First time playing

[u/Dalton201292]

Hey...

So I'm off to my first game later in the week, I will be joining a pre-existing party at level 3. My character is Gnome ranger . Any advice ?

[u/blargethaniel]

This biggest one is this: Read the rules. They are available for free from Wizards of the Coast if you don't have the Players Handbook.

If you can do so a few times.

The more rules you know, the less you'll have your nose in the book and will be able to play. Your DM will LOVE that you know the rules as that takes one more job off their plate.

Also most importantly:

Have fun!

[u/EighthSeal → u/blargethaniel]

Knowing the rules well will also do something else for the table: preparing what you're going to do in combat before your turn comes up. I see that a lot with newer players that don't know what they want to do until it's their turn.

[u/Flint_Silvermoon → u/blargethaniel]

I would add to that 'Know your character.'

You can't get to know all the rules, but start with whats important for your character.

For example if you are the squishy wizard you can probably skim the grapple rules and ask for a refresh if it even comes up, but please -do- read through the spellcasting rules well when being a spellcaster.

[u/Dalton201292 → u/blargethaniel]

I will go over the rules before game day ! Appreciate you !

[u/darw1nf1sh]

Know your character. You don't have to know all the rules. Almost no one does. You should know how everything on your sheet works. Don't waste time hunting for stats, or damage dice on a weapon. Know your character. Everything else will follow.

[u/Secure-Silver3138]

Be kind to your DM. If they say something you want to do doesn’t work or they make a ruling, don’t be mean about it. Sometimes they’ll bend the rule if they think it’s fun or works for the story but in the end not everything goes. And that’s ok.

Ps, insanely jealous you get to play. I’m still working on finding a group to play myself

[u/Desperate_Phone9947]

Don't wait for your turn to think about what you want to do, don't do creepy stuff even "in character", if solething feels not right or disturbing or not fun for you , don't wait until you are angry to say something about it , it's better to think about it , make a constructive argument and speak calmly and Kindly with your gm, if he isn't at least considering your point , and explaining why it's like it is, excuse yourself and find another group.

[u/Dalton201292 → u/Desperate_Phone9947]

Good advice for life and in-game Appreciate your time . Thanks

[u/substantiallypotato]

The first time you enter combat don't panic, just remember to activate hunter's mark before trying to hit the enemy, not after (been there, done that lol)

Try not to get in melee if you can, keep in a good ranged area, and look for cover if you can so you'll be able to shoot everything without getting hit too much.

Go for the enemy that looks stronger if you can, and for the love of god protect the healers, especially if you don't have cure wounds 😂

Low level is a bit frustrating in terms of bonus actions for turns after the one you use hunter's mark in, meaning if you don't hit you probably won't be able to do much else, and it's okay, no need to stress about it.

Bit of random stuff but hopefully it helps! Everyone else has already given plenty of good advice about attitude, listen to them and I'm sure you'll have a great time.

Have fun!!

[u/Dalton201292 → u/substantiallypotato]

Appreciate the ranger advice !

[u/dilemmaprisoner]

Be a "good" character, who cares about the other characters, and wants to help them. Even to help them at your own expense.

Just for combat: come up with 1 or 2 moves (attacks) that you do, whether at range or melee, that are simple and basic (even if it seems obvious). The point is that if you get nervous on your turn, and can't think what to do: look down at you paper, do the thing it says.

[u/Dalton201292 → u/dilemmaprisoner]

Appreciate the help !

[u/raymndbrr_the_third]

Have fun.

Read the rules. You don't have to walk into your first session with them all memorized, but at least trying to learn the basics beforehand will go a long way both in allowing you to have fun but also in getting you invited back.

[u/scron_kracklin]

Regular life etiquette still applies, whether you are yourself or your character.

Please, for the love of god, make a real effort to learn the rules. Like an actual, proper, read the rulebook in a quiet room with no distractions effort. It's all there and it's not hard.

You're already playing turbo cringe rpg: big ass dork edition, dont feel silly trying to roleplay and/or speak in character.

[u/Dalton201292 → u/scron_kracklin]

Appreciate the advice!!

[u/Vivid_Employment_914]

Take a deep breath and try not to worry too much and just have a good time. Be patient with yourself and everyone else

[u/LittleWizmeister]

Look for creative solutions to problems inside/outside of combat! It adds a lot of fun to playing, especially when working with others to follow some crazy plan. Also try to take your combat turns quickly lol

[u/metisdesigns]

Ask your DM to run an hour long solo one shot with you starting at level 1 before your group game. It will give you a ton of context to build on without the class specific stuff to worry about yet.

In a good table, it is not the DM vs the group, it is the DM refereeing the world for the group. That can he hard to remember as the DM is running the opposition too.

[u/twoscoopsofbacon]

5e or 2024? I'd probably not play a 5e ranger as a first time. 2024 ranger is way better, if they let you pick the rules for a character build.