So when it came to my first time playing Dungeons and Dragons , I knew I had a lot to learn.
But when your boyfriend is also a Dungeon Master, you reap the benefits of having your own little one on one Dungeons & Dragons campaigns for training purposes. I had always imagined a group of people playing D&D so I didn’t know that you can play with only one person. The benefits of training as a duet (which I learned is what a one on one campaign is called) is that it allowed more time for training and without the external pressure of letting the group down. So my social anxiety is no longer a barrier – boyfriend is pleased.
He walked me through creating my first character sheet, I had my character backstory, and even made my own miniature. I was excited to get started!
The only downfall was that my first D&D campaign was a complete failure. But through my failure comes a list of lessons for you all! Learn from my failure.
The lessons I learned from my first time playing Dungeons and Dragons:
Lesson #1: Use the Player’s Handbook to Create Your Character Backstory if playing for the first time
If you’re new to roleplaying, coming up with a character can be a bit overwhelming. Especially when you are not just coming up with their name and class, but you also should have an idea of their backstory, what motivates them, what is their goal etc.
So the D&D Player’s Handbook (or PHB) has a system in it to help build your character including essential components of their backstory. But being the more chaotically aligned person that I am, I refused to use it as I already had a character backstory in mind.
I’ve always prided myself on having a wild imagination (I have years of experience of coming up with fake scenarios in my head.) And although the backstory I had come up with was amazing and incredibly detailed, it it was one that made it very difficult to play because it had put me at a great disadvantage. It’d be one thing if I was a seasoned player and I knew how to play better, but I was not. I was a first timer and decided to give myself an unsurmountable challenge for myself by making it so much harder to defeat enemies.
When we had decided to call it quits on our introductory campaign, and I told my boyfriend/DM my character’s back story, he facepalmed. The trainer/boyfriend in him was so proud I had such a detailed character and was so committed. But the DM side of him was like “WHYYYYYYY”. He even admitted that it was a great backstory.
Perhaps I’ll share the details in a future post, let me know in the comments if this is something you’d be interested in reading!
Lesson #2: Understand & Utilize Your Character’s Skills
Take time to understand your character’s abilities, strengths and weaknesses. For example, if you are playing a character with a ranged weapon, understand the spacing system and how far your weapon can hit. Is your weapon a two-handed weapon or a single -handed weapon? Don’t know why this matters? Take some time to ask questions and learn about how this affects how you play. If you’re a spell caster (like I was) take time to learn and understand your spells. Still not quite sure? Don’t be afraid to ask your DM for clarification.
My issue when it comes to games (or anything really) is that I’m very impatient. I just want to play darnit! I don’t take time to sit and study my ability or to optimize my character. And in situations like this, that antsy part of me gets me in some sticky situations.
I didn’t familiarize myself with all of the spells I had available to me. I only familiarized myself with two spells: mage hand and prestidigitation. And those were the only two I used.
Lesson #2.5: Perhaps avoid playing a spellcasting class for your first time
As someone who failed miserably at playing a sorcerer as my first class, I would strongly suggest your first go at D&D be of a non-spellcasting class. The spells system can be a bit much to grasp with spell slots especially for someone who is playing for the first time. To be honest, I don’t think I still understand to this very day.
Lesson #3: There Are No Do-Overs
Unlike most video games where you usually travel down a directional path to unveils an existing story, in D&D whatever you do creates the story.
Usually, DM’s don’t give you the luxury of trying again. After all, that’s part of the improvisational aspect of it. A lot of D&D is about rolling with whatever is thrown your way and what the dice have in store for you.
And in those unfortunate moments when your saving throw fails you, you have to say your goodbyes to your beloved character (for this campaign at least). It’s common to have to create another character in a campaign due to a number of reasons like your first character died or had to go on a prolonged journey. And in those cases, you have to create a new character who will get introduced to the party.
Person A: So you mean to tell me that I spend a whole session building my character, I come up with an entire backstory (and perhaps even a family tree), build relationships with other characters and NPC's, only to lose it all and have to restart as someone new who doesn't know anything?
Person B: Yes.
It sucks right? But as my DM boyfriend says, it’s a good thing when you are so invested in your character because it makes you think a bit more about the decisions you make.
And I learned the hard way because ultimately, my first campaign ended quite early and abruptly. My character ultimately destroyed my entire party and themself.
Lesson #4: Regardless of How It Goes, Have Fun
While it’s a great sign that you’re really invested in your character and want to do well, don’t get defeated if something doesn’t go how you had wanted.
Things won’t always be a success. You may roll some low numbers, and that’s okay! And likewise when you find unexpected wins it will feel even better.
Part of the fun of D&D is that it is always different and that you don’t know what will happen next. Those who enjoy improvisation and being imaginative will be in a great spot.
Conclusion
Despite what a disaster my first campaign turned out to be, I honestly laughed so hard each time I failed. And isn’t that the whole purpose of all this? To have fun. To be imaginative. To enjoy time together.
So now that I’ve shared the lessons I learned from my first time playing Dungeons & Dragons, it’s time for you to go on and experience it for yourself!
In summary:
- Use your Player’s Handbook to help create your character’s backstory
- Take the time to understand your character’s skills, abilities, and weapons.
- Play a non-spellcasting class as your first character.
- There are no do-overs in D&D. Take what happens and roll with it.
- Roll with the dice and have fun – you’re playing D&D!
Did you learn any lessons from your first time playing D&D? Would love to hear what you learned in the comments!
