Post/Author/DateTime	Post
#1 Reptyval Dec 01, 2014 15:21:45	Hey everybody.   My friends and I are interested in forming a D&D group. I volunteered to DM, but I've never really played before D&D before. What are my chances of learning the basics of DM'ing in 5 days? I'm probably going to purchase the 5e starter kit from my local comic store so I won't have to come up with my own compaign. I've already purchased a monster guide, player handbook, and the dungeon master's guide (should be here on the 9th). So here's a few questions I have..   What is everyone allowed to do on their turn in combat? Is it the same pathfinder? (Free action, movement, Immediate action etc)   What should I do if someone wants to venture off outside the map provided in the starter kit? (Like if they wanted to wander off 50 miles to start building their own village)   Are there any apps for android that will help me keep track of the game or should I just use my notepads?   What are my chanes of having a successful game? Since I've never played D&D before I don't think I'm ready to DM. Should I just tell my friends we'll meet up in January to give me more time?   Thanks, and sorry for the wall of text!
#2 Macv12 Dec 01, 2014 15:38:45	Reptyval wrote:
#3 iserith Dec 01, 2014 15:46:14	Reptyval wrote:
#4 Daydreamer80 Dec 01, 2014 15:48:57	The biggest thing you can do to make it easier is to talk to the players about how you are a new and inexperienced DM, and that the game will go alot smoother if they work with you, rather than against you.     The second best thing you can do is READ the rules and understand them.  If all you have is the starter set, read it cover to cover it shouldnt take long.   As for turn in combat.    1x move action. 1x main action.  1x bonus action (if any) 1x reaction (if any)   Move action will typically be 30 feet.  Faster for wood welf, lower for halfing.  Faster for monk etc. The can break it up into sections.   Such as move 10 feet attack, move 20 more.   Main action.  typically used for attack/cast a spell.   Some classes like fighter have abilities that can between rests grant extra actions.   Rogues have a limited power to take a second action, but that action is restricted in content.    Bonus action.  You get one.  Most commonly used by people using two weapons to fight, the offhand weapon attack counts as your bonus action. A fighter ability like action surge, DOES NOT give a pc another bonus action.     1x reaction.  Mostly used for opportunity attacks.  If a wizard takes an opportunity attack against a fleeing orc, and then becomes the target of a magic missle spell, he cant use a reaction to cast shield like he normally could, because you only get one of these per combat round.   "what if they want to wander". -Remind them of the rewards they are workign towards in the quest.  And a tip you can do is use there backstory to motivate them, maybe they are tied to the circumstances of the adventure in some tangible way.  ( the villian murdered there family etc).   The chances are good of having a good game if your players are the helpful type.  Low if they are type who like to cheat and push there luck.
#5 Reptyval Dec 01, 2014 23:27:00	Thanks guys! You were all very helpful.
#6 Xguild Dec 02, 2014 5:06:03	The best way to get started as a new DM is to have new players.  If you have ever played role-playing games in the past, the experiance applies in particular if you played Pathfinder since most things will be very familiar (AC, HP, Attributes etc..).  So your issue is going to be the combat rules which takes about 10 minutes to read and absorb, its quite literarly one of the shortest sections in the book because there are actually so few rules making 5e one of the easiest D&D's to pick up and play in its history.   My suggestion is the starter kit, it trims a lot of fat off the rules, the adventure itself makes the assumption that your a new DM so it holds your hand through it, you have pre-generated characters with the rules on how everything for that character works on the sheet itself and in as a whole there are no complex encounters that will throw you for a loop.  If my 10 year old son can get through it without a problem, I promise you will be able to do it as well.   Good advice for GM's in general can be found all over the place but some general good rules of thumb I always offer to new DM's are .   1. Take it slow.  Its not a race, let the players set the pace.  This helps to create the illusion that the players are telling the story (sandbox) as oppossed to the DM (Themepark).   2. Focus on the story rather than the rules.  You'll have much better sessions if you have the story under your thumb than you will if you have the rules under your thumb.  Rules can be referenced quickly, story's are much more difficult to do on the fly so read the adventure your using, understand it and focus your energy on presenting it well.  The rules will fall into place on their own.   3. Avoid miniatures for simple encounters, in particular where 5e is concerned.  Keep the game in storymode for as long as you can and you will get your players accustomed to the game being about story rather than about the rules.  When you need to use miniatures because of a complex scene, avoid grids (move/counting).  Just use them as reference to help you set the scene.
#7 Lashan Dec 02, 2014 9:14:40	If you are used to Pathfinder, the overall game should be similar.  I recommend going with pre-written campaigns to start with.  Just try to get everyone on the same page that you are all learning, etc.   The first night should usually be about making characters.  This way all your players can make them at the same time and you can build a balanced party.  Also, you can help shape the backgrounds and such of your players' characters to fit the game you are running.  It also helps you learn the rules when you go through character creation - you and them.   There is no official anything for 5E for Android or iOS.  There was a deal with a company called Trapdoor to make an "official" product, but the contract was scrapped.  So, now there are numerous companies looking into things, but nothing solid.  I think there MIGHT be something from Lone Wolf Studios that might work for 5E.  Not sure, though.
#8 Dave_son_of_Dave Dec 02, 2014 16:39:08	Reptyval wrote: