r/DnD • u/Iamfivebears Neon Disco Golem DMPC • Dec 12 '20
Mod Post /r/DnD Community Resources - Getting Started
Greetings adventurers!
When the current mod team came on 2d6 years ago, one of the first things we did was create a series of resource guides for topics like podcasts, map-making tools, online play utilities, etc. These have since been converted to the wiki guides in the Resources section of the sidebar, but they are largely out of date.
While we could update them ourselves, the community has grown large enough that it makes more sense to outsource that responsibility to you beautiful people.
This is the fifth in a series of threads intended to replace those guides with community recommendations. This week: a getting started guide!
One of the most common questions players have when they stumble upon /r/DnD is HOW DO I GET STARTED!? Learning how to play and find a group can be an incredibly daunting feat for anyone and we want to gather together resources to make that process easier. This can include advice, links to guides (like our own [kinda dated] Getting Started Guide), videos, or other resources.
Please make a comment with advice for new players, or links to resources to help new players!
If you have recommendations for this thread or future threads, please respond to my comment below.
Thanks, /r/DnD!
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u/El_Diablosaurus Dec 12 '20
I will always promote Matt Colville's "Running the Game" series for those who want to take up DMing.
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u/arbitorian Dec 13 '20
Agreed. Particularly the Delian Tomb adventure right at the start, for all those requests for an easy introductory session.
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u/Frogmarsh Dec 17 '20
Are there forums for finding virtual groups to join for a relative newby?
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u/Iamfivebears Dec 17 '20
Yup! Just on reddit there's r/lfg, and a bunch of country-specific lfg subs.
If you check our sidebar we also have the Wizard's Store Finder if you want to find a physical location to play in (though I obviously don't recommend that right now), and a list of other related subreddits.
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u/mightierjake Dec 12 '20
With playing online being pretty much the default for most folks these days, I think it's certainly helpful to link off to the How To Play Online Megathread.
For those looking to get started online that don't have communities near to them or can't yet meet up with friends/family in person, playing online is highly recommended!
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u/jarrodvs Dec 12 '20
I'm not an experienced dnd player by any means, but what I found to be the most useful for learning mechanics is consuming dnd content online. So for example, while I know many people have strong opinions on them, I have found Critical Role to be very useful as a way to learn the mechanics while also being entertained.
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u/ozu95supein Dec 13 '20
This is for new DMs making a new setting and not knowing where to start world building.
Don't write what you don't need. If you have trouble coming up with ideas for your world building and it seems too daunting. Go city by city, one at a time. Take some time between sessions to flesh out the next city/Forrest/ desert/whatever region the party is going to. Don't be afraid to lengthen the travel time if you need time to figure out the next region. If you make a mistake on your world building and your players notice, don't be afraid to retcon it, sometimes you can even roll with it and use this wacky inconsistency as part of your world's history. For example, say you described a city, your party then travels back in time to the city and have to climb a nearby mountain for plot reasons, back in the present you realize that the mountain was never there as you never described it, instead of retconing, maybe the entire mountain was blown up or excavated, or maybe it got up and left idk. Dnd is fantasy, which means you can pretty much bullshit your way through plot holes if necessary.
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u/Carter2158 Dec 12 '20
RPG BOT has helped me a lot with making my characters and finding out what’s better than others.
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u/Argus_Thundersword Dec 15 '20
RPG bot is one of the best 5e resources out there for character creation
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u/MagnusBrickson Dec 13 '20 edited Dec 14 '20
This is my own copy pasta for threads where a new player asks how to get started
Here's copied text from a post I made previously. This all assumes you're in the US and prices are USD.
You could buy the Starter or Essential kits (MSRP around $25, often about half that on Amazon), grab some friends, and dive right in within minimal investment. They're specifically designed for the new player. The Essentials Kit is a real bargain, too. In the box you get a code for the digital version of the adventure and bonus adventures to carry the storyline to level 12 (out of the box is levels 1-6), for free. Also included is a code for 50% off digital PHB on DnD Beyond, making it only $15.
BUT, You can start without spending a single silver piece*.
Make yourself a free account on DnD Beyond. You'll have access to all open-source content from WotC's 5e SRD. Since the Elemental Evil Supplement (see link below) is free, its content is free here too.
The SRD/Basic Rules gives you access to:
-Each PHB race with limited subrace options
-Each PHB class with 1 subclass option
-All of the rules to actually play the game
-Over 300 spells from the PHB (Full PHB only has 362)
-Tons of magic items
-340 statblocks for monsters including most common mythological (minotaurs, frost giants) and fantasy creatures (dragons, orcs), regular and huge animals (black bear, giant rats), and common undead (zombies, ghouls) that WotC can't own the rights to.
Official sources: Basic rules, 100% free. 200ish pages. If you sign up to DnD beyond, you have access to all of this information. Elemental Evil supplement. 3 more races, new Gnome subrace, new feat, 40+ new spells for all classes. Character sheets, blank and pregen options.
Plenty of free adventures online. Here's one that looks easy and short. Only relies on the basic rules for treasure, monsters, etc. Same author has a few followup basic rules-only adventures, too. Here's one for free, taken from Explorer's Guide to Wildemount (the Critical Role setting book)
Plenty of dice apps for your phone. Amazon has cheap dice. Your local game store or book store has dice. Walmart even has dice now.
*You're going to want paper, pencils, dice at the very least.
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u/NotARavenclaw Dec 13 '20
Watching Critical Role was and still is super helpful to learn basic mechanics of the game. You’ll pick things up and learn as they play. Then when you finally read the DM guide it all makes sense
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u/ShaneKawika Dec 12 '20
Behold! YouTube channel makes guides on setting up on D&D Beyond and other content like a family friendly livestream series.
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u/No_Deer9822 Dec 12 '20
This Playlist “GM Tips” from Geek & Sundry is perfect to begin DMing.
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u/Pouliosys Dec 13 '20
I would personally highly recommend Tabletop Audio to set ambiance for your sessions. Very easy to use, and you can loop the tracks nearly seamlessly.
If you're playing online, I would also recommend Fantasy Grounds (available on Steam) as a digital tabletop. I will be the first to admit it takes some getting used to, and the learning curve is steeper than most digital tabletops, but it is a massive help. You are able to purchase content (for multiple editions of D&D, or even other game systems, like Mutants and Masterminds) from the store and it will add not only the assets to your game library, but you can access the actual copy of the book from within the game as well. The pricing can be daunting for some, but the good part is this: only the DM needs to purchase an actual copy of the game. The players can use the free demo version and connect to the DM, with full access to the content the DM chooses to share with them. Also, with a bit of snooping you can find every released 5e book up until Tasha's for free online ;) The game has everything you will need for a game; character sheets, combat trackers, integrated combat mechanics and grid system, tables, conditions, and more. It will also automatically apply the effects of conditions (like Disadvantage and the like) to your rolls, as well as make Concentration checks and death saving throws for characters. With a bit of learning the system, it quickly becomes an all-inclusive system for online gaming, with an integrated language system that allows players to type in other languages and translate only for players that share it. There is a newer version out (Fantasy Grounds Unity) that is supposed to have additional content like line of sight and such, but I have yet to personally test it.
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u/olivaw_another Dec 20 '20
If you're looking to *play* D&D, my advice would be to find a game as quickly as possible and learn by playing. Check out the LFG subreddit, or head over to the official D&D Adventurer's League page and sign-up for a session! Just be sure to set expectations and let them know you're a new player.
Before your first session, you should create your character, learn how your character works and ensure you're setup to play (check with your Dungeon Master to see if you need to sign up for Roll20, install Discord or Zoom, how you're rolling dice, etc.).
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Head over to D&D Beyond (free) to create an online character sheet.
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The Dungeon Dudes have a good video on how character creation).
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Flick through the D&D Basic Rules (free) and read the parts that are most interesting to you. Read the entire thing if you can, but focus on the Ability Scores and Combat rules.
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If you have some time to watch a few videos, check out this video by Matt Colville, or this one here by Sherlock Hulmes, or by D&D Beyond here - these will give you a good sense of what to expect and in turn, what will be expected of you!
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Buy some dice if you're playing in person.
If you're looking to *run* D&D for your friends, I wholeheartedly recommend starting with the Lost Mines of Phandelver (PDF) (free). Many of you will be tempted to create your own homebrew setting from the start, but a pre-written adventure like LMoP will give you time to learn the rules and focus on running the game. Besides, it's fairly short (4-5 sessions should be enough) and generic enough that you can personalize it and make it yours. If you want a physical copy, this is also the campaign that comes with the boxed Starter Kit.
If you're running the game over the internet, you should decide on the tech you want to use to run the game. You can:
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use a virtual tabletop (aka "VTT's" like Roll20, Fantasy Grounds, or Foundry),
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use toolsets, like Discord w/ Avrae or D&D Beyond), and/or
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use Google Meet, Zoom, Skype or even conference calls to talk to your group.
For your first session, I'd recommend keeping things as simple as possible, and just use "theater of the mind" with your group on a video call. Once you've figured out how *you* want to run your game, you can shop for a VTT or use a lighter weight solution like Avrae/D&D Beyond. If you're going with digital assistants, note that you can purchase the Lost Mines of Phandelver module from Roll20 or D&D Beyond for digital assets that can make your DM'ing life easier.
For a lighter introduction to DM'ing, check out this video also by Matt Colville. I'd also make sure you have a good understanding of the combat and ability check rules. Once you've made it past your first session, you may want to check out the Dungeon Master's guide to level-up your DM'ing.
Happy Gaming!
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Dec 16 '20
Super noob here. Grew up on DnD as a kid. Played a bit while I was at Penn State (2004-2007) went into the Marines life happened anyway. I'm 35 now and trying to get back into it.
I know Tasha's Cauldron of Everything was released but I got nothing. Can someone link me a solid buy from Amazon or wherever on the perfect starter set? I have no die or rulebooks but have played pretty much every DnD inspired game to date (Neverwinter, Baldur's Gate 1,2 and 3, Pillars of Eternity etc)
I thought this on Amazon seemed like a decent start?
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u/redisthecoolestcolor Dec 19 '20
I think it depends what level you're looking to get into it. If you're trying to DM games and whatnot then you should have the DM's guide, but if you're just looking to get back into it and play with other people / have someone else DM, I think just the player's handbook is fine and will save you a good chunk of change. Echoing u/MagnusBrickson's post above, the SRD/basic rules are a great start for $0, and there are places to find groups to play with online if you don't have any friends active in it. If you go to WotC's website you'll see that they're now doing monthly play weekends, for a small cost, but that might be a fun way to jump back into it. They even have sessions that help you learn how to play or refresh your memory.
That said, I highly encourage you to ask around your friend groups just to see if people might be playing that you wouldn't expect. As a woman who was used to only playing with guys in my younger days, I was super surprised to find that I had not one but three other good female friends who played regularly, we're all in our 30s and I wouldn't have considered any of them that level of "nerdy", and now I'm in two different groups that play every other week (so now I play weekly).
DnDBeyond is a great resource for free material and character sheet building / maintenance, and pretty much any spell or item I need more info on, typing the name of it and "5e" into the search bar gives me exactly what I need to know. The internet is a huge place and there is so much free info out there!
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u/DestrucktoKitten Mar 09 '21
Where can I ask dumb questions? Getting started and reading a what I can find. I'm trying to start with OneShots.
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u/Iamfivebears Mar 09 '21
There is a Weekly Questions Thread stickied at the top of the sub every week!
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u/Octus_L Dec 12 '20
Boiled down the game is an interactive story with probability, its about telling a story and having fun with friends. As a DM you are the final ruling not the rule book itself
[EDIT] FOR Context Every DMG i have read explicitly says this
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u/Iamfivebears Dec 12 '20
Please reply to this comment with recommendations for this or future Community Resource threads!