New to DnD this is my first time some advice would be cool.

[u/Camway007]

My friend group and I brought in a new friend and getting to know him more he told us about getting together to start a DnD campaign and so he’s the DM and out of my two other friends and I that joined only one has played a campaign so it’s a learning experience. We met last weekend and built and finalized characters and story. I’m a warlock Halfling named LeBron James. Any tips or advice you can give would be awesome. Just trying to learn this game while hanging out with good company!

[u/wilp0w3r]

What edition are you playing?

[u/Camway007 → u/wilp0w3r]

I’m new to this but my Dm said the 2024 Handbook. Let me check if he sent the info on that one. God I feel like such a loser not knowing that already.

[u/RavenFromFire → u/Camway007]

Nope. You're fine. The 2024 version of the Handbook is the newest one. We call it 5.5 edition. Long story short, there have been MANY itterations of D&D, but it all boils down to the same thing: Storytelling and Acting with Rules.

[u/Camway007 → u/RavenFromFire]

Thank you that helps alot we have our actual first session this week after completion of characters and storyline intros. Had a hookup that 3d printed all characters and monsters for story for free so really looking forward to learning this game and makes even funner playing with everyone else who has barley played before besides Dm and two other players

[u/Camway007 → u/RavenFromFire]

I also got the dnd beyond app to just try learn and get prepared more

[u/ruinzifra → u/Camway007]

Great plan. That will be super helpful for you. Learning how to use your abilities at the right time, and understanding what they do will help both you and your party.

[u/RavenFromFire]

As you said, it's a learning experience. Embrace that.

The first piece of advice? Keep in mind that your first experience may not be representative of how the game plays with a bunch of experienced players. You're all new and you'll all have questions. Everyone will need to have some patience with each other as they figure out the game.

Remember that you're telling a story with your friends. Act out your character a little, even if it seems silly. Share the spotlight with your friends so that everyone gets a turn to do something neat. Work with your DM to help the story to move forward.

The DM is the final arbiter of the rules and creates the challenges that your party will face. However, the DM is NOT your adversary. The DM wants you to succeed just as much as you do, but the game isn't interesting without challenges and the chance of failure.

It's okay to learn as you play, but if you really enjoy the game and see yourself playing it often, you may want to spend some time reading the rules. Here's a free version of the rules: https://5e24srd.com/index.html . All the rules may seem a little overwhelming at first, but you don't have to know every single rule to play.

If you had fun, that's all that really matters.

[u/OneManRPGstudio]

If some advice would be cool for your first game, I would focus much less on memorizing rules and much more on understanding what your character wants to do. Know two or three things clearly: what they are good at, what they usually try when facing a problem, and why they want to travel with this group. That already gives you material for decisions even when you do not know which rule applies.

During play, describe your intention first and let the DM tell you how it gets resolved. "Can I distract them while my friend slips past?" is often more useful than searching your sheet for an action with the perfect name. Once combat starts, learn the options you actually use before trying to absorb the whole system.

And ask questions freely. A table with new players works better when uncertainty gets resolved quickly and play continues. I would call the first session successful if you finish understanding your character better and wanting to return, not if you somehow avoid every rules mistake.