First Game: Quick Prep List
I recently was asked to offer, off the top of my head, a quick list of things that a new Dungeons & Dragons group should consider having ready for their first session together.
Itâs not extensive, but itâll definitely give you a head start over other games Iâve seen slog through the early hours. Itâs also probably (mostly) applicable to many other tabletop, pen & paper roleplaying games.
Here it is (in no particular order):
Make sure the manuals (pdf or print) are available for each player as applicable (PHB for players, PHB and DMG for DM, etc)
Make sure character sheets are done and available before the game starts, ideally in a group âcharacter creation sessionâ to get a feel for the other players
Get dice, ideally one set of each type (d20, d10, etc) for each player (including the dm)
Have ready a way to quickly demonstrate physical space relations between player characters, npcs, objects, nearby hazards, monsters, etc. Could be a whiteboard, grid map, a published map, or in a bind any physical surface and just use a ruler and string for distances if nothing else
Whiteboard recommended for anything that everyone should be aware of (ex. initiative order, ongoing status effects), especially the things that change often and quickly
Have an adventure ready and ensure the DM is well versed in it (read it, studied it, made changes as they saw fit to best entertain the sort of players expected)
Consider getting to know the objectives and playstyle of each player (not their characters) and make sure theyâll mesh well with the group as a whole
Send out details of the game - start time, proposed end time, plans on whoâs bringing snacks, minis, dice, etc
Confirm any house rules you want to use and get group agreement on it before the game begins
If not using a standard setting, make sure you have a write-up so the group knows the basics of what their characters should know about the world, its greatest threats, its best known facts, and the current social and political setting of the region theyâll start in - a sort of âday in the life of the commoner in world Xâ so theyâre starting on relatively equal ground
Make sure you have an area prepared that will be comfortable, and allow for collaboration and communication
Have someone ready to take notes (not JUST the DM, but the DM too so they can note things the players donât know)
Be excited! Stay excited! Youâre about to create, star in, and play in a world of your shared imaginations with people who may well become the best friends youâve ever had
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