If you’re reading this and are indeed a new player to the world’s greatest tabletop roleplaying game, let me welcome you! You are no doubt enthralled and overwhelmed, much like we all were our first time around. The first task in every players to-do list is to find a Dungeon Master and group to join, usually these are coordinated by word of mouth, the internet, or local hobby shops. Once you’ve found a worthy group of like-minded enthusiasts, you’ll want to start working on a character, and thats where these tips come in.
Tip 1) Stick to the books! In the digital age it can be quite tempting to hit search engines hoping to find the ultimate power character / class / spell combinations. Please don’t do this for you’re first character. Each class in the books is really more of an archetype than a specific, tight-fitting job. Also, the classes are designed to introduce the player to game mechanics easily and over time. Tip 2) Talk to you’re DM! Once you begin browsing the Player’s Handbook, undoubtedly questions will arise. Your refuge in the proverbial storm is your Dungeon Master. Usually DM’s are very experienced players and have a wealth of information and advice to share, and are always excited to welcome new players to the fold. Tip 3) Be a team player! There’s an old saying, “If you want to go fast, go alone. If you want to go far, go together”. Dungeons and Dragons is a cooperative game, and best experienced with a cooperative mindset. Talk with your group mates, see what they, and you, want to play as for the next campaign. Coordinate your classes and abilities. Check with the DM about how frequent healing potions will be, if magic spells will be rare or frequent, and any other questions you can think off that will impact the teams character selections. Tip 4) Do your homework! There’s a lot of work to do in between group sessions. I take an hour every week and go over my character’s paperwork. Things like leveling up, copying spells down to paper, and re-checking your armor class should not be done at the gaming table. Always ask if your DM’s ok with you texting or emailing him with questions through the week in an effort to save precious time at the gaming table. Tip 5) Enjoy! Thats the whole point right? If any of the tips are to be given greater weight than others, it’s this one. Enjoy your time playing Dnd, although not at the expense of others. Remember, In Dungeons and Dragons every player needs to be an equally main character of the story, there are no Frodo’s and then Sam’s, no Batman’s and sidekicks. Thanks for reading my long winded advice for new players. If you’re a new or experienced player please leave a comment, it helps me know that tips are something I should continue doing! Happy Gaming!
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We've all been there. Its friday night, you spent the last three hours going over your character sheets, spell lists, gear lists, plot notes and important characters dossiers. You're loading up your vehicle with books, dice bags and mountain dew when you get the dreaded text... "Hey man, forgot about something, cant play tonight!" Crap.
What do you do now? Maybe it's the night of the big boss fight and you don't want to play without him, or maybe it's the Dungeon Master who cancels. Life happens right? I stay pretty busy, and like to schedule things a bit ahead. So when a night opens up, I tend to slump on the couch in front of Hulu and eat my body weight in chili-cheese Fritos instead of making new plans. Before you crack open those Mountain Dews and start streaming Parks and Rec, try a few of these things that always help me stay fresh and ready for the next game session. 1) Read your notes! I like to keep a character journal, things in the story from my characters point of view. I go back and re-read my last entry before the next game session, but when cancellations strike I go back and read the entire journal. Usually I will come across something that needs tied up, or notice a recurring character that we might need to ask a few questions the next time we see them. Jot down a few paraphrased side notes and I'm ready to go! 2) Read your backstory! I find that perusing my back-story really helps me stay in character on game night. Also, in remembering nuances that I can implement later and understanding how my characters would react to certain situations. I like to make a cliff notes version for my Dungeon Master to use, if they wish too. 3) Talk to your game-mates! To break some of the gloom of a cancelled game night, get on your phone! A group call or text can be a great way to keep everybody interested and engaged. I have a few friends that even roleplay it, as the characters have a night off they sit at a table in the inn and talk over what all has happened. I hope these points help you shake the cancellation blues. Summer is almost over and we'll be back to the those short winter days, and long game nights. Do you have a ritual for impromptu nights off? If so, leave a comment and let me know. As always, Thanks for reading, and happy gaming! Welcome to Dungeon Blog.
I'm Bryce, I'm a 31 year old from Eastern Oklahoma. Here on my humble corner of the internet I hope to impart some of my knowledge and excitement about tabletop gaming, particularly Dungeons and Dragons. I began playing DND in 2nd edition, yep, good ole THACO, fast forward 20 years and Ive played 5 different editions, dozens of characters, and thousands of game sessions. Here you'll find regular blog updates regarding issues and suggestions that come up at my current game sessions, short stories about characters I've played in the past, gaming tips for new and experienced players and product reviews of gaming hardware. I hope you're as excited about this blog as I am. I'm always open for constructive criticism and suggestions, so feel free offer input. In closing I'd like to say Thank you for visiting, and I hope you'll check in again! "Greetings Traveler! I'm Bryce, and I run this establishment. Have a seat where you like, we've some entertainment starting soon."
The old bartender brandishes an honest smile and a cold pint as he gestures to a sitting room where round tables make a semi-circle surrounding a raised stage. Stumbling down the stairs at the end of the room is a young man, handsome, seemingly hungover. He groggily flourishes, offering a bow to the quaint crowd, and begins taking his lute out of its case near the stage. Without a word he plucks the first notes of one of your favorite songs. You think back on the long week you had, and how it left you ready to relax and enjoy the evening. The bartender glides by, smoothly for a man of his girth, and sets a glass on your table. "Welcome to the Pilgrims Rest, I hope you like it here, enough to come back!" |
AuthorHi! I'm Bryce and I've been playing Dungeons and Dragons for about 20 years! If you'd like to know more, please visit the About Me Page! Thanks for visiting. ArchivesCategories |
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