D&D 5E A running list of questions from a new player/new DM. Other n00bs please feel free to add in.

[seebs]

I'd want to know more about what the objection to running with a premade at first is. I mean, this isn't a lifelong commitment, it's just a quick intro to the game while minimizign what you have to learn all at once.

 

[Astrosicebear]

Pre-gens are fine. Especially in a small starter game, like the 5E starter set. And especially for new players.

Once you play a few levels or adventures with a pre-gen the desire to form your own character takes hold, and another magical part of D&D comes to life.

Starting with a custom character can be a great intro, or too much info dump. Pre-gens get you right into the meat of the game.

 

[Sword of Spirit]

I'll echo what [MENTION=61529]seebs[/MENTION] said. Why does your friend object to playing a pre-made for an intro adventure?

My advice is to recommend using the pre-generated characters. They are easier for new players and they provide built in hooks for the story so the players know what their character's drives and motivations are. If one individual really, really wants to make their own character, help them make their character before the game session. Do not force the rest of the group to wait around being bored while others make their character. And if multiple people need to make characters, it will take even longer. They'll start doing something else, which will distract the people making characters, which will slow everything down and end up taking the whole session without actually starting the game. With everyone being new, that is not how I would attempt to get players excited about the game. The pre-gens are specifically intended for completely new groups like yours. Use the pre-gens.

 

[Mishihari Lord]

If it's that big a deal to him, I'd be inclined to let him generate his own character. I don't see a compelling reason to use pregens that's worth the risk of souring him on the game from the get go.

Assuming you can get your other players on board, I'd allocate the first half of the first session to chargen. That way you can talk to each other about any issues and try to figure stuff out together. It's a lot easier than trying to do it the first time yourself.

If the other players want to use pregen and he doesn't, I'd just let him, with the condition that he only uses character elements from the free pdfs. As a first time DM it would be good for you to avoid complicated abilities for the first game.

 

[painted_klown]

Thanks all for your input and thoughts. It looks like my idea to simply roll with the pre-gen characters through the beginner box is the best way to go.

I am not sure how stuck on the idea of not playing these characters he is, but I think once I can get everyone sat down together and explain my reasoning, then he will come around as well. If not, I will give everyone the option to spend the first session simply rolling up characters vs actually playing. That way if they get bored with the process, they will know it was their decision to do so, and can always decide to wait on rolling up their own once they dive in, and see how long the process could be for 4 new players to do this all at once.

Good to see my initial idea being confirmed by experienced players. Thanks all.

 

[seebs]

My main observation is: I would never want to play pregens for a long-term campaign. For a quick "I want to see how this game works", though? Definitely a lot of advantage to using pregens so I'm not trying to make decisions about things I don't really have a handle on yet.

 

[painted_klown]

Ok gang, good news. I had a long chat with the player who didn't want to use the pre-generated characters, and explained why I felt it was important to do so for the starter kit. He is now on board with using them to get started!

We discussed the idea of running through the starter box, then having everyone roll up their characters and then play through the Hoard of the Dragon Queen and Rise of Tiamat. We both really liked that idea, so I think that is how we are going to roll.

Anyway, I decided to go ahead and look at character creation and have run into some questions.

First is about weapons and armor.

If your character has a weapon that takes both hands to use (such as the greatsword), can he still carry a shield?

Also, I am a bit lost when it comes to starting equipment and how your background works with this, and affects your stats.

For example, some backgrounds give you certain proficiency bonuses. Do these proficiency bonuses stack with your proficiency bonuses allotted from your class, or are they used "instead of" those allotted from your class? I hope that question makes sense.

Also, backgrounds give you equipment to start with. Is this equipment in addition to the equipment you buy with your gold, or is this equipment what you can select to start with as a replacement/alternative to spending gold to "pick and choose" your starting equipment?

Once again, I apologize for the n00b questions, but we all have to start somewhere.

 

[Sword of Spirit]

Ok gang, good news. I had a long chat with the player who didn't want to use the pre-generated characters, and explained why I felt it was important to do so for the starter kit. He is now on board with using them to get started!

We discussed the idea of running through the starter box, then having everyone roll up their characters and then play through the Hoard of the Dragon Queen and Rise of Tiamat. We both really liked that idea, so I think that is how we are going to roll.

That sounds like a good way to go, glad it's working out.

Anyway, I decided to go ahead and look at character creation and have run into some questions.

First is about weapons and armor.

If your character has a weapon that takes both hands to use (such as the greatsword), can he still carry a shield?

Short answer = no.

Long answer = You could strap a shield onto your backpack and not use it while still fighting with a two-handed weapon, but you wouldn't derive any benefit from the shield. Actually using the shield requires a spare hand not being used for anything else. If you didn't already have it ready when you started combat, it also takes an action to ready the shield (or another one to put it away). Generally if you have a greatsword, you won't want lug a shield around, because you'll almost never use it.

Also, I am a bit lost when it comes to starting equipment and how your background works with this, and affects your stats.

For example, some backgrounds give you certain proficiency bonuses. Do these proficiency bonuses stack with your proficiency bonuses allotted from your class, or are they used "instead of" those allotted from your class? I hope that question makes sense.

Proficiency bonuses don't stack. You only get the bonus once. Your background provides certain proficiencies automatically, and your class allows you to select other proficiencies. If your class and background both gave you the exact same proficiency you only get it once and then select any other proficiency you like as a substitute for the duplicate.

In Practice: Start with your background proficiencies. Record those on your sheet. Then look at your class and choose the number of proficiencies your class says you can have (two for most classes) from the list of options it gives you. Don't pick any of the ones you already have from your background. Record those too. That's it!

Also, backgrounds give you equipment to start with. Is this equipment in addition to the equipment you buy with your gold, or is this equipment what you can select to start with as a replacement/alternative to spending gold to "pick and choose" your starting equipment?

Choose one of the following:
1. Gain the listed equipment from your chosen class + the equipment from your background
OR
2. Gain the gold from the Starting Wealth By Class table and use it to buy everything.

Once again, I apologize for the n00b questions, but we all have to start somewhere.

No problem!

There is one thing else about backgrounds that you may not want to worry about on your first game, but it's important to know. Backgrounds are just soft templates rather than hard-coded things like classes and races. You can alter a background (such as by trading one skill for another one), or entirely make up your own. The Basic Rules describes how this works on p. 36 under Customizing a Background. If you have any questions about how that works feel free to ask, because players aren't going to want to stick with the default backgrounds forever.

 

[eryndel]

If it helps, one way to look at it is your character level tells you what your proficiency bonus is, ranging from +2 to +6. Your background and class tells you what ability checks you can apply your proficiency bonus to, through skills, tools, weapon proficiency, and spells.

 

[aramis erak]

Anyway, I decided to go ahead and look at character creation and have run into some questions.

First is about weapons and armor.

If your character has a weapon that takes both hands to use (such as the greatsword), can he still carry a shield?

Also, I am a bit lost when it comes to starting equipment and how your background works with this, and affects your stats.

For example, some backgrounds give you certain proficiency bonuses. Do these proficiency bonuses stack with your proficiency bonuses allotted from your class, or are they used "instead of" those allotted from your class? I hope that question makes sense.

Also, backgrounds give you equipment to start with. Is this equipment in addition to the equipment you buy with your gold, or is this equipment what you can select to start with as a replacement/alternative to spending gold to "pick and choose" your starting equipment?

Once again, I apologize for the n00b questions, but we all have to start somewhere.

The proficiency bonuses don't stack to a single skill, but you get the ones from race, from class, and from background. If you get the same one mandated by two or more, you are allowed to swap the duplicate for another of the same kind.
Likewise, yes, you get both sets of equipment, but you don't roll for the gold shown at the start of chapter 3.

as for the shield with a greatsword. Carry it, yes; Use it, no. Most historic shields had a slinging strap, so you could keep it handy without having to have your hand out of use all the time.