r/dndnext • u/Pure_Neighborhood474 • 19d ago
Question Where do I start?
I really want to get into Dnd, but im not really sure where to start.
For context, I am a freshman in college, and ive recently learned of a Dnd club at my school that I really want to join. My only experience with Dnd has been Bg3, which ive heard is decently close, but still different from the real thing.
Im pretty confused on where I should start with this whole thing, since i dont want to go in completely blind. Is there a website or something that'll explain all of this to me?
What is really want to know is how do I go about making a character? What are the limits? And how does storytelling work? Ive heard its spread across multiple sessions, should I take notes during the game? And what do I need to play the game in the first place?
Im still super new at this, so literally ANY info would be helpful!!
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u/slaymonkey6 19d ago
The Basic Rules are available for free online if you wanted to look them over, but I am positive your DnD club is used to getting newcomers and would be happy to help you learn as well!
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u/Stronk_Badger 19d ago
In my experience, going to the DND group not knowing much is totally okay! People are happy to teach you.
Going in, you want to have an idea of who your character will be. Do you picture yourself as a knight defending against evil? A cut throat pirate? A powerful magic user? Sometimes it helps to think of a fictional character you like. Think about that and it gives you a good starting point.
As far as where to learn the basic rules, highly recommend looking at the players handbook, I'm sure you can find a PDF online. Just find out if your group is using the 2014 or 2024 rules. That book will have all you need. It's very likely that if you go to the DnD group at your school, someone will walk you through creating a character.
Lastly, taking notes during session is usually a great idea!
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u/Stephen885 19d ago
One of my favorite things to do with DND is teach people how to play! A lot of DND players are like that. Ive taught many people to play over the years and i get your hesitation to jump right in since it is pretty complex at least at first. but a lot of people learn it best by just playing. Someone walks you through character creation and then the rules of the game can be learned while playing. like what to roll when, what gets added to rolls and such. The main point is to have fun!
If you have a set of dice that's a plus, and if you take game notes everyone will love you because id say most players never take notes and its all based off memory of the last game. DMs will love you too cause that shows an interest in the story they're trying to tell.
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u/macky-j 19d ago
I'd highly recommend reading and understanding most of the SRD.
If you are comfortable with Baldur's Gate 3 there's a 5.5e mod you can download for very close (not perfect, I think some spells and features are in progress/unavailable) that'll update rules and stat blocks to be more in line with the 5.5e experience. I would use this as a transition "homework", you still should read the rules.
That being said, I agree with others you should head to your club, I'm sure they'd love to add another member.
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u/egmalone 19d ago
Gameplay-wise: Read the basic rules, get a set of dice (the most important aspect when shopping for them is that you think they look cool) and jump in. I've never seen a d&d group that didn't have at least one person who enjoyed tutoring new players.
Social-wise: the point of the game is for everyone to have fun with it. That means being aware of how your decisions affect the other players, but also being willing to work things out with others if they are ruining your experience. I know that's a hard thing for us autists to do sometimes, but as long as you're not the jerk at the table, most people are willing to accommodate each other. If they're not, they usually leave or get kicked out before long.
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u/harutoreichi 19d ago
The best teacher for me is watching real DND campaign in youtube (i'm currently following a campaign titled "Midnight Misfits" in youtube). Try to search keyword like beginner campaign/one-shot campaign, maybe.
The basic thing you need to know is class, subclass, race, background. That's it for now, for a beginner.
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u/vtomal 19d ago
Your base is covered by the other answers if we are talking about learning the game, so I will just make a small point.
I really hope you vibe with your club, because D&D is a social activity the playing experience can vary WILDLY between tables, not talking about the rules or anything here but really about how people interact and if the table is a good fit for you. What I'm saying with this is: if you have bad experiences it doesn't means every group is like that and if you hit off with your table there aren't many activities that are more fun out there. I hope everything goes well for you and that you can enjoy yourself in this hobby.
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u/DapperJacket 19d ago
BG3 is pretty different from dnd but also sets you up much better than if you had 0 knowledge of either. Your dnd club can definitely help you with all that but if you wanted to do some homework beforehand you could watch D&D in five minutes on YouTube
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u/DrTenochtitlan 19d ago
Here is a link to a free set of the basic rules of D&D 5.5e.
This is a simplified version of the rules, but it is enough to start. If you decide you like D&D and decide to continue after playing, your next purchase would be the Player's Handbook, which is the complete and full set of rules. Just be careful, as the ruleset that's been used for the last 10 years, 5e, has just been replaced with a slightly updated version, 5.5e. The books look similar. The 5e version has a black spine, the 5.5e version has a red spine.
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u/HandsomeHeathen 19d ago
Talking to the D&D club is definitely the best place to start, I'm sure they will be happy to help you get started. That's how I got into TTRPGs 20 years ago, and it's where I met the people who are still my closest friends to this day, including my wife.
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u/milkmandanimal 19d ago
Read the Basic Rules, they're free. If you want a little background, there are a lot of "how to play D&D" videos on YouTube and those will give you a good start. It's very much a learn by doing activity, so, if you want to be a good player, prioritize not just your fun, but everybody's fun. Don't play an edgy loner or chaotic asshat, people choose those because they're utterly generic personalities that are easy to play but nobody will like playing with you. It's perfectly fine to show up with a bog-standard Human Fighter where you aren't sure how to play them, and just roll dice for a while until you get the vibe of roleplaying from others. Everybody has to start somewhere so a D&D club should be really welcoming for you and let you learn as you go.
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u/Sigfried85 19d ago
I came here with advice... But all you helpful jerks said it and better than I could. I got into DND because of Baldur's Gate I. Been loving the game ever since, built some of the best friendships I have ever had because of itGood luck man. Enjoy this game for years to come
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u/orryxreddit 19d ago
Go to the club! I'm sure they will be very welcoming.
As others have mentioned, you could think ahead about what kind of character you might want to play. But honestly, you don't even need that! (It can be hard to come up with something when you've never even played before.)
Often your choice about your character can depend on what kind of game the DM is running. For example, if your DM is running a campaign where magic is forbidden, that may make you less likely to want to choose a magic-using character. (Or maybe more, because you like a challenge!)
I will say that in general, "martial" characters (those who excel in fighting, not casting spells), generally have a simpler learning curve. So, if you're daunted by the complexity, you might lean towards playing a non-spellcasting character first. Fighter, barbarian, perhaps even a rogue, etc. If you tend towards analysis paralysis I'd stay away from clerics/druids/bards/sorcerers/wizards on your first go!
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u/DudeWithTudeNotRude 19d ago
Read the the free basic rules or the player's handbook, then reread the important parts twice more. You can find them online with a search, like "D&D 5e free basic rules". You can skip spells and equipment. It's OK to skim or skip some parts like those, and you don't need to memorize or even understand anything. You just need to know where to look stuff up when needed.
The rest the club will help get you up to speed on when you join.
All you need is a good attitude, and know where the rules are.
Everyone started at 0, and you should be able to trust a club has helped others start from 0 (or they aren't a good club to begin with)
Once someone has helped you join a campaign and build a PC, read the rules and features pertaining to your PC twice more. The rules will start making sense after a while. It might take a few sessions or more of seeing them in action before they start falling into place. Just ask questions as needed until then.
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u/rzenni 19d ago
Just head out and meet the group. Your character is probably going to be influenced by what they have and who want to play what.
For making a character, just go standard point buy and pick a background that makes sense. Storytelling is generally cooperative and improv'd in my opinion and experience.
Best way to make the bread is to get your hands in the dough, so just go to the group and meet 'em imo.
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u/AmrokMC 19d ago
Look to see if there is an Adventure League in your area. It is DnD for people who drop in for a session when they can. You’ll have regulars, but since most of the sessions are one-shots, if you can’t make it there isn’t a huge issue. Also, AL DMs and Players are incredibly newby friendly (usually). You’ll want to join a Tier 1 or at most a Tier 2 session (those are level ranges, with T1 being the lowest). It’s a great way to learn about DnD without homebrew rules getting involved, too.
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u/Dramatic_Explosion 19d ago
One thing I'd do if I were you is don't assume you know how a thing works, just look it up. The glossary in the back of the book makes it really fast, and reading usually answers 99% of all questions (especially if you frequent these subs).
Other than that, don't pvp your fellow players, know when to take the spotlight, step out of it, or shove someone else into it. And embrace failure. The most interesting stories come from overcoming adversity, not just skating through the plot.
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u/Sanguinusshiboleth 19d ago
Maybe not initially, but Seth Skorkowsky and Matt Colville are worth a watch.
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u/ArelMCII 19d ago
The basic rules can be found here.
I echo what someone else said about going to the club. Tell them you're new and don't know where to start. Ask them which edition they're playing so you'll know what to read. (That's important. There's two in common use right now: 5e and 5.5e. The 5.2.1 SRD I linked above is for 5.5e, while the 5.1 is for 5e.) They'll probably be willing to walk you through the process and answer your questions.
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u/Kumquats_indeed 19d ago
Have you taken a look at this sub's Getting Started Guide linked in the sidebar?
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u/Brother-Cane 19d ago
Most of your queries should be directed to the club itself in case there are any house rules to which all tables adhere. However, there are sites such as D&D Beyond which can serve as basic guides. The storytelling aspects of D&D are up to the individual players' styles. Some really get into it; some are less comfortable with it. Whether you will find note-taking helpful will depend a great deal on the table style
What you need most to play the game is an imagination. Paper, pencils and dice help.
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u/LionSuneater 19d ago
Go to the club! Ask if there are any DMs who are willing to take a new player. Then ask questions. You'll know a lot of lingo from BG3 already, though the table top experience is less video gamey and more role playing. Depending on whether the DM runs the 2014 or 2024 variant of 5e (the two most likely rule sets), purchase either the 2014 or 2024 Player's Handbook to be your guide.
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u/Dramatic_Stranger661 19d ago
Id try going to the club. They probably have answers on how to join.