#dnd-newcomers

1 messages · Page 372 of 1

sand cypress
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there are things called VTTs or virtual tabletops, which do that sort of stuff for you

loud pumice
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You don't need webcams unless you individually want to use one

old spire
sand cypress
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naw, you're asking the sort of questions that aren't necessarily in the books, its all good

ornate oak
sand cypress
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I'm trying though (I joined this discord thingie)

old spire
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are there any preset stories u would recommend which the DM can use to start with?

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and also when the players face monsters. the DM give the monsters their strength however he wants to ? and regarding the chracter creation - do people normaly make them how they want them to be or is there a restricted amount of max points u can distribute?

sand cypress
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as for statistics there are several ways of doing that, described in the rules

old spire
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do u normaly play games with a fixed ending? for example kill dragon X or are these most of the time endless games?

sand cypress
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one could then keep playing another story (or module), with it's own ending and so on

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at one point the characters become so powerful as to no longer be interesting to play, in which case they are usually retired

old spire
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mmmhhh ok.... so u can essentially just add module after another when the players want to continue. when a character dies, they could then start a new one when the DM allows it?

sand cypress
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there are alternative ways of playing which can be more or less endless, but that is quite different

old spire
sand cypress
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character death is handled differently by each DM, but generally one tries to replace the character ASAP so as not to leave a player sitting around without anything to do for too long

sand cypress
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many experienced DMs tend to write their own stories and often string them together into what is often called a chronicle or campaign

old spire
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sounds great. i mean u could easily build a character reset in a game when the chracters are getting too strong by time

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are they mainly getting too strong because the stats are improving by time or due items they find?

main fulcrum
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It's mostly just leveling, either past the recommended spread or having nowhere to go past 20

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You certainly can keep playing at level 20 if the DM wants to run it, but everything becomes pretty strong at that point

old spire
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the DM can do whatever he wants? so for example if a warrior gets too strong by time. the DM could create a scenario where the warrior breaks his arm so he will lose strength again?

sand cypress
main fulcrum
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There's not really any rules for that kind of thing, and you're likely to really piss off your players if you do something like that without discussing it first. Deleveling isn't really a thing in 5e

old spire
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mmmmmhh ok

sand cypress
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Also, being a tyrant leads fairly quickly to no more players, which means no more fun

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so it's pretty self enforcing, really

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people voting with their feet and all

old spire
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so when for example 5 characters are in the game and start fresh. the DM needs to create a story for literally everyone ? i know that the players are creating a backstory for their characters too but the DM needs to bring them together at some point?

harsh fjord
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Not necessarily.

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The adventure is for everyone, but not everyone gets an individual story. That varies by table.

sand cypress
main fulcrum
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Bringing characters together can be as simple as "you're all hired for the same job, congratulations". Just depends on the game

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No one gets an individual storyline in my games TashaLOL

sand cypress
old spire
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how do u keep track of all the history and stuff? every city name etc? gawd damn u really have to write a lot when u wanna create a "deep" world

cedar sluice
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or you could go the Sly Flourish Lazy DM route and prepare in the most efficient way possible

sand cypress
old spire
unreal token
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I think Skeppo isn't quite at the level of needing Sly Flourish tips

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one step at a time yes

cedar sluice
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Michael Shae goes by the name "Sly Flourish" for some books that he writes. one of those books is Return of the Lazy DM (not the manga). it has a whole lot of great tips on what not to waste time on when it comes to preparing sessions and worldbuilding. while you can prepare more stuff, you only really need to do that extra if you enjoy doing it.

wild onyx
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Could write your own wiki.

cedar sluice
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doh, i wrote two completely different messages in one. let me fix that

old spire
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thx for all your help guys

cedar sluice
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as for individual character's stories, each character will have a short term goal and a long term goal. likely each character's long term goal is sort of a lifelong thing and will result in their character being at peace and able to retire from adventuring. that's an end game thing. the short term stuff can be resolved after several months, peppering bits here and there every few sessions.

sand cypress
old spire
cedar sluice
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that depends on a whole bunch of things. its a world of magic. weird stuff happens.

old spire
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u could also set a time progression to real life. for example every real life year = 6 ingame years. do people use something like that?

sand cypress
old spire
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i think its an interesting approach

cedar sluice
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it is until you suddenly realize that you have to wait in real life while your characters are taking a long rest.

time often gets fudged in some way or another.

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like, in a campaign it could take six weeks travel by boat to get from one continent to another. that could be handwaved in session and reduced to a few encounters and then a discussion about what everyone did the rest of the time. then boom, arrive at the destination.

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i could totally see a one-shot run like that for a couple of hours. walking in knowing about all that, the frustration is part of the fun.

sand cypress
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danger, danger! Sarcasm-saturation reaching dangerously high levels

old spire
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i just created a paladin in dndbeyond and it gave me 3 str , 2 cons , 2 charisma. so are overall 7 points the standard for all new characters?

cedar sluice
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did you go with standard array, or point buy? or rolling?

old spire
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there are only 5 preset classes? no warlocks, hunters etc. i guess i will go freestyle right from the get go

old spire
cedar sluice
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the free rules have far less classes. to get more in DnDBeyond you need to buy the PHB in DnDBeyond.

cedar sluice
sand cypress
cedar sluice
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i figured Skeppo meant the modifiers

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anyways, the great things about those pre-generated characters that you can pick from is that you can go and edit them in DnDBeyond and mess around with some things and readjust others. and if you "mess up" you can delete the character and start from the pre-gen again.

old spire
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the only thing im really struggling is how the hit points ( fight system works. i dont wanna make the monsters too hard or too weak and mess anything up xD

sand cypress
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because we are trying not to confuse the newbies any more than they already are

cedar sluice
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look at Skeppo, good on you for wanting to dive right into the DM seat. a lot of people are intimidated by it, but really it isn't some herculean task. its just got a few more moving parts than being a player.

sand cypress
cedar sluice
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there's some free adventures available on DnDBeyond to start you off. Peril in Pinebrook, Red Dragon's Tale, Uni and the Lost Horn, Scion of Elemental Evil

wheat crystal
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This is the newcomers channel so we should be setting reasonable expectations for the game, including assuming the official rules by default. Jumping into homebrew was how I started too, but it’s almost double the work to learn wrong and then have to learn correctly

old spire
cedar sluice
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learn what works. learn why it works. then mess with it.

sand cypress
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Yes, I mean I learned from a weird mix of BASIC and ADnD, and I got here, but I don't think I would neccessarily recommend it

cedar sluice
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Skeppo, if you are feeling overwhelmed and it is in person, i've heard the Heroes of the Borderlands box set is a really good start

sand cypress
old spire
wheat crystal
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I also recommend running a pre-gen adventure before doing something custom. They help learn non-obvious skills like pacing and encounter design

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There’s plenty of free ones on D&DBeyond as well. For newbies I’ve heard Peril in Pinebrook is really good

glad sky
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It's good to try out a sandbox if you're just starting too.

old spire
glad sky
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No plot, no introduction, no backgrounds. Just a whitebox arena where they can see what stats do.

sand cypress
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there are some in the free rules, no ?

glad sky
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The first 'chapter' of a new campaign tends to have that blurry quality to it. PCs shift as players figure out their voice and how to drive 'em.

wheat crystal
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Not as part of the free rules, but DDB has a large list of free adventures

old spire
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tbh i really one give everyone a completely free environment where they can be whatever they want. i try to get them interested in the game so i dont wanna force them in any pre setup stuff

sand cypress
wheat crystal
cedar sluice
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however, i'd say that Intro to Stormwreck isn't that good a place to start. its like... "talk amongst yourselves" and then thrown into two encounters with one possibly being social but likely not, and some context missing for the second and then it just ends. its way too sudden and abrupt of a start and end. Peril in Pinebrook is so much better of an intro.

glad sky
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It's all about expectations. If you offer an 'anythign can happen' experience, you gotta be able to pivot from the hip. If you can't just pull a goblin heist or a mage tower labyrinth out of your uh, hat, then sometimes it's best to have some walls up.

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As you run and play more games, that possibility space will open up naturally.

old spire
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have DMs in your games came up with story stuff right on the spot where it was kinda "unsmooth"? i mean i cant think about every outcome in advance?

glad sky
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Players notice a lot less than you'd think when you just come up with something on the spot or not.

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It doesn't matter if it took a week or a minute to come up with. Sometimes they like stuff, sometimes they don't lol

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Once players make their mind up about what's 'actually happening' though, it's hard to get them off that track.

old spire
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ok

sand cypress
glad sky
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But players only know what you tell 'em. Don't suffer too much for the stuff that gets left on the cutting room floor.

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The players never need to know the wheels can fall off at any moment >_>

sand cypress
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Just don't let them see behind the curtain, like any good magician

cedar sluice
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i have made up an entire 4 hour session on the spot without pre-planning based on half a paragraph of text in Adventure with Muk. man that was wild and terrifying. i'm okay to bluff stuff here and there, but an entire session? wow that was mentally exhausting.
maintaining flow goes a long way, so does remembering what you said an hour ago.

old spire
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aw man thats actually so cool. im pretty sure i can convince some guys i know to give it a shot

glad sky
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You can do it, you just have to live with the consequences.

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Coming up with 9 kingdoms on the spot is impressive. Running a world where 9 kingdoms now exist is exhausting.

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Just try not to shoot yourself in the foot.

wheat crystal
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I find it best to ensure everyone is on the same page before you start your campaign. As part of a session 0 ideally there should be some agreement of expected table behavior and what kinds of characters should be made. The most important of which in my opinion is that players will make characters willing to engage with the campaign premise. That way you minimize the chance of someone making Murderhobo Joe the Lone Necromancer when the adventure is supposed to be about banding the realms to fight of a dragon, for example

glad sky
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Not to mention you have to be way into the story they want to hear.

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If your heart's not in it, it's going to feel like work.

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DMs are players too, etc.

sick coral
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Hi everyone! My former group is looking for a new player. Is anyone interested in meeting on Monday Nights 7pm EST?

wheat crystal
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If you want to use this server to find a player the instructions are in #find-a-game

sick coral
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Thank you

sand cypress
dreamy wagon
deep leaf
dreamy wagon
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that's a bit busted. Should at least be a way to provide a proof of purchase or something.

potent mantle
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Hii guys my name is lua currently new to DND learning to make stories and lesrning the rules, I am a horror visual artist and making my characters

mint pendant
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Hii

hollow magnet
pseudo isle
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Also super easy for the implementation. I've heard Beyond is similar.

mint pendant
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I'm very new to dnd

exotic remnantBOT
pseudo isle
mint pendant
old spire
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can the DM also arrange fights between players (or do they normaly avoid that to not get people pissed of each other) ?

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when u for example arrange the first meeting between 2 players

rugged birch
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Dnd isn't balanced around pvp so it's generally a good idea for a new DM to ban all pvp. Even some experienced DMs don't allow it

old spire
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mmmmh ok

sand cypress
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DnD is at it's heart a comined effort, a group working together to tell a story

pseudo isle
# old spire mmmmh ok

I had some pvp in my last session but there was about 3 sessions of buildup. I wasn't expecting it in the fourth, moreso the fifth session but some actions led to it. Nobody died but it was craaaaaaazy for the narrative. All players were happy with it afterward as the player that was affected kept asking me in DM's during session "How should I feel about this?" As it was a God affecting them.

Pvp can be good but I don't think it should be a main focus.

old spire
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and how are the actions balanced between the group? im pretty sure u cant make it happen that everyone has the same "active play time" ?

sand cypress
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rarely does PvP avail itself to this end

limpid raft
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good afternoon everyone! Im am completely NEW I have played one DND game in my entire life. And I played a total of 4 days it was some of the most memorable time of my life and I want to experience it again. Can anyone help me start?

exotic remnantBOT
unreal token
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But do carry on, this channel is for newcomers, including DM newcomers

sand cypress
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I would strongly advice against PvP, unless all parties are completely fine with it and the possible outcomes (including character death)

limpid raft
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Hey I read the link already what should I do now?

echo kelp
mint pendant
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Ooo

echo kelp
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Feel free to direct message the game poster or use the thread under the game post to communicate your interest.

limpid raft
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Do I create the character before looking for a group?

echo kelp
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I'd suggest building the character for the game you will be playing in - e.g. work with the DM and other players to make somethign that works well with the kind of D&D game they want to play.

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That said, feel free to make practice characters in the mean time to better understand how to do that and understand how a character sheet works

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Also be aware of a common scam happening where someone will invite you to a "free" campaign but then tell you you need to purchase character art from their artist.
It's not free if you have to pay for art and that's bait and switch.

limpid raft
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Oh thanks for the information. I have tried using the looking for player but im unable to use the chat.

echo kelp
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You can only post inside the threads attached to the game post - to make your own LFG post you need to use the bot coammands. See #find-a-game for details on those bot commands.

cloud lily
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Hai! So, I’ve joined the server in hopes of finally starting DnD (after years of friends recommending it to me). I’m not sure how I start in terms of introducing and establishing my ocs in the game. What do I do?

patent cipher
# cloud lily Hai! So, I’ve joined the server in hopes of finally starting DnD (after years of...

Here's the basic just in case:

Read the information in 'Playing the Game'; Then follow allong with 'Creating A Character' using either the dnd beyond character builder or roll20 to make a practice character before heading over to #character-discussion to have it looked over.

Feel free to ask any questions you still have in #dnd-newcomers or check out the resources in #learn-to-play ; There's a short interactive module you can play to get a feel for the game, or you could seek out gameplay videos online. Once you're ready to play, head over to #find-a-game, one of the many LFG discord servers, r/lfg on reddit, or your friendly local game store. If you'd like a printable character sheet, those can be found here.

patent cipher
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takes a certain level of familiarity with the options available in the game to do, but it's doable for surprisingly quite a lot

sand cypress
crude musk
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Welcome to D&D Newcomers, our channel for those new to D&D, or just D&D Beyond. If you have questions or queries on getting started, or the basics of the game, feel free to ask them here! This channel has a 5 second slowmode on posting to avoid things getting overwhelming.
We do ask people to keep the following in mind:

  • Please stay on topic for the channel per server rules; the basics of D&D and D&D Beyond
  • Please respect the server rules, found in #520291181083754516
  • Please keep questions and answers focused on the basics, this channel is for newcomers to the world of D&D. More advanced discussions can take place in channels such as #dnd-discussion, #dnd-rules, #dm-discussion etc
unique sierra
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How do you join a group, do you message the person or fill out an app?

lyric fjord
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If it's on the #looking-for-players usually a DM to the person looking is reasonable. #looking-for-community has different rules, per server, but usually you can contract the poster for the specifics of applying.

unique sierra
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Thank you, this helps alot ^^

winter vessel
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So I have some questions about dnd lore books if anyone knows much about them.

smoky adder
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Fire away!

winter vessel
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I'm trying to understand where to begin to learn the actual lore of dnd. Like novels or storybooks.

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I was hoping there was some chronological order of books to read to properly learn the lore

lyric fjord
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Not really - there is a LOT of lore, a lot of novels and stories. Reading the published adventures helps somewhat, but even that assumes some of it is already known, and doesn't all cross over. What can be said - the books about Drizz't do Urden can be, for the most part, ignored, as the company has stated the writing universe for the character is NOT canon to the game universe

smoky adder
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D&D also has multiple campaign settings, each with their own stack of lore.

winter vessel
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I have a feeling this is going to be like trying to catch up on Superman after almost 100 years of comics.

sinful shard
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As far as 5e and current canon is concerned: novels, PC games, etc all have different canon

lyric fjord
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if you know who the Harpers, Zhentarim, and Lloth are -- that's enough to get the rest as you play (and even that isn't so necessary)

smoky adder
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Ultimately your game is a world of your own, and you're free to pull inspiration from wherever you find it.

lyric fjord
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as a player, by not knowing all the lore -- you can't metagame, and what your chacter needs to/shold know -- you can research, ask your DM, or make the relevant skill roll for it (History, Religion, Arcana, etc)

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oh...and that Bloodhawks are found almost everywhere...Beware the Bloodhawk...

winter vessel
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In DC Comics there are points of time that effect the entire cannon. Like Crisis on Infinite earths which destroyed the multiverse, and then final crisis which brought it back. Are there points of time like that in the DnD universe?

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I know about Karsus Avatar, that seemed like a rather major point in time.

lyric fjord
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the Spellplague and similar...that's about it really

winter vessel
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Oh cool, there's something I can learn about.

lyric fjord
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We can't as players/npc's do the super high end ritual magic because of things around/related to the Spellplague

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but even that it isn't unreasonable for you as a player or character not to know much about

winter vessel
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Oh is the Spellplague and Karsus' avatar the same thing?

lyric fjord
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one of the really awesome things , frustrating at times but awesome -- is that th eknowledge of lore is about the same as knowlege for real life

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you may know something like "the united states has a president!" -- and that's the entire extent of your knowledge of the United states

winter vessel
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So my knowledge of Greek and Norse pantheons will translate?

lyric fjord
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In a theros campaign, it could be helpful. In a Spelljammer, Krynn, or Avernus campaign, not so much

winter vessel
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Avernus is the only one of those I recognized. I have a lot to learn.

lyric fjord
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in a Domains of Dread/Ravenloft campaign --- even less so

winter vessel
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Me and some friends are learning to play and learn about dnd at the same time. our DM ditched us when WoW Classic came out so I had to do a crash course on DM work.

lyric fjord
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basically - learn the pieces of lore as you need them, but don't bother trying to read/learn all of it - a lot of it won't be relevant, a lot can conflict

sinful shard
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A lot is up to the DM as far as what they want to include. My DM is mixing pantheons from the books and a 3rd party source.

winter vessel
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I would like to create an informative campaign that utilizes some pre-existing places in the Forgotten Realms

lyric fjord
winter vessel
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Is that one of the official adventures?

lyric fjord
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its a small series of adventures, can be run connected or not - and Candlekeep is Fae'run/Forgotten Realms repository of knowledge

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it'll give you a good smattering of a bit of everything, or almost everything

winter vessel
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Fae'Run isn't in the Forgotten Realms?

lyric fjord
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and has enough adventures in it (yes, official) to keep your group comfortable for a good while

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Fae'run is the Forgotten Realms; Krynn is Dragonlanc; Oerth is Greyhawk; Astral Sea is Spelljammer; Domains of Dread/Ravenloft are their own thing. Then you have the Feywild and Shadowfell, and Avernuns.

sinful shard
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Fae'run is the continent that a lot of Forgotten Realms takes place on

winter vessel
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Is there actually something named "Avernuns" or was that a typo?

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I imagined Devil nuns.

lyric fjord
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typo, but devil nuns exist anyway

winter vessel
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also awesome

sinful shard
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So close

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Avernus was what they were trying to cite I believe

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And demon nuns would likely be a thing there

winter vessel
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demons are abyssal aren't they?

sinful shard
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They speak it, creature type is fiend

winter vessel
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It was even on sale. Lucky timing.

winter vessel
lyric fjord
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Devils and Demons are different creatures, and the hells of D&D have a whole twisted and overlong cosmology and history of their own

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there are several websites dedicated to lore...but they tend to cross editions also, which can make it more rather than less confusing

winter vessel
lyric fjord
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🙂 it's not 'wrong' -- just also isn't 'right'

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remember, D&D covers multiple settings, many things cross between settings, but details of them change in doing so usually

untold flint
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Chapter 1 of Mordenkainen's Tome Of Foes is dedicated to the Blood War, if you're looking for current information.

winter vessel
surreal shoal
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Hello all! I have a question. What would be a good adventure to start a new campaign with? It would be my first time being a DM and my group would also be first time playing

tepid furnace
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The Starter Set adventure - Lost Mine of Phandelver - is a good one. Or Dragon of Icepire Peak is also designed for new DM's. For something more recent, I hear Wild Beyond the Witchlight is very well written and easy to run for newer DM's.

severe spruce
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I'm a big fan of the Essentials Kit, which has the Dragon of Icespire Peak adventure. It's fun, the quests are pretty easy to run, and there's a dragon in it!

surreal shoal
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thank you both!!!

dapper gulch
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Lost Mines of Phandelver is one of the best, and it’s also free to claim from Roll20 until the end of the month.

noble dagger
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So im bare bones new played one game have a group willing to play but the DM is tired qnd wants to play, I am fresh as hell but want to learn to DM so I can give this guy a break where to begin? I have a set of ebay dices I've float tested and a rolling tray thinking i should play a few deep sets before i try my hand at dming?

simple goblet
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Just remember that you will fumble and make mistakes starting out, but learn and grow from those 🙂

severe spruce
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You should absolutely give it a go. More than the dice, you need the rules (your current DM should have these if you need those, but I recommend at least the core PHB, DMG, and MM).

I recommend finding a pre-written adventure module to run. Either of the kits Lionn recommends are good for new DMs, but are also campaigns that will last more than a handful of sessions. DMing is definitely fun, though, so either of those is definitely a good option. Especially if your current DM needs more than a couple sessions to overcome burnout!

noble dagger
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I was looking at the different starters and wasn't sure where to go thanks so much 😁

crude musk
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Here's a few excellent resources:

Don't forget to check out our server rules in #520291181083754516 and also pick your roles (to unlock more channels) in #880965682462875679

smoky adder
trail ether
humble scaffold
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I'm not new to D&D but I am new to this Discord. What I heard when I headed here made it sound like there were approved ready to play adventures with people hanging out and ready to run off and "party" along with some regular DM's, make a character 1-15 I think it was. From the looks of things, this is a place to arrange games and discuss stuff more then a place to actually play?

echo kelp
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This server was created by DnDBeyond to support the community around D&D 5e and DnDBeyond's tools and services.
People can find or advertise games in the #looking-for channels (make sure to follow the server rules and follow the pinned messages) but otherwise we do not play D&D on the server.

humble scaffold
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(nods) thank you for the clarification. From what I've seen, it looks like every DM that is running games started here decides what happens from there. 👍

lyric fjord
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hi i am new to D&D but i am massivley invested in watching crit roll and it has me wanting to try out actually playing the game bit i have no idea where to start and ideas would be great many thanks

echo kelp
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Welcome! I'd start with the resource listed in the pinned messages here in the channel. Basically you'll want to get a bit familiar with the rules of the game either by reading them or by watching people play the game (or even more ideal IMO reading and watching). Then maybe try building a character for fun and to learn how the rules interact with a character sheet. Then find a group to p-lay with - this server has channels devoted to finding a group to play with (any of the #looking-for channels).

lyric fjord
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thank you for the advice how would i go about finding the scource matereails for the rules of 5e and how to build a character

simple goblet
smoky adder
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But the builder generally follows the same order as the first few chapters of the Basic Rules, linked above.

lyric fjord
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thank you i have alot of reading to do now lol

bitter fog
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Hi is, there anyone to teach me or help me in regards to DMing?

halcyon forge
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We have some excellent links pinned here.

smoky adder
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Was there something specific you wanted to know?

bitter fog
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HOW, just, how. because I know there is so much information to keep track of when dming but i just have struggles with organization and i just, need assistance in learning ways to keep track.

subtle cape
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OneNote is great for keeping track of all the many notes/etc. The combat/encounter tracker on D&D Beyond has been my best friend keeping track of initiative during fights. If you have the monster it will show you their stat block.

ornate kiln
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If you feel overwhelmed, running a simple one shot to ease into things might be a good idea

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DDB of course is very helpful with keeping track of player sheets and running monsters

halcyon forge
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I mean, our theme song (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=A4BuL886bJA) does begin about mentioning how the site is good for organizing things. To start with though, figure out what it is that you actually need to keep track of. Maybe you're not like me and can actually remember what you named the NPC two seconds later.

lyric fjord
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omg that had the might nine in it lol

lyric fjord
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man reading through all this to try and make a character is hard

halcyon forge
smoky adder
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Did you have a character concept in mind already?

lyric fjord
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yeah he has been created lol

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i have greated a half elf ranger

#

with -1 in wisdom lol

smoky adder
#

Wisdom is their spellcasting ability, so you might want that a bit higher. 😅

#

If you care to follow the Quick Build guidance (not that you have to):

You can make a ranger quickly by following these suggestions. First, make Dexterity your highest ability score, followed by Wisdom. (Some rangers who focus on two-weapon fighting make Strength higher than Dexterity.)
https://www.dndbeyond.com/sources/basic-rules/classes#QuickBuild8

lyric fjord
#

they all where around the same rolls 10,s and 12,s

smoky adder
#

Gotcha

#

To be perfectly honest, I wouldn't even worry about ability scores too much at this stage.

#

Most DMs have specific requirements for those, so you might end up redoing it anyway.

#

Just to be safe, I usually start with Standard Array or Point Buy myself.

lyric fjord
#

my thought behind my build was he was a ex soldier that was god at tracking and espionage

#

i just am sruggleing with a name

smoky adder
#

For tracking and espionage, dex and wis sound like the right priorities.

#

There is a name randomizer on there, though. Might give you some inspiration.

#

This one of mine ended up with a randomized name. 😆

unknown.png
lyric fjord
#

thanks i will give it a go

#

he has a name theodmer carran go me

lyric fjord
#

so what type of campaign should i be looking at doing for my first time experience

echo kelp
#

Any group running Lost Mines of Phandelvar is probably a decent one as that adventure was built for new DMs and players.

lyric fjord
#

thanks

severe spruce
#

Or Dragon of Icespire Peak, but you want a group open to new players more than any particular adventure

echo kelp
#

Although the adventure choice can be an indicator for how newbie-friendly the group is.
Like if they're running Princes of the Apocalypse or Descent into Avernus that could suggest they might be expecting some degree of play experience.
But honestly, just connect with a group - most folks are fine with having new players join the fun.

lyric fjord
#

i do not mind it being hard as i will pick so the harder is it is the better way to learn

pale python
#

Where do most people play online...I'm trying to get back into d&d and have no local groups near me

halcyon forge
#

Discord, maybe along with something like a VTT.

ornate kiln
#

there are many discord servers for finding games and playing, this one has a section as well as ads for other servers. you can also look for games on roll20.net or /lfg on reddit or find a local facebook group for roleplaying

dapper fractal
#

hey

#

im searching for a way to play d&d online(not ddo) (i never played before) and i wanted to ask what i need for playing

crude musk
#

All you need is a way to communicate online

#

Slack, discord, a forum etc

dapper fractal
#

nothing else

echo kelp
#

A character sheet and dice are also used

ornate kiln
#

nothing else is absolutely required. you could theoretically use physical dice and a paper sheet

crude musk
#

That's how I started playing online

#

Paper sheets, physical dice, Skype

ornate kiln
#

there are however a lot of useful tools to make online play smoother. digital sheets, digital dice, virtual table tops

dapper fractal
#

alr

echo kelp
#

Even DnDBeyond helps make it easier 😉

ornate kiln
dapper fractal
#

i´ve seen an ad for roll20 what is this for

ornate kiln
#

roll20 is a virtual tabletop online platform

#

you can find games and play on digital maps with tokens moving about

#

it also includes character sheets and a dice roller

dapper fractal
#

is it supposed to make the game easier

echo kelp
#

For just starting out I recommend checking out the links in the pinned messages here in the channel, read through the free basic rules, watch some people play D&D (YouTube videos), try your hand at making a character so you can see how the rules interact with a character sheet, and then try and find a group to play with.

ornate kiln
dapper fractal
ornate kiln
#

for example if you play a combat with lots of characters and monsters moving about on terrain, doing that all with description and theatre of the mind can be very difficult. IRL, you could move miniatures or some other objects about on a simple map to manage that. roll20 and other platforms like it will provide that for you, and even make it a bit better (imo because the can add stuff that isnt possible IRL)

elfin ocean
#

How do I find a game?

#

Also, how bad is it if I wrote a backstory for a character and it somehow turned into a short novel?

#

(I may have gotten carried away) 😅

deep plume
#

Its completely normal

#

its up to the dm if their up to the challenge to read all of it

#

As a player/dm, i love reading backstories

#

The backstories are for dms to read and pick out bits and pieces to add into the game, such as for example: you reuniting with your parents or finding this lost artifact that you once lost during a war in your kingdom

severe spruce
#

You can find a game through this server in the #looking-for channels, or in other places - the ddb forums, roll20, your local gaming store, etc.

The downsides for a long backstory include:
a) sometimes the DM doesn't have time to read it all
b) sometimes you've already told their story and the continuation may not go the way you want
But neither are guarantees and plenty of people get way into it.

echo kelp
#

For best results work with the DM and the other players to design the characters backstories and classes for the campaign.

elfin ocean
#

Well... I'm still not sure how to use it. I've never played actual dungeons and dragons before. The closest I've ever gotten was the PC games.

deep plume
#

Ah you see

#

Its all imagination and roleplay

#

Go wild, but not too wild that it goes beyond your dm's rules or something like that

deep plume
#

When your dm is available, talk with him/her and discuss

echo kelp
#

I think they are looking to join a group to play.

deep plume
echo kelp
#

Check out the #looking-for channels for games to join. Make sure to read the channel descriptions and follow the pinned formats.

#

I got to go but good luck and happy playing!

elfin ocean
#

This character that I'm speaking of... the backstory is long but it's really just explaining why he decided to start adventuring in the first place. No tragic backstory or anything else. Just explaining how he got from an innocent child growing up in a blacksmith shop with his family to setting out on an adventure in the first place.

deep plume
#

Ah if its becoming a novel, make sure to not add dialogue

#

As its just a backstory, not a manga or something

deep plume
elfin ocean
#

Also includes a secret family ritual that binds the soul of the males of the family to their smithing hammers to increase the smithing skill... but has a pretty interesting drawback when it comes to adventuring

deep plume
#

Some dms want straightforward approaches like it snaps from point A to point B quick

deep plume
elfin ocean
lyric fjord
#

no matter how long your backstory is -- it could be a FULL 10,000 page novel

deep plume
lyric fjord
#

what you're presenting to the table (and the DM) is no more than a page

deep plume
lyric fjord
#

ideally 3-4 paragraphs, and if they want (or need) more detail, they can ask. You also need to leave enough open/vague that the DM can fit you in to the world appropriately

deep plume
#

Yes, the vague part. If your too specific the dm will have a hard tim fitting you to the world

elfin ocean
deep plume
#

Lets say you live in this castle, but the world he built has no castle

elfin ocean
#

Nope... just a smithy

#

Oh... wait

#

Mb

deep plume
#

to either shorten or lengthen it

lyric fjord
#

don't - if you can't explain your character in 3-4 sentences (elevator pitch) and expand interest in 3-4 aragprahs -- then rethink your character and history

elfin ocean
deep plume
#

Yea dnd is really..complicated atleast to me, whenever my players create novels i just let em go wild

#

I just love reading hahahaha

elfin ocean
#

😁

deep plume
#

if your done with it i can give it a read

elfin ocean
#

I'm done writing it, yes.

deep plume
#

Sure

#

but thats all i can suggest, talk with your dm. Show him your current backstory and he might help you narrow it down

lyric fjord
#

It's not that I don't enjoy reading it...but it has to be worht reading for what currently working on - DM time is already hard pressed often, even well organized

#

wouldn't even show it to them -- narrow it down...give the elevator pitch, then ask if they want or need more detail

#

OR what needs to alter to fit the world

deep plume
#

Mb

elfin ocean
deep plume
lyric fjord
#

show it to others who can help you narrow down - what points stand out to them, if it is well covered

elfin ocean
deep plume
#

Your backstory since you said he likes smithing and has that soul binding thing to strengthen skill

lyric fjord
#

that becomes your key points - if you show 5 people, and they all latch onto the same 2-3 poitns, that's the important points

deep plume
#

Reminds me of jayce in league

deep plume
#

atleast to me i think he should

#

Dm should obviously be vague about it

elfin ocean
lyric fjord
#

DM doesn't have to, nor should be, vague a bout it

#

knowing the world you are in helps you build your character appropriately -- building a castle smithy from a cloud kingdom..isn't a lot of help if you're running a nautical campaign

elfin ocean
deep plume
#

I'll try to help if i can, maybe turn that novel into paragraphs hahaha

#

But dont delete your initial novel work, just make a copy

untold flint
#

The DM being vague about the story is fine, but they shouldn't be vague about the world. Unless the characters aren't native to the world, they should definitely be familiar with it. The same way we are with our world.

elfin ocean
#

Thanks for the info

fervent ivy
#

heyo, completely new to dnd and thought i should give it a try

#

my friend (based off how i sometimes play games) recommended me a ranger class as a wood elf so i went and made a sheet, so i just wanted opinions on the sheet itself

#

(not sure if i post it here or the character builds chat lol)

smoky adder
#

Welcome! Either channel is fine. 👍🏻

fervent ivy
#

many thanks!

#

i will say that i did do a random roll for the stats incase anything looks funky there

smoky adder
#

Looks good!

#

You probably want to equip your armor and weapons, though.

#

Just hit the checkbox next to them on the Equipment tab.

fervent ivy
#

oh shoot i didn’t realize i had to lol, many thanks again!!

smoky adder
#

The stat distribution looks good; you got the right priorities.

#

Most DMs have their own rules for stat generation, though, so I wouldn't sweat those too much at this point.

fervent ivy
#

good to hear, now i await a game to come around so i can gain experience. Both ingame and irl experience lol

undone onyx
#

hello

#

i am new to this server but i play dnd

fervent ivy
#

welcome welcome lol

undone onyx
#

do u play dnd?

fervent ivy
undone onyx
#

oh

#

k

fervent ivy
#

😅

undone onyx
#

ya need advice?

#

i am a dm

fervent ivy
#

sure, always appreciated

undone onyx
#

u wanna be a dm or player

#

i tried to be both but...

#

lets just say there is no surprise

fervent ivy
#

player since i know nothing about dm’ing

undone onyx
#

ok

#

have u started yet

fervent ivy
#

nope, waiting for some sort of newbie-friendly sesh somewhere lol

undone onyx
#

wel ur a ranger right?

#

you kmow how ta play right?

fervent ivy
#

sort of?

undone onyx
#

here

#

look at this

fervent ivy
#

oh yeah i have that already i just
a-suck at remembering them

b- still a bit confused

so im just waiting for experience now

undone onyx
#

k u got the dice

#

you can try staging a fight

#

like with some goblins

#

i suck at advice

fervent ivy
#

its alright lol, teaching something like this can be a bit of a challenge

smoky adder
fervent ivy
#

much appreciated tuna lol

severe spruce
#

You don’t need to memorize every rule, you just need to know where to find stuff quickly.

lyric fjord
#

so if you are playing a campaign online is it ok to have the players handbook open on other monitors

ornate kiln
#

sure

#

people look up some info during the game all the time IRL so why not online?

tender lance
#

Arguably easier as it allows you to just use the search function, instead of trying to go through the book glossary (though real books will always have a special place in my heart).

elfin ocean
ornate kiln
#

a DM will contact you via PM if they are interested in you as a player

elfin ocean
#

well...I don't think I'm that interesting >_>

ornate kiln
#

It's the nature of these kind of public "looking for game" posts that your chance of success is somewhat slim, but it doesnt hurt to have it out there

#

if you want a faster shot at getting a game, looking at ads from DMs and applying directly if you meet the conditions might be the way to go

elfin ocean
#

hmmm...logic checks out

#

I'll keep that in mind

marble sluice
topaz garnet
clear estuary
#

Yeah, the rulebooks are made to be kept in reach.

#

It’s not like it’s “cheating” to refer to the books while you’re playing.

#

Unless you’re a player looking at monster stats that your DM is running. That’s kinda cheating.

marble sluice
#

even then, some tables allow that. some tables might even encourage it.

topaz garnet
#

yeah, 'cheating' would be looking at DM side rules and stuff - like if there's a secret in a specific wall in a dungeon, or what traits a monster has.

Having spells, your subclass, and all that stuff on standby, is simply being a good player so you can quickly read off your own player side rules instead of slowing the game down to a crawl each turn. People like a turn that knows where it's going

lyric fjord
#

No I mean just for the rules on my class and stuff as I am so new to this even though I have watched it for years

elfin ocean
#

Sooo... after reading the 5e rules I got to the part about armor class and it kinda threw me off. Is positive ac better now? Because I'm still used to the BG1&2 computer games and as far as I know negative is good

ornate kiln
#

yeah higher numbers are better

simple goblet
elfin ocean
ornate kiln
#

yeah they inverted that back in 3rd ed

untold flint
elfin ocean
#

Another thing. Spell components: where can I find the requirements for any one particular spell? BG games didn't require them for spellcasters but I was told that tabletop does.

ornate kiln
#

they should be written in each spell's description

elfin ocean
ornate kiln
#

a lot of familiar sounding spells will work a bit different btw

#

so thats a good idea anyway

elfin ocean
simple goblet
#

Also worth checking if expensive spell components, which have a price listed next to them, are consumed by the spell or not

elfin ocean
untold flint
ornate kiln
#

some spell are absolutely worth paying for. And some classes are pretty reliant on expensive spells, like cleric

untold flint
elfin ocean
ornate kiln
#

you can totally play a cleric who does plays like that

elfin ocean
#

I also like crafting... especially blacksmithing. (I wonder if a portable forge can be a thing...)

#

Couldn't do that in BG

#

Always wanted to

ornate kiln
#

the Artificer class or the forge domain cleric would work well with such a character, though the opportunity to forge stuff will depend on the game and DM

untold flint
#

Smith's Tools are one of the tool sets you can have proficiency in(along with Leatherworking Tools, Jeweler's Tools, etc). Xanathar's Guide includes a whole chapter with guidelines on making use of various tool proficiencies, including crafting times & costs for various objects.

elfin ocean
elfin ocean
ornate kiln
#

I mean, flavor is free so there is no rule that says you cant do that. but Druids and metalworking traditionally dont go together so you might need to put a bit more effort into explaining the unusual combination

elfin ocean
#

I plan to make sentient weapons... because it would be hilarious 😂

ornate kiln
#

a lot of this stuff you wanna do is up to the DM and the kind of game your table plays. It will be cool for some and others would want something more grounded

#

its always good to check with the rest of the group if you want the same kind of game

elfin ocean
#

Or swinging, I should say

#

HAH! Found the link for it 😂

#

I'll refrain from posting it here though

lyric fjord
#

how ido people absorb all this infomation as a first time player there is so much

elfin ocean
lyric fjord
untold flint
#

The 5E rules are probably the most newbie-friendly edition of D&D, but it does still take a little bit of reading to be familiar with how to play. I've been in games with people who just sorta showed up barely knowing anything about how to play, and I don't recall any of them seeming like they were actually having fun. Now, some people learn better by doing than by reading, and if they have a group that's willing to play a session that's the equivalent of a tutorial level in a video game, great.

lyric fjord
#

i can not wait to start playing i have a friend that is also in the progress of chreting his first character and we are looking forward to finding someone to dm a game we both can join

dull tinsel
#

Hi everybody, i'm Trickytophe, a D&D fan from France. In France, I am also a role-playing game author (Nautilus, Colonial Gothic French Edition, Aquablue...). I've been playing D&D for many years, in various editions. I have been a dungeon master at the 5th edition for a few months. I lead Descent into Avernus. Good game everyone !

lyric fjord
#

hi nice to meet you

hasty saffron
thick meadow
#

Hiya! I’m Shaeminn I’m new to DND, 22, F, looking for a group to play DND with! ✌️💕 Very eager to learn!

lyric fjord
#

welcome

thick meadow
#

Thanks! Can’t wait to get started!

lyric fjord
#

likewise i am trying to learn before i try and get into an adventure

simple goblet
thick meadow
#

Thank you so much! ❤️

hasty saffron
#

I'm super hyper kid with a new toy that's what I feel like when I think of dnd

placid aspen
#

Hello all! Returning to DND after a hiatus!

fervent ivy
#

welcome back!!

marble sluice
#

happy to have you back!

hasty saffron
#

I plan on making my frist char tonight

#

Do you think I can use spoons as a weapon

echo kelp
#

That's an "ask your DM" question - best to stay with what the basic rules provide and then flavor them up afterwards

marble sluice
#

i personally wouldnt allow it, but a DM might

hasty saffron
#

Yeah it's a joke I now they don't want it cause no one wanted to get spooned

crude musk
#

This channel isn't for making jokes, it's for helping newcomers get to grips with D&D. Let's please keep things on topic

lyric fjord
#

is it best to do a 1 shot as a beginner or try and get on a starter canpaign

marble sluice
#

im not sure i could give an answer as to which one is better. They both have their merits, but they both have their detriments as well

echo kelp
#

Yeah best is very subjective - there's pros and cons to either approach.
If you're big into continuing story lines and long-play arcs then a campaign is a great way to explore that.
If you're more into "try something with little risk of investment" (including character builds) than one-shots are good for that.

hasty saffron
#

Is it worth finding a dm/group before making a char or make a char but do a ruff idea

marble sluice
#

i would find a game before making a character

#

mostly so that your DM can actually watch you make the character and make sure its all okay for their game

untold flint
#

There's no harm in practicing by making some characters, either manually or in the character builder, but when I'm going to be playing an actual game/campaign, I try not to finalize anything until I get a sense of the group dynamic and the world we'll be playing in.

hasty saffron
#

Ok sweet

#

I might have a practice learning how to online so it's quicker in the further

wise jasper
#

Make a demo character so you can familiarize yourself with the tool. I actually did that exact thing this morning.

untold flint
#

I will often go into a group with a rough concept of a character, but I usually try to have a couple of options. 5E is pretty good about not needing a party to be fully balanced to be effective, but it's usually more fun when you have a good variety of roles covered(unless you're intentionally going with a theme, like all Tanks, all Healers, etc).

wise jasper
#

Takes all of less than 5 minutes to get the gist.

hasty saffron
#

If I join vc would u help me understand things

placid aspen
gloomy laurel
modern ridge
#

How does time work?

#

oike is it irl or?

next kraken
#

It works the same way, it's just split into 6 second intervals during combat so things are more comprehensive

smoky adder
#

Just like a movie, the time scale can change from scene to scene.

elfin ocean
#

I have a possibly stupid question: do I have to buy the books to be a player? 😅

#

opens up his wallet and watches spiders crawling out

echo kelp
#

You can play just fine with the free basic rules but you'll be limited to the player character options from that unless you have the books or are part of a campaign with content sharing enabled (and folks sharing their content inside that campaign).

#

So do you have to buy the books to play? No.
Does buying books give you more options in your D&D games? Yes.

next kraken
#

Basically you can manage with the free stuff, but you can play more varied things with paid content

smoky adder
#

You can also buy just the options you want (like a single subclass) instead of the whole book.

#

Whatever you spend gets credited toward the cost of the book itself, too.

placid aspen
final rampart
#

so uh how does this like work
i got the starter set but i still dont really know where to start
ive attempted a character but idk what a lot of it means also i dont have anyone to play with so thats another reason why i came here in the first place

crude musk
#

D&D is a lot like telling a story where you and your friends all contribute, but there are rules and dice involved to help decide how things go
The starter set is a pre-written story to play through; you will need other people to play it and if you're planning on being the one running the adventure (the Dungeon Master), you won't also get to make a player character (PC)

#

If you need to find people to play with, we have several channels for that

#

?looking

exotic remnantBOT
#
D&D Beyond
Ready to play some Dungeons & Dragons?

We have four channels to help you find your next game:

• #looking-for-players — Dungeon Masters/groups looking for players.
• #750812887697588356 — Players or groups looking for Dungeon Masters.
• #looking-for-community — Communities looking for members.
• #paid-looking-for-game — Professional DMs advertising services.

If you can’t see any of these channels, you will need to head to #880965682462875679 and select the appropriate role depending on exactly what you're looking for.

Be respectful, and have fun!
final rampart
#

oki cool thx :)

wheat beacon
#

Howdy dowdy

lost shale
#

I'm not necessarily a newcomer (I've played on and off since 2018) but I don't feel confident in my knowledge of the mechanics. I've played mostly homebrew stuff the past few campaigns but just got in a 5e campaign and was wondering if someone could assist me in feeling better about the mechanics.

simple goblet
lost shale
#

Yeah I feel like I have a good feel for the basics but when it comes to like in the actual sessions I feel less knowledgeable on what others seem to think of easily

simple goblet
lost shale
#

Not necessarily out of but more just being able to add to

simple goblet
#

Improv is something you can really only improve with practise. What usually helps me with it is getting into the NPC and wide world's head and thinking, "How would they response to what the party are doing?"

lost shale
#

That is fair. I decided to finally not only be a warlock or bard and I'm trying a rogue/artificer build and because I'm not knowledgeable on those two playstyles I am having a bit of trouble getting into the head space of knowing what I can do even

dapper gulch
#

For me, the most important rule of improv is that everyone participating focuses on the idea of “yes, and…” to build each other up while also working in good faith to build up the current narrative. Focus on enabling each other, including the DM, and the game goes fairly smooth.

lost shale
#

I feel I am good at being able to go with the flow and improvise outcomes but I just wonder what more there is for me to be able to do with my characters

modern ridge
#

how does time work in dnd? is it irl time or ingame, and how long is 1 hour ingame then?

crude musk
#

Someone did already answer you on this, but it's however much the DM says passes

#

There's no relation to real world time; a combat encounter can take 45 minutes to play out but only represent 30 seconds, and then four days of travel can take as long as it takes to say "You travel for four days, reaching your destination just before sunrise"

modern ridge
modern ridge
crude musk
#

Yes

#

D&D is not real time

topaz garnet
smoky adder
#

It's like a movie. Sometimes things speed up while you montage across the planet. Sometimes that bomb has definitely been counting down for longer than it says.

#

Time moves as fast or as slow as the story needs.

modern ridge
#

Perfect, thank you!

topaz garnet
#

yep. Scene transition, 2 weeks later
or showing the fight scene from multiple angles and whatnot, making it feel like an eternity but it's over in a few moments

subtle lantern
#

Hello, As a group new to D&D what digital books would you recommend? We will be sharing of my account as DM. We have a hard copy of players guide and a starter kit but no d&d beyond books. We will run mostly homebrew campaign's. Thank you.

crude musk
#

Do not share your account, that is against the Wizards of the Coast terms of service and violation can lead to you losing access to your account and any content you may have purchased

#

If you want to share your content, I recommend looking at a master tier subscription

subtle lantern
#

I have the master tier sub.

crude musk
#

All good then. You won't need to share your account and risk any unfortunate outcomes

subtle lantern
#

I should have added that we all have our accounts I'm sharing content the legal way 🤣

#

But we are having trouble deciding what books to buy. We don't want to waste money.

simple goblet
#

Xanathar's Guide to Everything and Tasha's Cauldron of Everything will give you more player subclasses and spells.
If you can wait a few weeks Monsters of the Multiverse, will give you as a DM more monsters and new player races

#

After that your options are either new setting guides or adventure modules, which are completely up to your group's tastes

twilit pollen
#

Does anyone have any advice/tips for a new player stepping into a solo PC game?

mortal locust
#

Which is better Ranger or Sorceror

crude musk
#

Better at what?

#

They're completely different classes that do entirely different things

mortal locust
#

Magic missile/counterspell/animal speach/plant speach and spells like that

crude musk
#

Need to know what your primary goal is to tell you which is better at achieving it

untold flint
crude musk
#

But sorcerer has more spells on its list than ranger

mortal locust
#

I want to tame and speek to animals and plants while being able to counter spell the DM and players and have a good attack spell like Magic missile

crude musk
#

You don't want to be countering the other players spells

mortal locust
#

when I am DM that is for the players

crude musk
#

Then you won't be using classes if you're the DM

mortal locust
#

my goal is to be player and DM at same time

smoky adder
#

That's a tough thing to pull off well.

crude musk
#

That's not really how D&D is designed to work

mortal locust
#

I am trying to relearn how to play as player and completely learn how to be a dm

crude musk
#

When you say 'at the same time' do you mean in the same game?

mortal locust
#

yes

crude musk
#

Yeah, that's inadvisable

mortal locust
#

with friends of course

untold flint
#

I would recommend learning how to play 5E first, so you can get comfortable with the mechanics, and will be able to DM a game more smoothly.

crude musk
#

Like, it's not a great idea even if you're familiar with the game to try and be a DM and player in the same game

#

When you're trying to (re)learn stuff, it'd be even less so

mortal locust
#

I want to learn everything 1st of course then when I am better at it, if I play and be DM I will know the story and make decisions as if I didn't know the story

crude musk
#

I strongly recommend you do one, then the other

#

Because otherwise you'll be splitting your energy and not giving either your all

mortal locust
#

I will be studying the 3 core rule books today as soon as they arrive which will be in like 1 hour

untold flint
#

It's very hard to compartmentalize like that, even for an experienced player. You'll know all the story beats coming up, where any surprise attacks are coming from, where the traps are that the party might be searching for, what weaknesses the Big Bad might have, etc. It's the same as it is for a player who's going through one of the published campaigns they've already played before.

mortal locust
#

I see that point but what if I made my character decide as though they didn't know the weaknesses even though I know

echo kelp
#

A DM is a full time “job” and trying to play a character on top of that (because you’re playing all the NPCs and trying to keep the game going and trying to keep the players happy and trying to tell the story) - that’s the path to burn out and sadness.

#

Usually.

smoky adder
#

A lot of the times, the issue isn't even how you make decisions for your character. It's how those decisions can often be perceived by the other players (regardless of their accuracy).

#

There's many a tale where people felt the DM's character seemed like the focus of the story, or had an unfair advantage.

mortal locust
#

my 1st story I was going to try is a Skyrim type campaign

#

I would be learning DM stuff for it and then playing it later

untold flint
#

The ONLY way I've ever seen it not implode is if the DM's "character" was little more than a glorified NPC, there to help fill out a party because there weren't many players, but not taking an active role in the group's decision-making.

mortal locust
#

there would be 2 people other than me so far

dense glacier
#

Just have one character that the party exiled because, as they kept wanting to kill, the NPC, and rob rhem blind. Took 3 sessions to get through 21 rooms, as they started out with Ochre Jellies and finally when i had a corpse animate into a Lich King and raise 14undrad lich did the party yell them to stop

brave walrus
topaz garnet
#

If you really want a DMPC, use a Sidekick (found in Tasha's Cauldron of Everything)

#

an Expert is great at simply being skills and the help action, if you want them to just be helping out, and minorly contributing to a fight. A Warrior is simply fight hard. and a Spellcaster has only half the spell slot progression, so they won't be 'OP' compared to a proper wizard.

rare wren
#

Hi, I'm new. I just signed up

smoky adder
#

Welcome!

rare wren
#

Thanks 🙂

#

really wish i had people to play with irl, locally. but i do not.

#

I found this server whilst searching for a local group

#

but Im thinking this isnt going to help me solve my problem

#

i do at least appreciate the welcome, though

#

ok, well I shall move on and continue my quest. thanks for allowing me to warm my toes. fare thee well.

lethal swan
#

hi guys, always wanted to try DND, but I am in Mongolia right now where there seems to be no local group. Is there a beginner-friendly group online that you could point me to?

crude musk
#

We have channels dedicated to finding groups online

#

?looking

exotic remnantBOT
#
D&D Beyond
Ready to play some Dungeons & Dragons?

We have four channels to help you find your next game:

• #looking-for-players — Dungeon Masters/groups looking for players.
• #750812887697588356 — Players or groups looking for Dungeon Masters.
• #looking-for-community — Communities looking for members.
• #paid-looking-for-game — Professional DMs advertising services.

If you can’t see any of these channels, you will need to head to #880965682462875679 and select the appropriate role depending on exactly what you're looking for.

Be respectful, and have fun!
warped tinsel
#

hello im a total newb

smoky adder
#

Welcome!

lyric fjord
#

I am also noob

#

I has questions

#

Why can I not select a kobold for a character sheet?

smoky adder
#

Do you own that race? Or is your character in a campaign where that’s being shared with you?

lyric fjord
#

Oh I have to but it

#

*buy

#

Ok

#

What are its character and or buffs so I can make a sheet irl?

smoky adder
#

You can buy the book on sale right now, or just that race by itself.

lyric fjord
#

Ok

#

Thank you

smoky adder
#

If you do get just the race, whatever you spend gets credited toward the cost of the book itself, too.

warped tinsel
#

i literally never have played DND my only knowledge is playing Neverwinter for 5 years. Where do i start, am i to fresh to even join a beginner session?

smoky adder
#

There’s a bunch of helpful starter links in the pinned messages here to get you started.

#

And plenty of beginner-friendly games over in #looking-for-players. If you see one you like, you can send the user a private message to inquire further.

warped tinsel
#

ok sweet ill check those links out and start my adventure

sour tendon
#

Why is the word little in the pinned messages?

crude musk
#

@sour tendon where are you seeing that?

#

Oh I see, at the end of the sources list

#

Fixed

tacit forge
#

Are weekly one-shot events still a thing? I tried looking on wizards event finder page and couldn't find any at any shops within 100 miles.

I was thinking of trying that out and get a few games as a player in before dedicating myself as a DM in the family. COVID kill them?

crude musk
#

Do you mean Adventurer's League? That's still very much a thing and is run online as well as in person

polar fossil
tacit forge
#

Yeah that's what I meant. I couldn't find any locally, which is a shame. I'll see what I could find through online resources. Was hoping for more in-person experiences though.

crude musk
# polar fossil Where is there AL online?

Multiple places; some discord servers run AL games, gaming stores organise them through facebook pages. That's like asking "where is there AL in person?" The answer is 'all over the place, you just have to look/ask around'
I'm part of a server that runs regular AL games

mortal locust
#

On Amazon the 3 Core Rule books/DM screen/Slipcase is $169.98 but on sale for 49% off so $85.99 that's how much I paid

#

I made a character already, it may not be perfect with the proficiencies and features but all the info is on the sheet

#

I wasn't sure where to put Passive Int (investigation) Passive Wis (Insight) since it only let's you put Passive Wis (Perception I think it is)

#

they are where languages are and a few other things are there too while the rest is under features

#

it would help a lot on an example character sheet on how it should look when completely filled out

ornate kiln
crude musk
#

@mortal locust Here's an example of a completed character sheet

unknown.png
polar fossil
crude musk
#

It's a private server, I can't invite people

#

Also not the channel, this is newcomers discussion

uneven garnet
#

...Hello 👋

#

nice to meet you all

#

I'm new...

waxen stump
#

Welcome!

uneven garnet
lyric fjord
#

welcome to all us new gamers

mortal locust
#

Thanks for the example sheet, it is going to help me alot when I create characters

#

@crude musk for the sheet message above

normal pier
#

Hey brand new to dnd here just asking how often new players are picked up into games always wanted to play but my group of friends are not really the rpg tabletop kind of people

smoky adder
#

All the time! There's plenty of beginner-friendly games out there.

#

Might take a little time to find the right opportunity, but there's definitely groups out there for you to join. 👍🏻

civic plank
#

Hello not really new to DND but new to DND Beyond my friends and I play but that's only on Saturday just looking for people to chat with I've been running one-shots and running out of ideas so new people to talk to and have fun with is key.

civic plank
#

PM if you want to talk about ideas or character building im always down to hear what people have to offer.

simple goblet
civic plank
#

Thanks ill look there

civic plank
#

How do you space out the bar with out hitting the enter key?

crude musk
#

Shift + Enter

civic plank
#

THANK YOU SO MUCH!

smoky adder
civic plank
#

Thank you all in the community im glad it's not as toxic as the video game community

crude musk
#

@civic plank Please don't spam, even to test posting

civic plank
#

Yes sir

#

sorry

hasty saffron
crude musk
hasty saffron
#

my bad

crude musk
#

S'all good

lyric fjord
mellow frigate
#

hi i just started playing with some friend who have been playing for alot longer do you have any tips or tricks for me

fading falcon
#

The only real tip and trick for any new D&D user (including me) is to join campaigns that welcome new players and gather experience, nothing beats experience

#

There's also playerbooks and such on the official website for you to dabble on

mellow frigate
#

ok thank alot im just abit confused its kinda difficult

echo kelp
#

Tips:
Work with your DM and the other players in the group to have fun.
If something isn't fun, speak up - better to pause the game and get things sorted out and everyone recalibrated on expectations.
No D&D is better than bad D&D.
Funny voices are optional. Funny dress-up is also optional. Minis and maps are also optional.
Your game(s) will (most likely) not be like Critical Roll and that is Okay.
Focus on having fun - D&D is a collaborative storytelling game and it's important to not steal the spotlight over the other players but also it's okay for your character to shine.

#

I do recommend reading the game rules (basic free rules and/or player's handbook). You don't have to know everything before playing but being familiar with certain game mechanics will make things run better.

mellow frigate
#

ok thanks

delicate willow
#

tips: have fun playing, reading, searching about it, talking with friends

fading falcon
#

Yea pretty much, campaigns that welcome new players have people already there to help walk you through everything, but it doesn't hurt to read some of the basics or talk with your DM about what you can and can't do. Overall just have fun it's all about imagination and RolePlaying, it's nothing complicated unless you're the one DMing.

heavy stone
#

And if you are the one DMing... run.
...the game to the best of your ability. No one's going to judge the newbie for being new!

echo kelp
#

Being a Dungeon Master is it's own sort of fun but I do think it helps to play first before taking on that exciting adventure!

mellow frigate
#

i do play dm one day a week but its rather difficult to make them listen is there anything i can do to make it more intertaining

fading falcon
#

I can't say much since I've never DM'd before but I've seen a few videos and I think overall it depends on the type of group you have. Do they like more RolePlay then add some interesting twist and turns to the story, some intriguing NPCs with backstories and quests, etc.. If your group prefers more action then throw in traps, put them on their toes when scaling a dungeon, throw in some surprise attacks from enemies (don't overdo it or purposefully kill off your members, give them a chance), and also last of all let your members come out with their own backstories and bring in part of their own freedom to the RolePlay, don't limit your players to some extent (have some rules everyone knows beforehand).

#

and if your group just isn't listening to you then it might just be the group itself, you can also ask them directly what they'd like to see more of that doesn't hurt too.

mellow frigate
#

thank you i tend to make some tipe of dungeon with mineons and a main villain at the end do you think that is a good way to play it or should i change it abit they tend to like it also i throw in some wepons at the end as they asked me to do that but because i dont know much they now have extreamly strong iteams like a ring of wishes

fading falcon
#

Another thing is balance and an end goal, of course every campaigns going to have to end some way or another so it's not a good idea giving them super OP items and weapons early on if you plan on continuing the story. There's plenty of already made campaigns out there especially from D&D Beyond you can use and even add twists of your own on to improve your DMing experience, everyone starts somewhere.

#

If they want a super OP item and you think they aren't ready for it then make sure they're aware of that fact, again I haven't DM'd before but I'm not a super noob at it either, sometimes groups can be hard to work with so at the end of the day it may not even be your fault, I'd still talk with the group and find a fine line both of you can agree on.

#

Hope I was somewhat helpful, I'll try answering anymore questions you have to the best of my ability

mellow frigate
#

i asked my friend who was away and knows the most about d and d she said that it was alright to give them a ring of wishes she is a player as well and know its very difficult to DM but thanks thats very help full

fading falcon
#

I mean it depends, as long as they didn't just happen to stumble on it and they worked really hard to get it then it isn't a problem, I'm glad to have helped I wish you luck in your future campaigns

mellow frigate
#

thanks you where very help full and i have more of a grasp on what i need to do.

fading falcon
#

Anytime! 🙂

mellow frigate
#

🙂

winter vessel
#

Is anyone here familiar with dnd novels?

polar fossil
#

Such as? And what about them?

crude musk
lyric fjord
#

Hello

crude musk
lyric fjord
#

Ive always been interested in dns but dk how to get into it

crude musk
#

There some useful links pinned in this channel

#

I'd suggest the following

  1. Skim the basic rules, but don't worry about memorising them
  2. Have a mess around with the character builder to get a feel for that
  3. Head on over to our looking-for channels and try and find a game
#

?looking

exotic remnantBOT
#
D&D Beyond
Ready to play some Dungeons & Dragons?

We have four channels to help you find your next game:

• #looking-for-players — Dungeon Masters/groups looking for players.
• #750812887697588356 — Players or groups looking for Dungeon Masters.
• #looking-for-community — Communities looking for members.
• #paid-looking-for-game — Professional DMs advertising services.

If you can’t see any of these channels, you will need to head to #880965682462875679 and select the appropriate role depending on exactly what you're looking for.

Be respectful, and have fun!
lyric fjord
#

Is the character builder just online

echo kelp
#

You could use the old and tried pen and paper character sheet but you’ll want to know the character rules decently well. The DnDBeyond online character builder is great for new players as it has a “guided” process that helps explain the different steps and process behind building a character.

sour tendon
#

It is online.

#

But as dying said, penciling it will help lteach the basic rules structure for generation.

lyric fjord
#

Ill have to chek the builder online as im totally new

opal yoke
#

I’ve learned I need a mic if I want to do dnd online with vcs, is it just any mic or a specific kind? I don’t know much about that kind of technology sorry

crude musk
#

Any mic will do, better mics will make you easier to hear/sound nicer, but anything generally works

opal yoke
#

Thank you

untold flint
#

I would suggest a basic USB headset from any of the major brands. Not sure where you're located, but here in the US it'd be something in the $25-30USD range. That's what I've been using for years and it's more than sufficient.

feral tartan
#

Hey fellow Dungeoneers,
I’ve just started playing and run a Human Ranger Beast Master.
When it comes to spells, I’ve read somewhere that Rangers know all the spells for their spell cast level.
Do I have to select just two or can I swap and change when I want but can only use two at any moment and then can change them say after a l one rest which resets my spells.

opal yoke
#

Wait nvm you said a basic one works fine my bad

untold flint
# feral tartan Hey fellow Dungeoneers, I’ve just started playing and run a Human Ranger Beast M...

They do not learn spells that way. That is the method that Clerics, Druids and Paladins use(when they finish a long rest they pick from their entire class' list, a number of spells equal to the number they can prepare). When you reach a Ranger level where the "Spells Known" number increases, you pick additional spells from the levels you have spell slots for. In addition, at every Ranger level-up you can swap out one spell you know for a different one. You can swap it for a spell of a different level, as long as it's a level you have spell slots for. Each class' description will have a section for their spellcasting which will tell you about their spell slots and how to determine which spells they know and can cast.

feral tartan
untold flint
# feral tartan Thank you so much. So much to learn.

The class descriptions will tell you what you need to know, so focus there to start. Same with your spells, the text of them will say what they do, and what kind of rolls are required. The rules are kind of like wedding vows in The Princess Bride. If it doesn't say it, it doesn't do it. 🙂

mellow lantern
#

Hello hello everyone :) first time poster, and new to 5e! Played a little bit of pathfinder a decade ago, but looking to get back into tabletops. Dndbeyond looks like a great start and excited to be here. Any base advice for a newbie wanting to get familiar with dndbeyond and aspire to DM? (I did buy a few main sourcebooks.)

polar fossil
#

I was in your boat, too. 🙂
Just start by reading the basic rules. You can do that for free and it will give you a basic condensation of the three core books.
But if you want to spend money to get started, I recommend starting with the Essentials Kit, The Dragon of Icespire Peak. It's a starting adventure, 1st to 5th, that is designed for starting players and can even be played with just one guide and one player. It has a lot of help for starting guides.

simple goblet
#

The other option is the Starter Set, The Lost Mines of Phandelver which is similarly a level 1 to 5 adventure

ornate kiln
#

technically, Dragon on Icespirepeak is level 1-7, just fyi. not that it matters too much

gilded monolith
#

Hey everybody! I’m a new-ish player, and I’m wanting to DM my first game. I have a concept for a campaign and a few players, I am mostly familiar with the rules, but first time actually DM’ing. Any tips?

mellow lantern
#

Looking at the surface level of the two, icespire peak sounds pretty neat for a first run. I will look at the essentials kit and keep reading through the rules :) thanks all

polar fossil
#

Phandelver is the first adventure that came out. The Essentials Kit is a couple(?) of years old. And, note, IIRC WotC announced a new beginner's box to come out soon.

thick star
#

is it her i ask if anybody wana play dnd

crude musk
#

?looking

exotic remnantBOT
#
D&D Beyond
Ready to play some Dungeons & Dragons?

We have four channels to help you find your next game:

• #looking-for-players — Dungeon Masters/groups looking for players.
• #750812887697588356 — Players or groups looking for Dungeon Masters.
• #looking-for-community — Communities looking for members.
• #paid-looking-for-game — Professional DMs advertising services.

If you can’t see any of these channels, you will need to head to #880965682462875679 and select the appropriate role depending on exactly what you're looking for.

Be respectful, and have fun!
thick star
#

thanks i am a new guy

stark sorrel
#

Hi guys new to the group looking for a group to join as can't really get our to play anymore so looking on here let me know ow if there is any groups that are willing to let me join thanks

halcyon forge
#

Look two posts up for the channels.

severe spruce
lyric fjord
#

Hello everyone I'm like super new at the game my friends and other have told me what it is so I have an idea what is it but now I wanted to play with them so I'm here now XD I hope we all become good friends and we can help eachother out with the game ^^

smoky adder
#

Welcome!

lyric fjord
#

thank you so much^^

sour tendon
#

Welcome!

modern ridge
#

Welcomeee!

gray junco
#

Welcome! 😄

sterile ginkgo
#

Hello.

gaunt maple
kind forge
#

Hi, my name is Seamus, (pronounced Shaymus) I have been playing dnd for over 30+ years. Usually dm and sometimes get to play. I enjoy dndbeyond as a source of update for rules and reading material. I prefer homebrew campaigns as opposed to modules and like to stir the pot with a mix of uberplot and individual characters plot. Try to avoid murderhobos and ofc rulelawyers. Anyway I hope people have good stories and better legends to create.

scarlet pivot
#

Hi, so I’m not sure if this is the right chat because I’m only a newcomer to this aspect of dnd, so I’m trying to learn to DM, I’m pretty imaginative and ok at improv but I’m not proficient at being DM to say the least, I know to have “session 0” but I feel like I need some advice too so I’m not just winging it entirely

crude musk
scarlet pivot
#

Oh, sorry I must have forgot to get the role, my bad ty tho

crude musk
#

No worries, all good

quasi gale
#

Hello! So, I've known about dnd for like awhile now, and have always wanted to like participate in it since i know the basics and most of the stuff but haven't been able to participate in any campaigns due to my timezone but I will be happy to learn about more and new interesting stuff about dnd here!

sinful shard
#

Welcome, there are some recommended resources pinned in this channel if you're wanting to learn more, we also have channels to help find games or communities that might be in your timezone or at least friendly to it

#

?looking

exotic remnantBOT
#
D&D Beyond
Ready to play some Dungeons & Dragons?

We have four channels to help you find your next game:

• #looking-for-players — Dungeon Masters/groups looking for players.
• #750812887697588356 — Players or groups looking for Dungeon Masters.
• #looking-for-community — Communities looking for members.
• #paid-looking-for-game — Professional DMs advertising services.

If you can’t see any of these channels, you will need to head to #880965682462875679 and select the appropriate role depending on exactly what you're looking for.

Be respectful, and have fun!
young grove
#

Hey everyone I'm joining a rp heavy campaign, and playing a rogue for the first time(soul knife) last time I played a wizard up to level 7, I have a solid build, and my characters backstory is basically they travel with a large caravan, and dungeon delve and treasure hunt for valuable artifacts to keep themselves useful to the large group, until they had to team up with the party. Any roleplay tips? Or soul knife tips?

green meadow
#

yo

sour tendon
#

Welcome

small lance
#

hello :) ive never actually played dnd before and i really know nothing about it but would love to play, is there anyone around here that would be able to help me start?

jaunty raven
#

Aloha all, lets have some fun and make some epic stories.

simple goblet
faint citrus
#

Hi all havent played dnd for more than ten years so I thought I might join the newcommers to see if I can find myself a place here

hollow hatch
#

Hey all. Rather new-ish DM here - want to pick an adventure for newbies. I heard good things about Mines of Phandelver (except for a guy who runs the XP to level 3 channel at youtube). Is it really that good?
Also, how long is it? I'm looking at about 8 short sessions (2 hours each).

simple goblet
#

Lost Mines is a good starting adventure for both new players and DMs. It runs to level 5, so I would say it might take a bit more than eight 2 hour sessions, but couldn't give you a number unfortunately as it really depends on the party running it

quaint gyro
#

I've heard a lot of good things about Lost Mines for newbies. I'm a new DM as well about to run my first game soon using that adventure. I more concerned about what adventure to run next after that one, especially for a new DM. Most things I find talk about adventures to run after Lost Mines but not necessarily catered for both new DMs and new players.

simple goblet
#

I'm about to start my first pure homebrew campaign this week and I am equal parts anxious and excited

hollow hatch
#

Good luck!!!!!!!!!!!

#

And thanks for the answer. I think I made up my mind.

simple goblet
#

I really should go and prep the second half of my session

brisk gate
#

Im new to DND and am looking to get playing. Ive made a basic starter character on DnDBeyond etc and feel like I understand the gameplay as well but dont really know my next step. My main question being: How do I know when Im ready to start playing my first game, and wheres the best place online(as i dont have the recourses IRL)

simple goblet
#

It sounds like you might be ready to play to me. In terms of where to find a game, you can check #looking-for-players here, but it is also trying r/lfg on Reddit and possibly the Roll20 forums so as you have a wide net

stable cave
#

I made my first character with the help of D&D beyond website. I am confused about what I'm supposed to do now.

simple goblet
stable cave
silk oar
#

Ok I have a question regarding the creation of magic items, recently in my campaign we came across a behear, if that's how you spell it, and I wanna use some talon and horns I acquired, but we still have the full dead body so I can use other parts, to create an arcane focus out of them, I'm a 8th level wizard what would I need to do or if anyone else has other ideas of what I can do with these parts aside from selling them

ornate kiln
#

there are no official rules that go this into detail on crafting magic items

#

so its up to your DM in the end

simple goblet
#

Yup, talk to your DM and see if you can work something out :)

quaint gyro
drifting thunder
#

Still alittle new to 5e and wanting to pick some worthwhile adventures during this sale before it ends. I picked up Lost mines of phandelver and debating on the essentials kit. Any suggestions if I don't get the essentails kit?

simple goblet
drifting thunder
simple goblet
#

Waterdeep dragon heist is a level 1-5 adventure set in a city, and you can choose which of 4 villains or combination of them to run

drifting thunder
simple goblet
#

I have to admit I haven't played many published adventures, the other ones I read for my current campaign pitches were
Storm King's Thunder, which is about a Giant civil war and is a large sandbox adventure.
Tomb of Annihilation which is a jungle based exploration and hex crawl adventure
Descent into Avernus which involves devils and demons in the first circle of Hell

drifting thunder
simple goblet
drifting thunder
young grove
#

How essential is sleight of hand to a rogue? I'm running my rogue as a treasure seeker, archeology type rather than a theif, and I've picked up survival, acrobatics, investigation, perception, and stealth already and I'm curious what would fit better

Edit: our bard does have sleight of hand btw, they are "magician" type, doing cheap tricks and real magic both

tacit forge
#

Sleight of hand would be for quick use of the hands. Pickpocketing, hiding something you don't want someone to see, anything of that nature.

So maybe hiding treasure you just found that you don't want an NPC to see you took? Other than that, doesn't sound like it's your thing.

smoky adder
#

There’s no right or wrong choice for skills, though.

#

If you think another pick helps better tell your story, go for it. 👍🏻

young grove
#

Maybe history, could that cover knowledge of hidden treasures, artifacts?

smoky adder
#

Seems fitting for an archaeologist, yeah.

tacit forge
#

Arcana maybe, to detect the magicalness of objects. Or religion for the same reason. May not be super useful but would be something fitting of someone looking for value in objects?

young grove
smoky adder
#

That kind of depends on the DM and the object in question.

lyric fjord
#

my friend and i live far away, and we wanna play dnd, what is the easiest free way to play dnd online?

echo kelp
lyric fjord
#

Thank you sooo much that really helps :>

severe spruce
#

If you need tokens to put on a map or what-have-you, https://owlbear.rodeo is very simple and free and easy to use alongside those things.

lyric fjord
#

thanks guys 🤩

smoky adder
lyric fjord
#

:DD tysm

sour tendon
#

Find the way to play that works best for you.

charred epoch
#

Hello

#

new dnd player here

autumn olive
#

Hi guys! I am pretty much brand new to DND (I played a short session with some friends) and GOT HOOKED! Anyways I really want to play more but I’m not sure where I should start on here. Would anyone even want to play with a brand new player?

leaden grove
#

new here but a vet when it comes to dnd, been playing since 2009. started with 3.5e but its been a few years since my brother and father passed away and i feel like i can try and play without them. if anyone has a group or can point me in the direction of one id be very grateful.

little briar
#

ah. luckily, we have channels for that

#

?looking

exotic remnantBOT
#
D&D Beyond
Ready to play some Dungeons & Dragons?

We have four channels to help you find your next game:

• #looking-for-players — Dungeon Masters/groups looking for players.
• #750812887697588356 — Players or groups looking for Dungeon Masters.
• #looking-for-community — Communities looking for members.
• #paid-looking-for-game — Professional DMs advertising services.

If you can’t see any of these channels, you will need to head to #880965682462875679 and select the appropriate role depending on exactly what you're looking for.

Be respectful, and have fun!
leaden grove
#

TYVM

little briar
#

o7

pale crown
#

Hello everybody! I love the idea of storytelling and I heard about D&D and I want start playing. But I don't know where to start. Any help to point me in the right direction would be appreciated!

simple goblet
pale crown
sour tendon
ornate kiln
#

Why the web archived link instead of the normal one?

sour tendon
#

Because AFAIK, The info has changed.

#

Thus why I said WAS.😁

charred epoch
crude musk
#

Hey glorious newcomers! Welcome to the D&D Beyond Discord server and/or D&D
Best place to start is checking out the pinned messages, there are some super useful links up there

ornate kiln
weary dawn
#

I found a meme detailing (probably unserious) 'terrible' character ideas, one being: "A sentient hat piloting a mannequin." I actually like that one though, but I got no clue how, or even if, I could do it

smoky adder
#

That would mostly just be a matter of flavor -- the way you describe your character and their actions in-game.

#

Though you'd want to work with your DM to decide what happens if the hat is ever separated from the mannequin.

weary dawn
#

that was clear, i was more referring to "species" traits

smoky adder
#

If you're just flavoring it, seems to me that any race would be viable.

#

If you want to give the hat its own unique traits, the folks in #homebrew can help you work something out. (You'll need to get the Homebrew role from #880965682462875679 first.)

#

Not a term I'm familiar with. Where did you see it?

weary dawn
#

hmm, that channel doesn't seem to be accessible to me

#

ah

smoky adder
#

Counter-STrike 2? Central Standard Time 2? I really don't know. It's not a D&D term, though.

floral escarp
#

Greetings

sour tendon
#

Hola! 112hello2 Welcome New peoples!

celest tree
#

I need some help with 5th-edition details. Got an idea and need some help making it real.

echo kelp
#

Maybe share what you'e trying to accomplish and we can help point you in the right direction and/or actually answer your questions.

autumn olive
charred epoch
#

btw im in nz

sour tendon
#

You will find a group. I believe you will.

frozen hedge
#

hey all is there an oath of storms for paladins? i'm trying to research it but i only found a homebrew suggestion out there

crude musk
#

There is no such official paladin subclass by that name, no

dense fog
#

u can fly and do lightning stuff

deft sigil
frozen hedge
#

Gotcha gotcha! 🙂 thanks all!

lyric fjord
#

anyone know where the necromancer class is on the character builder?

smoky adder
#

There is no official necromancer class.

#

Wizards have the School of Necromancy subclass, though.

#

If that’s what you’re after, you’d select Wizard first, then at level 2, you’d select it as your Arcane Tradition.

lyric fjord
#

thanks!

untold flint
#

You will need to have purchased the Players Handbook on D&D Beyond, or be part of a campaign where someone has enabled Content Sharing, as the only Arcane Tradition in the Basic Rules is Evocation.

smoky adder
#

You can also buy just that subclass if you don’t want to spring for the whole book.

#

Whatever you spend gets credited toward the cost of the book itself, too.

oblique flicker
#

Hey all...I'm new to this game...I'd like to find people willing to help me learn...

carmine portal
#

its very fun and very addicting

#

once you've played one session, you'll want to play every day until the end of time

sinful rapids
#

Is it easy to find a quick campaign to get to know the game? I have always wanted to play but I don't know people in my area that play. Also are yext based games a thing or is voice recommended?

carmine portal
#

if you go to #880965682462875679 and assign yourself the right roles, you should be able to see the LFG channels and find people running games all the time

#

some people have text-based games but its definitely easier to use voice, especially if your game is heavy into roleplay

sinful rapids
#

Thank you!

odd creek
#

ok i'm here

#

just finished creating my character

#

i'm excited to start playing

lyric fjord
#

lets see the character

#

k

odd creek
#

wait

lyric fjord
#

oop send the link again?

odd creek
#

i didn't see the link

lyric fjord
#

i did

odd creek
lyric fjord
#

it worked

odd creek
#

i had no clue what i was doing. just did something i thought was cool

lyric fjord
#

gotta love warlocks

odd creek
#

yup

lyric fjord
#

post it in character builds and see what people can suggest

weary iris
#

Howlo! I am making a warforged druid does anyone have any ideas for a backstory?
I also kinda want him to be more or less a clean slate, i do have his appearance already made as well.

crude musk
weary iris
#

oh, ok i will post this there

unborn hinge
#

hey im new here and im just starting to get into dnd does anyone have any suggestions for a backup character i can use as ive nearly finished my main

dapper gulch
unborn hinge
#

no we are just starting to make the characters

dapper gulch
#

Do you have a DM?

unborn hinge
#

yes but i havent been told what the campaign is yet sorry if that makes it difficult

dapper gulch
#

Not a problem. As far as a “backup” character goes it’s hard to make a recommendation as you often want to make your characters with the other players to ensure cohesion. After that, priority goes to what sounds fun to you.

unborn hinge
#

ok thanks for the help

hasty fjord
#

Hey everyone definitely new here

oblique basalt
#

Ayo wassup

hasty fjord
#

Hey

jaunty owl
#

Howdy, I'm new here. Relatively new to DnD, I like theatrical role play and stuff like that

coral herald
#

Hi there everyone! Been trying to get into this for a while! I went out bought a starter set. Got the d and d beyond app. Read through the book 2 times. And have zero idea what I'm doing 😆. I feel like I have an understanding of the concept. But at the same time clueless! I saw the LFG channels but didn't really understand what was going on there either.

echo kelp
#

Welcome! After reading the basic rules, I suggest watching a few videos of people playing D&D (just keep in mind that these games often use tweaked rules for entertainment purposes). Then maybe create a character or two to see how the game mechanics work with a character sheet. And then go find a group to play with (the #looking-for channels are a great place to start). Also check out the pinned messages here on this channel - lots of useful links to resources.

pseudo grove
#

Howdy! Im brand new and honestly have no clue what im doing but I hope to learn slow and steady cause I enjoy games of this nature (Fantasy adventure etc) I used the website to make my first character recently and had no clue what I was doing. But I followed the guide for the class I wanted and such and hopefully I did well 😅

noble vine
#

Does anyone have suggestions for dming? I’ve never dmed before and a bunch of new players are going to be playing and we won’t exactly have out phones or computers. So in reality I need some basic DM tips, along with how to play on paper.

old cradle
#

Hello! I'm very interested in playing DnD online through webcam. I'm pretty new, although I have played in the past with some childhood friends. I'm a bit older I'm 28 years old and i want to find a good group that I click with. I would like to chat and get to know you if you wanted to start a regular group!

polar fossil
#

My server is always looking for new people but it's preferable to state a UTC offset as this server is frequented by people all over the world. Also, this is the channel for it: #750812887697588356 #looking-for-community

icy horizon
#

Heyos. I have literally one DnD experience and it was with a bunch of friends and only one of us actually knew what we were doing. Please to meet you and hopefully my timezone doesn't end up killing me for the sake of playing DnD

sour tendon
#

Welcome yall.

molten shale
#

where do i go and what do i do if i want to start playing dnd

polar fossil
molten shale
#

aight ty

naive summit
#

I've never played D&D but I read some rules on it but how do I start a game

#

Just asking

echo kelp
#

You get with a group of friends, someone takes the role of Dungeon Master/Game Master (they are like the stage master who set the scene and decides which rules are in effect and what dice rolls are needed), the others take the roles of player characters that are mechanically defined by character sheets. Then everyone works together to collaboratively tell a fun story.

#

If you've never played before, I suggest you read the free basic rules (https://www.dndbeyond.com/sources/basic-rules/), watch some videos of folks playing D&D (please keep in mind that many of these are oriented towards entertainment more than "this is how to play D&D"), then try your hand at making a character. Then find a group and play!

stone bluff
#

hello and good morning/afternoon/night

naive summit
#

I had a friend that told me about the game he stopped playing after a while

echo kelp
#

Life happens. And sometimes the game stops being fun for folks (usually because of a mismatch of expectations).

#

But it's still a fun game IMO.

#

For me most of the fun comes from being with friends and pretending to be heroes in some amazing adventure.

naive summit
#

Yep it'd be cool if I had a couple friends that played it

echo kelp
#

We have the #looking-for channels to find groups to play with
Basically make some new D&D friends! 😉

naive summit
#

Okay thanks

echo kelp
#

Make sure to read the channel descriptions and the pinned messages in those channels!

ancient peak
#

Hey Guys, I’m not the newest person on the block but I sure can learn from everybody else’s experience. Been playing for a few months so I have all the basics down. In one campaign I’m a lvl 8 cleric (joined in at level six cause another player dropped) and in another campaign which starts in a month. I have a Druid character planned out. I’ve done hours of planning and learning for this character and after joking around with my to be dm about how powerful I thought he would become. He decided to nerf me 😅. Anybody else have this problem with druids. They just seem to be so strong.

stiff rock
ancient peak
#

at level 2, I have 84 hit points (two direwolf transformatjons+ normal health) so I don’t think he can throw any monsters at our party that will pose me a challenge or not be too difficult for the party. Not including the 2d8 dice rolls for health back.

#

At level 4 I will have 20 passive perception, and 18 passive insight

severe spruce
#

They can be strong, but not unreasonably so. While wildshaped, you can't cast. And you only get 2 wildshapes per long rest regardless of level.

ancient peak
#

I have advantage on hearing and smell investigation checks while a dire wolf, advantage on attack rolls with Allies. +5 athletics, survival, animal handling, perception. And +4 stealth.

ancient peak
#

“Bite. Melee Weapon Attack: +5 to hit, reach 5 ft., one target. Hit: 10 (2d6 + 3) piercing damage. If the target is a creature, it must succeed on a DC 13 Strength saving throw or be knocked prone.” Is also the attack as a dire wolf. Even tho I would attack as a brown bear more

severe spruce
#

You can't talk to anyone while a dire wolf, and most people don't react well to dire wolves just sorta hanging around.

stiff rock
ancient peak
#

That’s true

#

Didn’t think of that

#

I was thinking I’m like exploring a cave or something with my party.

#

And as a brown bear I can do 24 damage in one turn (granted max rolls)

severe spruce
#

Right. A druid should be powerful when in their element, much like a rogue would be powerful in a heist

ancient peak
#

I agree I just think I will be isolated with my party a lot. Not necessarily around people who will react negatively to the wolf form. But that’s just my campaigns story so maybe that’s why I’m thinking I will be too powerful

#

Especially so soon into the game

#

Again I’m only level 2 at this point

stiff rock
#

Thank you all. I appreciate this discussion. I am first time DM and my spouse is first time player. She created a Druid, now 2nd level, and keeps feeling she can’t do much to help the party. I have been trying to convince her otherwise, and these tips will help.

ancient peak
severe spruce
#

Druids are really fun to play! Another thing is that most of their cool spells require concentration so you could can only do so much at once.

stiff rock
#

Circle of the Moon

ancient peak
#

Yeah I noticed almost everything is concentration. It’s cool I can maintain a concentration spell while in wild shape tho. So for example I cast entangle on somebody and immediately turn into a bear to capitalize on that my next turn. They have ALOT of crowd control spells which is good to take note of.

thorn cradle
#

im fullyt new to dnd and so are most of my friends, is it possible for us to even play dnd as a group of complete noobs (online)

#

furthermore they want me to dungeon master 😭 all ik is im meant to narrate the story and control the mobs

echo kelp
#

The DM is like a stage manager - they set the stage, decide the plot, and help narrate parts of the story. They also decide what rules are in effect and what dice rolls are needed. The DM ideally should have some idea of the rules and game mechanics to ensure a smooth playing experience. But one can become a DM with no experience but a desire to learn. I do suggest new DMs use a preset adventure before trying to come up with their own hombrew (custom) setting or adventure. Lost Mines of Phandelvar and even the Wild Beyond the Witchlight adventures can be quite good for new DMs and players alike. That said, as your group of friends are new to this, perhaps doing a series of one-shots (single session games) with everyone rotating as DM could be a good way to learn the ropes as a player and DM.

thorn cradle
#

i also need a tabletop but i have no idea how to use roll20 😭

ornate kiln
#

roll20 is not that complicated but if you want it even simpler, use owlbear rodeo

echo kelp
#

Tabletops are completely optional - it's a tool and not a requirement.

#

Some people play theater of the mind - DM sets the stage and roughly describes the setup and players describe what they are doing - but everything is verbal and imagination-based.

polar fossil
runic edge
#

I played original receipe D and D. I almost don't recognize it any more.

runic edge
#

I'm seeing hints of such a thing. Is there some kind of 5e character sheet generator. Like you Input your data and it auto populates the rest?

opaque forge
#

I've heard of this great website called D&D Beyond where it will guide you through the steps for character creation.

smoky adder
runic edge
versed island
#

Hi again

quasi fossil
#

Hey I’m new to dnd and just created my first character looking to see if I can get connected to a group

stiff rock
#

Then you should try the specific channels for that. There are two - Looking for Players and Looking for Dungeon Masters.

#

?looking

echo kelp
#

Check out the #looking-for channels. Make sure to read the channel descriptions and follow the pinned formats in those channels.

polar fossil
crude musk
#

?looking

exotic remnantBOT
#
D&D Beyond
Ready to play some Dungeons & Dragons?

We have four channels to help you find your next game:

• #looking-for-players — Dungeon Masters/groups looking for players.
• #750812887697588356 — Players or groups looking for Dungeon Masters.
• #looking-for-community — Communities looking for members.
• #paid-looking-for-game — Professional DMs advertising services.

If you can’t see any of these channels, you will need to head to #880965682462875679 and select the appropriate role depending on exactly what you're looking for.

Be respectful, and have fun!
lyric fjord
#

How does dnd multi classing work?

polar fossil
turbid barn
#

whats a good platform/discord server to find text based games?

little briar
#

you can go digging through disboard, but uh... it's a bit of a crapshoot there.

turbid barn
hasty prawn
#

Hello everyone! Brand new to Dungeons and Dragons (heard about it for years and have always wanted to play, but my friend group was never interested)! Hopefully I can join in on a new campaign or just learn more from this group. Anyways, just wanted to pop in and say hello 🙂

sinful shard
pastel monolith
#

Hi hello, I'm really new to dnd (literally just started researching a bit about what to do in a game) but yeah, Hi, and to whoever reads this have a nice day, I'll go read a little bit more about the whole thing

smoky adder
#

Welcome! There’s a bunch of helpful links in the pinned messages here that will get you started.

slim idol
#

Hey! I’m kinda sorta New at D&D and have two types of campings up but having a hard time to understand how a character sheet works

sinful shard
#

What kind of questions do you have?

slim idol
#

Mostly my questions are for being a Dm. I don’t know how to make the enemy’s or how to play as them

sinful shard
#

Oh, you wouldn't use a character sheet for that. The published enemies come with specific stat blocks that list what they can do and descriptions of how they would typically behave

slim idol
#

Ah so like it shows there strength and weakness. Would it be the same for Enemies that could be considered a boss in a campaign?

sinful shard
#

Absolutely. You'll come across some that have specific names, they will often times even have special resistances and actions extra to what a more generic version would.

simple goblet
livid fable
# slim idol Mostly my questions are for being a Dm. I don’t know how to make the enemy’s or ...

when you are talking about playing as them, do you mean as was listed the stat block or are you looking for ideas about tactics and how to RP them. The stat blocks are great to let you know what a given monster can do then you need to figure out how to work them into your adventure. How they will fight what their motivation is and how ultimately to try and be challenging for your party of adventurers.

slim idol
#

More of the how to rp as them and tactics

livid fable
#

I use monster stat blocks to let me know what they can do then from there I treat them like I would treat myself playing the game, how do would I fight against the other team