Tips For My First Session - Downloaded from the Wizards Community, all coding removed by Solauren

Tips For My First Session

Post/Author/DateTime Post
#1
jimmydeemo
Mar 17, 2009 7:12:03 I have been invited too to will be attending my first D&D session on Sat, at a local event for World D&D day. Playing the 11-Level Dragonborn Paladin in the pre made adventure.

I just wanted to ask you you guys have any tips that i won't find in my PHB. I'm quite social anyway, but i will be playing with ppl i've not met before and anything to help me get into and gel with the group would be much appreciated. I will hopefully be playing with a few of them again you see, when i come to start my own char from Level 1 in a few weeks.

Also any points on what to bring with me. I figured a pencil, my dice and my PHB might be enough but please let me know.

Cheers.
#2
endarian_dup
Mar 17, 2009 8:08:40
I have been invited too to will be attending my first D&D session on Sat, at a local event for World D&D day. Playing the 11-Level Dragonborn Paladin in the pre made adventure.

I just wanted to ask you you guys have any tips that i won't find in my PHB. I'm quite social anyway, but i will be playing with ppl i've not met before and anything to help me get into and gel with the group would be much appreciated. I will hopefully be playing with a few of them again you see, when i come to start my own char from Level 1 in a few weeks.

Also any points on what to bring with me. I figured a pencil, my dice and my PHB might be enough but please let me know.

Cheers.

Let the event and the personalities of the players dictate how much you roleplay. (I'm a roleplaying advocate btw - I'm not saying to NOT roleplay...I'm saying keep your personality for your character in the midstream.

Remember your feats and racial powers. take pieces of paper or index cards to mark the pages of your powers.

Remember to use your Encounter powers each encounter, but be careful using your daily too early.

Remember to use an action point every other encounter and when you do, ask the other players if any of their characters give bonuses when using them.

Try hard to get into tactically advantageous position (Combat Advantage) Remember if you 'flank' for CA then someone else is getting that +2 bonus as well.

Remember to use your second wind. It's a free heal...just also remember that it is a standard action for you, but that all your defenses get a +2 bump as well during that round.

On healing, remember you are one of the healers with your lay on hands. Try not to let anyone get so low they are in danger of being knocked out. If someone is bloodied, help them.

Have Fun!!
#3
Larni
Mar 17, 2009 8:13:10
I have been invited too to will be attending my first D&D session on Sat, at a local event for World D&D day. Playing the 11-Level Dragonborn Paladin in the pre made adventure.

I just wanted to ask you you guys have any tips that i won't find in my PHB. I'm quite social anyway, but i will be playing with ppl i've not met before and anything to help me get into and gel with the group would be much appreciated. I will hopefully be playing with a few of them again you see, when i come to start my own char from Level 1 in a few weeks.

Also any points on what to bring with me. I figured a pencil, my dice and my PHB might be enough but please let me know.

Cheers.

My best advice for meeting new people is be friendly but not over friendly.

Be assertive but don'e be a whanker.

Be funny but but don't play the clown.

Play in character if it feels right, but don't use it as an excuse (see the whanker clause).

The rest is just mechanics.
#4
jimmydeemo
Mar 17, 2009 8:31:49 Thanks nice points of view from both ends of the spectum there. I'm more worried about playing a Paladin than anything else, using powers in the correct manner etc.

Let me ask another question, lets say you run games with your friends and one day you get an extra person that knowone knows. Ideally how you you like that newbie to be/act/play?
#5
Cpt_Micha
Mar 17, 2009 8:39:55 I would like the newbie to not be an asshat.

Or to not try and sell me on hiscampaign..... (Bad experience don't ask....)
#6
gorthmog
Mar 17, 2009 8:44:09 I've been listening to a "Fear the Boot" podcast about playing in a convention game with people you don't know:

http://www.feartheboot.com/ftb/index.php/archives/913

Best advice? Help everyone to have fun! Including the DM. He/she is there to help the players have fun, but the DM can't do it alone. Keep up the energy level at the table, do something crazy with your character. Leap on the table, push the monsters into the flaming braziers, etc.
#7
jimmydeemo
Mar 17, 2009 8:47:01
Or to not try and sell me on hiscampaign..... (Bad experience don't ask....)

Thats pretty much an invite TO ask? Do tell.....
#8
morvannon
Mar 17, 2009 8:47:44
Best advice? Help everyone to have fun! Including the DM. He/she is there to help the players have fun, but the DM can't do it alone. Keep up the energy level at the table, do something crazy with your character. Leap on the table, push the monsters into the flaming braziers, etc.

Keeping in mind, of course, to lean more towards the "unexpected" side of crazy than the "counterproductive" side. ;)
#9
jimmydeemo
Mar 17, 2009 8:57:42
Leap on the table.

For a moment there i thought you wanted ME to ACTUALLY leap on the table. I'm like, 'thats probably not the best idea?!'. Ha ha, but i get you now.

I also understand the comment about quirky without being a hinderance. :D

Thanks also for the podcast link i will have a looksy.
#10
Cpt_Micha
Mar 17, 2009 9:19:11
Thats pretty much an invite TO ask? Do tell.....

Since you asked.

It's your fault just remember that. ;)

We were gaming, and decided we needed to bring in some new players. Our group was small and the Dm (whoever got that job) needed to run two npcs in the party to keep the party balanced. (we like five man parties)

There was a guy we ran into from highschool at the friendly local comic shop. We talked with him, exchanged numbers and figured we could try him out.

Complication 1, he wouldn't come unless we let his two friends come along. We stomached it and said okay easily enough (Hell I was dming that night anyway). They were rabid dragonborn fans.. and by rabid they might as well have been going "DRAGONBORN DRAGONBORN DO YOU LIEK DRAGONBORN?!" I wanted to put someone's head through the table. One of their players actually made a decent character. But apparently he has other issues which made him a no go for the next session. Much to my sadness. So we were stuck with Dumb and Dumber. After the session, he tried selling us on his campaign which all three of us politely declined. One it was 3e and I had no interest in running or even looking at a 3e game ever again. And Two, I wasn't impressed with them as players.

So the next session comes up and they try selling us on gaming at one of their houses.... bad smells and crazy religious father living next door... yeah... no thanks. We get ready to start the game (this time someone else is dming) they try bringing their characters -from my campaign- into this game. We manage to get their tiny brained selves to move on and make new characters. Then they start talking about how "If we wanted a real challenge we should play their game". Even as we are in the process of a Tpk in the making and they both go unconscious.

They talk about a "perfect tree trap" which both myself and the dm both said about six solutions to the problem within as many seconds. It was so stupid, they demonstrated the thought process of bread mold, and were inconsiderate to the Dm and the group alike.

That was the last game we did with those morons.
#11
jimmydeemo
Mar 17, 2009 9:25:28 Ok well i'm pretty sure i'm not going to be that kinda guy. :D Nice example of how not to gel with a new team tho. Cheers for that.
#12
Cpt_Micha
Mar 17, 2009 9:46:16 I doubt you will too... takes a certain kind of "special" to be like that I think.

Just don't be an asshat and have a good time. That's the best advice I think anyone can give.

http://naegunfael.proboards61.com/index.cgi?board=general&action=display&thread=179

read this some time, if you want some other pointers.
#13
Larni
Mar 17, 2009 9:59:07 Be nice, know your stuff.

What else is there?
#14
endarian_dup
Mar 17, 2009 13:10:12 Tips for new players coming in...

Make it clear that the group has been gaming many years and are established. Folks are welcome to come in and join, but you play in a certain way - whether that way is version specfic, the amount of homebrew or whatever. Play a session and evaluate. I've never had to turn anyone around before, but it's been years (*cough* 15) since I've had to advertise to find players.

You might also consider (although this is high maintenance in itself) to meet with them prior to game night and see if you mesh from a basic personality base. You can do that by having a character creation night only and then ostensibly, if you don't like them and don't want confrontation, tell them the group was 'taking a few weeks off'...and never call them again.

Post/Author/DateTime	Post
#1 jimmydeemo Mar 17, 2009 7:12:03	I have been invited too to will be attending my first D&D session on Sat, at a local event for World D&D day. Playing the 11-Level Dragonborn Paladin in the pre made adventure. I just wanted to ask you you guys have any tips that i won't find in my PHB. I'm quite social anyway, but i will be playing with ppl i've not met before and anything to help me get into and gel with the group would be much appreciated. I will hopefully be playing with a few of them again you see, when i come to start my own char from Level 1 in a few weeks. Also any points on what to bring with me. I figured a pencil, my dice and my PHB might be enough but please let me know. Cheers.
#2 endarian_dup Mar 17, 2009 8:08:40	I have been invited too to will be attending my first D&D session on Sat, at a local event for World D&D day. Playing the 11-Level Dragonborn Paladin in the pre made adventure. I just wanted to ask you you guys have any tips that i won't find in my PHB. I'm quite social anyway, but i will be playing with ppl i've not met before and anything to help me get into and gel with the group would be much appreciated. I will hopefully be playing with a few of them again you see, when i come to start my own char from Level 1 in a few weeks. Also any points on what to bring with me. I figured a pencil, my dice and my PHB might be enough but please let me know. Cheers. Let the event and the personalities of the players dictate how much you roleplay. (I'm a roleplaying advocate btw - I'm not saying to NOT roleplay...I'm saying keep your personality for your character in the midstream. Remember your feats and racial powers. take pieces of paper or index cards to mark the pages of your powers. Remember to use your Encounter powers each encounter, but be careful using your daily too early. Remember to use an action point every other encounter and when you do, ask the other players if any of their characters give bonuses when using them. Try hard to get into tactically advantageous position (Combat Advantage) Remember if you 'flank' for CA then someone else is getting that +2 bonus as well. Remember to use your second wind. It's a free heal...just also remember that it is a standard action for you, but that all your defenses get a +2 bump as well during that round. On healing, remember you are one of the healers with your lay on hands. Try not to let anyone get so low they are in danger of being knocked out. If someone is bloodied, help them. Have Fun!!
#3 Larni Mar 17, 2009 8:13:10	I have been invited too to will be attending my first D&D session on Sat, at a local event for World D&D day. Playing the 11-Level Dragonborn Paladin in the pre made adventure. I just wanted to ask you you guys have any tips that i won't find in my PHB. I'm quite social anyway, but i will be playing with ppl i've not met before and anything to help me get into and gel with the group would be much appreciated. I will hopefully be playing with a few of them again you see, when i come to start my own char from Level 1 in a few weeks. Also any points on what to bring with me. I figured a pencil, my dice and my PHB might be enough but please let me know. Cheers. My best advice for meeting new people is be friendly but not over friendly. Be assertive but don'e be a whanker. Be funny but but don't play the clown. Play in character if it feels right, but don't use it as an excuse (see the whanker clause). The rest is just mechanics.
#4 jimmydeemo Mar 17, 2009 8:31:49	Thanks nice points of view from both ends of the spectum there. I'm more worried about playing a Paladin than anything else, using powers in the correct manner etc. Let me ask another question, lets say you run games with your friends and one day you get an extra person that knowone knows. Ideally how you you like that newbie to be/act/play?
#5 Cpt_Micha Mar 17, 2009 8:39:55	I would like the newbie to not be an asshat. Or to not try and sell me on hiscampaign..... (Bad experience don't ask....)
#6 gorthmog Mar 17, 2009 8:44:09	I've been listening to a "Fear the Boot" podcast about playing in a convention game with people you don't know: http://www.feartheboot.com/ftb/index.php/archives/913 Best advice? Help everyone to have fun! Including the DM. He/she is there to help the players have fun, but the DM can't do it alone. Keep up the energy level at the table, do something crazy with your character. Leap on the table, push the monsters into the flaming braziers, etc.
#7 jimmydeemo Mar 17, 2009 8:47:01	Or to not try and sell me on hiscampaign..... (Bad experience don't ask....) Thats pretty much an invite TO ask? Do tell.....
#8 morvannon Mar 17, 2009 8:47:44	Best advice? Help everyone to have fun! Including the DM. He/she is there to help the players have fun, but the DM can't do it alone. Keep up the energy level at the table, do something crazy with your character. Leap on the table, push the monsters into the flaming braziers, etc. Keeping in mind, of course, to lean more towards the "unexpected" side of crazy than the "counterproductive" side. ;)
#9 jimmydeemo Mar 17, 2009 8:57:42	Leap on the table. For a moment there i thought you wanted ME to ACTUALLY leap on the table. I'm like, 'thats probably not the best idea?!'. Ha ha, but i get you now. I also understand the comment about quirky without being a hinderance. :D Thanks also for the podcast link i will have a looksy.
#10 Cpt_Micha Mar 17, 2009 9:19:11	Thats pretty much an invite TO ask? Do tell..... Since you asked. It's your fault just remember that. ;) We were gaming, and decided we needed to bring in some new players. Our group was small and the Dm (whoever got that job) needed to run two npcs in the party to keep the party balanced. (we like five man parties) There was a guy we ran into from highschool at the friendly local comic shop. We talked with him, exchanged numbers and figured we could try him out. Complication 1, he wouldn't come unless we let his two friends come along. We stomached it and said okay easily enough (Hell I was dming that night anyway). They were rabid dragonborn fans.. and by rabid they might as well have been going "DRAGONBORN DRAGONBORN DO YOU LIEK DRAGONBORN?!" I wanted to put someone's head through the table. One of their players actually made a decent character. But apparently he has other issues which made him a no go for the next session. Much to my sadness. So we were stuck with Dumb and Dumber. After the session, he tried selling us on his campaign which all three of us politely declined. One it was 3e and I had no interest in running or even looking at a 3e game ever again. And Two, I wasn't impressed with them as players. So the next session comes up and they try selling us on gaming at one of their houses.... bad smells and crazy religious father living next door... yeah... no thanks. We get ready to start the game (this time someone else is dming) they try bringing their characters -from my campaign- into this game. We manage to get their tiny brained selves to move on and make new characters. Then they start talking about how "If we wanted a real challenge we should play their game". Even as we are in the process of a Tpk in the making and they both go unconscious. They talk about a "perfect tree trap" which both myself and the dm both said about six solutions to the problem within as many seconds. It was so stupid, they demonstrated the thought process of bread mold, and were inconsiderate to the Dm and the group alike. That was the last game we did with those morons.
#11 jimmydeemo Mar 17, 2009 9:25:28	Ok well i'm pretty sure i'm not going to be that kinda guy. :D Nice example of how not to gel with a new team tho. Cheers for that.
#12 Cpt_Micha Mar 17, 2009 9:46:16	I doubt you will too... takes a certain kind of "special" to be like that I think. Just don't be an asshat and have a good time. That's the best advice I think anyone can give. http://naegunfael.proboards61.com/index.cgi?board=general&action=display&thread=179 read this some time, if you want some other pointers.
#13 Larni Mar 17, 2009 9:59:07	Be nice, know your stuff. What else is there?
#14 endarian_dup Mar 17, 2009 13:10:12	Tips for new players coming in... Make it clear that the group has been gaming many years and are established. Folks are welcome to come in and join, but you play in a certain way - whether that way is version specfic, the amount of homebrew or whatever. Play a session and evaluate. I've never had to turn anyone around before, but it's been years (cough 15) since I've had to advertise to find players. You might also consider (although this is high maintenance in itself) to meet with them prior to game night and see if you mesh from a basic personality base. You can do that by having a character creation night only and then ostensibly, if you don't like them and don't want confrontation, tell them the group was 'taking a few weeks off'...and never call them again.