Guiding New Players through a Dungeons and Dragons Campaign: A Dungeon Master's Guide
Congratulations on welcoming a new player to your Dungeons and Dragons campaign! As a Dungeon Master (DM), your primary goal is to ensure that this player feels comfortable and engaged from the very beginning, setting the stage for a fun and immersive role-playing experience. Here’s a step-by-step guide on how to introduce a new player to the world of DD and help them create their unique character:
Putting Your New Player at Ease
Your first task as a DM is to make your new player feel welcomed and comfortable. Greet them warmly and explain the game in simple terms. Your objective is to make the experience as smooth and enjoyable as possible.
Introduce yourself as the Dungeon Master and explain the role of the player in the fantasy world. Guide them through the process of choosing their character class and race. This foundational step is crucial in establishing the player's unique role within the campaign.
Character Creation
1. Choosing the Player Handbook and Basic Rules: Ensure your new player has access to the Player's Handbook or, if they do not own a physical copy, show them how to find the basic rules online for free. Encourage them to use the online resources without feeling pressured to buy additional materials right away.
2. Gathering Necessary Equipment: A set of dice is essential for the gameplay. Let them borrow a set if purchasing their own dice is not immediately possible.
Character Statistics and Race Selection
1. Rolling the Character Stats: Walk them through the character creation process. Explain that they need to roll D6 four times, eliminating the lowest roll to get a random 3-18 result. Repeat this process five more times to obtain six stats.
2. Adding Racial Modifiers: Once the six stats are rolled, run through the race choices (Elf, Halfling, Half-Orc, Tiefling, etc.). Discuss the racial modifiers and abilities. New DD One rules permit choosing any race and adding a 2 to one stat and a 1 to another (for non-human races).
3. Human Defaults: If your player chooses Human, they gain 1 to each stat but no fancy racial abilities. This makes for a solid and versatile character.
Class Selection
1. Exploring Class Options: Discuss the different class choices available (Barbarian, Druid, Cleric, Warlock, Wizard, Rogue, etc.). Help them choose based on their interests and character concept. Offer simple choices to avoid overwhelming them with the complexities of the rules.
2. Example: Choosing a Human Warlock: If the player decides on a Human Warlock, guide them through the selection of their background. Offer a few patron choices (Cthulhu, Old One, Angel, Devil, Demon, etc.) if they have not already chosen one themselves.
3. Stat Distribution: Once the class is chosen, help the player distribute their stats. Typically, a Warlock will need to focus on Charisma, while Dexterity or Constitution are also important. Wisdom is crucial for spellcasting.
4. Equip Your Character: A Warlock typically begins with Leather Armor, a Sword, or a Light Crossbow, 8 hit points at 1st level, and 50 gold coins. They start with 2 cantrips and 2 known 1st-level spells, but only one spell slot.
5. Example Spell Choices: Offer them a range of spells to choose from, such as Eldritch Blast, Chill Touch, Mage Hand, Minor Illusion, Prestidigitation, Hellish Rebuke, and Unseen Servant, Armor of Agathys, and Hex.
Conclusion
By guiding your new player through these steps, you are not only helping them create their character but also ensuring that they feel prepared and excited to join the campaign. Encourage them to engage in a warm-up encounter as soon as possible to ease them into the adventure and ensure a smooth start to their DD journey.