Questions tagged [new-players]
For questions inherently about players being new to a specific system or to RPGs in general. This tag is not for just saying "I am a new player": see the full tag wiki for important usage notes.
381
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I'm new to D&D: where to begin?
I'm extremely new to Dungeons and Dragons and I have no idea where to start. I currently do not own any of the books or materials but really would like to get into the game.
How does one start ...
- 305
7
votes
6
answers
866
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Looking for a DM solution to a Squishy group
I've been playing tabletop RPGs for a while off and on, only a little as a DM, but I get the basics of it. I've convinced some of my immediate and extended family (most of whom are NOT gamers, let ...
- 189
3
votes
0
answers
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Is there a simple player reference for Pathfinder? [closed]
I've got a few new players wanting to try out Pathfinder, so thought I would run the Rise of the Runelords adventure to ease them into it. To help, I'd like to give them a simple double-sided ...
- 131
22
votes
6
answers
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Player wants to play a Stock broker / Trader. How do I Implement a lightweight trading system?
Prelude:
Starting an Eberron campaign. I've got a player who is new to D&D. He has asked me if he could play a Broker/Trader in my campaign.
I've outlined to him that while D&D focuses on both ...
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7
votes
3
answers
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Dungeon World: Can 1 GM and 2 players work?
I really would love to play Dungeon World but I have very small group, me and 2 others. That's 3 people in total. So, one game master, me, which I'm perfectly happy with, and 2 players.
Is this ...
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13
votes
3
answers
1k
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Running a oneshot for a group with no TTRPG experience
I'm running a short Pathfinder session for a group that is interested in TTRPGs but has no prior experience in it. What may be some particular issues that I should keep in mind, specifically for a ...
- 1,025
4
votes
1
answer
706
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Where can I find the basic rules for D&D?
I’ve never played D&D before and I don’t know anyone who does. I want to get into it but I can’t figure out where to find the rules I need. Is there a free version of the rules that I can learn ...
user76200
8
votes
0
answers
162
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As a PC, which creatures should I attack first? [closed]
Specifically when you’re engaged in an encounter that includes some clearly larger threats and clearly weaker threats, which creatures should I attack first?
Does it make the most sense to focus your ...
- 227
2
votes
3
answers
406
views
Which is better for new players of D&D 5e, starting them on a module or homebrew? [closed]
Almost all my experience in table top RPG's involves the same group of people. When a newcomer joined our table, we all coached them and taught them the sandbox approach to playing using our homebrew ...
- 10.8k
13
votes
4
answers
3k
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How to pick a name for a Dungeons & Dragons character
I'm starting to create a character in Dungeons & Dragons. Is there a set of rules or standards, or any references or fashion, on creating a character's name?
For example, on D&D Beyond, it ...
- 169
10
votes
3
answers
3k
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Is the Artificer friendly to new players?
I have a friend who's interested in D&D and is coming from a background in 40k and Star Wars Armada. Given the difference in types of games, I worry about them being bogged down and overwhelmed. ...
- 143
13
votes
5
answers
4k
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I've felt "attacked" OOC because of IC character events. Did I deserve it? [closed]
When I was in college I had my first chance to play some TRPG. I played half-a-dozen one shot there but then I dropped out and when I enrolled again I couldn't find another group. Now, years after ...
- 155
4
votes
0
answers
54
views
How can I encourage my players to learn the rules themselves? [duplicate]
Background:
I have been DM'ing a table for close to a year where we play around 3 times a month. The majority of my players are new to role-playing games and DnD 5th edition. All of them came to me ...
- 290
30
votes
9
answers
7k
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How do you teach someone else how to play D&D?
Someone I know recently expressed interest in playing D&D. This came at the perfect time because I and some other friends were about to start a D&D 5e game.
The problem is, I don't know how to ...
- 411
6
votes
0
answers
146
views
Should I buy one of the starter sets, or the core books? [duplicate]
I am a new d&d player, who has some research into d&d. I have decided to try it out, but I don't know which one to buy. (I'm deciding to become a dm for the sake of the new players) Should I ...
3
votes
0
answers
41
views
What is a good starter set or in general, items to have for a DND campaign? [duplicate]
I’m asking this so I can start a dnd session with some friends of mine, I already have the Mines of Phandelver starter pack with the character sheets and lore of the story, it there anything else I ...
- 31
2
votes
0
answers
141
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I am new to dnd, what are the main rules? [duplicate]
I am new to Dungeons and Dragons. I've heard a lot about it, briefly played it, and know almost nothing about it. Can anyone help me out, want to play, and/or teach me how to play? My discord is on my ...
38
votes
10
answers
9k
views
How do I help a player terrified of their character dying in combat?
Relatively new DM with a group of 5 players (some with ttrpg experience, some not) through a twist on the essentials kit module. One absolute first time player is running a 3rd level rogue with low HP ...
- 368
5
votes
1
answer
361
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Is there a summary of Nobilis 3rd edition rules for new players?
I want to start a game of Nobilis, but the 3rd edition book is huge (more than 300 pages) and I clearly can't ask my players to read it, even only the rules chapters.
I found What are the basics of ...
- 191
4
votes
0
answers
538
views
How does defense work? [closed]
I'm new to D&D and I want to make a new character, he is a warlock with 11 hp and 13 armor class. What should I do when I get attacked? Damage - defense?
I don't have the books, I'm using D&D ...
- 59
17
votes
2
answers
1k
views
What do I do if my group isn't gelling?
It's my first time playing D&D with a bunch of other first-timers (using the starter kit). One of the players is steamrolling over other players and his character is insufferable. What do I do if ...
- 171
1
vote
0
answers
93
views
Looking for a very simple RPG [closed]
I'm looking for a table-top RPG to host for people with no experience whatsoever.
I need something with simple, easy to use mechanics who encourage player's imagination when facing challenges, ...
- 27
7
votes
1
answer
505
views
Are Path of War classes a good fit for beginner players?
I have just recently researched Path of War, an alternative rule system published by Dreamscarred Press. Classes from it look very interesting and, for a few reasons, seem to be ideal for beginner ...
7
votes
2
answers
198
views
How do I introduce my co-workers to RPGs via a Virtual Table Top (VTT)?
I am fortunate enough to work at a company that twice a year budgets time and expense so we may have a "team-building" activity.
I am on a team of ten people total. There is a stipend to pay ...
- 3,323
10
votes
3
answers
342
views
How to make a guest feel comfortable and welcome in a session?
I am currently DMing for a group of 5 players. A friend of some of the players is very interested in learning about the game.
I have decided to let her play an NPC in one of the upcoming sessions, to ...
- 153
18
votes
5
answers
4k
views
What is the best way to help a new player join a mid-level party?
Having spent lockdown watching us play from the sidelines, and having played in one-shots of a couple of different systems, the partner of one of our players would like to join the D&D campaign I ...
- 6,204
9
votes
3
answers
1k
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Group with split likes in D&D game: role playing and combat
I'm running a game for 4 people, 1 of which has played D&D before. I have only ran a first session. This session lasted for about 5 or 6 hours, and it seems that it was a lot of fun for them. I ...
- 517
8
votes
1
answer
248
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As a player, how can I avoid stifling new players but also avoid letting things stall?
I have just started a Cyberpunk campaign. 2 of us are experienced RPG-ers, 1 hasn’t played in about 10 years and the other 2 are complete newbies. The GM is not new to RPGs, but is new to Cyberpunk, ...
- 6,204
20
votes
6
answers
2k
views
How do I help newbies generate characters without being in person?
Background: I am about to start running a virtual D&D5e game over Zoom (I don't have a choice of platform) through the local library. I have invited four of my friends to join, and only one has ...
- 4,309
3
votes
2
answers
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What is the 'arcane focus' in my attacks/spells?
I am trying to play D&D and am making my first character sheet. I finished everything but one part is confusing me.
I have everything done for my sorcerer character sheet and one of the attacks/...
- 31
21
votes
3
answers
2k
views
How can I make GURPS less intimidating for my friends?
I am a huge fan of GURPS due to the customization options as it has a lot of customization options but the mechanics boil down to 'Roll 3d6. If it is below your modifier then you pass. 17 and 18 are ...
- 19.6k
5
votes
1
answer
868
views
Advice for first time DM/player with first time hero players trying the Lost Mine of Phandelver with an under-sized party
After listening to and enjoying some "actual play" podcasts I'm about to try DnD with my wife and children. None of us have played before, so after some research I've decided to go with the official ...
- 263
6
votes
2
answers
231
views
How can I learn a large roleplay group's norms?
Well, long story short I recently joined a newly opened living world server for Mage the Ascension, though the system itself feels a bit irrelevant as when this happened the roleplay hadn't started ...
- 19.6k
33
votes
12
answers
4k
views
How can you make character creation simpler?
I DM for some players who aren’t that into the game. My question is this: can I somehow make Character creation less writing heavy, and quicker and simpler for my beginning players? Each player has ...
- 6,151
10
votes
2
answers
647
views
How to lead newer players to perform less linearly in encounters?
During a turn, a player has so many possible options, movement (e.g. crawl, climb, jump, grapple...), action (e.g. attack, dash, shove, dodge, hide...), bonus action, and reaction. Also to keep in ...
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42
votes
7
answers
6k
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How to guide my players into realizing they have multiple options available for an encounter?
For my next session with my PCs, I'm planning to have them witness an attack on an NPC that's intended to hook them the adventure. The plan is for the party to encounter his daughter, who also has a ...
- 2,884
21
votes
9
answers
9k
views
Managing New Player "Murder Hobos"
I am running a LMoP game for a group of new players, and everyone is having a great time. We are all very new to it all though - it's my first time running a prewritten campaign as a DM, (only had a ...
- 22.8k
1
vote
0
answers
99
views
How do you figure out how much gold to give when a monster dies? [closed]
I am new to Dungeons and Dragons. I am curious if anyone can tell me how to determine how much gold to give my fellow players when they slay a monster. I want to give them a lot, but I have heard it ...
- 11
32
votes
4
answers
5k
views
Player has trouble imagining the ingame situation
The Situation
I have been a GM for a few years on and off, for at least half a dozen of groups with at least 20 different players and have played my fair share of systems.
A few weeks ago my ...
- 1,184
43
votes
10
answers
8k
views
How can I convince new players to read and learn the basic rules before sitting down to play?
Everyone in this story works mostly together. Some work friends and my wife were talking about playing D&D, and I was appointed the DM. I've played the game once 20 years ago, so I've spent the ...
- 547
3
votes
4
answers
665
views
What do I need to buy to get started with D&D? [duplicate]
Obviously, the Starter Set. But when I see the catalog of my game shop I saw there's Dragonfire, Dungeon Masters Guide, and Monster Manual. But do I need all these to have an interesting D&D ...
- 131
15
votes
9
answers
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How do you help a new player evaluate complex multiclassing options without driving them and yourself crazy?
How do you help a player that is new to D&D evaluate complex multiclassing options without driving them and yourself crazy? I have people trying to choose between all manners of combinations, from ...
- 2,318
5
votes
2
answers
1k
views
How do I get my family to play D&D with me? [closed]
I have not played D&D in a long time, and I have never been a Dungeon Master. I want to play again. How would I get my family to play with me?
I don't have a close group of friends. What would I ...
- 61
13
votes
4
answers
3k
views
How to work around players whose backstory goes against the story?
I've been playing Pathfinder with friends for about a year and a half now, and I tell other friends that haven't played D&D how much I enjoy it. I piqued their interest in the game and offered to ...
- 885
9
votes
3
answers
3k
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Would Epic Heroism be an acceptable rule variant for a small, first-time group playing the Lost Mine of Phandelver adventure?
I'm DMing a group with 4 players. For all of us, this is our first D&D experience. We'll be playing the Lost Mine of Phandelver adventure from the Starter Set.
I'm concerned about the ...
- 426
1
vote
0
answers
48
views
Advice for creating character based off of Valiant Comics' Shadowman [closed]
I'm a relatively new DM and one of my new players is wanting to create a character based off of the Shadowman character from Valiant comics and came to me for help. More specifically, he wants it to ...
12
votes
1
answer
702
views
How do I season a relatively new solo player?
I've been DMing off and on, mostly off, since AD&D, but in no way claim to be a very experienced DM. Due to schedule constraints, I'm DMing for my daughter in a solo campaign about once a month. ...
- 741
11
votes
2
answers
1k
views
Are one-shot sessions before the main adventure helpful for a party of new players?
TL;DR: As the DM, I want to prepare my group of newbie friends for the best first experience I can give them. I'm concerned about halts to give explanations ruining the flow of the game and negatively ...
- 1,684
16
votes
2
answers
3k
views
What are the pros and cons of using pre-made character sheets for new players and DMs?
I'm a new DM starting the D&D 5e Starter Set campaign Lost Mine of Phandelver for a group of new players, and I am trying to decide if I should use the pre-generated characters or have them make ...
- 227
6
votes
2
answers
290
views
How do I introduce magic to my PCs part way through an adventure?
I am playing through a slightly modified version of the Pathfinder adventure Rise of the Runelords with a group who are all brand new to any form of RPG.
After around ten sessions, I still haven't ...
- 81