I need some help [Archive] - Wizards Community

I need some help [Archive] - Wizards Community

Post/Author/DateTime Post
Tylerhanlon
12-30-05, 10:26 PM Okay, I'm relitivly new to this game and soon I'm going to be playing with a group of my friends who have played a lot longer then me. So I was wondering if any of you could give me some tips or pointers, to help me out when I play.
I_Strahd
12-30-05, 10:44 PM Okay, I'm relitivly new to this game and soon I'm going to be playing with a group of my friends who have played a lot longer then me. So I was wondering if any of you could give me some tips or pointers, to help me out when I play.

watch, listen and learn. but dont be a wall flower when it comes to role playing.
best thing to do is make mistakes. you will learn more from them. :)
shadowfox628
12-31-05, 04:02 AM Look, as a DM and PC, I have general rules (some of which I learned from my brother):
1) Listen to the DM (or GM, whatever she/he calls himself, I call them DM's)

2) You shouldn't argue with the DM (unless on the case stated in the rule below)

3) Find out what rules the DM doesn't go by (dropped completely, used in some cases, replaced by a house rule, etc.)

4) FInd out House Rules

5) if the DM asks "Are you sure?" to an action you make, you may want to reconsider it. (Note: DM may use reverse psychology)

6) The DM is GOD. Worship him/her as if your life depends on it (Notice: some DM's may not like it)

7) Take tips from your fellow PC's

8) Try to "manipulate" any rules necissary. Use your interpetation if you have to.... If it's something radical, ask your DM about it.
Example of "Interpetation": I discovered a non-core feat called "Twin Weapon Fighting." It allows you to weild 2 weapons that you can hold in 1 hand AND are NOT light weapons (Ex: A short sword to a human), but the weapon in your off hand is considered light. I was going through a little "Scythes!" phase, so I used interpetation skills to use "Monkey Grip" (allows you to weild a weapon in a single hand that would normally take up both hands at a -2 penalty(Ex: A Greatsword to a Human)), fused with Twin Weapon Fighting, on Scythes, allowing my character to do Two Weapon Fighting with Scythes, at a combined total of a -4 penalty (I'm starting to recondsider my action). Notice: I DID ask my DM about it.

9) If in trouble, ask us in between sessions for tips. Hey, it's gotten my character and the whole party through an encounter of 2 Beholders blocking our only exit, and we all made it out alive (though a little wounded, in the case of my character.... Stupid Disinegrate Rays).

10) To be a good Role Player, DON'T use Metagame Knowladge (Definition: Info. that YOU (a person) know, but your character DOESN'T know)

11) Don't regret ANY actions you make, no matter what happens, or if you're blamed (Ex: I avoided Metagame knowladge to light a Sunrod in the middle of the night. I temporarally blinded myself and another PC, and I was yelled at for the next 3 weeks about it. Heh, guess who saved their sorry arses.)
Tylerhanlon
12-31-05, 01:26 PM Thank you both for the helpfull tips.
Thorak
12-31-05, 01:45 PM 1> Read the PHB. Yes, the whole damn thing. If you're playing a non-caster, you can skip the Magic section. For now.

2> Read the Combat section again. Yes, even if you're a caster. Combat is intricate, and there's lots of little rules, and those of us who've been playing for years keep finding new things we'd forgotten/ignored. The second read through lets you look at the earlier parts having read the later, so you can see how they mesh.

3> Ignore Shadowfox's recommendation to worship the DM. He's an important element, but the game doesn't work without players, either. A good DM should be respected, but not worshipped.

4> That said, learn the house rules if any, and don't question the DM when he makes a ruling. Feel free to ask questions, just don't argue about the results, beyond something like "The PHB says X here, we're ignoring that?" That's enough to determine that he's aware he's houseruling, at which point, drop it.

5> Play simple. Don't try and be a bat-winged werewolf half-dragon with fourteen classes on your first play. You'll have enough trouble handling a Half-orc Barbarian or Elven Wizard on your first game. I'm not saying you have to stick to stereotypes, but at least ignore templates, and I strongly suggest just keeping with the PHB material, unless you've got an itch for something specific. And even then, if you play a class from outside the PHB, play a normal race, and vice-versa. This is all intended to get you learning the basic rules and the principles of role-, rather than roll-, playing. Once you've got a better handle on the basics, you can stretch out further, but tossing too many eggs into the basket just guarantees a bunch of them get smashed.

6> Finally, get to know your character. Your character is not you. They are a separate individual, albeit a fictional one. What was their past like? Do they have any fears? Wants? Hates? How would someone react when confronted with a Zombie for the first time, regardless of how low-CR the creature is? A character is much more than the set of numbers on the character sheet, and your character will be more fun if you set them up with an interesting personality. Just be sure to be consistent, even when its inconvenient; if you're a burly half-orc Barbarian with an Int and Charisma of 6, don't be solving complicated riddles or acting suave and sophisticated. Your character is at the level of "Grr, me bash". A locked door? Bash. Big trap? Bash. Enemies? Bash bash bash. Pretty girl? Bash gently to knock her out, then drag home.

Contrariwise, if you're a low-Strength Elven Swashbuckler with a high Int and Charisma, don't be trying to bust down doors unless you're trying to be funny. If you're trying to bring to mind Inigo Montoya, fine, but have a valid reason.

edit;
7> Don't play a character you saw on TV, in a book, or anywhere else. If there's an interesting character twist, use that, but put your own spin on it. It's one thing to want to wield a big sword, it's another to be a blond, spiky-haired guy who's an ex-soldier who wields a big sword.

Post/Author/DateTime	Post
Tylerhanlon 12-30-05, 10:26 PM	Okay, I'm relitivly new to this game and soon I'm going to be playing with a group of my friends who have played a lot longer then me. So I was wondering if any of you could give me some tips or pointers, to help me out when I play.
I_Strahd 12-30-05, 10:44 PM	Okay, I'm relitivly new to this game and soon I'm going to be playing with a group of my friends who have played a lot longer then me. So I was wondering if any of you could give me some tips or pointers, to help me out when I play. watch, listen and learn. but dont be a wall flower when it comes to role playing. best thing to do is make mistakes. you will learn more from them. :)
shadowfox628 12-31-05, 04:02 AM	Look, as a DM and PC, I have general rules (some of which I learned from my brother): 1) Listen to the DM (or GM, whatever she/he calls himself, I call them DM's) 2) You shouldn't argue with the DM (unless on the case stated in the rule below) 3) Find out what rules the DM doesn't go by (dropped completely, used in some cases, replaced by a house rule, etc.) 4) FInd out House Rules 5) if the DM asks "Are you sure?" to an action you make, you may want to reconsider it. (Note: DM may use reverse psychology) 6) The DM is GOD. Worship him/her as if your life depends on it (Notice: some DM's may not like it) 7) Take tips from your fellow PC's 8) Try to "manipulate" any rules necissary. Use your interpetation if you have to.... If it's something radical, ask your DM about it. Example of "Interpetation": I discovered a non-core feat called "Twin Weapon Fighting." It allows you to weild 2 weapons that you can hold in 1 hand AND are NOT light weapons (Ex: A short sword to a human), but the weapon in your off hand is considered light. I was going through a little "Scythes!" phase, so I used interpetation skills to use "Monkey Grip" (allows you to weild a weapon in a single hand that would normally take up both hands at a -2 penalty(Ex: A Greatsword to a Human)), fused with Twin Weapon Fighting, on Scythes, allowing my character to do Two Weapon Fighting with Scythes, at a combined total of a -4 penalty (I'm starting to recondsider my action). Notice: I DID ask my DM about it. 9) If in trouble, ask us in between sessions for tips. Hey, it's gotten my character and the whole party through an encounter of 2 Beholders blocking our only exit, and we all made it out alive (though a little wounded, in the case of my character.... Stupid Disinegrate Rays). 10) To be a good Role Player, DON'T use Metagame Knowladge (Definition: Info. that YOU (a person) know, but your character DOESN'T know) 11) Don't regret ANY actions you make, no matter what happens, or if you're blamed (Ex: I avoided Metagame knowladge to light a Sunrod in the middle of the night. I temporarally blinded myself and another PC, and I was yelled at for the next 3 weeks about it. Heh, guess who saved their sorry arses.)
Tylerhanlon 12-31-05, 01:26 PM	Thank you both for the helpfull tips.
Thorak 12-31-05, 01:45 PM	1> Read the PHB. Yes, the whole damn thing. If you're playing a non-caster, you can skip the Magic section. For now. 2> Read the Combat section again. Yes, even if you're a caster. Combat is intricate, and there's lots of little rules, and those of us who've been playing for years keep finding new things we'd forgotten/ignored. The second read through lets you look at the earlier parts having read the later, so you can see how they mesh. 3> Ignore Shadowfox's recommendation to worship the DM. He's an important element, but the game doesn't work without players, either. A good DM should be respected, but not worshipped. 4> That said, learn the house rules if any, and don't question the DM when he makes a ruling. Feel free to ask questions, just don't argue about the results, beyond something like "The PHB says X here, we're ignoring that?" That's enough to determine that he's aware he's houseruling, at which point, drop it. 5> Play simple. Don't try and be a bat-winged werewolf half-dragon with fourteen classes on your first play. You'll have enough trouble handling a Half-orc Barbarian or Elven Wizard on your first game. I'm not saying you have to stick to stereotypes, but at least ignore templates, and I strongly suggest just keeping with the PHB material, unless you've got an itch for something specific. And even then, if you play a class from outside the PHB, play a normal race, and vice-versa. This is all intended to get you learning the basic rules and the principles of role-, rather than roll-, playing. Once you've got a better handle on the basics, you can stretch out further, but tossing too many eggs into the basket just guarantees a bunch of them get smashed. 6> Finally, get to know your character. Your character is not you. They are a separate individual, albeit a fictional one. What was their past like? Do they have any fears? Wants? Hates? How would someone react when confronted with a Zombie for the first time, regardless of how low-CR the creature is? A character is much more than the set of numbers on the character sheet, and your character will be more fun if you set them up with an interesting personality. Just be sure to be consistent, even when its inconvenient; if you're a burly half-orc Barbarian with an Int and Charisma of 6, don't be solving complicated riddles or acting suave and sophisticated. Your character is at the level of "Grr, me bash". A locked door? Bash. Big trap? Bash. Enemies? Bash bash bash. Pretty girl? Bash gently to knock her out, then drag home. Contrariwise, if you're a low-Strength Elven Swashbuckler with a high Int and Charisma, don't be trying to bust down doors unless you're trying to be funny. If you're trying to bring to mind Inigo Montoya, fine, but have a valid reason. edit; 7> Don't play a character you saw on TV, in a book, or anywhere else. If there's an interesting character twist, use that, but put your own spin on it. It's one thing to want to wield a big sword, it's another to be a blond, spiky-haired guy who's an ex-soldier who wields a big sword.