D&D with High School Students S01E01 - DnD, Dungeons & Dragons, newbies

BACKGROUND INFO: I'm a media teacher and a lifelong gamer (I've been playing D&D since 1978, when I was just 5 years old). For their final class project, my students decided to make a mini-series about a group of high schools students playing D&D. #DreamComeTrue
The 4 students have never played D&D before, so in this first episode I outline the game and help them create characters. The circumstances for season 1 were VERY last minute - this was literally an impromptu "final project" for these advanced media students. I chose to set the adventure in my original world, on a continent and region where specifically there are only humans. I provided them with limited options because of the SETTING; not because I'm a control freak. The limited time we had to do all of this (literally the week before final exams and the end of the semester) prevented us from leisurely exploring all of the PHB options.
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Production sponsored in part by Blackmagic Design.
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TWITTER: @TheBillAllan
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=====================
D&D with High School Students
© 2017 All Rights Reserved

[@BillAllanWorld]

===[======- BACKGROUND INFO -======]=== The 4 students have never played D&D before, so in this first episode I outline the game and help them create characters. The circumstances for season 1 were VERY last minute - this was literally an impromptu "final project" for these advanced media students. I chose to set the adventure in my original world, on a continent and region where specifically there are only humans. I provided them with limited options because of the SETTING; not because I'm a control freak. The limited time we had to do all of this (literally the week before final exams and the end of the semester) prevented us from leisurely exploring all of the PHB options.

[@georgecummings4991]

Bill Allan they got to play d&d for homework

[@jaemora7898]

I wonder how they would do against my blue dragon sorcerer tiefling

[@iwosnova7869]

Hey that is a cool project I would love to play D&D someday but none of my friends wants to play a pen&paper :'/

[@JimBob-qj2ye]

Bill Allan Love this

[@emeguta8651]

I don't think you're a control freak. As a newbie, I appreciate the limited options. It helps me be slightly creative without worrying about all the strategies and classes.

[@davidwilson6577]

I'm watching this with the preconception that this man has abducted these kids and is forcing them to take up D&D. Doing God's work, my man.

[@thebirchwoodtree]

May Bracy ( ͡° ͜ʖ ͡°)

[@PleasentDddd]

May Bracy “Manditory Fun”

[@johnjustjohn5866]

@@PleasentDddd you will have fun, you have no choice - some random guy on the internet that isn't me

[@metallkopf988]

Well, Heather sure isn't looking very convinced...

[@Krackalacking69]

May Bracy you walked straight into that tbh

[@tarandiamond]

These kids got to play D&D for their final project? (+100 Persuasion)

[@Draeckon]

It looks like those four did, while the rest were part of the production crew - which can be a different kind of fun, watching the ensuing hijinks.

[@lostfoxproductions4568]

I wanna play now but I'm too poor

[@AcornFox]

@@lostfoxproductions4568 sometimes local game shops will run tables that you can join. Go to some comic or card shops and ask.

[@johnjustjohn5866]

@@tallerlamp385 which discord server?

[@tallerlamp385]

@@johnjustjohn5866 discord.gg/hubE77

[@pythox2948]

It’s all about punching Strength is how hard you can punch Dexterity is how fast you can punch Constitution is how many times you can be punched Intelligence is knowing where to punch Wisdom is knowing when not to punch Charisma is convincing the other guy to punch themselves

[@BillAllanWorld]

That's a superb analogy. Thank you for sharing with us.

[@FinleyFawkes]

Wisdom is more like knowing when not to punch

[@Wetdabed]

It also works when you replace ‘punch’ with ‘snap a neck’

[@SigmaWebDesign]

nahh... charisma is just convincing the other guy not to punch you

[@cedricantunes4600]

Eh, wouldn't wisdom and intelligence be switched? since wisdom is more about experience and intelligence about knowledge? nvm me i don't wanna start anything here

[@araccoonstolemyradiator]

I had a guy with 19 Constitution in one of the games I was in and one time he got grappled from behind and instead of breaking out of the grapple he pulled his sword and stabs himself in the stomach while yelling "SEPPUKU" and rolls it as a crit 20 and kills the guy behind him and survives with 1 health, he fell down but the Wizard healed him and said "that was dumb but badass". Edit: The wizard had potions. we were all new to dnd so we weren't caring as much about the mechanics. I don't remember exactly if he had 1 health left, but it was very low, and the dm flavored the situation of the grappling enemy hitting the high con guy and then getting nat 20'd as the high con guy just stabbing them both, and everyone loved it.

[@quiltyplayz7786]

Comical Core ... AWESOME I wish something happens like that in my campaign

[@primeemperor9196]

How did the wizard heal him with no healing spells?

[@gwynlefleur]

@@primeemperor9196 you really did just call this homie out without him knowing

[@antoniocarniero5138]

@@primeemperor9196 Aren't there healing spells in Xanathar's Guide to Everything, I don't have it so I don't know but even if not Wish for instance could reverse the event depending on the DM? Not critizing I am legit curious.

[@joshuaford6700]

@@primeemperor9196 magic items. Healing potions. Multiclassing. There are many ways to heal without healing spells.

[@yagm1197]

“A cleric’s primary purpose is to heal” *laughs in tank cleric*

[@thegardenerofbones7598]

*Laugh's in light domain*

[@MegaVoltis]

@@thegardenerofbones7598 forge domain*

[@MegaVoltis]

@5567 5555 Nah. He aint tanky as others.

[@saberwolfzero9531]

@@thegardenerofbones7598 *laughs in critical bardic inspiration Inflict wounds*

[@jackhaehl2033]

*laughs in guided bolt*

[@JamminPanda]

Imagine doing this as a final for a class

[@dexi301]

Jesus Christ that would be amazing

[@bunnyuwu5891]

Not that amazing if it's a ToA campaign, lmao

[@paulkline1574]

"If you die, you fail. Keep that in mind"

[@nejc1821]

Jesus Christ Jesus has literally said it. Go on school system.

[@coldhotpocket8226]

You pass by killing the Red dragon named "Student loans"

[@scp049hasbreachedcontianme9]

Strength is being able to crush a tomato. Dexterity is being able to dodge a thrown tomato. Constitution is being able to eat a rotten tomato. Intelligence is knowing a tomato is a fruit. Wisdom is knowing to not put a tomato in a fruit salad. Charisma is being able to sell a fruit salad compromised with almost exclusively tomatoes. ("But isn't a tomato fruit salad just salsa?" ^^ The bard.)

[@mortisvult2658]

I finally get this reference

[@linuxgirl_]

I'm pretty sure strength is more than being able to crush a tomato.

[@cynthiakern9442]

#Ilikeyourshoelaces

[@freedomlover9560]

Comeliness is being able to get the vendor to give you the tomatoes for free.

[@nothere_5176]

@@cynthiakern9442 #thanksIstolethemfromthepresident

[@korbinmdavis]

Student: Hears 'Dragonborn' Student's Mind: *_DOVAKIIN DOVAKIIN_*

[@hadeskingoftheunderworld7010]

Nazim: you get to the cloud district offten

[@hadeskingoftheunderworld7010]

@@edgarperez8294 dont need quick save i kill every guard and run

[@hadeskingoftheunderworld7010]

@@edgarperez8294 well its not very quite as im always a tank type character sooooooo

[@darkcrypter3305]

ive actually played a dragonborn as the last dragonborn from skyrim, the shouts made for some good moments

[@youknowihadtodoittoem3579]

Fus Do RAH!!

[@LightningGlass]

"There's some receipts from... something that I bought." Probably the best saving throw of the session.

[@jimbobimbo274]

Oml

[@floofzykitty5072]

Bad Dragon? XD

[@hotdogseven9589]

@@floofzykitty5072 oh dear

[@zoecomyns8942]

You know truly

[@-Believeinyourself-]

Hookers don’t give receipts

[@tassos369]

“Rouges are the like the jack of all trades” then tell me why bards have that as a class feature

[@erniecorella7676]

It's because they are 3 classes in 1 in other words D bard is a 6 level fighter and all so a 9 level rogue & a 14 level druid but he is a bard and that's why D bard is a cool character.but if he's a demie human like elf or half elfin that person becomes very interesting and powerful.

[@procrastinatingme953]

@@erniecorella7676 I was new to rpg classes and I try to understand the bard class, and I was like: "They're kind off OP, now that I've think about it..."

[@cedricantunes4600]

lol at replies :'D but rogues are truely a jack of all trades (but so are bards), since you can have so many expertises... man i love expertises, especially in athletics/grappling.

[@namethefifth7315]

The jack of all trades is ranger he is ok at evrything but exels at none

[@shatteredknight1129]

Halflings - "like hobbits" ???? They are hobbits. D&D was legally required to change their name to halflings.

[@joshshin6819]

yeah but the average person doesn't give a shit DnD was made because of Lord of the Rings.

[@HBStone]

"Like hobbits but without the cease and desist order."

[@johngalt5166]

@@HBStone hhehehe

[@sandman6088]

@@joshshin6819 D&D was not created because of Lord of the Rings. Gary Gygax, the original creator, was not a much of a fan of the LotR series and stated the game was inspired by lower, less-epic fantasy series like Conan.

[@alyssa5101]

Someone: "Imagine doing this as a final for a class" Me, a highschooler who loves DnD: Imagine doing this in a class

[@BillAllanWorld]

We just started a D&D Club here at the high school. So now there are even more opportunities for people to play!

[@thalia.tenebris]

My school has a dnd club. It sucks bc all the kids insist on playing incorrectly/breaking basic rules or get pissed when they are told not to play an anime school girl in a classic dnd world. If you wanna play anime, try Big Eyes Small Mouth or OVA. Other kids insist on playing some sort of non-evaluated homebrew option they found online that won't fit the setting. Sorry, but the gm creates the world, and sometimes it just wouldnt make sense for a futuristic space robot to be in a classic fantasy world.

[@C_isfor]

There's no such thing as "clubs" in my country it sounds so cooool.

[@ceviroho8682]

literature class

[@MarcosPaulo-ko1nb]

@@C_isfor yeah, i live in Brazil and we dont get to have clubs either. Still, i managed to gather people from my high school, even some people who have finished hs to play DnD with me as the DM. One of the most cool experiences ive ever had

[@ejf0255]

Wish more kids would take up this awesome hobby. Problem solving, creative thinking and so many other benefits. Wonderful way to change up a static eduction....

[@brooksrobinson7617]

I just played my first game a week ago and now i'm totally hooked

[@ejf0255]

Brooks Robinson It sucks you in. So worth it. Fun hours. Miss playing myself. Need to find a club. LoL

[@davetrachtenberg6855]

I'm a life long educator and teacher and TOTALLY AGREE!!! The life skills, particularly social / emotional / creative, communication, teamwork, community building, problem solving, conflict resolution, etc...it's an incredible learning experience. It empowers people.

[@NRaah]

Look at you people, with your positive gains from dnd. What I got were the ability to lie better, a poker face, the ability to deal with copious amounts of rage, and show lots of autism while murderhoboing just to spite people. I wouldn't trade the experience for another. 10/10

[@aichliss]

Pfft, what are you talking about? It’s the devil’s game and convinces kids to engage in cannibalism and necrophilia. Ronald Reagan told me so on an old PSA, so you know it’s true.

[@DmgOvrTym]

Poor Brian with his shit rolls. We've all been through it.

[@jacebralor]

DmgOvrTym one of my favorite characters i ever played was a half-orc named Lenny, who had a 3 intelligence. We had a very disgruntled rogue because Lenny liked to just smash down the locked doors rather than wait for her to pick the lock. Eventually Lenny hit a door that hit back (turned out to be a mimic) rip, Lenny.

[@Orinap]

@@jacebralor poor lenny... XD

[@timfrank7461]

That's ME! 👋 I'm the will Weaton of my last group I would touch people's dice and they'd roll a nat 1 no joke

[@Eki_________]

Yeah and Cooper just adds salt to the wounds

[@kdolo1887]

Q: You can play a black human and you can play a half orc. Can you play a black half orc? A: Only in Shadowrun.

[@BillAllanWorld]

LoL!!! I just shot coffee out my nose!!!

[@johnjustjohn5866]

@@BillAllanWorld wait, Lol means laughing out loud, LoL means League of Legends. Oh My God

[@gurin3702]

@@johnjustjohn5866 since you said Lol won't that mean Leagues out loud?

[@johnjustjohn5866]

@@gurin3702 true

[@gurin3702]

@@johnjustjohn5866 I can't believe someone's still watching this after a year

[@Archivistmaven]

''Here's some receipts from, from something that i bought'' Literally all my bookmarks in my dungeon book..

[@todorjokic2433]

Drinking game: each time he says right Edit: wow... after over 2 years i start getting notifications for this comment? Damn, didnt know it got that many likes

[@globalgamer119]

You would be dead in 10 minutes.

[@destructordoge8386]

No Thanks im not into suicide

[@sourwitch2340]

But remember: not if you are a student!

[@johnjustjohn5866]

I didn't need my liver, or my life

[@KeitaroTsurugi]

Beat me to it for like a year.

[@noangles1564]

Always wanted to play DND but I don't have much friends with the same interest

[@elle3919]

Thomas Gedak roll20.net is a site where you can play online. It's not as good as playing IRL but probably better than nothing :)

[@Mayawillemse8974]

Is there a local tabletop club near you? Any game shops where you could ask around? Try those and you might make some new friends!

[@ackminecrer9165]

There are events at hobby stores called D&D adventurer’s league. You can get together with others and play through a pre-made story. dnd.wizards.com/playevents/organized-play

[@a3van609]

I feel ya.

[@seabass819]

Try going to an adventure league

[@evaahh9584]

“Yuri” Ah I see, a fellow man of culture

[@mikebevibevi]

Heather: 11,15,11,12,14,10 = 73 Cooper: 15, 16, 15, 9, 16, 18 = 89 Brian: 9, 14, 13, 12, 10, 14 = 72 Rory: 15, 14, 11, 11, 16, 13 = 80

[@kingzeeb319]

Would've been sick if a beginner got a total 108.

[@joshshin6819]

eh shit happens.

[@MrBaldable]

Better math in relation to those stats With point buy, going from 13 to 14 costs 2 points, 14-15 costs another 2 points (point buy only goes up to 15, so let's just stay with the 2) Heather: 11,15,11,12,14,10 = 76 (adjusted) Cooper: 15, 16, 15, 9, 16, 18 = 104 (adjusted) Brian: 9, 14, 13, 12, 10, 14 = 74 (adjusted) Rory: 15, 14, 11, 11, 16, 13 = 86 (adjusted)

[@majinspy]

Yeah It was clear there was a major discrepancy..."10 is average so you're all above average". Yeah.....No. I would probably not introduce noobs to D&D with roll for stats. After racials, Cooper is going to have 18, 16, 16, 16, 16, 9. That's the nuts.

[@SignalRaptor_]

This is why the standard array exists. Roll 4 drop the lowest reroll 1s is some WH40K stuff, you get op as fuck characters. Standard array is balanced. 8 10 12 13 14 15.

[@BryantVonMiller]

Ohhh hohohoh! I love the idea of this! Watching this, gets my body jittery with joy. I remember being Eight years old and my brother is talking to his group of friends on making characters. Being the baby brother, my brother being nine years older then I. I go over, and ask them what they are doing. And my brother being the smug older brother, brings me onto the table, and tells me.. "The best thing in your life" And they talk about Elves, Dwarves and Humans. Making things simple for me. And I actually made a character with their help, I was Philipe, Master Chef and Ranger. Then the game starts, I'm already with my brothers character, we meet the other characters at this giant tourney, but before the tourney could start, the castle is attacked by a giant dragon. The dragon kidnaps the prince and princess, and the King puts a huge bounty on the dragons head, and the return of his kids.. The story goes on for awhile, and when we get our first fight, against a bunch of bandits, then goblins come and ambush us. I was by myself in the back, fighting goblins. I told my brother "I want to.. Cut the guy next to me, then throw it's spear at the other guy" And he was greatly intrugiued. I make the rolls, and kill the goblins. Seven more show up, and the other guys are fighting the bandits and the bandit chief. I'm fighting off the goblins, and I think the DM was trying to kill me.. But I killed all the goblins, and after the fight is over. I ask.. "Hey, can I cook the goblins?" And I never seen anyone look at me with.. *What? R-Really? Sure.. Go ahead* And I decided to make steaks from the goblins, then use their heads as cups for the group. The game is over for the night, and my brother gives me a huge hug, and let me into his room to see all his cool stuff! Even his giant lego set. (In which I touched, and played with. Being the child I was, and almost, almost broke it... It was not my fault. It's my brothers fault) The next week comes up, and I'm playing Runescape on the PC in my sisters room. My family is doing.. Whatever they did. My brother comes and picks me up, and tells me it's time for Philipe to come about. I was so shocked.. I was actually wanted!! I felt so happy. The game starts back up.. And we had a-lot of food. We eventually are walking in this giant forest.. And a giant werebear/owlbear thing showed up. I apparently thought it was a great idea to feed it goblin steaks. I passed the charisma check (I think it was anyways, I just remember rolling dice, and the DM just sighs and face palms. "Dude, your brother rolls like God. Seriously!" And then on, I had a owl bear, with our new friend, a werebear companion/druid. We go to the dragons cave, and find it's empty. Except.. A bunch of cultists, after the fight is over. I ask to chop their bodies up and make steaks. Again.. They gave me a huge *What the heck? Is he a cannibal or messed up?* Needless to say.. They didn't like the idea of human steaks.. So I took their hands and feet. I do not remember much after that.. But I remember that, and boy, my brother still does. It's hilarious when I told him I was making my own DND world, and he was so excited that he gave me his DND character book/Monster book/and DM guide for 3rd edition. He still talks to friends on how me, his little 8 year old brother, was playing DND better then most other teens/adults he played with. He also gives me grief for being a cannibal in that game.

[@shellydunn9030]

Bryant Van Miller Nice essay

[@WordsWithHats]

Fun story, thanks for sharing

[@TheBreadKing800]

Amazing that's hilarious

[@BryantVonMiller]

Shadow Eevee246 I'm glad you enjoyed the story! I have a few more stories if ya wanna hear them

[@TheBreadKing800]

Bryant Van Miller yes please you should make videos about you telling these stories I know tons of people who whould enjoy them

[@jedidr4918]

“First thing we start off with is race” *Asian kid looks down* EDIT: I even play D&D or even though of playing it up basically learned how to play it in this video 🤔 this works...

[@alejandrolaguna203]

Best assignment ever, wish i had a teacher like this

[@meiraika]

If there was a class to teach newbies how to play, etc. SIGN ME THE HELL UP

[@thatwaffleguy4958]

@@meiraika Shouldn't theater kids play this so they can improve their improv and acting skills? All I know is, if I become a theater teacher, we're playing D&D for the first couple classes. Not only would it be fun, it would show people what others are like.

[@behindyou9178]

ThatWAFFLEGuy 49 when i'm not at theater rehearsal, i try to join some of my friend's sessions. can confirm, it's good practice!

[@aether_817]

he's a teacher at my high school, not kidding

[@pommedeterre3439]

My highschool teacher was a DM and kids that earned good marks and character could join sessions

[@evie402]

My highschool has a dnd club! It's actually very interesting. They combined it with the Rock music club because the people in that club were interested in dnd(or already played) so now it's a small club blasting rock music and playing dnd.

[@BillAllanWorld]

That is supremely awesome! Hope you subscribe and check out the rest of the seasons. We have a lot more content!

[@fershnibbity330]

This would have literally been my dream club in high school

[@namethefifth7315]

We had a dnd club in my middle school but ourlast session got canceled and we didn't get another chance to play still miss that group

[@MastaGambit]

Hahaha some things just don't change.... xD

[@bongodave13]

Makes me think of Eddie in Stranger Things. He loved his rock and roll, and he loved D&D. Just like I did, or I should say, DO!

[@DowntimeDad]

Ok. Where was this class when I was in high school?!? Fun stuff! I'm excited to see their adventure and how much they enjoy the game! :)

[@DowntimeDad]

Thank you! :)

[@GixtheDragon]

If you were in school during the 80's, there was D&D scare that was mainly motivated by Christian groups.

[@xspicehtero8195]

At my school we have club that plays DnD, best after-school activity I've ever taken part in.

[@grognorg]

Yea i am still in high school and i want to play D&D but i have no to play with and none of my friends will

[@blix17]

I need this in my school and lol I am 15 and am a DM and have played these sort of games since I was 8 lol good times

[@whoseverpanic3160]

In the words of Jo Cat (A Crap Guide to Dnd): "Just play a fighter with a bow, it's better"

[@hans_____]

"The bell is about to ring" This was during school?!

[@BillAllanWorld]

Yep! Read the description and/or pinned comment. It explains everything.

[@hans_____]

@@BillAllanWorld Best job in the world and best class in the world

[@cahayarosenberry]

I like the idea of guiding the kids into choosing what skills they should be proficient at. I've played with first-time players before, and honestly, it took 2 hours for them to create their characters. (Mostly because I had to explain each and every race, their proficiencies, their class bonuses, etc.) This way actually saves more time, and doesn't overwhelm them with too much information. Can't wait to binge watch all of this.

[@RW77777777]

my junior high school substitute teacher played Warhammer rpg with me and a bunch of other students for a month 30 years back they don't let teachers do that anymore still remember it all the best

[@ellie_wgnr5571]

A group from my school is playing dnd with our genetics teacher! Playing with teachers is always so fun

[@johnjustjohn5866]

@@ellie_wgnr5571 does the teacher give bonuses for hitting specific DNA as a monk?

[@ellie_wgnr5571]

@@johnjustjohn5866 we have no monks but I'll ask next campaign!

[@newplanet5559]

He keeps asking "Right?". Sometimes you have to go left...

[@Deathven1482]

Deer Head Gaming but what about forward?

[@Qwertyish]

Or backwards

[@kizonyoutube]

or a 4th dimension direction

[@destructordoge8386]

Or weast

[@JakeTreola]

Or Sorthward

[@francescoci6109]

The boy in the blue shirt is nodding like someone in his element... "Yeah, go on... I know.. ok, let's play"

[@juarezboxing790]

These poor kid don't know what they have gotten into

[@prophetdrogonaria4678]

Juarez Boxing yeah, a 20 year campaign with one of their teachers

[@johnjustjohn5866]

@@prophetdrogonaria4678 they'll never go to college

[@jacob13299]

Demons, beholders, deck of many things, ...

[@mizcaesar1804]

@@prophetdrogonaria4678 I would like but it's at 69

[@MrBlorp-sf9ye]

@@mizcaesar1804 not anymore, it isn't

[@puckett2k2009]

Cooper's dice rolling technique is unique. He doesn't roll but holds the dice over the table and removes his hands from the dice. He's an innovator. Make 'em sweat for those XPs, Bill! Good bunch of kids for sure. It would be really cool to hear their thoughts on character creation and again after their first adventure.

[@sethduffey9538]

Dungeons & Coffee he has skills. However, the suspense dice drop , been around for awhile. More power to him

[@ejf0255]

Dungeons & Coffee Tabletop RPG Show I am more a dice tower guy now. LoL

[@nelcorazs]

Dungeons & Coffee Tabletop RPG Show I'd hardly call the dice rolling unique. Plenty of people do it, not that I agree with it because it doesn't randomize it as much as a roll would.

[@Dracopol]

Rolling dice is passé. On the teleconference RPG site Roll20.net (3 million users), you type "/r 4d6" and you add up 4 six-sided dice. Their randomizer uses random current fluctuations in a wire somewhere to give quantum variations that make it truly random rolls.

[@furiosa8747]

He's got that Sam reigel dice roll

[@Soulessdeeds]

Well this campaign should of been called "Operation stand behind the arrow sponge Cooper"! Those rolls lol.

[@ninacarter6543]

This is actually really helpful for someone who wants to start playing dnd bc the way he explains the classes and what not are actually incredibly helpful. Also the kids asked pretty much the same questions I had so that was nice too

[@BillAllanWorld]

Hope you'll check out the rest of the seasons. A lot of good info and tips.

[@johnnysomething8267]

im 15 and in high school ive been playing as both a dm and a player (started as dm) for going on a year now and this makes me look back to those first days at how unprepared we were and to see them go through making a character really puts a smile on my face...great vid keep it up

[@johnnygilbert8163]

johnny something do your players ever kill eachother over loot.

[@johnnysomething8267]

Johnny Gilbert i think thats a problem that most dms have to through but ive never had it be a problem at the table if it is for you just have a talk with the players see what they want from the game and see what you can offer

[@loyalkingshound7369]

I've played since I was about 8, and I m 16 now, I'm about to start DMing once I can get my group together in one place

[@grognorg]

Yea i am still in high school and i want to play D&D but i have no to play with and none of my friends will. How did you start?

[@gregsanders61]

grognorg You could ways try using roll20. It is an online resource that has a bunch of built in features to ensure the game runs smoothly. You can join any open groups as long as your schedules align. Also, if you live in a larger city, a local hobby shop may run what is called an Adventure League game. You join a local game and play with fellow D&D players new and seasoned alike. Whichever you choose to do, I hope you enjoy your D&D adventures!

[@rasaecnai]

Actually, this can be a great literature project. After you play, you ask the student to write the story their character went through, like a journal. Oh man, I wish I was a lit teacher again.

[@Elysia07]

I love the idea of using the craft box to seperate the different sets of dice.

[@nicolecourtney8688]

I also noticed and loved that idea we have about 25 sets and they are in their respective boxes which takes up a lot of space lol 😆

[@axelwulf6220]

The main problem among Bards that people miss, is they're not exactly restricted to music They're artists, sculptures, painters, architects, anything that requires a level of talent to do

[@makyounerez]

This is freaking awesome man. I hope more students join your "class"

[@skookyskellingtons]

I like how you didn't outright taught them to powermeme. At least until that sorc takes 2 levels into pally and starts pulling radiant damage like a beast.

[@fadlanal-amsi9839]

What's a powermeme??

[@garbagebox5943]

Watching this gives me an idea to start a club at my school where we play D&D and have a year-long campaign and I hope it would work out.

[@BillAllanWorld]

Absolutely! Do it!

[@dragontruth3701]

I'm in grade eleven and going to dm a session soon... help me...

[@BillAllanWorld]

Tips: 1.) Read through the Players Handbook. Try to have a decent grip over proficiency checks, combat, magic, etc. 2.) Plan out an adventure in outline form. Don't worry about the details - just the basic story points. Main characters, villains, locations, challenges (combat/monsters but maybe also some riddles, puzzles, traps, or other challenges). 3.) Imagine what things look like, sound like, feel like, and smell like. Try to jot down some notes about the locations so you can describe them vividly using sensory descriptions. 4.) Have fun!

[@dragontruth3701]

Bill Allan thank you so much

[@flowingtripod2770]

Where are you dm,ing

[@dragontruth3701]

in my home

[@johnnygilbert8163]

Just have fun.. read books, and makes up the rest as you play.

[@monstersegg8092]

“Bryon sorcerer?” Immediately starts solving math problems

[@Bondanalloy]

his last name is BEARMAN!? that's awesome

[@willfrederick6885]

If this guy isnt OP i quit XD

[@dyslexiccharactersheets3590]

I see their eyes glazing over a bit. It'll get better when they actually start playing, but starting them out with all the numbers isn't particularly exciting. That's why it's often good to give people ready-made characters for their first game. Skip this stage entirely and get right into the fun bit. Then when they understand some of it, they can come back and make a character with some understanding of what it means.

[@Dyrnwyn]

Exactly. Too much front-loading of information spoils it for me. Just explain the game flow of, "The GM narrates the scene, then you tell the GM what your character is going to do, and the GM narrates how the game world responds to that." When the dice need to be rolled, the GM can pause and say, "Ok, that's an attack roll. Yada yada.." Heck, I would even do away with initiative until the players have a grasp of the verbal flow of the game.

[@Azimii]

i definitely get that, but because this is a final and they’re being recorded i don’t mind the (relatively) succinct explanation for both them and for newcomers to dnd watching the video. he definitely explained the rules well enough for both

[@Azimii]

also at 11:00 they reveal that they’d already played before

[@samholmes3442]

i'm only 12 but think D&D is a great game, I play every Sunday with my friends

[@BillAllanWorld]

That is awesome!! Keep on playing! Make sure you subscribe to the channel and watch season 2 - it's a lot more expansive!

[@samholmes3442]

Thanks, will do

[@barny8159]

I'm 13 and have been Dming for more than a year, I just finished building my own world. Dnd 5e is great, 1e is good as well.

[@oldman87yearsago.34]

I want to, but can't find other people to.

[@kimmiecravesyou7144]

Same

[@danmonster2002]

Is this some new form of detention. Can't wait to the next video and watching this kids learn the game.

[@nvthvxn9627]

As a 15 year old myself, I would actively try to get detention (if this was detention, of course.) These guys are awesome!

[@audiblerangerdms6616]

Drinking challenge: every time he says "right" take a shot.

[@hadeskingoftheunderworld7010]

@@gidijonen7966 was ligitmently gonna comment that

[@TheDemarie09]

I hope they all are playing now!! If it ended up not being anyone’s thing of course that’s cool, but it’d be really cool to see them playing after two years!

[@BillAllanWorld]

Stay tuned! We may be having a reunion over Christmas break!

[@ravenartistofficial]

This was almost like a tutorial video, I’ve never played this game or created a character for it before. So watching you teach them how to, while following along with the steps, I’ve managed to make a decent character :D

[@BillAllanWorld]

That makes me very happy. Watch the season 2 character making sessions as well - we go into more depth.

[@grothus00]

I haven't yet played a game with an experienced dm, I've been the dm for most of my time playing. I wish there were more people who played near me.

[@julkohon]

Gavin Faciane #relatable

[@RhodesWC]

find a comic book store, hobby shop or book store. Nerds gather there. Plus online resources such as the DnD guild for 5e.

[@ackminecrer9165]

Gavin Faciane you could go to your local hobby store and take part in d&d adventurers league. It’s an official D&D get together where you can play pre-made stories with a group of other people. You can find out about it on their site page. dnd.wizards.com/playevents/organized-play

[@pnutbutr7065]

same

[@hadeskingoftheunderworld7010]

There is this great thing called role 20 for dnd and other tabletop RPGs online

[@rockyfalldownstairs]

I was introduced to D&D via the D&D club at my high school. I still play to this day.

[@yellowbeans01]

I REALLY want to get into d&d and a GM like this would be so awesome for noobs

[@BillAllanWorld]

I'm trying to branch out and appear at more conventions. Who knows - maybe someday you'll be able to play at my table!

[@FirnenOftheages]

Atleast someone didnt say they knew how to make a character then proceeded to go online for a tutorial and then use a homebrew race. I had to spend 12 hours fixing his character.

[@screwtapee]

TWELVE?

[@TheCraftingMuse]

Enjoyed the process of how you get things setup. Thanks for sharing.

[@Rexxae]

Gotta agree, it's usually a bit jarring to be thrown into a recorded game without the usual time of setup.

[@cromandhisdevils3200]

I love this. This should be done in every school. I did the same for a while with kids from three different school systems and age 11 to 15. I had two groups of kids and ran the same campaign with both of them. There were 15 kids in total and we played right after school in the school library. It was a complete success, not only for me, the kids loved it. The only thing that stopped us was Covid. I wasn't allowed to host it anymore, with Covid restrictions it wasn't possible to have kids from three different school system and classes coming together and sit in the same room. It was a sad end to something great. Some of the kids had their own set of dice, they were never late to this and and there was only one session where one kid didn't show up. Good times.

[@BillAllanWorld]

Thank you, truly. We have had a D&D Club now since just before covid hit, and the kids kept it going through playing online using Discord. Now that we're back in school, we meet every week. Masks have to be worn and people have to sit a little further apart, but it's great being back. I have over 60 kids every week playing D&D, grades 9-12.

[@ej7925]

The teens here look terrifying. I'm legitimately shanking rn.

[@BUSHOnYouTube]

A friend of mine once said "Strength is how many rotten tomatoes you can hold, dexterity is how fast you can eat rotten tomatoes, constitution is how long you can eat rotten tomatoes, intelligence is knowing the most efficient way to eat rotten tomatoes, wisdom is knowing not to eat rotten tomatoes, and charisma is how many rotten tomatoes you can convince someone to eat."

[@butters45]

This deserves more view and likes. Hit that like button guys this guy is doin it right.

[@TheLuftpolsterfolie]

Have to introduce a group to the game soon, I guess I'll take your aproach. I realy enjoied this 34 minutes and thank the gods that this popped up under a random video. Gave great day.

[@jdubbs69]

Poor Brian, that’s some rough luck on his part. A 15 in your main stat is harsh. Meanwhile Cooper’s sitting on straight gold.

[@drewmurphy672]

It's ok, Coop's playing a Ranger, yeah?

[@screwtapee]

@@drewmurphy672 Lol yeah

[@thatonebandit9333]

I like how the left handed and right are on their sides so that they don't collide hands when they are writing. Neat little touch!

[@astonishingandyman]

Kind of mean to go through all those races explaining how cool they are to say oh btw you only get to play humans. I get its his "world" but for a bunch of first time players they should have at least got the choice imo.

[@BillAllanWorld]

Stay tuned, Andy. You might be happy with Season 2....coming this month!

[@nelcorazs]

Andy Baird I'm inclined to agree. Fuck the setting, these are first time players, let them play what they will. You can impose those kinds of restrictions later.

[@lazykranch3205]

Except they knew zero game mechanics. this way they learn what the words mean and can understand how the different characteristics work in game.

[@EllieTxmlxnsxn]

and as presumably first time/relatively new roleplayers its much easier to try and focus on roleplaying your class, instead of balancing a complicated class/race combination

[@joshshin6819]

Its also kinda mean to throw everything at new players all at once. You ever want to see people get overwhelmed and quit DnD or most anything? Keep throwing stuff at em.

[@dunewizard]

Teacher at my own Alma Mater playing Dice and Paper RPGs for class curriculum = Insta-subscribe. Lion Pride!

[@LivingDeathGuy]

my english teacher, and 7 of my classmates and i played every saturday, that was the best time ever.

[@TheMaggsnificent17]

My 14 year old and his cousins and friends decided they wanted to play D&D. I have been helping them all build characters for a week. Today I spent two hours on one character with the neighbor. I got so frustrated with how long the process was taking. This is a brilliant way to do this. I think I’m going to let them keep the characters they have made so far for a future campaign and make them all sit and make humans. And as their DM I can do that!

[@DechantMusic]

Thank you for passing this on to todays youth! Our ancestors who told stories around campfires are smiling upon you... As Dungeons and Dragons represents this most basic heritage. GAME ON!

[@FroggyGeezer]

I’m a long time D&D player. Happy to see you are teaching the kids of today to play! Loved the old school vid you posted, took me back to the dark ages lol.

[@tomgartin]

You are such a great teacher/DM. I've been playing for a while and still feel like I learned something!

[@BillAllanWorld]

Thank you for the kind compliment. I hope you check out season 2 - I think it opens up the possibilities for players much more, and you can watch them grow and learn significantly.

[@voidling2632]

so many things i missed in my life... have to start to play this game...

[@TapdotWater]

This is how I started about 2 years ago, with my Engineering teacher. We started a stream on Twitch now, and I'm happy other students are getting to experience this game!

[@notthatgoodtbh4277]

11:00 is literally why you should play D&D. Just hanging with friends, having a good time, and getting along.

[@Atchalong]

I've used this video (with massive success) as a primer for new players before our first session. It's an excellent onboarding tool for people who have absolutely no idea what they're getting into. As much as I love the PHB, there is so much fat and over-explanation that it can be really daunting and difficult to digest for a new player. Even the 'basic rules' has this issue. You manage to distill SO much information into a very digestible video - the mark of an excellent teacher!

[@BillAllanWorld]

Wow! Thank you so much. That really means a lot to me. Anytime our video content can help others get into the game, I'm quite pleased.

[@tylerm3422]

I love how he explains that people die when they get stabbed too much

[@KriegMaus]

My brother just started teaching me how to play Dungeons & Dragons and just watching this helped me a lot as well. (I'm a half-elf ranger)

[@dshock5529]

This is an excellent series, loved watching them go from sort of interested to full on panic at the end when they started really learning to play

[@BillAllanWorld]

Thank you. Hope you subscribe and continue watching. Each season's cast is different and they definitely learn; sometimes making mistakes or bad decisions, but always fun.

[@tputma108]

Just saw this and I love how this man can relate to the teenagers of this generation, but also bring his knowledge of the game and make it understandable. Wish I was taught this way

[@gustavoalmeida624]

You were creating characters and rolling dice before the 15 min mark. That's part of PLAYING D&D right there! So you delivered with time to spare :D

[@BillAllanWorld]

Aw, thanks. I feel a little bit better.

[@pauljmorton]

I just started RPGing at age 28 and I love it. I wish I had started in high school myself. These kids are lucky! :D

[@thedrunkenslayer3348]

I remember my first campaign. I was a Dragonborn warrior and we were going through our first forest when goblins jumped us after putting 2 dead horses in the road blocking the path. Our cleric died and we had to hide her in the wagon we rented. Our first night I walked around the town looking for a holy woman who had some issues with her husband who ran off. I knocked on her door no answer, knock again no answer. My small brain thought she died so I kicked down the door which scared the hell out of her and the guards arrested me. Also in my second game I was a half elf rouge who kept getting arrested because I was a terrible thief. I also had a crippling gambling addiction. Our monk also had a freaking anime battle with an elf in town so it was pretty interesting.

[@jacobbosecker6916]

As a senior that has played DnD throughout all of highschool, this is pretty cool. Everyone deserves to know about the best game in the world.

[@BillAllanWorld]

Thank you! Hope you'll check out seasons 2 and onward - different setting, more racial and class choices.

[@vahlok1426]

D&D and other TTRPGs taught me more about problem solving, mathematics, and tactical thinking than normal school almost ever did.

[@BillAllanWorld]

Agree!! Wholeheartedly! I remember my mom telling my that my school grades and test scores jumped up dramatically from 1st to 2nd grade and again throughout elementary school, and she credited D&D. She saw how much time I spent reading the books, she saw how me and my friends would roll pools of dice and add up the numbers quickly. My dad noticed how much interest I showed in history, religion, world cultures, and mythology. D&D (and other RPGs) definitely can have a huge impact on improving academic curiosity and critical thinking, team work, communication, and so much more. Cheers to us, my friend. Thanks for sharing how it impacted you!

[@necromancer0616]

As a 30+ year veteran of D&D myself, I can say it probably would have went better if he had characters already created for the kids to look at and choose. Then get to the role-playing part. After some time with learning the rules and a combat or two then the kids could sit down individually to make their own character. Which I found is the best way to teach muggles to play and join the the D&D fan club.

[@sleepingdragons57]

Just had my first ever session a couple days ago as a high schooler at a high school graduation party. It was 5 and a half hours long and it was one wild but amazing ride

[@BillAllanWorld]

That is awesome! Congrats! Keep on playing!

[@nccivilian]

Started playing when I was 8. A wizard named Azul who had a great owl as a familiar. Used to go to role playing conventions with my dad and brothers. Very good times!

[@jaideng1128]

Im 13 and started playing about 2 months ago, I'm hooked. The game has brought me away from modern video games and bring me into a whole new universe, I own the DMS handbook, monster manual, and the players handbook. I play with my friend at school and I have even started writing my own campaign. It's so awesome and it's all I think about, it's truly an amazing game and I look forward to teaching others how to play in the future.

[@BillAllanWorld]

That makes me so happy! Thank you for sharing! Role playing games are probably the most amazing level of fun in the world, and they are a fantastic way for people to learn new things, use their imagination, and socialize. I wish you many good adventures!

[@icywinterof88]

I wish I would have had a teacher teaching me d and d in high school man lol I'm so jealous.

[@cykosyc]

i love the fact on how you break down the races to give a better idea of each and examples as well...it helped me understand the races a little more :)

[@imbadatgames281]

"A clerics primarily used to heal" *Laughs in trickery cleric* (Setup stolen from someone above)

[@user-gy6qi2sc6p]

This makes me remember when I was in their shoes, playing DND for the first time a couple of years ago. I thought it would be fun and was so excited to get dragons of icespire peak, and just sit their and read through how in depth of a game it was. I was stoked to find some fellow classmates to play with, and I was awestruck by the amount of stuff more in the PHB. Hopefully these guys grow to like the game like we do

[@BillAllanWorld]

Welcome! Hope you'll check out the other episodes. Seasons 2-5 all take place in my original world of Kikapulan, with interconnected storylines and NPCs. Every season is a different cast of high school students.

[@tonycream2948]

It's great seeing how much fun these guys have just rolling for their stats. Reminds me of my first time rolling for em!

[@johnremp3470]

Bill, I had no idea messaging you on Facebook that you had these videos. I'm subscribed now, I'd love to play your campaigns sometime!

[@ncense1608]

I recently joined my school's D&D club, and have never played. We went over basics last week and will be doing character creation this week. I think I'll be ready! Thank you so much💖

[@dannynova3412]

Solid fast paced learning. Very impressed by this

[@emmalam3879]

I just started a D&D club at my school and this gives me so much excitement to actually start playing. Though I am a first time DM and I have 8 players in the party there's no time like any to get started.

[@Good_Hot_Chocolate]

I really enjoyed this. And as someone about to dm their first session 0 in a kind of impromptu manner it is very helpful to see how you went about it.

[@BillAllanWorld]

Glad you enjoyed it! Season 1 was absolutely unplanned and under a tight timeline (the end of the semester at school). Seasons 2 onward all take place in my original world of Kikapulan, with overlapping and interconnected storylines. Hope you'll check out the series.

[@Good_Hot_Chocolate]

@BillAllanWorld I have been steadily doing so and it's been fun so far. I love seeing people get into DnD. You're doing great with it!

[@danwilliams1920]

I was a student in what had to be one of the very first middle school Dungeons and Dragons classes. It was 1980, and I was in the 7th grade. It was an hour-long after-school elective class ran by our math teacher, Mr. Kram. It ran from about 2 weeks into the school year until Christmas break. He told us all that it took a lot of finagling with the school board to make it happen, but he convinced them by explaining that it was a good way to apply math skills. There were about 15 of us, and we ran 3 different groups in a classroom. It usually ran overtime while parents waited outside. I guarantee you every one of us continued to be fans to this day. It was so damn cool. It was in Battle Ground, WA at the middle school next to the High School (forget the name - sorry, I'm kinda oldish).

[@BillAllanWorld]

Wow! That is awesome! Thank you for sharing your story. My older brother was in middle school in around 78-80, but there was no club. He and some friends started playing, and he taught me. You might be pleased to know that since the first season of this show, we now have an official D&D Club at the high school (I'm the faculty advisor) with an active group of around 50 kids who meet every week.

[@danwilliams1920]

@@BillAllanWorld awesome. I've enjoyed watching.

[@mhopwood1]

"Demon blood, devil duds". Great slip of the tongue that would definitely work in D&D