20 Basic Things To Know About Dungeons & Dragons For Beginners
A Beginner's Guide To D&D
Are you interested in playing Dungeons & Dragons but don’t even know where to start? The game can be so daunting at first you might feel like quitting before you even begin, opting for Monopoly for your next game night instead. Don’t fall back to Monopoly. All you need is to learn a handful of basic rules to start your D&D journey. After that, there are no limits to what you can do and the worlds you can create with your imagination. Here are 20 basic things for beginners to know about D&D.
1. Start By Gathering Some Friends
While there's no maximum number of players who can join a game, having too many can result in a chaotic playing experience. The sweet spot is four to six players, plus a dungeon master.
2. One Person Is The Dungeon Master
The Dungeon Master (DM) is kind of like the dealer. They run the game, create the world, play non-player characters, and control the adventure. If you can, start playing with an experienced DM who can guide you.
3. "Veils" & "Lines" Ensure Everyone's Having A Good Time
In D&D, the most important thing is to make sure everyone's having fun and no one feels uncomfortable. Some DMs establish "lines," topics that are off-limits, and "veils," topics that can only be touched upon briefly.
4. It's A Collaborative Story-Driven Game
D&D is a wonderful opportunity to use your imagination. Everything from your character to the world you interact with and the storyline are products of your collective imagination.
5. You Play As A Character You Create
Everyone builds their own character by choosing a race (dwarf, human, elf, or dragonborn) and a class (fighter, wizard, rogue, or cleric). Then you choose a background, pick your equipment, and give your character a name and personality.
6. Roll The Dice When Performing Actions
One of the only items you really need to play is a set of polyhedral dice. The dice determine the success or failure of all the actions you take.
7. Ability Modifiers & Proficiencies Are Determined By Character Creation
Another aspect of character creation is abilities and proficiencies. Ability scores like strength, agility, and wisdom are determined by dice rolls. Your character comes with specific proficiencies determined by what weapons they yield, their background, class, and race. Skills proficiencies are tied to ability scores.
8. Hit Points Represent Health
Hit points (HP) determine how many hits your character can take before falling unconscious or dying. Your starting HP is based on your class's hit die and your constitution modifier but you can gain HP throughout the game by leveling up.
9. You Can Level Up
Levelling up makes your character stronger as they gain experience (XP). You level up by defeating enemies, completing quests, or solving puzzles. Leveling up gives you more HP, increases your proficiency bonus which contributes to attack rolls, skill checks, and saving throws, improves your ability scores, and gives you more spells or extra attacks.
10. The DM Can Call For Skill Checks
When you attempt to do something difficult, the DM may ask you to roll a d20 (20-sided die). The number you roll combined with your ability modifier and proficiency bonus determines if you were successful at that particular maneuver.
11. Direct Competitions With Another Character Are Called Contests
Sometimes you'll get into combat with another character in what's called a contest. You take turns based on your initiative rolls and attack with action rolls.
12. Saving Throws Protect You
You can dodge attacks using saving throws. How it works is you roll a d20 and combine the number with your ability modifier and proficiency bonus. If you reach a number higher than the attack's difficulty class (DC) then you successfully dodge the damage.
13. Armor Class Determines If You Get Hit
Your armor class (AC) is a number that determines how hard your character is to hit. It's based on your armor, shield, and dexterity modifier. Someone attacking you has to have a DC higher than your AC.
14. Magic Spells Are Powerful
Spellcasters like wizards and clerics can summon some powerful magic. However, many players opt not to play as magic-doers because there are more rules involved and you must rest to regain energy after throwing a spell.
15. Roleplaying Is Key To The Experience
D&D is the perfect opportunity to bring out your acting and improv chops. It's the most fun when players get into their characters, acting and making up different voices.
16. You'll Need To Set Aside At Least A Few Hours
D&D games last anywhere from three hours to several years. If you're just starting, you probably won't want to embark on a long campaign, but devoting at least four or five hours will help you get a feel for the game and really get into your role.
17. All You Need Is A Pencil, Paper, & A Set Of Polyhedral Dice
You've probably seen all the D&D paraphernalia available at game stores. People can spend a fortune on props, but all you really need is a pencil, scrap paper, and a set of polyhedral dice.
18. D&D Is Open-Ended
The beauty of D&D is that it's a completely open-ended game. Players can make choices, explore, and change the story.
19. You Don't Need To Know Every Rule
There are many rules to the game, but don't get overwhelmed. There's no need to memorize them all. The DM guides the game and you'll learn as you play.
20. You Can Solve Problems In Creative Ways
D&D isn't Mortal Kombat. Although fighting is part of the game, you can also choose more creative ways of getting out of trouble like talking your way out or setting traps. The unexpected solutions players come up with are arguably the most fun parts of the game.
