7 things ALL first-time D&D players need to know

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▼ INDEX ▼
0:00 Intro
1:20 Finding a game
2:26 Don't panic over the rules
3:51 Love your character
5:04 What would your character do?
6:35 SPONSOR: The best-kept DM secret
7:51 Stay focused & engaged
9:00 Talk with your table
10:08 Don't buy everything
11:13 Give it some time

Ready to start playing Dungeons & Dragons? D&D can be an intimidating game for beginners, but here's a guide with tips on how to get started with tabletop gaming and roleplay!

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[susancharlton]

I'm definitely one of those 'veteran players who tries to drag new people into this hobby because I like sharing things that make me happy' types. One simple thing that I do for new players at my table is get them what I call a newbie dice set. They are generally plain, but all of them are different colors. So I can say something like, "Now roll a d8. That's the purple one." It streamlines the game a bit for my veterans, and gives the rookies the opportunity to learn the dice shapes at their own pace.

[pLanetstarBerry]

I know a lot of experienced DMs/Players discourage new players from making spellcasters, but I think it really depends on the newbie's learning style and their investment in said character. My first 5e DM was able to intuit that I'm the kind of learner that needs to be yeeted into the deep end of the pool, so he suggested I play a wizard. I had an absolute blast. Played a little old human lady that's been twice divorced and treated the rest of the party like her children/grandchildren, even if they were 300 year old elves.

[CrispysTavern]

At last! It's really hard to properly convey what a first time player needs before starting their first game. Or... how to start their first game for that matter. I think top level primers (like this video) are so important, as they act as an introduction without being overwhelming. D&D can be... a lot, but starting with a little is the best way to introduce someone brand new.

[ariadnes]

i’m about to DM for the first time for a couple of friends who are also total beginners. this could not have come at a more perfect time. thank you so much, ginny. 🧡

[NygaardBushcraft]

I started playing D&D in 1977, being DM for a small 5 person group.. it later grew to a huge 300 person roleplaying club that and I have 46 year anniversary this year I stepped down as president for the club during 10 years I served in the french foreign legion, and after I came back I branched off being referee for a small hardcore group of Traveller players, we still run the same campaign in Traveller 23 years later, meeting bi-weekly.

[AnHourOfWolves]

I still remember my first adventure... September 1988. It was a lot of fun, I played a cleric because nobody else wanted to and the group needed a healer; they essentially tricked me into it because everyone else was a fighter or a wizard. I still had fun, and ended up playing and becoming a DM for the next 35 years.

[Erisonii]

"Less Iron Man, more Avengers." Holy crap, this is exactly what I was thinking about with a problem player I've been dealing with.

[SigmaMorrigan]

The section on ADHDers playing DND hit some BIG sore spots for me; I think this is definitely a reason that I struggle with playing, even though I do love it. I always feel exhausted in a not-pleasant way after playing for several hours, and a huge part of that is just having tried so desperately to sit in one place without feeling like I can move around.

I'm thinking right now that maybe what we need to do is normalize setting more frequent breaks for the full group, so that it's NOT just sitting in one place for 5 hours, or even putting the onus on the player to ask for a time out. As an access issue, it bears asking during a session 0, I think, about players physical needs during playing: ratio of breaks for the length of play expected, normalizing the ability to fidget or move around the table for people who struggle with just sitting in place, that kind of thing.

Thank you so much for putting this section into the video. It's really got me thinking about the things that lead to me not playing as often as I would like, and I'm hoping this will lead to me creating some new DND environments that will be easier on me. <3

[Merlinstergandaldore]

Some good tips! I have run games for 36+ years, and have found a great way to introduce new players is to have a rotation of guests when regulars can't make a session. If a seat opens up, I often use the chance to reach out to someone I know who's expressed interest in D&D so they can sit in on a game to see what it's like. It's a non-commital situation so they can see the game, as well as keeping the game going in the face of the absence of a regular.

[Anisozygoptera]

For anyone totally new to playing, Ginny's channel really is the best place to start! I wish I'd had something like this when I began playing. She has a whole playlist of videos for players. Don't get overwhelmed (none of it is essential), but if watching some Youtube videos would help you feel prepared, I really don't think there's a better place to go. Of course, nothing replaces just having good communication with the people you'll be playing with (which I *think* is the advice Ginny would give you too).

[chrisyee]

I’ve been playing D&D for over 40 years now but only just started DMing when our forever DM couldn’t do it anymore. Watching and reading a ton of sites on DM tips but what I appreciate most about this channel is it reminds me that D&D is just plain damn fun! 4 hours a week of shared storytelling and conversation with good friends? Heck yeah!

[MahoganyDesk]

Ginny: Just remember to tack on the "5e" at the end -
Me: So you don't get an older version of DnD.
Ginny: So you don't end up on a government watchlist! Oops!
Me: 👀

[Holly-xdms]

As a person with dyslexia, it took me 12 sessions to finally grasp the basics. I know this was exhausting for my fellow players, but I really appreciate my DM and other players for teaching me and being patient. The party I am in have a total of 3 TPKs. We still love and grow with each other, there are no losses and no wins.

[NassiLove]

Basically everyone, except for the dungeon master, in our new campaign is a beginner, and we’re slowly learning (with a lot of confused questions thrown at the DM and eachother) and this helps a lot, thanks!

We started D&D because we wanted to revive our old group chat, so thankfully we all know each other

(the biggest hurdle that kept me from D&D. I have a lot of anxiety so it helps to know the person for a year or two before)

[wanderingpaladin]

Tomorrow, I'm going to start my very first DnD campaign with some school friends. I'm pretty sure none of us have played DnD before, but our DM's dad is quite experienced and could probably help us if we get confused about the rules. We all know each other, the DM is a close friend of mine, our ranger is also in my friend group and our rogue was my childhood best friend, so I think we'll be in for a blast!

[victoriarotramel]

There's a great actual play podcast called Girls Who Don't DnD where the three players are absolute beginners and the dm has a lot of experience. It's great for learning the basics without having to buy a bunch of books and reading hours and hours of rules.

[swovy]

"DnD is not like a video game"... THANK YOU for saying that. I was DMing a game where I had one player (who was new to the game, so it's not necessarily her fault) who was playing it like that. I was trying my best to steer her back away from that mindset so the game wouldn't barrel down towards metagaming, and that was a challenge all on its own.

[davidparkes]

So I have....

1. My first character created.
2. My first set of dice.
3. The Players Handbook.

Now all I'm missing is a group to play with & possibly other stuff I'm forgetting, lol. Great video Ginny.

[gabebaum]

"Don't forgot to tag that '5e' onto the end to make sure you don't end up on a government watch list for searching 'can you instantly kill someone while they're asleep.'
That's oddly specific Ginny, anything you wanna share with the class?

[CamJacobson]

This is phenomenal, practical, and actually applicable advice for new D&D players. Amazingly well done on this video Ginny. It's going on my D&D must watch list.