AWKWARD ZOMBIE

Playing my first DnD campaign tomorrow. No idea how it works, and not sure how to make my character. Any advice?

Read the handbook, I can't stress that enough. I'm gonna have to explain the game as my group plays because nobody seems to think reading is important.

I'll skim through it. We're starting tomorrow, so I don't think I have enough time to read it all. I didn't even know I was going to be playing until I got asked this morning

If it's your first time ever playing, the GM should help with learning the combat rules and such. It's a lot to learn and no one picks it up perfectly right away. Don't be afraid to ask questions if you need help remembering. I wouldn't recommend skimming that section; it's way too much terminology for a light read.

As for what you should know, I would focus on what the various stats do. Depending on what edition you're playing they vary, but very broadly it goes: Strength = melee, Dexterity = ranged, Constitution = health, Intelligence = skill points and wizard magic, Wisdom = divine magic, and Charisma = bard/sorcerer magic.

Individual skills use different abilities, such as Stealth using Dexterity, Perception using Wisdom, etc. Different classes have different stats they need, so know what they do so you can build a class that can cover its strengths. Since it's your first time playing, you won't need to know the "perfect build" for whatever class you play, but at least know enough to build a basic member of that class. Rogues need Dex for stealth and lockpicking, Druids need Wisdom for spells, etc.

If you can imagine your character idea and understand the stats you'd need to build it, then you'll be fine on your first day.

That's mostly what I needed help with right now. I'm just trying to create my character before tomorrow so we don't have to waste time to get started. I fully expect to ask for help while we play.

I'm not entirely sure what kind of character I want to make though. Probably a Rogue halfling, but I'm not sure.

search for a 'how to make a character' tutorial online. it's invaluable, especially if you're using pathfinder which is complicated as hell. your gm should be able to help you out with any questions too. i spent hours rolling my first character that i made all by myself and i still needed corrections, haha. try to think of a good gimmick or story for your character! it makes it more fun and gets you more into ~roleplay. sticking to something generic might be easier for your first time though. i rolled what feels like a pretty complicated character for my third campaign (and my only one that isn't a one-shot,) and im still getting used to it.

what i was told was to put your highest stat roll into whatever your attacks stem from (in my case as an oracle, it was wisdom.) then divide the rest into what you think your character's strengths/weaknesses would be. my lowest stat is in strength, which really hurts my hp, but it makes sense for my character. of course now i'm pouring all my feats, etc. into con and strength increases because i keep almost dying, but i must suffer for my roleplay

Yea, I've been reading into it now. Kinda complicated, but I think I can do it. I'll still probably be corrected though. I'm thinking of making my Rogue Halfling anorexic, and then making him hard to hit because of how short and skinny he is. If that's possible.

For reference, what system/edition are you guys gonna' use? Pathfinder? DnD? (3.0, 4.0, or 5.0?)

I'm pretty sure it's DnD 5.0.. I'm not 100% sure on that though. I do know I'm not going to be the only first timer in the group at least, so I won't feel as dumb.

If you're just playing vanilla DnD or PF, HP is determined by constitution not strength. And you shouldn't gimp CON too hard if you want a combat viable character.


Yeah just max dexterity.

And make sure you're using a finesse weapon like a dagger, so you can use Dex to hit and add damage.

Thanks for the advice everyone. I had fun playing. I ended up being Trogdor Goodbarrel, the Rogue Halfling.

I feel like we weren't playing 100% correctly, but I kinda got the gist of everything at least. The DM kinda sucked though to be honest. We were playing a story that he made, and he just made it really linear. Like, he wouldn't even let me attempt to pick any locked doors that we came to, so it forced us to take specific routes instead. Also wouldn't let me pickpocket anything, or he'd say that the person I was pick-pocketing had nothing, so that kinda sucked. The only skill of mine that really came in handy were my stealth attacks. Still though, I had fun playing, and I think I'm going to try and find a Pathfinder group or something so I can play a real campaign.

DMs are a varied and colorful species and no two are identical. You might be stuck with some who make the game very unfun, or you might be blessed with a natural storyteller who is perfectly willing to make shit up to play along with the players' whims. Your DM really should have had something in mind for those locked doors and empty pockets.

As far as Pathfinder goes, just remember that Pathfinder is modified 3.5, and while 5th edition was made to be somewhat similar, there will be rule differences and class alterations that you need to pay attention to. Nothing overwhelming, just something you need to bear in mind.

He was still a pretty fun DM, I think he was just kinda rushed making it. He said he'd start working on the 2nd chapter, and that he'd make it appeal more to our class skills next time, so it should be better the next time we get together and play.

And I'm going to admit to being kinda dumb. Until about a couple hours ago, I thought Pathfinder was an online version of D&D, which is why I was going to try and find a group for it, so I could play online and be more experienced next time me and my friends play.

Syobon might know more about it than I do, but I think Pathfinder is so popular that there are probably several communities online that organize Pathfinder adventures.

For example.