*sighs* Help, please. [Archive] - Wizards Community

Post/Author/DateTime Post
blackseraphwings
12-23-04, 05:03 PM *sobs* Sadly, I am very new to D&D. As new as they come. If you can offer any help whatsoever, it would be greatly appreciated; I wanna be ready for a game my friend is setting up on Monday. . .no flames, please. . .
Cymraegmorgan
12-23-04, 05:10 PM Read and reread your PHB, especially the combat section and the character creation section.
Ask your DM if he has any House Rules you should be aware of.

Play to have fun.

Besides that, go with the flow and kill bad guys. :D
spasheridan
12-23-04, 05:12 PM Read the PHB from front to back. Read it again.

Create some sample characters with 28 pt builds.

Make sure you have a set of dice and know which one is which.

Get to your friends house early and ask him any questions you've come up with while reading the PHB. Make a new character with whatever creation rules he has for the game then. Model it after one of your sample characters you made.

Make sure you know:
Your PC's Name
Your PC's history
Your PC's motivation.

WHen playing in the game be careful (don't run through doors in dark dungeons) but if you notice a plot hook (Your DM tells you "A man approaches, seeming sad. He obviuosly needs some help" ... that is a plot hook. Help the man, talk to the man, and do what he asks) take the plot hook.
Mr_Smiley
12-23-04, 05:12 PM If you don't already have the Player's Handbook, you might want to ask to borrow it from a friend, or else buy one yourself. You can also take a look at the online SRD, found here: http://www.systemreferencedocuments.org/35/sovelior_sage/home.html. Take a look through it, get used to the classes and think about what you might like to play. A good DM should be able to get you used to the system pretty quickly.

Have fun at the game.
GaffeR
12-23-04, 05:12 PM READ!

read the phb, especially stuff about character creation and basic combat, as well as spells if you're playing a caster.
if you don't have a phb read the SRD until you can get your hands on a PHB
http://www.wizards.com/default.asp?x=d20/article/srd35

other than that, playing helps alot. Don't worry, i'm sure your group will help you along the way. You'll be slaying dragons and leading armies in no time :D
Bringslite
12-23-04, 05:13 PM What do you need help with?
DrMorganes
12-23-04, 05:27 PM Reading the Player's Handbook (or "PHB") is a good idea. As a new player, it should be your first choice for reading whenever you have free time. Having a decent grasp on most of the rules is a good idea (hence the recommendation to read the entire book - cover to cover - at least once). However, pay the most attention to the rules which are most relevant to the class you will be playing. If you won't be playing a spell caster there really isn't much reason to worry overmuch about the rules relating to learning, preparing, and casting spells.

Don't forget that D&D - for all its complexity - is a GAME. Since the purpose of playing games is to have fun, be sure that you place having fun very near the top of your List of Things to Do While Playing.

Don't worry if you don't remember EVERYTHING. It takes quite a while to get familiar with the rules, and even longer to be totally comfortable with them. Keep your PHB handy for quick reference when necessary. (See next item)

Bookmark relevant sections of your PHB with Post-It (TM) notes. For warrior types, this would include the sections on combat, the Feats your PC posseses, the class you play, etc. This will save time flipping when you run into a question during play.

If you have questions, get with your DM before the session. This could be earlier the same day, though as a DM I prefer to make a separate appointment with new players to deal with pregame questions. I typically run though the character generation process, several sample combats, a few skill-related scenerios, and whatever else may be necessary to introduce the basics.

Did I mention not to forget to have fun?

Post back to the forums if you have specific questions, and...

HAVE FUN!

(You saw that coming, right? ;) )
Shard of Suzail
12-23-04, 08:01 PM If you play a cleric, or have a cleric as a player, then pick up interesting domains. Protection, healing and good are all poor quality when it comes to roleplaying, domain wise. Instead, go for gods with domains you can explore, like travel, death or fire.

Skill emphasis is a good feat and dont feel bad if your casting dependent stat starts at 14. Be sure to improve it though, each 4 levels.

14 in a stat is fine, so long as you have other stats about the same and are well rounded.

Never play a sorcerer if you are an inexperienced player.

A level of fighter is a good thing, when multiclassing.

If you have a ranged weapon, buy precise shot.
simen_88
12-24-04, 08:51 PM Ask a friend to help you make a character, and play the game. And read the books.
happycows
12-25-04, 06:52 PM Don't read the PHB combat section wtf. Just play and watch it... during game play you'll see charges, grappling, bullrushing, trip attemps from wolves, etc. I've only looked over the combat section a few times for speciifcs on grappling, flanking larger creatures, and turn/rebuke checks.

Just play a fighter, paladin, ranger, or barbarian as a first character. Move up to **** and hit it. Go go go. Maybe a favored soul... it's pretty much the same thing... move up to **** and hit it than heal people... don't read the spells till later just know vigor, cure wounds, divine favor, hold person etc. Just get the general concept down. Perhaps a warlock would be easy as well... 250 ft range & the daze lesser. By the time you start to level up you can read up on them.

Usually dms make newbies start off lower level compared to the rest of the party. At least 1 level lower than the lowest level party member unless that person is also new.
Wil Harvey
12-25-04, 08:03 PM No matter how much you read to prepare, you're still going to need a lot of help figuring out the game when you are playing. Therefore, the most important thing is making sure you're playing with a DM who is patient, friendly, and understanding. If he is not, do not even waste your time.

Seriously, for your first time out, that's all you have to worry about. Just go with it from there.
Board_Rider
12-25-04, 10:19 PM As already said numerous times you first must read the PHB cover to cover. As you are reading the classes think about what you most would want to play. Many reccomend a fighter because of the few skills and pretty straightfoward playability.
For your first game just know which dice to roll and that will be a MAJOR step in helping your DM. Know how to roll saves, know how to roll skills and know "how to hit" by calculating your Base Attack Bonus (BAB), if any, and Strength or Dexterity (weapon dependent). The DM will let you know if you're successful or not.
Those little things will help out tremendously....the rules you'll get as you keep playing.
Welcome to D&D and good gaming.
The Man from Uncle
12-26-04, 03:51 AM Though i'd normally agree that reading the phb is the best place to start, for an absolute newby i'd have to recomend playing it first a couple of times before committing youtself to either the purchase or the time spent on reading it. You'll learn 90% of the rules through playing anyway and as long as your group is ok, they'll teach you all you need to know pretty quickly.

I's say pick up the phb when there are particular things you want to know. Till you know the basics you'll probably not be able to contextualise what all the rules are from just reading them, and you will certainly have little chance of putting them together in a useful form.

Seriously, suck it and see first. The phb will still be there after you get your feet wet.

Post/Author/DateTime	Post
blackseraphwings 12-23-04, 05:03 PM	sobs Sadly, I am very new to D&D. As new as they come. If you can offer any help whatsoever, it would be greatly appreciated; I wanna be ready for a game my friend is setting up on Monday. . .no flames, please. . .
Cymraegmorgan 12-23-04, 05:10 PM	Read and reread your PHB, especially the combat section and the character creation section. Ask your DM if he has any House Rules you should be aware of. Play to have fun. Besides that, go with the flow and kill bad guys. :D
spasheridan 12-23-04, 05:12 PM	Read the PHB from front to back. Read it again. Create some sample characters with 28 pt builds. Make sure you have a set of dice and know which one is which. Get to your friends house early and ask him any questions you've come up with while reading the PHB. Make a new character with whatever creation rules he has for the game then. Model it after one of your sample characters you made. Make sure you know: Your PC's Name Your PC's history Your PC's motivation. WHen playing in the game be careful (don't run through doors in dark dungeons) but if you notice a plot hook (Your DM tells you "A man approaches, seeming sad. He obviuosly needs some help" ... that is a plot hook. Help the man, talk to the man, and do what he asks) take the plot hook.
Mr_Smiley 12-23-04, 05:12 PM	If you don't already have the Player's Handbook, you might want to ask to borrow it from a friend, or else buy one yourself. You can also take a look at the online SRD, found here: http://www.systemreferencedocuments.org/35/sovelior_sage/home.html. Take a look through it, get used to the classes and think about what you might like to play. A good DM should be able to get you used to the system pretty quickly. Have fun at the game.
GaffeR 12-23-04, 05:12 PM	READ! read the phb, especially stuff about character creation and basic combat, as well as spells if you're playing a caster. if you don't have a phb read the SRD until you can get your hands on a PHB http://www.wizards.com/default.asp?x=d20/article/srd35 other than that, playing helps alot. Don't worry, i'm sure your group will help you along the way. You'll be slaying dragons and leading armies in no time :D
Bringslite 12-23-04, 05:13 PM	What do you need help with?
DrMorganes 12-23-04, 05:27 PM	Reading the Player's Handbook (or "PHB") is a good idea. As a new player, it should be your first choice for reading whenever you have free time. Having a decent grasp on most of the rules is a good idea (hence the recommendation to read the entire book - cover to cover - at least once). However, pay the most attention to the rules which are most relevant to the class you will be playing. If you won't be playing a spell caster there really isn't much reason to worry overmuch about the rules relating to learning, preparing, and casting spells. Don't forget that D&D - for all its complexity - is a GAME. Since the purpose of playing games is to have fun, be sure that you place having fun very near the top of your List of Things to Do While Playing. Don't worry if you don't remember EVERYTHING. It takes quite a while to get familiar with the rules, and even longer to be totally comfortable with them. Keep your PHB handy for quick reference when necessary. (See next item) Bookmark relevant sections of your PHB with Post-It (TM) notes. For warrior types, this would include the sections on combat, the Feats your PC posseses, the class you play, etc. This will save time flipping when you run into a question during play. If you have questions, get with your DM before the session. This could be earlier the same day, though as a DM I prefer to make a separate appointment with new players to deal with pregame questions. I typically run though the character generation process, several sample combats, a few skill-related scenerios, and whatever else may be necessary to introduce the basics. Did I mention not to forget to have fun? Post back to the forums if you have specific questions, and... HAVE FUN! (You saw that coming, right? ;) )
Shard of Suzail 12-23-04, 08:01 PM	If you play a cleric, or have a cleric as a player, then pick up interesting domains. Protection, healing and good are all poor quality when it comes to roleplaying, domain wise. Instead, go for gods with domains you can explore, like travel, death or fire. Skill emphasis is a good feat and dont feel bad if your casting dependent stat starts at 14. Be sure to improve it though, each 4 levels. 14 in a stat is fine, so long as you have other stats about the same and are well rounded. Never play a sorcerer if you are an inexperienced player. A level of fighter is a good thing, when multiclassing. If you have a ranged weapon, buy precise shot.
simen_88 12-24-04, 08:51 PM	Ask a friend to help you make a character, and play the game. And read the books.
happycows 12-25-04, 06:52 PM	Don't read the PHB combat section wtf. Just play and watch it... during game play you'll see charges, grappling, bullrushing, trip attemps from wolves, etc. I've only looked over the combat section a few times for speciifcs on grappling, flanking larger creatures, and turn/rebuke checks. Just play a fighter, paladin, ranger, or barbarian as a first character. Move up to ** and hit it. Go go go. Maybe a favored soul... it's pretty much the same thing... move up to ** and hit it than heal people... don't read the spells till later just know vigor, cure wounds, divine favor, hold person etc. Just get the general concept down. Perhaps a warlock would be easy as well... 250 ft range & the daze lesser. By the time you start to level up you can read up on them. Usually dms make newbies start off lower level compared to the rest of the party. At least 1 level lower than the lowest level party member unless that person is also new.
Wil Harvey 12-25-04, 08:03 PM	No matter how much you read to prepare, you're still going to need a lot of help figuring out the game when you are playing. Therefore, the most important thing is making sure you're playing with a DM who is patient, friendly, and understanding. If he is not, do not even waste your time. Seriously, for your first time out, that's all you have to worry about. Just go with it from there.
Board_Rider 12-25-04, 10:19 PM	As already said numerous times you first must read the PHB cover to cover. As you are reading the classes think about what you most would want to play. Many reccomend a fighter because of the few skills and pretty straightfoward playability. For your first game just know which dice to roll and that will be a MAJOR step in helping your DM. Know how to roll saves, know how to roll skills and know "how to hit" by calculating your Base Attack Bonus (BAB), if any, and Strength or Dexterity (weapon dependent). The DM will let you know if you're successful or not. Those little things will help out tremendously....the rules you'll get as you keep playing. Welcome to D&D and good gaming.
The Man from Uncle 12-26-04, 03:51 AM	Though i'd normally agree that reading the phb is the best place to start, for an absolute newby i'd have to recomend playing it first a couple of times before committing youtself to either the purchase or the time spent on reading it. You'll learn 90% of the rules through playing anyway and as long as your group is ok, they'll teach you all you need to know pretty quickly. I's say pick up the phb when there are particular things you want to know. Till you know the basics you'll probably not be able to contextualise what all the rules are from just reading them, and you will certainly have little chance of putting them together in a useful form. Seriously, suck it and see first. The phb will still be there after you get your feet wet.