A Beginner's Guide to Dungeons and Dragons

Ever wanted to play Dungeons and Dragons? Here’s a short guide!

FINDING A DM AND PARTY

            The first step to playing D&D is finding people to play with. Groups can be found through real life organisations, such as university societies, local game shops or the D&D Adventurers League. You can also join and play games online through Roll20 or One More Multiverse.

BUILDING A CHARACTER SHEET

            Character sheets contain your characters background, personality and ability scores. There are multiple ways to build a character sheet. I recommend DnD Beyond, as it gives you guidance on how to build character sheets, and provides guidance on levelling up.

SKILL CHECKS AND DICE ROLLS

            Most rolls in D&D will be made using a D20, or twenty-sided die. This includes skill checks and attack rolls. When making a skill check, you will be asked to roll a D20, and add your ability score. This is decided by how skilled your character is in a specific ability. If you are proficient in a skill, you will have a higher modifier.

COMBAT

            When in combat, you will roll for your place in the order of combat by rolling a D20 and adding your dexterity modifier. This will determine who goes before and after you in combat. You have a set health value, which will be decreased if you take damage. You can be healed by certain spells and potions.