D&D 5E (2024) Converting Starter Set Rogue to 3rd Level PHB? Newbie Player

[Zardnaar]

So the starter set doesn't use character sheets as such. I let the players keep the equipment where applicable but a few forgot to take photos.

And I cant remember exact things and record keeping was kinda poor as a campaign wasnt planned.

So rebuild the character time. I think the player chose an elf but phb has more options. I've decided to start them with 1 uncommon and two common items. They found more in the starter set. Fighter retains his +1 full plate.

Shes roughly figured out dual wielding or using a short bow. Think she chose assassin in the starter and had a clockwork amulet. She really enjoyed skills and the starter had done great fun skill things to do.

Campaign is in Baldurs Gate. Urban adventures mix of Golden Vault and Adventures in Faerun. Bits imported from Saltmarsh and Forgotten Realms Adventures (1990 2E,)Sandbox mode. So simple and d effective we made this for her after consultation. She can rebuild her character and change things.

Human Thief
Str 9
Dex 17
Con 14
Int 12
Wisdom 12
Cha 12
7 skill trained, expertise in sleight of hand, perception.

Starting equipment mundane stuff plus 1 uncommon, 2 commons. We gave her a wand of magic missile, potion of curing and a clockwork amulet. They had a couple of hundred gold approx each so ill round it to 200.

Background. Custom entertainer. Basically floating stats. Feats musician and tough. She used musician in the starter.

She wants to stick with rogue, likes skills and hasn't read a rulebook. 4 sessions of starter set thats all she played. Another newbie has picked warlock but has played BG3.

Any advice for helping her out. Emphasis on simple, she likes skills. I picked mostly things she has already been doing and tough as its a passive effect. Thief is so I can drop in a nice item later on when their damage falls off. Eg enspelled weapons or armor.

 

[aco175]

I would make a character sheet or use this time to transition to a more official one. There are many online with some rather simple. Color highlighters help sort combat from AC to HP.

Maybe have her do this so that she learns better instead of having you make it.

 

[Zardnaar]

I would make a character sheet or use this time to transition to a more official one. There are many online with some rather simple. Color highlighters help sort combat from AC to HP.

Maybe have her do this so that she learns better instead of having you make it.

That was the plan but she was sick for session 0.

 

[aco175]

I have one player that still likes having cards like 4e for class powers and spells. Might not be best for a rogue since everything is always on, but for a fighter and second wind or action surge it works. Maybe something for the most common weapon and sneak attack. This way the player can place all the dice on the card and know how many they are rolling.

 

[Zardnaar]

I have one player that still likes having cards like 4e for class powers and spells. Might not be best for a rogue since everything is always on, but for a fighter and second wind or action surge it works. Maybe something for the most common weapon and sneak attack. This way the player can place all the dice on the card and know how many they are rolling.

Yea she liked the starter set cards. But they got neglected record keeping wise hence rebuild.

It was also fun with the gem and coin tokens along with the hp ones

 

[Zardnaar]

Ran a tweaked Stygian Gambit. Adventure let the PCs pick an uncommon magic item subject to DM approval.

Rogues now packing an enspelled shortsword with cure wounds in it.

Good to be a thef I suppose.

 

[Blazestudios23]

Thief is the right call here for a player who liked the skill stuff. Fast Hands at 3 turns Sleight of Hand and Use an Object into a bonus action, so she gets a second thing to do every round without reading anything new.

One change I'd make to the package. Swap Entertainer for Criminal or Guard so she picks up Alert instead of Musician. Musician is the weakest origin feat in the book and she already gets Expertise in the skills she cares about. Alert adds her proficiency bonus to initiative, which for a Rogue means going before the enemy an dgetting Sneak Attack in while everyone is still bunched up. That is the best thing you can give a new player, they feel fast without tracking anything.

Tough is fine as your second pick. 2 HP per level on d8 hp is good at low levels.

On the shortbow versus dual wielding thing, just let her use the bow. Sneak Attack only needs one qualifying attack and the bow gets it from an ally being within 5 feet of the target. Two-Weapon Fighting eats her bonus action, which is the same bonus action Fast Hands wants. Less decisions per round.

For an urban Baldur's Gate sandbox I'd also give her a reason to roll Sleight of Hand outside combat every session. Pickpocket a guard captain, lift a ledger. Skill players stay engaged when the skill drives the plot.

I wrote a 2024 backgrounds guide that ranks all of them by origin feat, short version Guard and Criminal are the top of the list and Entertainer is near the bottom: D&D 2024 Guides | The Role Players Guild

 

[Zardnaar]

Thief is the right call here for a player who liked the skill stuff. Fast Hands at 3 turns Sleight of Hand and Use an Object into a bonus action, so she gets a second thing to do every round without reading anything new.

One change I'd make to the package. Swap Entertainer for Criminal or Guard so she picks up Alert instead of Musician. Musician is the weakest origin feat in the book and she already gets Expertise in the skills she cares about. Alert adds her proficiency bonus to initiative, which for a Rogue means going before the enemy an dgetting Sneak Attack in while everyone is still bunched up. That is the best thing you can give a new player, they feel fast without tracking anything.

Tough is fine as your second pick. 2 HP per level on d8 hp is good at low levels.

On the shortbow versus dual wielding thing, just let her use the bow. Sneak Attack only needs one qualifying attack and the bow gets it from an ally being within 5 feet of the target. Two-Weapon Fighting eats her bonus action, which is the same bonus action Fast Hands wants. Less decisions per round.

For an urban Baldur's Gate sandbox I'd also give her a reason to roll Sleight of Hand outside combat every session. Pickpocket a guard captain, lift a ledger. Skill players stay engaged when the skill drives the plot.

I wrote a 2024 backgrounds guide that ranks all of them by origin feat, short version Guard and Criminal are the top of the list and Entertainer is near the bottom: D&D 2024 Guides | The Role Players Guild

Its not designed to be the best. It's designed to be fun, simple effective.

The has nick amd vex so can dual wiled snd use a wand or enspelled shortsword.

 

[UngeheuerLich]

Musician is one of the best origin feats in the book. It is heroic inspiration nearly on demand...

By a strict reading, you can also give that inspiration to yourself by targetting someone who already has inspiration. I am still divided on that matter though. One one hand it seems like an exploit, on the other hand being inspired yourself after inspiring everyone else also seems narratively OK.

 

[Zardnaar]

Musician is one of the best origin feats in the book. It is heroic inspiration nearly on demand...

By a strict reading, you can also give that inspiration to yourself by targetting someone who already has inspiration. I am still divided on that matter though. One one hand it seems like an exploit, on the other hand being inspired yourself after inspiring everyone else also seems narratively OK.

I like it.

More importantly the player liked it along with rest of the group. They had fun with it a d theres a lot of short rest abilities in the group.