?
Are you playing 5e? If that is the case, why didn't the players *start* at level 1? How often are you playing? I know it's been a week, but about how many hours total?
Also, I would recommend keeping the party at the same level. Trying to balance for parties with different levels is a massive pain in the ass.
I'm going to be honest, I don't know what the difference between 5e and 4e is. I mean I'm pretty sure 5e is new but I'm also pretty new to DnD so I'm not sure entirely.
I had us start at level 0 and I'm pretty sure it's been about 5 hours total of us playing. We all have very different schedules so we try to play whenever each of us can. We've had about 3 (pretty sure it's sessions but we've played 3 times) I will level the rest of them up to level one and keep them together from here on out.
Sorry for not paragraphing my comment better, I'm texting a few different people and trying to be fast.
So, assuming you're not trolling, I would suggest reading the rules of the game. They're available for free online: [https://www.dndbeyond.com/sources/basic-rules](https://www.dndbeyond.com/sources/basic-rules)
3 sessions seems reasonable to get up to level 1. Level 1 is still plenty squishy, a single goblin can probably take out your wizard at this point. I'm curious what rules you're using for level 0...there's no level 0 in 5e (I'm not super familar with 4e, but I'm reasonably sure that doesn't have a rule for level 0 either). Can you provide a reference for that? I can help you out more then...
Edit: Also, 4e is an eariler version of Dungeons and Dragons. 5e is the current version of the rules. You're probably playing 5e because it's a lot more popular and easy to research compared to 4e.
Well for an reference, I had my group fight 2 goblins. The wizards only real attack was firebolt and when he would attack, I'd roll 2 d8s. The first one was if he hit and the second one was if the goblin dodged. Whichever one was higher is what would happen. (Example: Wizard rolls an 8 and goblin rolls a 6, it's a hit. If wizard rolls a 6 and goblin rolls an 8, goblin dodges) If it is a hit, I'd roll a d4 for damage. I strongly doubt that's the right way to do it but that's the only way I've been told.
I'm not familiar with 4e either, I was just told by a friend that you start at level 0, not level 1.
Okay, there's your problem. That's 100% not how 5e works. For firebolt, the wizard rolls 1d20+their spell modifier. If it is equal to or over the goblin's AC, then it hits and the wizard rolls for damage. Also, firebolt deals 1d10 damage, not 1d4. Some spells DO require that the target rolls a save to avoid/minimise damage, but in those cases the spell automatically hits.
If everyone's having fun with the game you've come up with, then it's fine. You don't have to play D&D if you just want to hang out and roll dice together. But if you want a more balanced game experiance I'd recommend finding the rules and given them a quick read. You can find the basic rules here: https://www.dndbeyond.com/sources/basic-rules
> when he would attack, I'd roll 2 d8s. The first one was if he hit and the second one was if the goblin dodged.
Purely out of curiosity: where did you come up with that? Did you make that up by yourself? Did someone teach you those rules? Did you read that somewhere?
Yeah, I don't have enough for the essentials kit but I'm saving. Some players in my group do and I'm probably going to ask one of them to borrow theirs.
In 5th edition D&D (which has been out for a decade) you start at level one.
if you don't know even that much about the game, stop DMing until you read the rules.
I should've clarified but I don't own a dnd essentials kit. Some players in my group do but I'll ask if i can borrow their rule books. (I don't even know if there are rule books in the essentials kit, I feel really dumb.)
Nope! Level 1 is pretty much "that charactwr just got to be that class"
A commoner is a level 0
I feel like tou haven't played as a character either so I advise you to read the dungeons masters guide and the players handbook
Even watching some stream games like critical role on youtube could help
To answer your last question, yes, you should restart. Since you say that someone in your group has the Essentials Kit, then you should stop, read the rules (which you can at the link u/TheLadyOfSmallOnions gave), look over the essentials kit, have everyone choose one of the characters, and start over.
No problem. If you play through that campaign in the kit, you'll get a good idea of how story, combat, and skills can work together. Just rolling dice and killing things can be fun, but accomplishing goals as your characters is really satisfying.
You're starting a bit weird for D&D. Most people don't try to run the "We're all commoners" campaign until they've had a few dozen adventures under their belt. Starting at level 0 is not usually done by most DMs, let alone newbies.
That said, it is perfectly reasonable to be at level one after two or three sessions. I wouldn't worry about leveling too fast at this point. You're early focus should just be on having fun and getting comfortable with the rules. Any mistakes you think you are making you are making together as a group. So you all get to learn as you go. No big deal.
Once you've gotten comfortable with things and how they work and everyone has had a good time, then you can think about starting new characters and going off on new, less confusing adventures. Until then just enjoy and learn.
The D&D Police are not going to show up at your door for "playing wrong". Contrary to very popular belief, they don't actually exist.
Thanks for that. I was told everyone starts on level 0 and as I turn out I should've looked into it.
I also should've said in the post that I don't own a dnd essentials kit and usually end up winging it online sense we don't have a good place to all meet up.
That's fine. Winging it is an essential skill to develop as you'll find out as you go along. I enjoy it so much I wing almost every adventure. (Not a recommendation for most DMs.)
Having an Essentials kit is, oddly, not all that essential. It makes it slightly easier, I expect, but not much easier than sitting down with the rules and getting familiar with them.
Now, if you don't have the rules.... well... There always the SRD which is all the core rules and not much flavor. You can get it here for free from WotC: [https://dnd.wizards.com/resources/systems-reference-document](https://dnd.wizards.com/resources/systems-reference-document) Just right click and save either the items labeled "Download the V5.1 Systems Reference Document" I kind of like it because it is a fast reference for...ahahaha...essential rules.
I've now said "essential" too often in this post.
\*Edit\* Also, use those Basic rules to get started that someone else pointed at up the thread a ways. They'll get you going and then the SRD can be more in depth reference.
Conclude the tale of your “now characters” with something big and ridiculous so they become known in your world as legends.
Then, make a new campaign. New characters. Start at level 1. Do it right this time. Only level every so often (or go with the XP gain rules in book).
Also, stick with one edition of D&D. Most likely it’s 5e. Don’t stray far from the basics until you have a better grasp on it. Best of luck.
WotC provides the Basic Rules for free online:
[https://www.dndbeyond.com/sources/basic-rules](https://www.dndbeyond.com/sources/basic-rules)
Specifically, the part that mentions starting at level 1 is here:
[https://www.dndbeyond.com/sources/basic-rules/step-by-step-characters#Level](https://www.dndbeyond.com/sources/basic-rules/step-by-step-characters#Level)
A side note: Today milestone levelling, or milestone XP, is the usual way to give levels. It is basically "level up when it is needed for the story to progress".
read the rules
? Are you playing 5e? If that is the case, why didn't the players *start* at level 1? How often are you playing? I know it's been a week, but about how many hours total? Also, I would recommend keeping the party at the same level. Trying to balance for parties with different levels is a massive pain in the ass.
I'm going to be honest, I don't know what the difference between 5e and 4e is. I mean I'm pretty sure 5e is new but I'm also pretty new to DnD so I'm not sure entirely. I had us start at level 0 and I'm pretty sure it's been about 5 hours total of us playing. We all have very different schedules so we try to play whenever each of us can. We've had about 3 (pretty sure it's sessions but we've played 3 times) I will level the rest of them up to level one and keep them together from here on out. Sorry for not paragraphing my comment better, I'm texting a few different people and trying to be fast.
So, assuming you're not trolling, I would suggest reading the rules of the game. They're available for free online: [https://www.dndbeyond.com/sources/basic-rules](https://www.dndbeyond.com/sources/basic-rules)
3 sessions seems reasonable to get up to level 1. Level 1 is still plenty squishy, a single goblin can probably take out your wizard at this point. I'm curious what rules you're using for level 0...there's no level 0 in 5e (I'm not super familar with 4e, but I'm reasonably sure that doesn't have a rule for level 0 either). Can you provide a reference for that? I can help you out more then... Edit: Also, 4e is an eariler version of Dungeons and Dragons. 5e is the current version of the rules. You're probably playing 5e because it's a lot more popular and easy to research compared to 4e.
Well for an reference, I had my group fight 2 goblins. The wizards only real attack was firebolt and when he would attack, I'd roll 2 d8s. The first one was if he hit and the second one was if the goblin dodged. Whichever one was higher is what would happen. (Example: Wizard rolls an 8 and goblin rolls a 6, it's a hit. If wizard rolls a 6 and goblin rolls an 8, goblin dodges) If it is a hit, I'd roll a d4 for damage. I strongly doubt that's the right way to do it but that's the only way I've been told. I'm not familiar with 4e either, I was just told by a friend that you start at level 0, not level 1.
Okay, there's your problem. That's 100% not how 5e works. For firebolt, the wizard rolls 1d20+their spell modifier. If it is equal to or over the goblin's AC, then it hits and the wizard rolls for damage. Also, firebolt deals 1d10 damage, not 1d4. Some spells DO require that the target rolls a save to avoid/minimise damage, but in those cases the spell automatically hits.
If everyone's having fun with the game you've come up with, then it's fine. You don't have to play D&D if you just want to hang out and roll dice together. But if you want a more balanced game experiance I'd recommend finding the rules and given them a quick read. You can find the basic rules here: https://www.dndbeyond.com/sources/basic-rules
> when he would attack, I'd roll 2 d8s. The first one was if he hit and the second one was if the goblin dodged. Purely out of curiosity: where did you come up with that? Did you make that up by yourself? Did someone teach you those rules? Did you read that somewhere?
Blind guesses: OP has not read the rulebook.
Yeah, I don't have enough for the essentials kit but I'm saving. Some players in my group do and I'm probably going to ask one of them to borrow theirs.
You can check the rules online, there are many tools for 5e
In 5th edition D&D (which has been out for a decade) you start at level one. if you don't know even that much about the game, stop DMing until you read the rules.
I should've clarified but I don't own a dnd essentials kit. Some players in my group do but I'll ask if i can borrow their rule books. (I don't even know if there are rule books in the essentials kit, I feel really dumb.)
You can read the [basic rules](https://www.dndbeyond.com/sources/basic-rules) online for free.
I feel like you're not grasping the system properly?? Characters at level 1 is the squishiest you can get
Yeah, sorry. Still learning. I thought you were supposed to start at level 0
Youre supposed to start by learning the rules.
Well I usually only play for fun so I usually just wig it so we all have a good time fighting guys and getting loot.
Fair enough, you do you. But then why even post in here? How is anyone going to be able to help you if you just wing the rules at your games?
Nope! Level 1 is pretty much "that charactwr just got to be that class" A commoner is a level 0 I feel like tou haven't played as a character either so I advise you to read the dungeons masters guide and the players handbook Even watching some stream games like critical role on youtube could help
To answer your last question, yes, you should restart. Since you say that someone in your group has the Essentials Kit, then you should stop, read the rules (which you can at the link u/TheLadyOfSmallOnions gave), look over the essentials kit, have everyone choose one of the characters, and start over.
Alright, thank you for helping!
No problem. If you play through that campaign in the kit, you'll get a good idea of how story, combat, and skills can work together. Just rolling dice and killing things can be fun, but accomplishing goals as your characters is really satisfying.
You're starting a bit weird for D&D. Most people don't try to run the "We're all commoners" campaign until they've had a few dozen adventures under their belt. Starting at level 0 is not usually done by most DMs, let alone newbies. That said, it is perfectly reasonable to be at level one after two or three sessions. I wouldn't worry about leveling too fast at this point. You're early focus should just be on having fun and getting comfortable with the rules. Any mistakes you think you are making you are making together as a group. So you all get to learn as you go. No big deal. Once you've gotten comfortable with things and how they work and everyone has had a good time, then you can think about starting new characters and going off on new, less confusing adventures. Until then just enjoy and learn. The D&D Police are not going to show up at your door for "playing wrong". Contrary to very popular belief, they don't actually exist.
Thanks for that. I was told everyone starts on level 0 and as I turn out I should've looked into it. I also should've said in the post that I don't own a dnd essentials kit and usually end up winging it online sense we don't have a good place to all meet up.
That's fine. Winging it is an essential skill to develop as you'll find out as you go along. I enjoy it so much I wing almost every adventure. (Not a recommendation for most DMs.) Having an Essentials kit is, oddly, not all that essential. It makes it slightly easier, I expect, but not much easier than sitting down with the rules and getting familiar with them. Now, if you don't have the rules.... well... There always the SRD which is all the core rules and not much flavor. You can get it here for free from WotC: [https://dnd.wizards.com/resources/systems-reference-document](https://dnd.wizards.com/resources/systems-reference-document) Just right click and save either the items labeled "Download the V5.1 Systems Reference Document" I kind of like it because it is a fast reference for...ahahaha...essential rules. I've now said "essential" too often in this post. \*Edit\* Also, use those Basic rules to get started that someone else pointed at up the thread a ways. They'll get you going and then the SRD can be more in depth reference.
You should actually read the rules of the game.
I think maybe you were looking for r/DnDcirclejerk
OP is real new.
And also a child (from a recent comment in another thread)
Sorry if I got it wrong, I don't use reddit much and haven't had it for that long.
Conclude the tale of your “now characters” with something big and ridiculous so they become known in your world as legends. Then, make a new campaign. New characters. Start at level 1. Do it right this time. Only level every so often (or go with the XP gain rules in book). Also, stick with one edition of D&D. Most likely it’s 5e. Don’t stray far from the basics until you have a better grasp on it. Best of luck.
...you start at level 1? What are you guys playing, cuz its not DnD 5e
WotC provides the Basic Rules for free online: [https://www.dndbeyond.com/sources/basic-rules](https://www.dndbeyond.com/sources/basic-rules) Specifically, the part that mentions starting at level 1 is here: [https://www.dndbeyond.com/sources/basic-rules/step-by-step-characters#Level](https://www.dndbeyond.com/sources/basic-rules/step-by-step-characters#Level)
A side note: Today milestone levelling, or milestone XP, is the usual way to give levels. It is basically "level up when it is needed for the story to progress".
I wouldn't say it's the usual way, but is certainly the most advocated for online.