Playing D&D for the first time? Here are some tips with Mike Mearls

[@T1NY1990]

To Quote Travis Willingham AKA Grog Strongjaw in Episode 1 of Critical Role "I have an Intelligence of 6. I know what I'm doing"

[@bertimusprime7900]

T1NY1990 in season 2 episode 1 he said “I have an intelligence of 14, I know what I’m doing.”

[@Mosreject]

Also Ale

[@juanpa0944]

relatable

[@ginorvdw]

I love how travis tried to level grog's intelligence as LESS as possible, yet his physical/combat stats are off the charts. Grog is absolutely great. Fantastic character "type" for newer players to start with, too, because new players are technically "low intelligence" about the world, rules etc.

[@AxolotlMimicry]

"Bring a snack for the DM". Mike Mearls said it so it must be RAW and RAI.

[@Nazinsky]

I do this every time :). It's nice.

[@weeklysanta5828]

I don't understand it. What is raw and rai?

[@iododendron3416]

@@weeklysanta5828 rules as written and rules as intended

[@weeklysanta5828]

@@iododendron3416 oh thanks

[@TheGoblinoid]

OK, this video confirms I've been lucky to have players like this. Also: Personality traits for the monsters? YES! YES! God, Mike knows DnD in such a deep way.

[@Bluecho4]

Here's a tip: When you're developing your character, figure out what the character's goals and motivation are. Why are you an adventurer, rather than a city guard or a scholar at a magic university or a common tradesman? If the party is going on an adventure, why are you here? And no, "Getting sweet loot" is not an adequate answer. If your character wants money, there are many ways to get it without risking your life in some dungeon. Rather, if money is the motive, why does your character need money? If it's just to live on, there's nothing stopping your character from cutting and running when things go pear-shaped. When I say "figure out a goal and motivation", I mean you should be able to say why your character is going on adventures and staying on that adventurer path. It's also important because it gives the DM something to work with. If your character wants revenge, the DM can seed the world with plot hooks about the person your character wants revenge against. If the character wants to become king by their own hand, the DM can give opportunities to pursue monarchy. If your character is a Warlock who wants to find a loophole to escape their contract with the devil, the DM can make that a focus. Part of any tabletop role-playing game is collaboration between player and game master to craft a compelling story. Create hooks for the character, and the DM can build on those hooks more easily, and help you care about the world you're playing in.

[@TimTamSlam7]

But “because I want money” IS an adequate answer. Why can’t I just be a murder hobo and play that way? Why CAN’T I play as a mercernary for some easy money? WHY do I need to have some “deeper” motive? And there’s plenty of ways to make money, but adventuring and questing is a big one especially in a mining settlement where you start out, that’s a pretty big motive. Money is a big motive. You don’t need to have some great big answer as to why, you can simply BE greedy or want to buy things and be materialistic, that’s not a personal trait that’s just a player preference which is why it makes no sense to be against it. What you really mean to say is that you want to create a character backstory, you want to know where they’ve come from and how they’ve been raised and what their ideals are. Your first advice sounds like it discourages that simpler outlook.

[@user-hello2]

Is it good enough to just be curious? I’ve got a forest gnome that was raised by tabaxi that I want to play if my future dm would let me. She was raised to be curious and wants to live the way her family does.

[@Bluecho4]

@@user-hello2 Curiosity is absolutely a valid motivation for wanting to go out and adventure in the world.

[@nickwilliams8302]

One tip I would have for first-time players is don't try to play a character who should be exceptionally knowledgeable about the setting. Not that they have to be actually *stupid,* (though that really can work) but if you are in a position where other players are going to have to explain a lot to you anyway, make that work for your character. Try the Folk Hero or Acolyte backgrounds, for example. Really difficult to play a Sage with an encyclopedic knowledge of Arcana and Religion or a Noble with an in-depth grasp of politics and History when you are still learning the ropes of the system, let alone the setting. A fighter (champion) or barbarian (berserker) hailing from a small village no one has ever heard of is an absolutely ideal character for a first-time player. Minimal rules to learn, so you hit the ground running. When the fighting starts, charge in and hit stuff (while taking hits more fragile characters can't). In social/storytelling bits, your own lack of knowledge will actually be *in character.*

[@Reoh0z]

Flaws really are what makes a great character.

[@TheOnlySheet]

My tip for new players: Consider getting a tool that will handle the math, so you can focus on the game. TOS FIVE is a powerful Character Manager that will do the trick, and even allow you to play Dynamically on a Laptop. Or just use Print-outs.

[@Klespyrian]

The only suggestion I have to improve these interview videos is to put the questions you ask on the screen. Small text is fine, but it is just to make it easier to understand exactly what the interviewee is responding to, without the need for reading the question in his answer.

[@ursoanonimo8398]

Playing D&D for the first time isn’t so much of a hassle, but a DM for the first time? Oh boy...

[@davidbowers4270]

That’s what I’m scared of I’m hosting my first night in two weeks but I’m glad I’m with group of friends that are learning the game along side me

[@mussunmussun3536]

@@davidbowers4270 How did it go?

[@user-hello2]

@@davidbowers4270 How did it go? I might be doing that soon.

[@williamwontiam3166]

That was me. I went on a stubborn tangent where I bought all the books and learned how to dm with no context or advice.

[@williamwontiam3166]

@@davidbowers4270 good luck. Read the books first though.

[@calvinballaka8905]

Great advice here! I especially love the suggestion to try to play into the group as a whole, not just your own character. That's something I have to remind myself of at times, but the game feels a lot better when you buy into other players' characters and their backstories. Then they buy into yours, and now everyone's getting a kick out of everyone. It's great! Aw man, personality traits for monsters would be fantastic! Even if lots of encounters stay hostile, having those traits I think would help at least a little in keeping DMs and players from thinking that every fight is to the death. If the Orcs' bond is their treasure trove, maybe they agree to surrender the fight and end their siege of the village... if they're allowed to take their gold with them. If the Dragon's flaw is that he cannot conceive of any creature being wiser or cleverer than him, that plays into how he fights, toying and teasing the party. If the bone naga's personality trait is that she has no comprehension that time has passed since her death, she might refer to players with strange, historical or mythic allusions, speak of events long since past, and that makes an otherwise stagnant fight into a rich encounter that sells the eerie nature of their foe and the reality of the rest of the world.

[@Basedmursenary]

I'm playing for the first time today! It was funny, my roommate asked me if I wanted to play. I said sure, and the next day I come out of my room and find a stack of books on D&D on the dining table... and I was like, "wow... I thought this was just going to be another board game" LOL

[@bazzfromthebackground3696]

I would kind of figure anything with sentience would have personality.

[@williamwontiam3166]

Or at least we would project one onto it.

[@jackliz2439]

I like this guy's passion.

[@augustinebels]

I'm playing DnD technically for the first time on Sunday, and I'm excited. I played a little for like an introductory with my dm it was great.

[@gloodgy2774]

Although this video is very helpful, I think loads of players (such as myself in the past) would appreciate a video on first time dms. Like people with absolutely no experience with the game and they would like to get their friends into it

[@Humble197]

gloodgy their are tons of stuff online but the basics is figuring out what the players want and building on that

[@user-hello2]

Yes!! That’s the exact situation I might be in and I can’t find resources anywhere.

[@gloodgy2774]

@@user-hello2 the starter set is great for that. It tells all of the essential rules in a condensed copy

[@4CountDaddy]

Don't wait for sixth... I'm sure there is room for a supplemental book that adds character traits for nom characters.

[@UnscriptLife]

Awesome! Thank you for producing this video because I've just recently got into playing tabletop games and I LOVE story telling! I kid you not, I walked into a room a couple days ago, filled with D&D players ( about 30 players at one sitting) ummmm I just sat down on a chair and thought...."HELL NO, I'll get annihilated in 30 seconds", I quietly learned how to play Gloom instead LOL

[@Abelhawk]

It'd be really nice to have at least a few of the monsters from the Monster Manual have some personalities listed on a future Unearthed Arcana.

[@johnharrison2086]

I always bring dice, a dice tray, a dice jail and spare dice.... As for flaws I had a Rogue who hates authority so she much that she will defy people in power even if it is not in her best interests to do so...

[@mizerablegit4720]

*Goblin casts nuke!*

[@dreamking893]

Flaws are a lot of fun. I made a character that is illiterate. He cannot read or write and struggles to count beyond 10. It's always a fun time when he goes shopping and needs a baby sitter to make sure shop keepers don't rip him off. It makes for a lot of interactions with other party members and gives them a chance to RP.

[@psi_rockin]

I was invited to join a d&d campaign with a new friend I recently made. I've never played it before, and I really know nothing about it. Only experience I have is watching Harmon Quest and Drawfee LOL. Im pretty nervous, but I'll just remember to have fun 😉

[@Spooky_sami_creations]

Same I'm scared 😭

[@georgehaskell8351]

I do think the monsters have personalities is good to , you add that in a book that have playable characters for 5 E.

[@calibanVT]

I almost always think through 'how can this be resolved without combat' when I'm setting up combat encounters, just in case the characters try.

[@jessicaevans6103]

Intro was very reassuring. Thanks for the awsome tips

[@talongreenlee7704]

The best flaw for a new player is “I can’t leave well enough alone.”

[@mooxim]

There were a bunch of traits in Volo's guide but not for every monster. Get on it DMsGuild Content creators!

[@JT5555]

My Character For A Upcoming Game Is A Steampunk Warfordged Fighter Designed To Look Like A Metal Doll And Built For Fighting In A Underground Fight Club Run By Only The Most Elite. She's REALLY Good Kicking Your Ass And Is Even Very Cultured And Lady Like (Due To Her Owners Wanting To Make Her "Civilized" Outside Of Fights So She Could Entertain Them And Their Party Guests) But Her Two Biggest Flaws Is 1.She Does't Know How To Hold Back In A Fight And Will Go In With The Intent To Kill Unless Stopped And 2. She Does't Understand Emotions Well: She Know's Enough About Them From Living With Her Owners,To Know Things Like When Someone Is Hitting On Her (A Common Thing,Given Her Beauty) But Does't Understand The REASONING Behind Any Given Emotion And This Can Lead Anywhere From Humorous Mistakes To Seeming Like She Lacks Any Emotion At All,At Times When She Would Otherwise Be Expected To.

[@MrNtlman]

My current character has a flaw where he will pretend to not understand the conversation he is having if he doesn't like it. I've always enjoyed playing off of fun character flaws like that or if you happen to be a drunkard or want all teh gold or stuff like that. It makes for really fun rp moments, especially when the dungeon master knows how to play off of them really well.

[@olivermeloche2042]

going to be honest, I can't tell if your throwing really heavy shade at your players really bad backstories and childish habits or just complementing them on having a chill attitude

[@metalmichew2]

"you are not required to know every rule on your first game" here's the thing tho. Me and my Girlfriend had the idea buying a starter kit, cuz both of us have ever played it (tho i'd be sure i'd get the RP points really hardcore with whatever sick and twisted fantasy ideas i have!) and I said i'd be the DM in our first game. I dont know the rules but I do think I would be the dude that would recreate the scene really epically and make them acctually fantasize (we got a crew except for just 1 guy for that starter kit, I do think my "nerdy" coworked could join us (also he knows a bit more about the game) Would it be better to let the nerdy coworker be the DM or me? I know alot about Roleplaying games, but not about the Oldschool Table top variant of it. I did fallout1 and 2 with certain builds just to RP better, but what would be the better idea?

[@vicandnig]

Mike mearls looks so high on this

[@PixeIated]

My personal tip The barbarian is a great starting class Because if you forget what you can do/what you're supposed to do, you can say your character is just dumb (which for barbarians, are true) Second, whatever the dm says, goes, don't be a rules lawyer as the dm might just say it's homebrew

[@noobpro9759]

I rolled a cleric gnome for my sister and she ended up with all +2 on her abilities. Hell she's stronger than my imp/dragonborn rogue.

[@livm3805]

First time playing d&d, how do turns work? Does the order change or dose it stay the same order?

[@SigurdKristvik]

believe turn order is called "initiative", look it up in the basic rules. Hope this answers your question, there are other ways of doing it too.

[@fenzelian]

Turns only matter in fights. At the beginning of a fight, you set the turn order for that fight, and it will stay the same through the fight. Then in the next fight you get a different turn order. Check our the official rules for more info.

[@analuisalameiras3515]

what if there is a group of friends that never played, what should we buy/get?

[@DnDBeyond]

There are a few options for new players! The Basic Rules are free and include everything you need to get started, and you can also look into The Essentials Kit to also get a great beginning adventure. Check out our New Player Guide for more help: www.dndbeyond.com/essentials

[@adamholcomb200]

I feel that if you like acting the D&D is perfect...I RP a whole lot but have cool Min/max character but get inspired by movies for characters or novels💯

[@zordosway3846]

As a person who has absolutely no idea but looking to join in on a friends game, this wasn’t absolute beginner friendly

[@zordosway3846]

Most of it assumed that you have a clue what a charecter is

[@rileyrussell9321]

Matty Eldridge this is more targeted towards people prepping for their first game, like they already have a character mostly or fully made and will play soon

[@natty19podcast25]

Very informative video, well done!

[@tylerpatti9038]

I think if you ever have time to write those 6e personality traits into one of the supplements for 5e that would still be Great. like a Volo's guide type thing.

[@jeremiahbachmann3901]

I don't have many friends, and those I have do not like the same interests. Fantasy is a solo interest. How can I play D&D by myself?

[@UsuarioGenerico-li5pf]

Mythic GM Emulator, Conjectural Roleplaying GM Emulator with Universal Npc Emulator and random tables (from internet, other games or create by yourself), you can find more ways to play solo rpg games on internet and find alot of solo rpg communities easy. You can search on KZbin Artichoke Dip, Stoneaxe tabletop gaming, Geek gamers, RPG Tips and see the Me, Myself & Die! Series for how to play d&d by yourself :) Sorry for my bad english.

[@JT5555]

Step 1: Get New Friends.

[@jayaveNB]

I’ve never played before, stranger things made me want to play, it feels like so much pressure to set up a world, but I’m moving away from my friends and I think we should bond over this before I leave, any advice or maybe a good dnd book? It’s not a board right? It’s like a magazine?

[@kimsartthing]

You should play a pre written module like lost mines of phandelver. Set it up read a few chapters and you're good to go

[@hypnobra]

Personality traits is a great idea. What if a Monster Manual 2 included those?

[@bacassa]

Besides Human Variant do any other Race get a free feat at 1st level?

[@Cloud_Seeker]

None. The extra feat is to compensate for the general lack of other features humans get.

[@bacassa]

@@Cloud_Seeker ok TYVM!!!

[@pencilbender]

These days you can make a custom lineage character, though

[@cocobeebunnied7371]

I’m wondering if any one knows if it’s plausible/reasonable to have my first campaign be dming for only two players who also haven’t played before because I’ve been stressing about if we will be able to work it out

[@JT5555]

I Mean,You'll All Have To Study Your Respective Asses Off (Most Of All You) But It's Can Totally Work. I Suggest Looking To Matt Mercer's Tip Videos For A Bit Of Advice From A Expert (But Still Study) And Make Sure You And Your Players Are All On The Same Page With What You Want From The Game,What Things You're Ok Or Not Ok With (Example: Some People Are Totally Fine With A Scene Where A Warlock Is Having His Slaves Carry Him Down The Street And He Whips One For Going To Slow And Possibly Ends Up Killing Him To Make Him A Example For The Rest. Other's,However Would Just Find That Really Hard To Have To Play Off Of And Would REALLY Rather Not Have Something That Dark When They're Just Trying To Have Fun) So Everyone Can Be Kept As Happy With The Game As Possible. All And All,It's Just A Matter Of Planing And Communicating: Do That And You And Your Players Should Be Fine.

[@Cloud_Seeker]

I suggest that you give them a basic sidekick NPC to play around with. The sidekicks will never offer any advice, speak for the party or do any complex skillcheck. I suggest going with a fighter class on them.

[@hldavid6108]

Thanks for helping me whit my player's!

[@TheCherryKinz]

I’m not much of a gamer and I’ve never played dnd or anything like it but my roommate is the dm of a group and she invited me to play with them on Friday, I don’t know any of her friends and I have no idea what I’m doing so I’m pretty nervous haha

[@gwettonv.2462]

How did it go, if you remember of course lmao

[@ghostingbonbon1186]

I'm gonna be going to a dungeon and dungeons club at the library later and I'm extremely anxious about it. I don't know anyone there and I have litterally no idea what this game is! I'm trying not to just not go since I've always wanted to play

[@LaurenOboe]

We hope you have great fun! The DM and the other players will be there to help with the rules and mechanics, and everyone is there just to share some exciting storytelling! Enjoy!

[@branislavcordic8227]

How did it go ?

[@mistertaco9072]

Now I just need to know how to play and friends to play it

[@echothenardier8053]

Does anyone have tips for trying to play a character who is/should be different from yourself? Edit: An issue I’m running into is that I feel like I keep accidentally characters with my personality, or otherwise I can’t effectively play people with other personalities than my own

[@JT5555]

Improve! Jokes Aside,The Best Thing You Can Do Is To Know Your Character (Their Backstory,Their Motives,Their Personality: Treat Them As If They Were A Real Person) And Just Always Remember That You're Playing A Character And Thus Say Things/React To Things How THEY Would,Rather Than How YOU Would. Say You're At The A Tavern: You Might Have Ordered A Their Strongest Ale,Because You Love Drinking. Your Character,However Might Be Really Into Tea Thus You Ask The Bartender For A Tea (No Matter How Unlikely You Are To Get One). You Like Ale But Your Character Likes Tea,So You Say You Want Tea.

[@Cloud_Seeker]

Sure. First you must come up with an idea. What should they be about? Then figure out what they want. What is their agenda? Then you need to figure out the past. What in the past made them into the character they are today? Then you need character traits and flaws. Remember that a character without flaw is not an interesting character. A flaw should be treated like a character trait that makes the character less perfect in some way. I got a Rogue/Ranger. He is a guerilla fighter brought up among a merc band and served as a Scout. He focuses on ranged combat and skirmish tactics. During his time with the mercs he was bullied and developed a inferiority complex. He express this by constantly seeking to be the center of the spotlight, gather as many women as he can, win fights and challenges and generally trying to prove he is the best (even when I rolled mediocare stats across the board, highest stat was 14). He is however a loyal man that will never leave a friend behind. He will not bumrush in to save them, but instead rely on his stealth to try to sneak in and quitely rescue them.

[@GunITNeko]

Sounds like Mike listens to the Adventure Zone. :)

[@Nieliuxus]

Me who will propably never play d&d because im a 14 year old newbie and i dont think there are d&d players in my area : thanks for the Tips ,I think with that i will be ok to go to my first campaign

[@AlternityGM]

Nice. I agree. Focus on your characters flaws. It will make for more interesting story and roleplaying.

[@LenaMellow]

Biggest choke point in starting is the lack of a central/official database to find places and people to play.

[@LikeMinds_]

Lol, snack for the DM - CHECK! ;)

[@jamesmoreland7569]

I based my on a pre-set I used the weakness it's almost killed the other person in my group 3 times (we're 2 hours in

[@giraffedragon6110]

Can I use my CON modifier to fire and add damage to my blowgun? Yes I’m playing a Lizardfolk barbarian.

[@jasrenfro9856]

Hope someone reads this. I'm a SAHD of a family of 7 and money's tight and I'm looking for a family game like this so we can have fun at home. Ages 2-13 put 3 are older ages. What are some free or cheap resources for me to learn and introduce this to me family. Thanks in advanced

[@Windbend3r]

Lol

[@TheAnthery]

What a great video.

[@NationalDevin]

My party used to buy me food a lot.. I play on discord, And it started out with a female player buying me pizza. This inspired others to buy me snacks or food here and there too. Then that female in question kept trying to push me to date them and when things ended poorly, that's when the food stopped.We finally kicked her out not too long ago. I got tired of her constantly treating me like some sort of tyrant at the table when I put focus on other people than her. She bought me pizza once and sent me a lot of nudes, And then proceeded to act like those 2 things were Enough to get hurt to the point where she could control what I designed in my game.

[@beogard832]

Where can I find the Standard Array Stats?

[@agamerspov]

Stephen Hirst PHB, in the character creation chapter.

[@jokertim777]

15, 14, 13, 12, 10, 8 (pg 13 of the PHB) I also give my players the option to replace the 8 with a 6 and move those two points to two other stats (1 each) if they really want to have a weakness. Although, I find it rare for a new player to want to do something as advanced as lean into a weakness. Many new players begin as Power Gamers as Mearls alluded to with his talk of wanting to "win" by having strong offense and defense.

[@ocinnico2608]

man I hate when I'm bad at killing dragons

[@amelierue-menendez4377]

My character is god

[@JT5555]

Your Character Flaw Is Being A Dick,Then Expecting Everyone To Just Worship You Because You're God And You'll Punish Them If They Don't.

[@sadiehatesbowling957]

Here to impress my gorgeous nerdy boyfriend

[@Monkeypole]

Did it work?

[@SmarkAngel]

You WILL screw up. Thats okay

[@bobfortewsevin4711]

I highly doubt that someone who is deciding whether or not to play D&D is watching DND Beyond

[@CalebWillden]

I'm probably going to show this to my new players and try to use this stuff when I help people make characters and design adventures.

[@nikkishins]

Maybe not regularly, but some will probably look up videos talking about how to get into it. Looking for tips for first time players. Like this video

[@johnnysomething8267]

meant to share this to players i guess

[@GlennRittenhouse]

I share links to this video all over. It's called the internet.

[@whisperedaria8832]

You’re wrong.

[@beancounter2185]

Yea, no reason to be intimidated. Compared to 1E, 5E is very watered down.

[@manuelsaavedra8081]

Bean Counter which imo, it's good. Rules should be thorough, simple and deep, in that order.

[@agamerspov]

Bean Counter definitely watered down.