Welcome to D&D! You are entering a new world of roleplaying and gaming unlike the video games and tabletop board games you've played in the past. If you have never played a tabletop roleplaying game before, or even if you just haven't played D&D before, this list of tips is for you. I'm not covering mechanics here -- the rulebook and DM will do that. These are the things the rulebook won't cover.
1. Communicate with your DM. Your DM should be giving you information before the game ever starts about what rules to use to build your character. Generally, all you really need is the Player's Handbook (PHB), although other source may be allowed. Talk to your DM about what they expect you to have completed and when they want it done. A good DM will often have a "Session 0" to go over this kind of thing and make sure everyone is on the same page. Often session 0 is where characters are built, together. It is good to work with your DM to establish boundaries in your game on violence, sex, and other topics, especially if there are things you don't want in your gaming experience. D&D is a flexible system, and most campaigns have a theme that you can use to design an appropriate character. If this game doesn't seem to fit what you are looking for, bow out early and look for a better fit. No gaming is better than bad gaming. If you are new, you may not know what you are looking for, and that is okay too.
2. Communicate with the other players. D&D is a story of heroes (or sometimes, villains). You and the other players are building those heroes. Everyone wants a chance for their (player) character (PC) to shine, so talk to the other players and make sure you aren't building characters with too much overlap. Also, you will want to work together to interweave your backstories and characters (depending on your DM's requirements) to make a more interesting party of adventurers. Building a character is often a balance between playing someone that you find interesting, someone that will be interesting to the other players, and someone that has ties for the story.
3. Prepare some plot hooks for the DM. When you make your character, your backstory is often what the DM uses to tie the story to your character. If you are an orphan ninja assassin that has no association with anyone, there aren't many options of how to connect things. Make sure you tie your character to places and people (living!) in the setting, so the DM can get you into the story. With a good DM, you'll also get some free information based on your backstory as you go.
4. Avoid underhanded conflicts with other PCs. The classic tale is the Paladin and the Thief. The Thief decides to steal from the party at every turn, the Paladin eventually catches the thief, and a PC fight breaks out. You might think this sounds fun, but it usually is a big problem. Just because it is what your character would do, doesn't mean it is fun for everyone at the table. Instead, follow the plot that your DM presents and try to cooperate with your party. It works a lot better and is less likely to make the other players or DM upset with you. Your party is your team. You can disagree. Don't head towards battling it out.
5. Understand that you have options. You are playing a character, not a character sheet. This world supports you attempting to do anything your character might reasonably know to do, whether it is on your character sheet / in the rules or not. Use your creativity, but also play your character. Sometimes your PC will do the wrong thing. Sometimes they won't have the knowledge to figure things out. Sometimes, there will be moments for your character to shine. Use those moments well.
6. Understand that your choices have consequences. When the PCs hit, the game world hits back. If you kill a guard on the street in cold blood, be prepared to be hunted down, tried, and executed, and roll a new character. The game world will react to your actions. Don't expect it to be either fair or easy. Your choices matter. When the going gets tough, retreating to fight another day is always an option.
7. Roleplay. You are playing your character in game. Speak as your character when playing as much as you can. Try to establish a voice for your PC. Use a different voice or some other indicator when you are speaking out of character. Talk to NPCs as your character. Talk to other PCs as your character. It will feel uncomfortable in the beginning, but over time, you will get used to it. A good gaming group won't judge you for roleplaying. They will all be doing it with you.
8. Share the spotlight. Sometimes you need to be in the spotlight; sometimes you don't. Be in the game. When the party makes a decision, have your say. When a question comes up that involves your expertise, pipe in and ask how you can help. But, when other PCs have their moment, stay out of the way. More importantly, when you think you can, set up other characters for their moment. Ask other PCs about what they can do to help. Help that other PC do the totally awesome thing in combat. Don't be a player just waiting for their turn. Get involved; be involved; get others involved.
9. Don't tolerate a bad experience. There are thousands of stories I have heard over the years of bad gaming experiences involving gaming groups members wielding their power to roleplay uncomfortable and inappropriate topics. I have heard stories of racism and intolerance. If you find yourself in one of these situations, speak up, and if necessary, leave. Don't go back, but also don't give up. Our community tries to fight against these bad experiences, but they still happen.
A good way to open the dialogue with your DM on these situations is suggesting the use of safety mechanisms in your first session. A simple mechanic like the X-Card is a good way for your DM and group to show they are serious about no one at the table having a bad experience.
10. Be prepared. Read the rules, prepare your character, and bring the supplies you need to the session. Take notes. You are part of a group. You are not there to have the DM spoon-feed you fun. What you bring to the group helps to make the fun. That means bringing the physical items you need and the mental attitude you need to make the fun game for everyone.
These things are good to consider, but you will learn a lot more as you play. For more tips, tricks, and advise, check out my archive of tios over on twitter @pinkdicegm.
1. Communicate with your DM. Your DM should be giving you information before the game ever starts about what rules to use to build your character. Generally, all you really need is the Player's Handbook (PHB), although other source may be allowed. Talk to your DM about what they expect you to have completed and when they want it done. A good DM will often have a "Session 0" to go over this kind of thing and make sure everyone is on the same page. Often session 0 is where characters are built, together. It is good to work with your DM to establish boundaries in your game on violence, sex, and other topics, especially if there are things you don't want in your gaming experience. D&D is a flexible system, and most campaigns have a theme that you can use to design an appropriate character. If this game doesn't seem to fit what you are looking for, bow out early and look for a better fit. No gaming is better than bad gaming. If you are new, you may not know what you are looking for, and that is okay too.
2. Communicate with the other players. D&D is a story of heroes (or sometimes, villains). You and the other players are building those heroes. Everyone wants a chance for their (player) character (PC) to shine, so talk to the other players and make sure you aren't building characters with too much overlap. Also, you will want to work together to interweave your backstories and characters (depending on your DM's requirements) to make a more interesting party of adventurers. Building a character is often a balance between playing someone that you find interesting, someone that will be interesting to the other players, and someone that has ties for the story.
3. Prepare some plot hooks for the DM. When you make your character, your backstory is often what the DM uses to tie the story to your character. If you are an orphan ninja assassin that has no association with anyone, there aren't many options of how to connect things. Make sure you tie your character to places and people (living!) in the setting, so the DM can get you into the story. With a good DM, you'll also get some free information based on your backstory as you go.
4. Avoid underhanded conflicts with other PCs. The classic tale is the Paladin and the Thief. The Thief decides to steal from the party at every turn, the Paladin eventually catches the thief, and a PC fight breaks out. You might think this sounds fun, but it usually is a big problem. Just because it is what your character would do, doesn't mean it is fun for everyone at the table. Instead, follow the plot that your DM presents and try to cooperate with your party. It works a lot better and is less likely to make the other players or DM upset with you. Your party is your team. You can disagree. Don't head towards battling it out.
5. Understand that you have options. You are playing a character, not a character sheet. This world supports you attempting to do anything your character might reasonably know to do, whether it is on your character sheet / in the rules or not. Use your creativity, but also play your character. Sometimes your PC will do the wrong thing. Sometimes they won't have the knowledge to figure things out. Sometimes, there will be moments for your character to shine. Use those moments well.
6. Understand that your choices have consequences. When the PCs hit, the game world hits back. If you kill a guard on the street in cold blood, be prepared to be hunted down, tried, and executed, and roll a new character. The game world will react to your actions. Don't expect it to be either fair or easy. Your choices matter. When the going gets tough, retreating to fight another day is always an option.
7. Roleplay. You are playing your character in game. Speak as your character when playing as much as you can. Try to establish a voice for your PC. Use a different voice or some other indicator when you are speaking out of character. Talk to NPCs as your character. Talk to other PCs as your character. It will feel uncomfortable in the beginning, but over time, you will get used to it. A good gaming group won't judge you for roleplaying. They will all be doing it with you.
8. Share the spotlight. Sometimes you need to be in the spotlight; sometimes you don't. Be in the game. When the party makes a decision, have your say. When a question comes up that involves your expertise, pipe in and ask how you can help. But, when other PCs have their moment, stay out of the way. More importantly, when you think you can, set up other characters for their moment. Ask other PCs about what they can do to help. Help that other PC do the totally awesome thing in combat. Don't be a player just waiting for their turn. Get involved; be involved; get others involved.
9. Don't tolerate a bad experience. There are thousands of stories I have heard over the years of bad gaming experiences involving gaming groups members wielding their power to roleplay uncomfortable and inappropriate topics. I have heard stories of racism and intolerance. If you find yourself in one of these situations, speak up, and if necessary, leave. Don't go back, but also don't give up. Our community tries to fight against these bad experiences, but they still happen.
A good way to open the dialogue with your DM on these situations is suggesting the use of safety mechanisms in your first session. A simple mechanic like the X-Card is a good way for your DM and group to show they are serious about no one at the table having a bad experience.
10. Be prepared. Read the rules, prepare your character, and bring the supplies you need to the session. Take notes. You are part of a group. You are not there to have the DM spoon-feed you fun. What you bring to the group helps to make the fun. That means bringing the physical items you need and the mental attitude you need to make the fun game for everyone.
These things are good to consider, but you will learn a lot more as you play. For more tips, tricks, and advise, check out my archive of tios over on twitter @pinkdicegm.
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