How to Play Dungeons and Dragons 5e - Class Features and Spellcasting

[@redrumssam5888]

This is THE clearest KZbin video series on how to play DnD EVER

[@prestonbrower762]

Well, then I'm doomed

[@jeepersmcgee3466]

@@prestonbrower762 you may be getting overwhelmed, either by your DM or by trying to understand everything at once. I'd suggest just learning rules and game features as they come up in your campaign

[@felipereyes1440]

@@jeepersmcgee3466 I learned a few of them playing at a friends house, later watched this for the first time to understand more of them. Now I am rewatching them because I am going to be a DM for the first time in a couple of days.

[@kkTeaz]

@@felipereyes1440 how'd it go?

[@felipereyes1440]

@@kkTeaz Pretty well. I did a very simple campaign, basic stuff. But we had a blast, it was great.

[@dt5101961Nelon]

"I cast fireball!" DM:"So it begins.."

[@fedcom3638]

That look from Leraline :D This is how "accidents" happen with Burning Hands and Fireball :D

[@DontStopThinking]

Sharp!

[@Marguns21]

DKWildz do i still roll for succses for said spell? Like that the creature tries to not get thouched or hitted? Or does all spells hit?

[@Briansgate]

Love the series, really neat, and seems awesome for the D&D rookies! otherwise, there needs to be a spell to cheer up wizards. Poor Leraline.

[@bigboyroy6133]

im a noob and i have to play this with my friends on the weekend, so this helped really much

[@intergalacticturtle8835]

i cast explosion of happiness

[@DontStopThinking]

I would also like to thank "Dungeons&Dragons (D&D) ITALIA" for letting me promote the channel on their facebook page.

[@willb9431]

Darn, leraline is tall. According to 9:25 she's at least 3 metres!

[@kacpercicharski3431]

40 miles*

[@Cinnaschticks]

@@kacpercicharski3431 whoa there-

[@strawblemonanime4723]

15 ft?

[@jellyjabberjamjay2023]

ya know as ya do

[@iHDFarmer]

0.75 football fields

[@DontStopThinking]

Hey all. Just to give everyone a heads up, there is going to be a delay from the release of this video to the next. Life and work is catching up to me and I can spend less time working on the channel. I can’t say when the next video will be uploaded, but it is definitely going to be over a week from this posting. Meanwhile, enjoy the current episode.

[@VelocitasEradicato]

REEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEE

[@jensonweall5898]

Don't Stop Thinking Thank you so much for all these vids they help me a lot like if you agree

[@jensonweall5898]

Don't Stop Thinking Also I bought the 5e starter set and me and my friends played lost mine of phandelver. We really want to playa good campaign but that one was very complicated and didn't make sense plz could you make a DM's guide to world building (for begginers) Like if agree

[@davidanthony3985]

The thumbnail on this video has the wrong logo, just letting you know.

[@VelocitasEradicato]

@jenson weall You could always pick up one of the adventure books WOTC sell(Rise of Tiamat, Curse of Strahd, Storm King's Thunder etc), those tends to be pretty good. The DM's guide has a lot of tips on world building in the earlier chapters if you really wanna do your own thing.

[@brandonhauro3]

God this is so much to take in, im the DM and i whana learn all this but it's a lot to learn but i learn more here then reading

[@skracha2]

It helps a lot for a DM to create characters and make them fight on your own, you'll feel what it feels to be a player and what the player can do with their spells. It'll give you a great perspective of what to expect the next time you DM a campaign. Remember that characters that can cast spells have more than one sheet for the spell list, above the spell sheet you have all the information that you need for spellcasting

[@danaedang2072]

Is there a spell that uses the somatic gesture of a middle finger?

[@DontStopThinking]

There is no rules on how the somatic gesture is made. You can just say that all your character's somatic gesture uses middle finger.

[@juno2884]

@@DontStopThinking yay!!

[@WulfieZi]

@@juno2884 Level 7 spell Finger of Death

[@lukaivankovic1241]

Dude, this was so helpfull, deffinately best D&D tutorial ever. Keep up the good work!

[@DontStopThinking]

Thanks, Luka!

[@sammy-ts5hy]

I'm a beginner, and these videos have been so, SO helpful ! I don't have a book or anything, so I've learned everything on the internet. These videos have been incredibly useful, and have taught me about everything I now know. Thanks so so much !!

[@RedCloude]

A friend of mine had pointed out that if you put any damaging or healing spell to a higher slot you get an extra dice, is this true to spells or only a certain ones?

[@DontStopThinking]

Only to certain ones. You have to read the spell description.

[@RedCloude]

Don't Stop Thinking Thank you.

[@JW-fd8sh]

Please have your cleric cast level 1 Prozac spell at the sad elf to make her happy again!

[@atomicwoodpecker0123]

Could you do episode on how classes work like, how to play bard or warlock?

[@DontStopThinking]

It's on my list.

[@atomicwoodpecker0123]

cool

[@naytan2150]

I love this series! I'm a beginning to start out, thanks!

[@DontStopThinking]

No worries. Have fun, Nathan.

[@Negitar]

this is very helpful, playing a wizard and was wondering how to use "spell attack bonus" looks like it just helps your "to hit" and not "damage". thank you.

[@superdougman1984]

we need more of your video's. I was hoping I could watch the rest planned. hope all is well in life bro. I'll be waiting for your next video.

[@DontStopThinking]

Thanks BUNDLEofSTIX831.

[@firstblood400]

Watching Lereline makes me sad :(

[@christopherkamph9147]

THANK YOU, i was running my first ever DnD session yesterday and we three has a seriously hard time to tell how spells worked in the game, as a fresh GM i felt guilty and i'm so happy that what we did was close to the original rules! Thank you for posting this video, i'm spreading it to the rest of my group so that Session two is going to be more accurate! Stay safe!

[@asdsdadsadsssd]

I still read the rulebook i got with the starter set from time to time just to kill time and so i check if i remember everything

[@Domeiii47]

As someone who's playing a spell caster as my first character, this is really helpful 👌🏼👌🏼

[@kapittsalt]

Man, these are so good. Thank you for alllllll the work involved. Such a big help, esp for new players, but even for old folks and those changing systems. I share these whenever possible. ☺️

[@DontStopThinking]

Thanks, Keith. Working on this series has been a pleasure.

[@Sp4ceDx]

Where can I get good free d&d adventures?

[@S0lstickan]

I've played for a long time but never DM'd, I did start to read the DM guide to prepare to one day take on the mantle as DM, it was so much that I kindof got a bit overwhelmed, but with these videos it already feels much easier, even to DM instead of being the player! Thanks! :)

[@seanpuello]

Yep don't think my kid is going to understand casting until she feels like she wants to do magic lmao. Switching up her character sheet

[@spazzrazkid1117]

i feel like i'm the only one whos still really confused dkfnsjdnnd

[@YAK0SEI]

Ha haaa, that's so a reference to The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air. Nice, man 👍😎

[@sea_triscuit7980]

Thank you! You're the only one that's actually giving us examples. Everyone else just talks about it then calls you stupid if you don't understand it. I'm a visual learner haha

[@bungerburger5771]

I’m still confused on how spell slots work? Like how do you get them and do they get used up???

[@bobmcfishkens6443]

You get more spell slots as you level up depending on your class. You regain all your spell slots on a long rest.

[@linguisticallyoversight8685]

the book from 2nd edition Eldredge Wizardry is the quintessential source for understanding the difference in the different types of magic like Arcane, Divine and Psionic

[@LiaxTheGreat]

I thought you only needed to supply one of the components, not all of them. On pg. 203 in the handbook it says "if you can't provide one or more of a spell's components, you are unable to cast the spell.

[@DontStopThinking]

As you're read. If you can't supply any, you can't cast.

[@romdogg1994]

Need clarification on spellcasting focus. Sorcerers are unique in that they do not need to HOLD any focus because their magic comes from within, this should mean that unless the spell requires a Material component with a gp cost, they do not need to have/reach for anything in their hands to cast spells. Everyone else needs to be holding their spellcasting focus or *have it visibly on their person (*still requires a hand?) to cast any spell that requires a Material component. If the Material is specified to have a gp cost, they need to hold that specified Material in place of their spellcasting focus. They can do their Somatics on the same hand they use for their spellcasting focus or specified Material component. For Clerics and Paladins, the spellcasting focus can be engraved or inlaid in their shields, meaning they would need to be physically holding on to it. Because their shield itself requires a hand to hold it, if a spell requires Somatics they would need to use their other hand to perform them, and unless they have the Warcaster feat, that hand would need to be free. This makes sense because they are getting the benefit of a spellcasting focus AND +2 AC on the same hand while other classes would need to hold their shield and spellcasting focus on separate hands each. This gives Clerics and Paladins the option of using a shield on one hand and their focus on the other and be able to cast any spell (for Clerics that get Proficient Spellcasting which enables them to fight in range with cantrips more effectively), OR have the focus and shield combined to use on one hand (think of it as a spellcasting focus that also provides bonus AC) and have a weapon in the other allowing for melee (for Paladins and Clerics with Divine Strike and other spells triggered only by weapon strikes), with the drawback of not being able to use spells with Somatics unless they get the Warcaster feature. So basically, if you want to use spells with Somatic or Material components you need one free hand. Any spellcaster except Sorcerer can be denied the ability to cast spells that require basic Material components (that don't have a gp cost) by separating them from their spellcasting focus.

[@DontStopThinking]

Hi Romdog. I know that it's not thematic, but the game mechanic still requires the sorcerer to use a spellcasting (arcane) focus (PHB p.101). For Clerics & Paladins, it's quite complicated. If the holy symbol is being used as the material component of a spell with "S, M," component requirements, it can fulfill both, but not if only "S." That's according to Jeremy Crawford's Sage Advice. twitter.com/JeremyECrawford/status/508033766682787840?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw&ref_url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.sageadvice.eu%2F2014%2F11%2F26%2Fholy-symbol-replace-somatic-components%2F

[@TheBlindSquirrel70]

This is the easy way to learn? I thought about joining some friends to play, but after watching only the first 4 videos in this series, its WAY to much to remember. Kinda turned off on even playing now.

[@JC-ew5ss]

Holy crap this is why non-math nerds do not play proper DnD. Thank god for systems like EZd6 for us theater nerds.

[@wolftwinbladed7921]

I just started playing a ranger and have gotten to level 2. This advice is very helpful for learning all I need to know about spell casting. Thank you for the video

[@Dea_Ex_Machina]

I can see why the wizard was frowning the entire time, casting classes are convoluted af.

[@paperbag9235]

Dude thank you so much for these vids the cute little animations make everything so clear and easy to understand keep it up

[@memenumnoscopus]

This is a great video, and very useful for people learning D&D, but I noticed one mistake when you were talking about spell areas that you may want to correct: You said it's a 90 degree cone, but the Player's Handbook (Page 204) states that the width of a cone at any point along its length is half the distance from the point of origin (e.g. a 30 foot cone would be 15 feet wide at the end). So it would be a lot narrower than 90 degrees, closer to 30 degrees.

[@DontStopThinking]

Thanks Bryn. I will look that up and make the necessary amendments.

[@memenumnoscopus]

This is an old comment by now, but I want to apologise for giving misinformation, I just reread my PHB and the width of a cone is EQUAL TO its length, not HALF its length. This is a lot wider than I thought. Still not quite 90 degrees though, more like 50.

[@elracraft]

Man I'm supposed to host a game next week but I don't understand spell casting at all. Take Eldritch blast, what does the lock have to roll - against what - for the spell to hit?

[@DontStopThinking]

You have to read the spell description individually. To attack with Eldritch blast, the user have to make a ranged spell attack roll and roll against the enemy's Armor Class. But don't worry, about not knowing every single rules. Only pull up the rule book when the rule feels off. Be consistent, if you made a mistake just go with it until the end of the game and bring it up later.

[@mrspacely5580]

thank you so much these episodes are great, I've subbed and liked. Can't wait for the next.

[@mbalazs3544]

If people think this is complicated they should check out Hungarian D&D in name M.A.G.U.S -s wizards. Here is teaser how chain lightning works for warlocks :D take k6 damage (14mana(m)+6(m)+3m/targret+X*7 )/2 take it from you max mana as much you can to do damage :D Wizards have to put together 4-6 components to make simple spell but for us its fun XD

[@atomicwoodpecker0123]

hey, in D&D is it allowed to make up races in game for fun? Just wondering

[@DontStopThinking]

+chris espejo Of course you can, as long as you are not playing officially organised games. But most important of all, the DM needs to agree to it. If you're the DM, then you can do anything you want. But usually you want some balance so that a player doesn't reduce other players' enjoyment by being overpowered.

[@kenho7591]

Wait if I have 3 spell slots(for example) and I am level 2 and have level 2 spells, does those spells get more powerful?

[@DontStopThinking]

You won't have {level 2 spells} at (spellcaster class level 2). You would only have 3 [level 1 spell slots] and you can't cast {level 2 spells} with them. You can only learn {level 2 spells} when you gain [level 2 spell slots] at (spellcaster class level 3). Also, keep in mind that Warlocks and hybrid classes have different spell slot gain chart. Spells become more powerful only if you spend a [spell slot] that's at least a level higher than the {spell's level} and the increase in power is proportional.

[@jenniferguajardo1335]

10:31 She looks so jealous. XD

[@The-Real-Xzargon]

THIS SERIES IS AWESOME!!!! cant wait for the next video!!! :)

[@atomicwoodpecker0123]

Can you make an episode on how to nail down the exploration because I feel new dms will be terrified to do exploration/travel a lot or at all

[@DontStopThinking]

+chris espejo I will look into it. But to be honest, you are not obliged to include all the component of a campaign just for the sake of completion. Some DMs find exploration and travel to be boring and that's fine. If the players don't like exploration either, then it becomes a non-issue issue to expedite them. In general, it is best to provide players challenges instead of chores. Travelling can be a chore if your players don't like them or do not find them rewarding. But, as DM, you can make travelling interesting by regaling them with the lore of the land as they travel. It really feels like they're adventuring if they come across historical ruins and magical phenomenon that expands upon the world you're building. Otherwise, you can reward successful travel by giving them circumstantial advantages such as arriving at the vampire lord's castle before he could claim his victim.

[@THFCKS]

Why is leraline always sad?

[@kkTeaz]

-_-

[@raininmuffins5132]

Blame her party

[@Pepagg8]

Am i weird that i started playing with a vedalken sailor bard? XD

[@Brian-fr1sh]

How do I find my spell attack bonus??

[@DontStopThinking]

It's your spellcasting ability modifier + proficiency. Wizard's spellcasting ability is intelligence but it's usually different for other classes. You can also watch the character creation video to learn more.

[@lockskelington314]

Wow This video does a Great Job Explaining how you to play a wizard and all its class features. Like Spellcasting.

[@sphiedd]

never played dnd before and my genius ass just decided to go for a wizard. But its been fun even more when the DM notices that I am learning little by little.

[@MysteryEzekude]

These beautifully written and animated tutorial videos of yours make learning D&D so much fun. Since there are a lot of spell-casting classes in the game, I think this video is a must for new players starting off with any of those classes...like me.

[@cowboy_dogg2124]

I watched this while I ate a pickle. Would watch and eat pickle again

[@madmachanicest9955]

Ow cool so you can cast 2 cantreaps in around or 1 spell and 1 cantreap cool.

[@william5666]

I’ve just started playing d&d this was so useful

[@mr.woodliff5158]

I am running a D&D group in my Jr. High. These videos are so helpful. I really appreciate all of this.

[@tommygunner176]

I am a beginning dnd player and DM. The first game went fine. Soon i will be starting my swcond game. This series has really helped me a lot to make the combat more interesting!

[@modular_kellogs8023]

Is your HP part of class features? Trying to magic jar to become a "lich".

[@mikestuckless2841]

OK, question do you need to roll an attack roll to cast spells?

[@DontStopThinking]

Depending on the spell, yes. Each spell have their own rules. Most spells don't require you to roll, they require your opponents to make their saving throw instead. But you have to roll if it specifically says that you have to.

[@legendarydigitize2523]

some spells dont even require any roll at all it just happens examples are magic missile and hex both have no rolls needed whatsoever for it to either work or not they just work guranteed provided you are in range and you can see the target most healing spells are also guaranteed hit too like lesser restoration

[@robertpayne7442]

What weapons and equipment would you recommend to a tiefling warlock and or any adventure?

[@DontStopThinking]

I'd recommend a rapier for melee and a light crossbow for range. Because warlocks can only wear light armors, they'd have to increase their dexterity to increase their AC. So by using rapier and light crossbow, the warlock would get the most out of their Dex increase. However, that light crossbow might end up as a spare weapon since their eldritch blast cantrip will end up becoming a much more effective ranged attack choice if you invest in it.

[@lilitbeglarian7942]

I’ve been watching your series on this. It’s amazing, thank you so much for all this work and effort!!!

[@angelgrace5958]

10:32 She's maaaadddd

[@femkeseynaeve4931]

Awesome video series. Best ive seen so far! Helped me way more than every other video. Keep up the good work!

[@trevorpatten7688]

This man is the helpful homie we all need.

[@evandiaz7321]

I have been trying to read online how to play, and this is the clearest way to learn D&D I have encountered!

[@foggyboggy1319]

Alright I wanna cast a spell.....I cast flare!

[@tomk4632]

Thank you SO much! You have really taught me how to properly play D&D

[@StarBoundFables]

Very interesting! Material 'components' weren't needed to cast spells in Baldur's Gate 3. I'm planning on being a casual DM, & going easy on players (especially since so many will be newbies). So I'll probs drop material requirements

[@user-wi9jy7dx4i]

Your videos are so clear and helpful. Thanks for making them!

[@quinteni.g.9117]

I’m playing a spellcaster for the first time and this is so helpful

[@georggabriel7852]

Thank you so much, your videos really helps and are fun

[@giacomobiagini9263]

So, if I cast one spell of 1st lvl or higher that requires concentration the next turn I keep concentrating on it and I can use my action to cast a spell of 1st or higher without concentration plus a cantrip as a bonus action? So would it be a total of 3 spells on my turn? Because I use that one with concentration, the second of 1st lvl or higher and the third one that is a cantrip as a bonus action. Is this possible?

[@webmastervds]

Would you still take damage if you are included in the area of the cone even though you're casting the spell?

[@DontStopThinking]

No. If you visualise the casting. It would not make sense that you would hit yourself unless you are doing it on purpose.

[@legendarydigitize2523]

Unless you had an unlucky roll in the wild magic surge as the wild magic sorcerer like a fireball targeting yourself Then not really no Getting hit with your own harmful spell is less likely unless you yourself decide to

[@legendarydigitize2523]

or you were forced to do so like when your character is possesed or charmed(i think i could be wrong for charmed) maybe then you can actually get hit with your own harmful spell it reminds me of X ray and Vav, an animated web series from Roosterteeth(makers of Red vs Blue and RWBY) where Vav had a misfiring problem with his "slow mo hands"(basically a burning hands spell that instead causes time slow to whoever was caught in the blast) he was looking at his own hands with the palms directly pointed at his face he accidentally sets the slow mo hands off, setting his own(very ugly looking lol) face to react in slow mo from the misfire lol

[@roumonada]

Spellcastion is not a word.

[@Lightrider-oy2qb]

How do you get XP Edit: Better yet how do you calculate XP

[@MythicalManiac]

With cantrips can you only use them as much as you want in an encounter or is it whenever

[@DontStopThinking]

Whenever.

[@levimiller909]

After 40 hours of confusion around spell casting you answered all my questions in under 12 minutes. Thank you.

[@afishperson]

This helps me way to much ngl

[@Gubbykahn]

how to play DnD 5e? Throw the Books in a trashbin and dont further support WotC/Hasbro :)

[@lyonanimations1716]

Looks like someone’s jealous XD 10:14

[@Andre-rp4pn]

Question I have herd of a spell called time stop dose it hurt you?

[@DontStopThinking]

No. But you can use another spell to damage your enemy while time is stopped.

[@Andre-rp4pn]

Ok thanks

[@remythewroth]

Hey, great job! I gotta give you props, great videos!

[@LongHoang-sc7xq]

Please add English subtitles

[@serggg5247]

wait im confused, how do I gain spell level as a cleric?? do i just study?? orr??

[@atomicwoodpecker0123]

Clearest tutorial...showed it to my friends...

[@benaustin5697]

Hi I'm new to d&d, I've played a little bit before (just like an introduction of a few sessions) but no magic, I'm playing a druid starting next weekend and just doing some magic research. So if the spell has a ritual to it you don't have to use a spell slot? would that be advised to use them in a battle as they take longer or no? Also if you use a spell outside of combat do you use up a spell slot? just a bit worried about using all my spell slots in like 2 turns of a fight. Thanks in advance.

[@legendarydigitize2523]

you only need to spend 10 extra minutes to cast the ritual spell as a ritual without spending a spell slot, they are however only casted at their original spell level, aka their lowest possible spell level. no it is highly impractical to cast ritual spells during a hectic situation like combat, that is why rituals are better casted when starting the day or during times where it is surely safe to cast them it depends on the spell, most of the time yes you do use the spell slot if it however has a ritual tag you can do what i just mentioned above for rituals spell casting there are some spells that once you cast it, they last a long time or until it's duration without concentration too or they stay there examples of spells that last a long time and do not require concentration is Death ward and Mage armor they last for 8 hours or until you dropped to 1 hp(for death ward) other super awesome spells that last almost permanently are some of the summon spells like Find Familiar and Find steed once you get your familiar or spiritual steed they stay there forever under your will note just because a spell takes longer to cast doesnt mean it is immediately a ritual spell, it is a ritual spell if it has the ritual tag phantom steed on the other hand doesnt last as long as find steed and doesnt even allow other forms your steed will take, but it is a ritual spell so you can cast it for free by spending 10 ingame minutes with no interruptions to cast the ritual spell

[@manueltoney7702]

My complaint about Concentration spells is that there are soooo many spells that require concentration and i have to balance out what particular spells i use. Which sucks i looked up ranger spells and there are alot that requires concentration but i love hunters mark and its usefulness in combat but also want to spice it up and add even more damage. What could i do to help my party beat a dragon faster?

[@smile-tl9in]

mmh you forgot rules about concentration save. It's rather important

[@jlemay87]

Great Stuff, Impressive professionalism

[@bandit1771]

can one class learn a Different class feature?

[@renno2679]

Spellcastion Option

[@alexsgamingshow2474]

Loved this video, was a lot of help! Also in the famous words of Jocat, JUST FIREBALL!

[@jensonweall5898]

3rd

[@WhimsicalCreature457]

I’d prefer to use a mana system when it comes to spell casing.

[@tomjack1000000]

can we get a pdf version of the spellcards you've used in the video (they look really nice)

[@DontStopThinking]

I don't have them in pdf form, unfortunately. They're created in the software I used to animate the show. I'm not a law expert, but distributing it on the channel might be too close to copyright infringement for my comfort.

[@tomjack1000000]

Don't Stop Thinking don't worry it's all good, I just prefer the style to the spell cards they release, although thank you for the reply

[@linguisticallyoversight8685]

All these problems with being a wizard that's why I prefer Sorcerers and Mystics Sorcerers are usually pretty brutal for the fact that they don't usually require material components same with Mystics the advantage with the Mystic though as lot of their powers require only partial action allowing you to fire off multiple powers in a single round

[@legendarydigitize2523]

the wizard class regarding their spellbook is honestly too inconvenient for me since you need to spend ingame time and gold per spell level to even copy the spell into the spell book which means the character maybe absent or it takes longer for them to even copy 1 spell down so it ruins the flow for me and it is high maintenance the book isnt even easy to replace nor protect unlike the warlock's tome where you can perform an ingame 1 hour ceremony to replace your tome the wizard's spell book is just a plain old spell book, it is literally as sturdy as paper so if an enemy destroys your spellbook all that inagme time and money has gone to waste which is why i really cannot bring myself to make a wizard

[@DeathRocket4990]

10:32 Angry Leraline :-(

[@trooperz137]

when using burning hands and casting it on yourself to make it sorter. would u have to roll a save or not being its your spell?

[@wildestdream8119]

At 6:20 what is that song iv been looking for it everywhere?

[@davida463]

Great Job!