d and d virgin [Archive] - Wizards Community

d and d virgin [Archive] - Wizards Community

Post/Author/DateTime Post
wickman
01-03-08, 06:53 PM just started with some buddies thats been playing for about 5 years and they want me to roll a cleric have no idea how to fill out character sheet.is there somewhere i can get an example sheet?
LoneStranger
01-03-08, 07:00 PM I don't know where a good example sheet would be but the group you're going to be playing with should be able to help you make sense of the character sheet. If you want some help outside of your gaming group go ahead and send me a PM and I'll help you as best anyone can going off of text descriptions over the interwebs. ;)
CryoSilver
01-03-08, 07:01 PM The first few pages of the Player's Handbook tell you how to create your character and fill out the sheet.
wickman
01-03-08, 07:05 PM thanks guys i know i can ask the guys but agian werid as its sounds i dont want to look like a total geek i guess i need to just read the hand book better.im just running out of time they gave me a week and i havent committed much time. thanks agian
KIDS
01-03-08, 07:50 PM You have that blank sheet on end of PHB, and can be found on internet easily. If you're looking for a filled sample, here is one http://www.myth-weavers.com/sheets/view.php?id=23285; but it's hard to explain you what goes exactly where and why, that's what comes with practice. I know these boards also had a good guide on it, but I can't find it now.
StevenO
01-03-08, 10:58 PM This may not be too helpful but I certainly hope the campain is starting with everyone at 1st level. Given the vast spell selection available to a cleric (if you have the supplements) and the requirement to pick your spells at the start of each day I'd rate the cleric as one of the most difficult classes to play as a first character with the Druid being another. Starting at level one at least gives you some chance to grow into the character and class but if your group is starting you out at higher levels all those "experienced" players are probably just looking for a healling battery to come along.
metalmayhem80110
01-04-08, 04:22 AM Roll up a fighter or a barbarian. That will be SOOO much easier. Spellcasters+Noobz = Headaches...
Sereetha
01-08-08, 11:18 AM Take a look through the PHB and find a simple character to start with. Fighters are nice a straight forward. If they are insisting on you playing a cleric, sit down with one of the players, the DM or go to the local game store and see if the clerk knows of anyone that would work with you through this. Most experienced players enjoy teaching new players the ins and outs of character generation. Good Luck and Have Fun!
The_Shaman
01-08-08, 11:33 AM just started with some buddies thats been playing for about 5 years and they want me to roll a cleric have no idea how to fill out character sheet.is there somewhere i can get an example sheet?

I can give an example (http://www.roguepenguin.com/castellar/profiler/view.php?id=927), but I think it's best if you get them to allow you to play something without prepared spellcasting. You can always spontaneously cast Cure spells, but it's not much fun being the band-aid - especially when you can be so much more.
LordTarmos
01-08-08, 03:54 PM First time out it is common (actually suggested)for a player to get help from the dm or other players to make a character, this makes the process less painful. If you make one yourself not knowing chances are you will make mistakes the first time out. Suggetion get them to help you before hand, meet someone about an hour before the game but know what you want. you should be finishing(if you know what you want) when the others are coming in the room. If you do this by yourself it will take hours your first time out.

also if I may say welcome to the game and the site.
Morbid
01-10-08, 09:13 AM Wait, you don't want to ask for help with a player sheet because you'll look like a geek? I thought it was we, who know how to fill out 3 different sheets with our eyes closed and our writing arm tied behind our back that were the geeks... Stop trying to take our thunder!
I do agree that playing something a little more melee would be a better choice, but if they want you to be a cleric and you're fine with that, then ask the DM. Thats part of what he's there for.
Jutter
01-10-08, 11:02 AM just started with some buddies thats been playing for about 5 years and they want me to roll a cleric have no idea how to fill out character sheet.is there somewhere i can get an example sheet?

Skip Williams wrote some articles about it.
Facing a character sheet part 1 (http://www.wizards.com/default.asp?x=dnd/cwc/20070109)
Facing a character sheet part 2 (http://www.wizards.com/default.asp?x=dnd/cwc/20070123)
Facing a character sheet part 3 (http://www.wizards.com/default.asp?x=dnd/cwc/20070206)
HARLEYDUDE
01-10-08, 03:01 PM My first chara was the cleric. I was in your EXACT position. I did make the most of it but it was really hard. IMO the cleric has too many class features and responsibilites to play as a n00b. ie huge spell list, turning, and healing

I agree with metalmayhem80110, ask if you can play a easier chara to start. Possibly having a NPC healer of some type.

Good luck
HD
Enmarnacu
01-11-08, 01:53 AM Just going to throw this in one more time so you can see it's a majority opinion: Be something other than a prepared spellcaster. Starting with a melee class, like barbarian, would be a much better choice. It'll save a lot of time in and out of combat and be easier to learn the game. Plus it might save you some dying. Newbs can use the hit points.

I've been playing for three years now and I still take forever with any kind of caster, prepared or no. There's a lot of extra things to take into consideration when using magic that can be avoided with a melee character.
Magrus
01-11-08, 02:22 AM Just a suggestion for you. Read the classes and races section, read the basics. Really read them, not just flip through the pages and scan the text. It will give you an idea of exactly what you are dealing with on a very basic level. Then, dive right in. Don't be worried about your friends. If they are your friends, and you aren't doing something right, they'll help you out.

If you do make a bad character, and no one points it out, your character will die. That happens. No big deal. The best part about that for you, as a new player? You learn not only what not to do with that type of character in that specific encounter type, but you get more practice making new characters.

I would agree with the other posts above however. Not that a new player can't pull off a caster, but it's few and far between for someone to be able to just read the PHB, and pull out a good caster character and play it well. You kind of need an intimate familiarity with the class and spells available in order to do it in an efficient manner. You don't know the spells, or spell rules. Rogues and Sorcerers aren't as bad as the Wizard, Druid and Cleric classes for rules, but they aren't easy either. The combat rules and techniques for a rogues method of fighting are more complicated than hack and slash most of the time. The sorcerer requires a person to select good spells, every time, for what he/she will be dealing with.

A paladin might be better, if you can pull off that horrid Lawful Good alignment and code they work with. It lets you dabble with some magic, turning of undead, special abilities, and you have melee capability. Something between the Fighter and Cleric classes that you've had as suggestions. The barbarian is a basic one that involves you using on class ability to enhance your combat abilities. You're strong and tough, and beat the hell out of baddies. Ranger might not be bad either. A bit more complex than fighter or barbarian, you end up with spells, like a blend between the fighter, rogue and druid.

I would avoid the Bard class however. In order to make that useful in a party, you kind of need to know what you are doing with the class abilities, and not everyone knows enough of the way things work to appreciate what a bard can do.
Stormhead0912
01-11-08, 07:31 PM Skip Williams wrote some articles about it.
Facing a character sheet part 1 (http://www.wizards.com/default.asp?x=dnd/cwc/20070109)
Facing a character sheet part 2 (http://www.wizards.com/default.asp?x=dnd/cwc/20070123)
Facing a character sheet part 3 (http://www.wizards.com/default.asp?x=dnd/cwc/20070206)

These articles are certainly superb for any newbie trying to get their head around character creation.

The only confusion is with him stating that crafting cannot be used untrained, yet the character sheet and v3.5 PHB both state and denote that crafting CAN be used untrained.

Post/Author/DateTime	Post
wickman 01-03-08, 06:53 PM	just started with some buddies thats been playing for about 5 years and they want me to roll a cleric have no idea how to fill out character sheet.is there somewhere i can get an example sheet?
LoneStranger 01-03-08, 07:00 PM	I don't know where a good example sheet would be but the group you're going to be playing with should be able to help you make sense of the character sheet. If you want some help outside of your gaming group go ahead and send me a PM and I'll help you as best anyone can going off of text descriptions over the interwebs. ;)
CryoSilver 01-03-08, 07:01 PM	The first few pages of the Player's Handbook tell you how to create your character and fill out the sheet.
wickman 01-03-08, 07:05 PM	thanks guys i know i can ask the guys but agian werid as its sounds i dont want to look like a total geek i guess i need to just read the hand book better.im just running out of time they gave me a week and i havent committed much time. thanks agian
KIDS 01-03-08, 07:50 PM	You have that blank sheet on end of PHB, and can be found on internet easily. If you're looking for a filled sample, here is one http://www.myth-weavers.com/sheets/view.php?id=23285; but it's hard to explain you what goes exactly where and why, that's what comes with practice. I know these boards also had a good guide on it, but I can't find it now.
StevenO 01-03-08, 10:58 PM	This may not be too helpful but I certainly hope the campain is starting with everyone at 1st level. Given the vast spell selection available to a cleric (if you have the supplements) and the requirement to pick your spells at the start of each day I'd rate the cleric as one of the most difficult classes to play as a first character with the Druid being another. Starting at level one at least gives you some chance to grow into the character and class but if your group is starting you out at higher levels all those "experienced" players are probably just looking for a healling battery to come along.
metalmayhem80110 01-04-08, 04:22 AM	Roll up a fighter or a barbarian. That will be SOOO much easier. Spellcasters+Noobz = Headaches...
Sereetha 01-08-08, 11:18 AM	Take a look through the PHB and find a simple character to start with. Fighters are nice a straight forward. If they are insisting on you playing a cleric, sit down with one of the players, the DM or go to the local game store and see if the clerk knows of anyone that would work with you through this. Most experienced players enjoy teaching new players the ins and outs of character generation. Good Luck and Have Fun!
The_Shaman 01-08-08, 11:33 AM	just started with some buddies thats been playing for about 5 years and they want me to roll a cleric have no idea how to fill out character sheet.is there somewhere i can get an example sheet? I can give an example (http://www.roguepenguin.com/castellar/profiler/view.php?id=927), but I think it's best if you get them to allow you to play something without prepared spellcasting. You can always spontaneously cast Cure spells, but it's not much fun being the band-aid - especially when you can be so much more.
LordTarmos 01-08-08, 03:54 PM	First time out it is common (actually suggested)for a player to get help from the dm or other players to make a character, this makes the process less painful. If you make one yourself not knowing chances are you will make mistakes the first time out. Suggetion get them to help you before hand, meet someone about an hour before the game but know what you want. you should be finishing(if you know what you want) when the others are coming in the room. If you do this by yourself it will take hours your first time out. also if I may say welcome to the game and the site.
Morbid 01-10-08, 09:13 AM	Wait, you don't want to ask for help with a player sheet because you'll look like a geek? I thought it was we, who know how to fill out 3 different sheets with our eyes closed and our writing arm tied behind our back that were the geeks... Stop trying to take our thunder! I do agree that playing something a little more melee would be a better choice, but if they want you to be a cleric and you're fine with that, then ask the DM. Thats part of what he's there for.
Jutter 01-10-08, 11:02 AM	just started with some buddies thats been playing for about 5 years and they want me to roll a cleric have no idea how to fill out character sheet.is there somewhere i can get an example sheet? Skip Williams wrote some articles about it. Facing a character sheet part 1 (http://www.wizards.com/default.asp?x=dnd/cwc/20070109) Facing a character sheet part 2 (http://www.wizards.com/default.asp?x=dnd/cwc/20070123) Facing a character sheet part 3 (http://www.wizards.com/default.asp?x=dnd/cwc/20070206)
HARLEYDUDE 01-10-08, 03:01 PM	My first chara was the cleric. I was in your EXACT position. I did make the most of it but it was really hard. IMO the cleric has too many class features and responsibilites to play as a n00b. ie huge spell list, turning, and healing I agree with metalmayhem80110, ask if you can play a easier chara to start. Possibly having a NPC healer of some type. Good luck HD
Enmarnacu 01-11-08, 01:53 AM	Just going to throw this in one more time so you can see it's a majority opinion: Be something other than a prepared spellcaster. Starting with a melee class, like barbarian, would be a much better choice. It'll save a lot of time in and out of combat and be easier to learn the game. Plus it might save you some dying. Newbs can use the hit points. I've been playing for three years now and I still take forever with any kind of caster, prepared or no. There's a lot of extra things to take into consideration when using magic that can be avoided with a melee character.
Magrus 01-11-08, 02:22 AM	Just a suggestion for you. Read the classes and races section, read the basics. Really read them, not just flip through the pages and scan the text. It will give you an idea of exactly what you are dealing with on a very basic level. Then, dive right in. Don't be worried about your friends. If they are your friends, and you aren't doing something right, they'll help you out. If you do make a bad character, and no one points it out, your character will die. That happens. No big deal. The best part about that for you, as a new player? You learn not only what not to do with that type of character in that specific encounter type, but you get more practice making new characters. I would agree with the other posts above however. Not that a new player can't pull off a caster, but it's few and far between for someone to be able to just read the PHB, and pull out a good caster character and play it well. You kind of need an intimate familiarity with the class and spells available in order to do it in an efficient manner. You don't know the spells, or spell rules. Rogues and Sorcerers aren't as bad as the Wizard, Druid and Cleric classes for rules, but they aren't easy either. The combat rules and techniques for a rogues method of fighting are more complicated than hack and slash most of the time. The sorcerer requires a person to select good spells, every time, for what he/she will be dealing with. A paladin might be better, if you can pull off that horrid Lawful Good alignment and code they work with. It lets you dabble with some magic, turning of undead, special abilities, and you have melee capability. Something between the Fighter and Cleric classes that you've had as suggestions. The barbarian is a basic one that involves you using on class ability to enhance your combat abilities. You're strong and tough, and beat the hell out of baddies. Ranger might not be bad either. A bit more complex than fighter or barbarian, you end up with spells, like a blend between the fighter, rogue and druid. I would avoid the Bard class however. In order to make that useful in a party, you kind of need to know what you are doing with the class abilities, and not everyone knows enough of the way things work to appreciate what a bard can do.
Stormhead0912 01-11-08, 07:31 PM	Skip Williams wrote some articles about it. Facing a character sheet part 1 (http://www.wizards.com/default.asp?x=dnd/cwc/20070109) Facing a character sheet part 2 (http://www.wizards.com/default.asp?x=dnd/cwc/20070123) Facing a character sheet part 3 (http://www.wizards.com/default.asp?x=dnd/cwc/20070206) These articles are certainly superb for any newbie trying to get their head around character creation. The only confusion is with him stating that crafting cannot be used untrained, yet the character sheet and v3.5 PHB both state and denote that crafting CAN be used untrained.