why you'll often hear "ask your DM" in response to a specific question.
odd oasis
Oh OK. Thanks for all the help
restive eagle
Hi there. First of all, hope to be on the right place here.
I am new to DND and looking for some advice about Paladin subclass and later level 4 ASI/feat.
We play a CoS adventure with 2024 rules. In my group I am somewhat the main tank/frontliner (group consists of Paladin (me), Monk, Warlock, Druid and Sorcerer).
We are almost out of Death House, which will result us to become Lvl 3 and where I have to choose subclass.
At level 2 I chose fighting style Protection. I am sword and board and would like to remain that way as I think I have to become the tank/frontliner of the group. My stats are 17/10/14/8/12/14 (SDCIWC).
Given my previous choices (Protection FS), Stats and adventure CoS, what Oath do you recommend out of the 4 from PHB 24. I wanted to go Vengeance, but is Devotion maybe better?
And what stats to focus on (based on current stats)? What do you recommend for level 4? ASI or a Feat (for instance Shield Master, what will bring strength to 18(+4 modifier)?
Happy to hear your thoughts.
harsh fjord
#character-discussion would be the better destination!
restive eagle
Ok. Thanks. Will post it there.
exotic kiln
Is it true that putting a creature to 0 health with force damage, they don't get saves they just die
Or are saves just a PC ability
harsh fjord
That's no rule I've ever heard.
exotic kiln
It was something my dm said, idk
Maybe just disintegrate?
Ah it was just disintigrate
Are there common spells I should be taking as Wizard, ones that are just that good that they need to be taken every time
harsh fjord
I don't think so, but the folks in #character-discussion and #optimization may feel otherwise.
foggy saffron
in the majority of games, you really can take most any combination of spells and turn out just fine
exotic kiln
I see
foggy saffron
though a couple staples that a lot of people recommend, especially early on
- mage armor - keep yourself protected!
- magic missile - pretty darn good damage early on, and reliable damage too, which is important early-game with so few spell slots
- find familiar - less a powerful spell and more a wizard staple, always fun to have a lil buddy
shield is also a pretty powerful spell, but i rarely recommend it early on when you have so few spell slots
barren cradle
reaching out to any dm's out there. i have a player at one of my tables that is a proper rules lawyer, it feels like i can make no decision they disagree with without 'looking up the official rules' and arguing until i receed. However i do give my players what i would think is a fair bit of lee-way in they ways of fudging rolls, letting them get away with what should clearly be actions in the name of 'the rule of fun' as bonus actions etc. How have you guys dealt with this in the past and what advice would you have?
harsh fjord
#dm-discussion would be the best spot for this question. I make it clear that any rulings I make can be discussed after a session is over.
harsh linden
I need to find a new person to teach me dnd..my old friend doesn’t talk to me anymore and I have no idea where to put this
harsh fjord
Constant rules lawyering, though, makes me wonder if this person is right for your table, though.
exotic remnantBOT
lavish hamlet
How do exp rules work exactly?
timid vector
You receive XP for doing various things, like killing monsters, solving puzzles, completing missions, etc. Accumulate enough XP and you go up a level.
lavish hamlet
You receive XP for doing various things, like killing monsters, solving puzzles,...
Oookay so its not just from combat and stuff like that
timid vector
The most obvious way to get XP is combat, but that's not necessarily the only way. You could get XP for avoiding combat.
lavish hamlet
The most obvious way to get XP is combat, but that's not necessarily the only wa...
I was saying cause I was gonna use a bard for an upcoming campaign and was worried that Id lag behind in levels due to it
timid vector
most DMs that use the XP system divide it evenly among the party. The party earns XP, not the individual.
sick bobcat
How does a DM take notes while narrating through the game?
echo kelp
Occasionally pause the game and jot notes down
Or jot notes down while the party RPs with each other
timid vector
Players will be talking to each other... trying to figure out what to do... That allows you time to figure out how much they screwed up your story and where you take it from there.
Remember, no DMs plans survives contact with the players.
sick bobcat
I guess what i meant to ask was what kind of notes does the DM take?
echo kelp
Things that come up that can lead to future adventures, plot hooks, things that enemy factions might react to, whatever strikes the DM's inspriation.
Basically capturing ideas in the moment
Sometimes as well tracking how the story is going (story highlights)
sick bobcat
How does a DM control the pace of a game? when is it too early or late for the players to gain or lose something?
echo kelp
Through experience - as you keep DM'ing you start to get a feel for how your players and their characters interact with the adventure and you start to get a feel for when is the right time to introduce things or to pull them back.
But this also means there are many times when you mess up - I still mess things up and I've been playing this game for years.
That's okay - you can always retcon things ("Sorry - I need to pull that back because it just isn't working right now"). and rebalance things.
Just make sure to communicate - most players are fine with it as they too will likely need to "retcon" some of their player choices because they didn't quite understand what was happening.
For further DM questions, I'd suggest checking in with other DM's in #dm-discussion
cloud walrus
ive been trying to write a campaign of my own for some of my friends that includes a few one piece elements, though the campaign isnt focused around it
i was wondering if any players would be interested in letting me test out the sessions as i write them, so i can use their feedbacks to improve and fill out the story more, plus the one piece mechanics (since i wrote them on my own there might be one or two flaws)
not to mention ive never actually dm-d before so maybe this could help me gain more experience in roleplaying and setting scenes
i dont really know where else to go so sorry if this isnt where im supposed to ask things like this
slow fog
Hello, I'm completely new to D&D and don't know anything (only thing I did was watch high rollers and critical role). Where would be the best place for me to start learning and finding stuff on how this all works either as a GM or a player?
lyric fjord
Hello gentlemen and gentle ladies I am a new player when it comes to DND and hope you all can help me on my conquest to become better
rocky rapids
Yo
smoky adder
Welcome, folks! There’s some helpful info in #learn-to-play to get you started, but if you’ve got any specific questions, fire away!
smoky adder
ive been trying to write a campaign of my own for some of my friends that includ...
You could try recruiting some players through #find-a-game. I’m sure you’ll get some interest!
#homebrew can help with those mechanics, too.
desert canyon
How should I start?
echo kelp
I'd recommend giving the free rules a look.
Also we have #learn-to-play and check the pinned messages here in this channel for useful links
kindred lake
lyric fjord
Anyone interested in teaching me?
keen sonnet
Anyone interested in teaching me?
same
exotic remnantBOT
hearty escarp
The introductory videos above give a good first overview to how DnD works. Afterwards, you can have a look at the free rules.
keen sonnet
The introductory videos above give a good first overview to how DnD works. After...
i know how to play but never got actual experience
hearty escarp
I see! Well, getting a group together is a challenge, but you can start looking over at #find-a-game
And this discord isn't the only place of course. People are organizing for dnd groups all over the place, maybe even in your local game shop.
hearty escarp
Besides Noob's excellent advice, if you want to expand your search outside this ...
Check out this awesome post by iamrazorwing, as they have compiled quite a lot of places
lime violet
New dm here. One player took artificer class and now wants their own automaton. He is a new lvl 1 and noob in dnd.
Can he get an automaton?
inner thistle
If he chooses the Battlesmith Subclass at lvl 3 he gets a Steel Defender which is a construct under his controll
edgy onyx
Depending on what you mean with automaton, they could also get a controllable magical cannon with the Artillerist subclass at lvl 3, or a Homunculus servant at 2nd level with an infusion (and a 100 gp gem)
lime violet
I see
arctic acorn
The Battlesmith subclass basically gives you a robot companion. If you're afraid of giving him an overpowered tool you can always let him have the automaton but have the construct be a work in progress. You can always say that the automaton still needs to be worked on until it's fit for battle. Or maybe the automaton was seriously damaged recently and needs repairs.
The player could work on the automaton in his free time and then gain access to the construct's full capabilities at level 3. I don't recommend doing skill checks to repair the automaton. If he wants to work on the robot just say that no complications arise during his tinkering. Just remember that this battle buddy is almost half of his abilities.
hollow sun
Hello
Can someone teach me how to play dnd
runic coral
Hello
Can someone teach me how to play dnd
sure!
I recommend old school its super simple compared to 5e as a new player
runic coral
New dm here. One player took artificer class and now wants their own automaton. ...
Just say no and if it's important say it broke and he has to remake it
arctic acorn
I recommend going to #dnd-newcomers instead.
runic coral
Okay how can I play that online, is there a group?
Just ask about, I am about to run a campaign if you'd like to play
hollow sun
Just ask about, I am about to run a campaign if you'd like to play
Yes sure I would like to play
arctic acorn
Oh, this is the newcomers channel. God dang it.
arctic acorn
Check this out if you want to learn about the newest version of DnD. Though it seems like Over is going to run a game that uses the one of the older editions.
runic coral
Check this out if you want to learn about the newest version of DnD. Though it s...
1980s one 😆
hollow sun
Just ask about, I am about to run a campaign if you'd like to play
Also I’ve never played dnd…i just know the basic rules of it
runic coral
Well I'd personally say 5e has a bunch of overcomplications, bonus actions, advantage all this stuff
It's harder for new players, you need a good DM to teach you it
arctic acorn
A lot of people will say different things about each edition. It's up to you to figure out which edition you want to stick with.
runic coral
Also I’ve never played dnd…i just know the basic rules of it
I was the same I started with old school though
I've learnt 5e now but took me a lot more to understand it xd
hollow sun
I was the same I started with old school though
Oh okay are you going to play the old school one in your campaign?
runic coral
Oh okay are you going to play the old school one in your campaign?
Yeah it's got a lot of homebrew though, easy to play
Beauty of D&D is I thought it was just d&d, but there is a ton of different table tops
hollow sun
Yeah it's got a lot of homebrew though, easy to play
Okay so where are you going to play that? In roll20?
runic coral
Okay so where are you going to play that? In roll20?
Owlbear rodeo
hollow sun
Okay
hollow sun
Owlbear rodeo
How can I join your campaign?
runic coral
Simple, just make a character roll it up and play
It's old school though, you can die easily. So your backstory is more your house backstory and the characters you play as are members of that house
Whether you become a obselete member of your house or a future King/Queen is up to your decisions pretty much
arctic acorn
Is this 1st edition?
runic coral
Oldschool Essentials and B/X
arctic acorn
Could you translate that for me? I've only ever made a character in 2e so idk anything about the older editions.
runic coral
Could you translate that for me? I've only ever made a character in 2e so idk an...
Basic and Expert edition, when you're level 4 and below you use the basic rule book. Level 4 and above you use expert. It's a lot more heavy on the politics, sieges, etc upon reaching level 4 and above
carmine shuttle
Specific game organizing needs to move to #find-a-game and/or DM. Saving one of the mods having to sayi it.
hollow sun
How can I make a character?
runic coral
How can I make a character?
5e I think it's point buy or roll
arctic acorn
Basic and Expert edition, when you're level 4 and below you use the basic rule b...
So... not Pathfinder or one of the more recent editions?
runic coral
Theres all different editions of d&d
arctic acorn
So it is 1st edition then?
runic coral
Think so? Idk I just call it old school
smoky adder
How can I make a character?
Chapter 2 of the Free Rules goes over that in depth. Have you picked a class, background, and species yet?
arctic acorn
I'm just asking 'cause a friend of mine really likes 1st edition and was wondering if there was a Discord bot for it. There's no need to send a friend request btw.
I believe Bushra is going to try one of the older editions, Spam.
foggy geyser
When people refer to only 2014 rules for a campaign does it also include Tasha cauldron of everything?
arctic acorn
Tasha's book came before 2024 so yes.
In fact the new subclasses should work with 2014 rules well enough.
You'd only need to do a few adjustments due to the fact that the new rules only give your subclass at level 3.
carmine shuttle
The stated intention, though, is to use the 2024 base class rules going forward, but allow older subclasses (e.g. Crown Oath Paladin or Kensai monk or Arcana cleric) to be used with the new ones, merely getting all subclass features that would have appeared before level 3 at level 3.
foggy geyser
Awesome, Thank you so much!
mortal vale
Hello any DM hosting a one shot for newcomer to the game ? we need experience
bold condor
hey so the DnD link with the character thing thats givin to us in this discord. is that where we come up with the character we want??
I already did it i wanna know if its valid to use in all campain types and stuff. idk its my first time doin any of this stuff.
wild onyx
hey so the DnD link with the character thing thats givin to us in this discord. ...
D&D Beyond? It's a great way to get started quickly and the free content is accepted for the majority of games.
bold condor
Cool ty!
harsh fjord
Hello any DM hosting a one shot for newcomer to the game ? we need experience
See the ads in #looking-for-players. Otherwise sign up for the virtual weekends, which feature learn-to-play sessions. You'll find info in the server's Events tab.
weak delta
Anyone know ways to be more creative or engaged when playing DnD?
harsh fjord
Can you elaborate on what you mean exactly?
weak delta
I’m struggling with keeping it fun, like I just go blank with when playing.
harsh fjord
Are you playing with friends or strangers? Have you ever played a tabletop game or done roleplay previously?
?tag new roleplaying
marsh tree
So, I'm New and trying to learn D&D. Where should I start.
exotic remnantBOT
weak delta
Im playing with 4 other players and a teacher is the DM, ( 45-60 minutes session) and this is the first time im doing something like this
harsh fjord
So, I'm New and trying to learn D&D. Where should I start.
Check out the links above!
harsh fjord
Im playing with 4 other players and a teacher is the DM, ( 45-60 minutes session...
It's very common for folks to be awkward or uncomfortable at first because playing make-believe is a thing we're discouraged from doing as we get older. Plus, we get out of practice. On one hand, I think folks get better with time, especially as you come to enjoy being with your fellow tablemates. (If you don't like them, then you need to find a new table.)
On the other hand, practice helps. This doesn't have to happen in the game. How would your character react to different scenarios? How would you narrate them doing mundane tasks? Sometimes doing simple exercises like this when you're not playing can prime your mind to do fall into the headspace when you do play.
weak delta
That’s a cool way of thinking about it, I definitely check out that link too. Thanks
timid vector
Roleplaying is just acting. Admittedly some people, myself including, are not very good at acting. Consequently most of my characters tend to be the quiet type, which in all honesty I am also, who only speak up when necessary.
harsh fjord
I actually would gently push back on roleplaying means acting (or at least, they're Venn diagrams, not perfect circles). Not everyone can do a voice or eke drama out of a situation. But if you can imagine what it's like to be another person and make choices as that person, then you can roleplay.
wild onyx
It can also be like directing. You can absolutely say, "Slane does this," or "De Vor does that," rather than, "I'm going to."
(And in those cases I often did - they were awful people but fun to watch)
bold condor
I've only played 1 game (by accident) it lasted an hour and was really fun! it was at an event tho so idk how to get that ball rollin myself
exotic remnantBOT
harsh fjord
You can look for games on this server following the link above. I have a lengthy list of avenues in my bio to research if you want to expand your search for groups/games by looking elsewhere.
bold condor
😵💫 TY ill try my best!
carmine shuttle
That’s a cool way of thinking about it, I definitely check out that link too. Th...
If YouTube is your thing, Ginny Di has a whole playlist for new players that includes things like figuring out personalities, finding a voice, some prompts to help you practice. Her cosplayer/theater kid flag tends to wave pretty proudly, but she also appears incredibly down-to-earth.
hollow sun
[Chapter 2](<https://www.dndbeyond.com/sources/dnd/free-rules/creating-a-charact...
Yes I have picked that
daring bramble
Hello I just started to become interested in DnD but dont really have any friends that are into it and dont have a lot of time to focus on this hobby, i would love to learn more about it. We can talk about anything really, I am really interested in world building and the sort
reef meteor
Hello I just started to become interested in DnD but dont really have any friend...
Well if you want to know about the world I would recommend watching some YouTube videos like “Pointy hat” and “One shot quest” if you want to find a game then go to find a game in this discord. Anything else that you are wondering currently about? Coming up with a character and role playing? Lore? Classes? (For a quick response reply so I can get a notification)
topaz rose
Well if you want to know about the world I would recommend watching some YouTube...
wow explain more brother
reef meteor
wow explain more brother
What do you want to know?
topaz rose
What do you want to know?
Classes
reef meteor
Classes
Well it all depends on your play style and how you want to play your character. Do you want to get into melee and protect your friends, do you want to stand back and cast a bunch off spells or do you want to be supported and buff your team
exotic remnantBOT
Class
Your class is the primary definition of what your character can do and gives you a variety of special features, such as a fighter’s mastery of weapons and armor, and a wizard’s spells. This article provides a quick breakdown of each available class and can help guide your choice.
Each class also lets you choose a subclass, which provides unique features and further specialization within the class.
topaz rose
I want to play hide and seek and probably assassinate ppl
carmine shuttle
I want to play hide and seek and probably assassinate ppl
That points toward the Rogue, and specifically the Assassin subclass.
?tag new rogue
exotic remnantBOT
Rogue
Launch deadly Sneak Attacks while avoiding harm through stealth
Rogues rely on cunning, stealth, and their foes’ vulnerabilities to get the upper hand in any situation. They have a knack for finding the solution to just about any problem. A few even learn magical tricks to supplement their other abilities. Many Rogues focus on stealth and deception, while others refine skills that help them in a dungeon environment, such as climbing, finding and disarming traps, and opening locks.
-# Suggested Standard Array assignment
Str. 12 
Dex. 15 
Con. 13 
Int. 14 
Wis. 10 
Cha. 8
Likes: Stealth
Complexity: Low
Starting HP: 8 + Con. modifier
topaz rose
how do these stats workout
carmine shuttle
Meaning what do each of them do? Or why is that the suggested arrangement? Or something else?
topaz rose
Meaning what do each of them do? Or why is that the suggested arrangement? Or so...
everything blud
why are they suggested in such a way, is there a cap? how much difference does a single stat make
smoky adder
?tag new abilities
exotic remnantBOT
Abilities
All creatures have six abilities that measure physical and mental characteristics: Strength, Dexterity, Constitution, Intelligence, Wisdom, and Charisma.
Each ability has a score from 1 to 20, which represents the magnitude of an ability. Each ability also has a modifier from -5 to +5, derived from its score. Add the modifier when you make a D20 Test with the corresponding ability or when a rule asks you to do so.
Determine your ability scores by using one of the following three methods. Your DM might prefer you to use a particular one.
- Standard Array. Use the following six scores for your abilities: 15, 14, 13, 12, 10, 8.
- Random Generation. Roll four d6s and record the total of the highest three dice. Do this five more times, so you have six numbers.
- Point Cost. You have 27 points to spend on your ability scores. The cost of each score is shown on the Ability Score Point Costs table. For example, a score of 14 costs 7 of your 27 points.
After assigning your ability scores, adjust them according to your background. Finally, determine your ability modifiers using the Ability Scores and Modifiers table. Write the modifier next to each of your scores.
smoky adder
Each ability can go up to 20.
Different classes benefit more from some abilities than others.
In a rogue’s case, having a high dexterity improves their attacks with finesse or ranged weapons (used for sneak attack), makes them harder to hit, makes them better equipped for stealth and subterfuge…
So those suggestions above are designed to help you easily build an effective rogue.
carmine shuttle
Your background, whatever you take, will list 3 ability scores in it. You can either boost all 3 by 1 point over the standard array, or boost one score by 2 and a different score by 1.
smoky adder
But that suggestion doesn’t have to be followed. You might choose to emphasize Charisma over Intelligence, to emphasize more of a smooth-talking scoundrel, using their skill with words to get in or out of trouble.
carmine shuttle
In fact, most of my rogues are DEX/CHA, but that's because I like con men/forgers/etc
boreal surge
Hi guys, I'm completely new to DnD, but I really wanna try it out, how do I make my character?
exotic remnantBOT
smoky adder
Hi guys, I'm completely new to DnD, but I really wanna try it out, how do I make...
Welcome! There’s some helpful info above, but Chapter 2 of the Free Rules covers that in depth.
Picking a class, background, and species is a good place to start.
lyric fjord
Hi, I'm very new here. Is there any like one session for beginners to just understand better how the mechanics, roleplaying and all those intricacies of the game work
smoky adder
I know the monthly Virtual D&D Weekends include learn-to-play sessions.
Or you could try your luck in #find-a-game / #looking-for-players.
lyric fjord
Oh that's awesome! Thank you so much
reef meteor
why are they suggested in such a way, is there a cap? how much difference does a...
The base stat is at 10 and every 2 you get in everything gives you a +1 on a role max is 20 so a +5, you can get proficiency in stuff so that you get an even higher role
carmine shuttle
Oh that's awesome! Thank you so much
As a note... the VDDWs are (paid) ticketed events.
But, the GMs get a decent cut of what the ticket prices are.
topaz rose
The base stat is at 10 and every 2 you get in everything gives you a +1 on a rol...
thank u bro I don't know the terms or anything but thank u
harsh fjord
That's a question your DM would be able to answer better than us!
reef meteor
Tho I’m sure your dm would be fine with any as long as if doesn’t interferes with the adventure
carmine shuttle
thank u bro I don't know the terms or anything but thank u
for each of the abilities, there's a (theoretical) range from 1 to 20, and a practical one for player characters (PCs) of 8 to 20. "Normal person average" is 8-11. Beyond that, the higher the score, the better the person is at that particular thing.
dark crest
Hello
timid vector
Hello, it's me
I was wondering if after all these years you'd like to meet
To go over everything
They say that time's supposed to heal ya, but I ain't done much healing
carmine shuttle
?????
tired reef
im trying to start playing dnd with some friends, what would be a good place to start or something to buy?
carmine shuttle
?tag new
No tag
carmine shuttle
im trying to start playing dnd with some friends, what would be a good place to ...
The bot post above this has several links for free stuff, so there's nothing you have to buy.
That said, if you've got a group of 4-5 people who are all interested at once, then either the Starter Set (with Dragons of Stormwreck Isle), the Essentials Kit (with Dragon of Icespire Peak), or both is the most bang-for-your-buck. (A couple days ago, somebody posted an Amazon bundle that had them both.
harsh fjord
?tag ddb claim
exotic remnantBOT
The following items on D&D Beyond can be claimed at no cost.
harsh fjord
The bot post above this has several links for free stuff, so there's nothing you...
⬆️ These too!
carmine shuttle
Each product (Starter Set; Essentials Kit) is a box. Each box contains a slimmed-down rulebook, a set of polyhedral dice (or D&D dice if you'd rather), 5 pregenerated characters who have specific details about what happens from levels 1-4, a poster map that shows the area around the town of Phadalin (notionally in the Forgotten Realms), and an adventure that will carry from level 1-4. Stormwreck will probably last about 3-4 sessions; Icespire will probably be 6-8. (Edit because razorwing's posts split my train of thought up)
carmine shuttle
is this about the irl game?
Indeed it is.
harsh fjord
Though D&D can be played online pretty easily, without need to buy anything extra.
tired reef
i tried playing the online game a few years ago but i couldnt get it to run
thanks for all the help, i'll look into it!
harsh fjord
D&D isn't a game you run like a video game, so whatever you played is likely different from the tabletop game, even when played online!
tired reef
it was called dungeons and dragons online or smth on steam
at the time i had no friends so i had to make do
harsh fjord
Yep, that's a different thing!
carmine shuttle
There have been several D&D-based video games over the years - Pool of Radiance; the Baldur's Gate series; D&D Online all quickly come to mind. But the "original" game is a tabletop game that can be played in real life, or any way that you can talk to people, record information, and generate random numbers.
versed sierra
Hello
queen sapphire
Hi!!! I'm new to dnd:3
harsh fjord
Welcome to the server!
carmine shuttle
Welcome!
uneven ocean
Welcome😎
exotic remnantBOT
upbeat nimbus
hi!!!!
lone hinge
That said, if you've got a group of 4-5 people who are all interested at once, t...
Link by chance?
carmine shuttle
lone hinge
https://discord.com/channels/516367331358801950/966723268675510372/1315464195382...
Thank you so much!
On that note, I'm also a new DM looking to start slowly. I've got people interested, but so many things to read and prepare that it feels like a maze
harsh fjord
This is a good place to start: https://howtogm.guide/
I think it makes the process seem more manageable.
carmine shuttle
And the two starter adventures from the products linked above do a pretty good job of breaking things down.
lone hinge
Thank you guys!
cerulean salmon
im not a huge fan of lost mines of phandevler
lone hinge
Guys another question. Almost all guides I've read online say do not read the core books . Do you agree with that?
echo kelp
Absolutely do not agree.
hearty escarp
That's pretty wild! At least the Player's Handbook is absolutely required.
Or the Free Rules
echo kelp
That's like saying "play this game referring to these outsider/third-party guides but don't ever look at the official rules for it"
hearty escarp
To be clear, you should read the book. But you don't have to read the entire book at once. Read the first two chapters and then look up where needed.
lone hinge
To be clear, you should read the book. But you don't have to read the *entire* b...
from which of the core books?
hearty escarp
The Player's Handbook
So that means,
- Chapter 1, Playing the Game < most important
- Chapter 2, Creating a Character
Once you have done so, you'll have a good grasp of how this works.
lone hinge
Yes I have played 2 small ones-shots to be clear, so I have a slight knowledge of the game, but definitely not enough to jump in and DM immediatelly haha
sonic dawn
How do I do a looking for players post
lone hinge
But thank you @hearty escarp , very helpful!
echo kelp
How do I do a looking for players post
Read #find-a-game carefully as it explains it
wraith dome
So i made a characther(i did awful i think) now what?
harsh fjord
Head to #character-discussion if you want folks to look it over or #find-a-game if you want to know how to use the server's Looking for Game/Group channels.
river rivet
What abilities do you need to focus the most on when making a cleric? I know Wisdoms one of them but I’m not sure if there’s any others that I need to focus on
zinc kelp
hi guys! I was wondering about the giveaway stuff for the 12 days of https://marketplace.dndbeyond.com/12_Days 12 days of D&D giveaway, that's all digital right? I've never done it before and am I safe in assuming those are all digital downloads?
quasi stirrup
I’m going to create my first character what are some of the better classes
edgy onyx
The ones that interest you the most!
No class is really "better" in general, only in specific ways, so if there's something you prefer to be better at specifically, that might help narrow it down
zinc kelp
just do one that vibes with you! I typically do a magic user like a bard, wizard or even a ranger since I like fighting from a distance but sometimes I like to go full on Critical Role Marisha Ray Campaign 2 and go Pop Pop martial artist on something and kick ass as a monk or similar fighting style character
smoky adder
What abilities do you need to focus the most on when making a cleric? I know Wis...
Here’s what the book recommends:
?tag new cleric
exotic remnantBOT
Cleric
Invoke divine magic to heal, bolster, and smite
Clerics draw power from the realms of the gods and harness it to work miracles. Blessed by a deity, a pantheon, or another immortal entity, a Cleric can reach out to the divine magic of the Outer Planes—where gods dwell—and channel it to bolster people and battle foes.
-# Suggested Standard Array assignment
Str. 14 Dex. 8 Con. 13 Int. 10 Wis. 15 Cha. 12
Likes: Gods
Complexity: Average
Starting HP: 8 + Con. modifier
smoky adder
Wisdom helps your spells, so that’s definitely priority one.
Constitution increases your max HP and helps you maintain concentration on those spells.
quasi stirrup
What is the newest book for a brand new player
river rivet
So wis and con are what I want highest? Or wis and str?
smoky adder
If you’re using heavy armor, a high Strength is good. Otherwise, go with a high Dexterity.
But Wis, Con, and Str/Dex are a good top three.
river rivet
Okay I understand now, thank you :))
river rivet
What is the newest book for a brand new player
I think it’s the 2024 Player's Handbook?
quasi stirrup
I think it’s the 2024 Player's Handbook?
So a starter set is different right?
river rivet
Yes it’s different it has more options for races, classes, archetypes, and backgrounds than the starters set or basic rules
You can start with the handbook but the starter set and the basic rules is a good place to start if you don’t wanna pay for the players handbook since they’re free
quasi stirrup
You can start with the handbook but the starter set and the basic rules is a goo...
Thank you
unique salmon
is there anything i need to buy to start off? i know nothing about this game yet but that it sounds cool and interesting
quasi stirrup
is there anything i need to buy to start off? i know nothing about this game yet...
Legit me right now tryna figure evrything out
unique salmon
a players handbook is a great place to start
so i have to buy a physical book?
or is there some free version out there??
vernal crypt
could buy a digital copy
unique salmon
Legit me right now tryna figure evrything out
dnd sounds so cool until u have to learn rules and STUDY 😭
vernal crypt
on dnd beyond
vernal crypt
yw
foggy saffron
there's certainly no free legal copies floating around, that's for sure
but dndbeyond does content sharing so if you have a buddy with the books, they might share with you
local libraries also sometimes have dnd books to rent
foggy saffron
it's a preference thing really, some people like physical copies, some people like digital copies
there's pros and cons to both
unique salmon
should i buy only the player's handbook or the dungeon master's too?
vernal crypt
I'd get the PH first to see if you like the game
you can play and become familiar with the rules
foggy saffron
there's also the free rules you can check out that are an intro to the game
exotic remnantBOT
vernal crypt
if you want to run a game later, the DM's guide is the next step
unique salmon
okokok
river rivet
I’ve heard the Players Handbook and Monster Manual are good reads before diving into the DM’s Guide right?
foggy saffron
monster manual isn't particularly something you read front to back, more look at it when u need it
as a player, the player's handbook is a perfectly good start
river rivet
I was just aware the monster manual was good because it gives you an idea on the worlds they live in so I wasn’t sure if that was something you’d wanna read on first
vernal crypt
monster manual is a tool for when you run a game as a dungeon master
river rivet
Ooh alr just checking
urban agate
Hello! I’m in the middle of creating a character and not sure what class to chose. My character is female and made of pure light, like an aurora borealis. She is mute most of the time by choice, is a fallen goddess (long story) and is lawful neutral. If more information is needed let me know. Thanks!
I love a good flow chart, ok this is perfect, thank you!!
quick cargo
How do I post something in #looking-for-dm ?
fresh fable
Type /looking in any channel
fresh fable
Hello! I’m in the middle of creating a character and not sure what class to chos...
Has a DM said this is ok? Speaking is imortant in DnD if you are casting spells and there are no races made of light
sinful ridge
I’m looking for a DM to host a campaign with me and 3 others but it won’t allow me to fill out a form, if any DMs are interested please reach out.
Thank you!
lone skiff
Is there any ongoing dnds I could join?
wheat crystal
To use this server to find a group to play with, check #find-a-game !
sinful ridge
Is there any ongoing dnds I could join?
I’m looking for another person to complete a party to start a campaign if your interested
zinc meteor
Hi
golden sail
Does anyone have advice for a new DM?
hearty escarp
Does anyone have advice for a new DM?
Is there specific advice you're looking for? Here are a couple of general pointers on how to run a fun game:
**When in doubt, make it up! **It’s better to keep the game moving than to get bogged down in the rules.
It’s not a competition. The DM isn’t competing against the player characters. You’re there to run the monsters, referee the rules, and keep the story moving.
**
It’s a shared story. **It’s the group’s story, so let the players contribute to the outcome through the actions of their characters. Dungeons & Dragons is about imagination and coming together to tell a story as a group. Let the players participate in the storytelling.Be consistent. If you decide that a rule works a certain way in one session, make sure it works that way the next time it comes into play.
Make sure everyone is involved. Ensure every character has a chance to shine. If some players are reluctant to speak up, remember to ask them what their characters are doing.
**Be fair. **Use your powers as Dungeon Master only for good. Treat the rules and the players in a fair and impartial manner.
Pay attention. Make sure you look around the table occasionally to see if the game is going well. If everyone seems to be having fun, relax and keep going. If the fun is waning, it might be time for a break, or you can try to liven things up.
golden sail
Thankyou so much
topaz rose
?tag new rogue
exotic remnantBOT
Rogue
Launch deadly Sneak Attacks while avoiding harm through stealth
Rogues rely on cunning, stealth, and their foes’ vulnerabilities to get the upper hand in any situation. They have a knack for finding the solution to just about any problem. A few even learn magical tricks to supplement their other abilities. Many Rogues focus on stealth and deception, while others refine skills that help them in a dungeon environment, such as climbing, finding and disarming traps, and opening locks.
-# Suggested Standard Array assignment
Str. 12 Dex. 15 Con. 13 Int. 14 Wis. 10 Cha. 8
Likes: Stealth
Complexity: Low
Starting HP: 8 + Con. modifier
pine mortar
question (multiclassing is really complicated)
can you be a lvl 20 (main class) and also a lvl 20 (second class)
echo kelp
No - that is what's called gestalt characters and is not an official rule or rule variant.
Also not a newcomer question 😉
pine mortar
Also not a newcomer question 😉
wdym, i am a newcomer
echo kelp
The question is not typical from new to D&D folks. Usually it's about "how do I generate my ability scores?" or "what is a modifier?"
pine mortar
The question is not typical from new to D&D folks. Usually it's about "how do I ...
right, i asked that too
echo kelp
But yes, multiclassing is complicated and not something we'd recommend for new to D&D folks.
But official multiclassing means that if you meet the prerequisites, you can take a different class instead of taking your normal class advancement
pine mortar
But yes, multiclassing is complicated and not something we'd recommend for new t...
yeah so i am starting off as a dm, and i have alot of newbies in my game
and i promised to the the character sheet for them and i'll ask and they answer
and he wanted to be a barbarian artificer
echo kelp
So you could end up with 3 levels of sorcerer and 1 level of rogue in your 4th level character
pine mortar
But official multiclassing means that if you meet the prerequisites, you can tak...
so it ends at 20 worth of lvl?
like
paladin lvl 15
rogue lvl 5
echo kelp
Correct - max level in 5th edition is level 20
So even multiclassing, you can only get to level 20 with all combined classes you've taken.
pine mortar
so if i SOMEHOW ABLE TO take 12 class
it would just end up with all of them being low level
not saying that i can take more than 2 class btw
echo kelp
Correct. Usually multiclassing is not as optimal (from game mechanics/damage output) then single classing.
That said... multiclassing can help accomplish specific character concepts a player might have.
unique salmon
how does content sharing work with the player handbook?
echo kelp
On DnDBeyond? Someone in the DnDBeyond campaign needs to have a Master Tier subscription and enable content sharing on that DnDBeyond campaign (they can do this on up to 5 campaigns I believe). Then any DnDBeyond content is shared by everyone in that DnDBeyond campaign. The DM can toggle off book content so folks can't read the adventure, etc. But all the material is available for folks to use in their characters connected to the DnDBeyond campaign.
boreal surge
hey guys, new player here, I've just made my first character sheet, would you have a look and give me suggestion on which part I should modify?
echo kelp
Folks in #character-discussion can review your character
boreal surge
thanks
lyric fjord
Hello everyone! I’m new to this so can anyone help or sum?
exotic remnantBOT
echo kelp
^ Give these resources a look through and if you have specific questions, please ask.
We can't teach people D&D one on one - we don't have enough time and bandwidth to do that.
But read through those resources, watch videos/streams of folks playing D&D on YouTube/Twitch, then give those free basic rules a read through (focus on character creation and running the game chapters). Then maybe try your hand at making a character sheet to see how that works.
Once you have a bit of familiarity with it, feel free to looks for a group to join and start playing D&D with.
exotic remnantBOT
hearty escarp
This is the official character sheet: https://media.dndbeyond.com/compendium-images/free-rules/ph/character-sheet.pdf
smoky glade
thanks
tacit tiger
Howdey
urban agate
Has a DM said this is ok? Speaking is imortant in DnD if you are casting spells ...
This was more me thinking of a character in general that isn’t fully developed, I’m currently in the middle of a campaign as a level 3 elf paladin so I don’t need this new character just yet. Just exploring my options to see what i can work with. I’m very new to this so I’m unsure of how far the creativity can go
hearty escarp
Typically, as long as you don't change actual game mechanics (so, not adding a new benefit or other feature) to your choices, you can "flavor" them however you like, within thematic reason of the campaign.
For example, your magic missile spell could look like you're summoning magical birds that then fly towards the enemy, pecking at it.
You have not changed how the spell mechanically works, just how it appears narratively.
unique salmon
need someone's assistance w writing my character so i don't bore my friend to death please 
urban agate
Typically, as long as you don't change actual game mechanics (so, not adding a n...
Ok ok I can work with that! That makes a lot of sense, great explanation!
wheat crystal
need someone's assistance w writing my character so i don't bore my friend to de...
#character-discussion would be a great place for that!
unique salmon
okokok thank uuu!!
but also should i get a dm before like continuing to write my character?
wheat crystal
Yes and no. Writing a bit can definitely help you get a clearer picture of the character you want to play, but it can also make a character incompatible with a DM’s campaign
My advice would to avoid specifics. For example:
- Lucian the elf was part of the Redleaf Garrison in the kingdom of Hald
- Lucian the elf was part of a garrison of soldiers in a king’s army.
The latter is much more general while keeping the same essence of the former. It will more easily adapt to any particular campaign since the exact kingdom and division can be filled in with one’s existing within the DM’s world
harsh fjord
Does anyone have advice for a new DM?
Read this guide (https://howtogm.guide/) and check out Matt Colville's "Running the Game" YouTube series (https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLlUk42GiU2guNzWBzxn7hs8MaV7ELLCP_). Those should help get you started. There are a bunch of other resources as you encounter new challenges as well.
My list of tips: #dnd-newcomers message
You can also search the server using “dm advice” and/or “dm tips” as keywords. You'll find plenty of good suggestions!
pulsar iron
Hi, not sure if this is the best place to ask, but I'm very new to DnD and I was curious as to where I could find a good full character sheet online to start with? The last time I filled one out was in like middle school lol. I'm not sure what the specific requirements are for character sheets and such
exotic remnantBOT
carmine shuttle
Look at chapters 1 and 2.
smoky adder
If you want to go all-digital, D&D Beyond is a good choice:
https://www.dndbeyond.com/characters/builder
carmine shuttle
D&D Beyond has a form-fillable sheet if you'd rather not use the character builder.
smoky adder
Or yeah, you can download a form-fillable PDF here:
https://media.dndbeyond.com/compendium-images/free-rules/ph/character-sheet.pdf
hearty escarp
Since they asked about filled sheets, there is also a page that contains premades that can be downloaded (scroll down): https://www.dndbeyond.com/resources/1779-d-d-character-sheets
And premades for useage in the DDB character creator: https://www.dndbeyond.com/characters/premade
pulsar iron
Thanks!
misty hornet
Well, hello. I'm just starting out here
fallen surge
Welcome
misty hornet
Thanks
I played dnd about a year ago once, and I have completely forgotten everything about it
carmine shuttle
There's a bot post a little way up that has links to the free basic rules. You'd want to look over chapters 1 and 2.
exotic remnantBOT
carmine shuttle
If you're a video kind of person, then Ginny Di posted this a couple-three weeks back as "D&D for the absolute beginner": https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hNNBjVmNbQI
carmine shuttle
I'm slowing down in pinging the Handbooker Helper videos for a couple reasons - first, they aren't yet re-produced to match up with the newest printing of things. Second, they've called out a couple things that they do for characters (principally rolling ability scores) that are not the default, and I'd rather point new players toward a "neutral baseline" rather than something specifically flavored.
peak scaffold
One channel I would recommend is IOverse
young swallow
Hello! I was wondering if I could get some help in learning to play DND, making a character, the whole nine yards. I am brand new to it, and would love to get started playing. I heard about it from some friends while playing Magic The Gathering, and have listened to some really fun One Shot (?) Podcasts, as well as Dumb-Dumbs and Dragons podcast on Spotify. If anyone is willing to pick up a newbie and teach me the ropes, you may well have a friend for life.
exotic remnantBOT
carmine shuttle
Hello! I was wondering if I could get some help in learning to play DND, making ...
As a general rule, we don't have the capacity to do one-on-one lessons like you're describing around here. But, some places to start include:
- The bot post above includes a link to the Free Rules. Chapter 1 describes the basics of How to Play; Chapter 2 is about making your own character.
- There's a demo (which I'll tag below in a moment).
- If you're more of a video person, then Ginny Di posted this video a few weeks back under a title like "D&D for the absolute beginner." : https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hNNBjVmNbQI
?tag new demo
exotic remnantBOT
young swallow
As a general rule, we don't have the capacity to do one-on-one lessons like you'...
Thank you very much
queen loom
How do I create a character
hearty escarp
By following the steps in the rules! https://www.dndbeyond.com/sources/dnd/free-rules/creating-a-character
It's a good idea to also read the chapter before that though, as it gives important context.
carmine shuttle
And, if you're trying to figure out what kinds of mechanics help support the vision you've got, feel free to ask questions here or in #character-discussion
odd oasis
The following items on D&D Beyond can be claimed at no cost.
- [Baldur's Gate 3 ...
Everything here is compatible with the 2024 rules, right ?
carmine shuttle
Uni and Scions of Elemental Evil are both specifically written for 2024 rules. The rest was written under 2014 rules, but will work with 2024 rules. (Teh LEGO adventure might have been written with 2024 in mind, but doesn't specifically say it that I recall)
odd oasis
Also, why is every adventure for level 4 characters ?
hearty escarp
There isn't specific reason they all happen to be at that level. But I think level 4 characters are already quite strong and can take a lot more punishment and have a lot more abilities than a level 1 character.
For a more newcomer friendly adventure, I always recommend Peril in Pinebrook.
It's a level 1 adventure and it has a really simple setup and premade character sheets that only contain the very essentials.
odd oasis
Thanks for the document, im still wondering which adventure to use for our first time.
It works with 2024 right ? Those character sheets are different than the ones in the handbook
hearty escarp
2014 and 2024 are so similar that you will be fine using the simplified ones.
The details will vary. So if you're really interested in just doing 2024, I recommend using the 2024 sheet.
odd oasis
The details will vary. So if you're really interested in *just* doing 2024, I re...
Heard its better than the 2014 version (because martial classes can do more than bonking the enemy and the balance is better overall)
hearty escarp
Heard its better than the 2014 version (because martial classes can do more than...
Yeah I personally think it's a better version of essentially the same game. You can think of it like a patched game.
Most of the things still work exactly the same, with some tweaks.
odd oasis
Yeah I personally think it's a better version of essentially the same game. You ...
Oh so ANY 2014 book/subclass works with 2024 ?
Sun soul gaming baby i want to be goku
hearty escarp
Yeah, 2024 has been written with the intention that you could apply a 2014 subclass to a 2024 base class.
odd oasis
Yeah, 2024 has been written with the intention that you could apply a 2014 subcl...
One little problem : aren't some of these subclasses too bad/too good ? I mean, from what i've heard, monk was (and ranger still is) laughed at because of how much it sucked. Unless all of the problems were from the base tree
then its cool
Also spell casting in 2014 was just objectively better than melee lol
hearty escarp
Some will be stronger and some weaker, that is true. But quite a lot of the potentially problematic ones (Beast master ranger, Berserker barbarian and elemental monk) have already been updated to 2024 in the new PHB.
main fulcrum
And whether 2014 monks or rangers sucked was always a bit divisive
It doesn't matter if the internet thinks something is bad or not, just whether you enjoy playing them
I never had any complaints with either in terms of being fun
I actually miss a few of the old abilities for elements monk 😅
odd oasis
It doesn't matter if the internet thinks something is bad or not, just whether y...
Of course, but it still matters a little bit because the guy using monk might get less fun when he sees how his wizard friend can just, ALTER REALITY. (the caps are for comedic purpose)
carmine shuttle
Also, remember that the way Internet algorithms work, people are incentivized toward extreme takes.
main fulcrum
It only matters if it bothers him. Personally, I've never felt like people playing wizards were having more fun than me
So whether the issue exists at all is subjective to start
hearty escarp
Of course, but it still matters a little bit because the guy using monk might ge...
That is certainly valid if the monk actually had a bad time because of that. But monks did quite well in all campaigns I had them in.
odd oasis
It only matters if it bothers him. Personally, I've never felt like people playi...
It depends really, some ppl just love big boy numbers (i do too, and that's why im gonna subscribe to a metamancing disintoxication center XD)
hearty escarp
That will skew them away from monk by no fault of the class.
It's simply good at different things.
hearty escarp
It depends really, some ppl just love big boy numbers (i do too, and that's why ...
That latter is a good idea, prescribing to a optimizer mindset usually leads to a less fun time at the table in my experience.
carmine shuttle
Which most emphatically does NOT mean that it "sucks"
odd oasis
Which most emphatically does NOT mean that it "sucks"
"Um, actually, statistically speaking, 2014 4E monk is very bad when compared to other classes at the same lvl" 🤓
im jk btw
carmine shuttle
I mean, back in the Very Old Days when a wizard's intelligence score limited how powerful a spell they could learn, I was a proponent of the Swiss Army Wizard mentality, and my favorite 4E base classes were the Warlord and Battlemind.
main fulcrum
Except that it depends on what numbers you're actually measuring
carmine shuttle
to which I would respond, "Bad at what?"
odd oasis
by 4E i mean four elements
main fulcrum
I loved my old 4e monk. I could do so much burst damage
carmine shuttle
by 4E i mean four elements
I was writing my response out when you posted. Mine means 4th edition, to be clear.
odd oasis
I mean, back in the Very Old Days when a wizard's intelligence score limited how...
wth is a battle mind, a scrapped class ? And what is a "warlord" ain't that just a cooler name for fighter ? I only know about 2024 (and a bit of 2014) dnd
main fulcrum
And I'm really going to miss wind punching mind flayers off spaceships
Their average damage is probably better now, but they can't do what they used to
So it's always trade-offs
carmine shuttle
wth is a battle mind, a scrapped class ? And what is a "warlord" ain't that just...
In 4th Ed., the Warlord was a martial leader class, who had potent (and explicitly non-magical) healing, did a lot of positioning people around the battlefield as side-effects of their stuff, and could enable other characters to do things off-turn. The Battlemaster has some, but not all, of that kit, and it takes multiclassing with Bard to more or less recapture the rest. The Battlemind was a Psionic Defender who could tag a nearby enemy to try to force an attack onto them, or pull a US Secret Service interception if the marked enemy went for somebody else.
They're respectively in the 1st and 3rd Player's Handbooks for 4E, and further explanation/discussion probably belongs in #dnd-elder-editions
odd oasis
In 4th Ed., the Warlord was a martial leader class, who had potent (and explicit...
wtf is a psionic defender, i feel like a kid asking how was viet to an old man
unborn sorrel
Hi there I am fairly new to DND. I played as a bard in a one shot and it's race wasn't a traditional race
smoky adder
What kind of race was it?
unborn sorrel
Owlin. I really like owls
It was my first time playing DND. I hope I can find a group to be in cause that seemed like a once in a lifetime deal with this group.
exotic remnantBOT
acoustic ingot
hello?
carmine shuttle
It was my first time playing DND. I hope I can find a group to be in cause that ...
Be aware the Owlin comes from a third-party book, though you could take the Aarakrocra and flavor them as owl appearing.
unborn sorrel
Oh for real? I'll definitely do that then
chilly flicker
owls are peak
fathom vortex
Hello! Also new around here and the whole DnD thingy. Looking to learn about it. So, does anybody know how to make a character?
chilly flicker
Hello! Also new around here and the whole DnD thingy. Looking to learn about it....
its very complicated for me too, im trying to make a character but idk anything about the campaign so idk how to make a character that works ;-;
its very campaign dependant i feel
carmine shuttle
Oh for real? I'll definitely do that then
Doesn't mean you couldn't still use them; just a thing that you'd need to be aware of for the table. Some GMs don't like third-party stuff at all; others only let it in if they own it.
hearty escarp
Be aware the Owlin comes from a third-party book, though you could take the Aara...
It isn't third party, just to point out. Strixhaven is an official product.
carmine shuttle
It isn't third party, just to point out. Strixhaven is an official product.
I was thinking Humblewood.
fathom vortex
its very complicated for me too, im trying to make a character but idk anything ...
we're on the same page. I found and saw a lot of people talking about DnD, and curiosity got to me. Never played it IRL. So this might be my first exposure to it.
hearty escarp
I was thinking Humblewood.
Humblewood certainly added a lot more furry friends, true.
chilly flicker
ive always liked dnd, never got to play it, only experience i have is trying to dm a terrible table,,
so i recently got around to learning all the stuff
fathom vortex
I like roleplaying, so that's why i am here.
chilly flicker
real
carmine shuttle
its very complicated for me too, im trying to make a character but idk anything ...
For this instance, you stay generic rather than getting specific.
- I grew up in a small village on the outskirts of the kingdom
vs.
- I grew up in Taren Ferry, a small town at the back end of the Two Rivers, a district of Andor that hasn't seen a Queen's tax collector in three generations.
Also...
exotic remnantBOT
chilly flicker
I have an idea for the character and the reasoning between their aspects alongside with their personality
so im not concerned for the backstory
im more-so concerned on what im allowed to start with and whatnot
fathom vortex
so im not concerned for the backstory
Same, i'm really good at those. At DnD? Not very much lol.
chilly flicker
do u write?
fathom vortex
Yeah, a lot.
chilly flicker
twinning gang
fathom vortex
Hell yeah.