So you want to enter the world of Dungeons & Dragons? To forge ahead on epic adventures and take on an exciting new life. Or perhaps to be a crazed murderhobo and leave massive fires in your wake as you scourge the kingdom in search of loot. Whatever you can think of in the game of D&D, you can do. Provided, of course, everyone else at the table is cool with it. Your imagination is the only limit, which can be kind of overwhelming.
There are so many books full of D&D rules, settings, and spells that an excited newbie can have a hard time finding a starting point. For that matter, longtime players looking to become Dungeon Masters might like some guidance on where to begin. Fortunately for you, the crew here at TheGamer has seen many an adventure (and some of us actually survived!). Scroll on to find our sage advice on building characters, becoming a dynamic DM, and much more.
Starting As A Player
Want to take up arms as a mighty fighter? Skulk about as a rogue? Or perhaps you’ve always wanted to see what this Magic Missile business is about. Here are some tips for getting started as a player.
- A Beginner’s Guide To Dungeons & Dragons
- How To Create A Unique Player Character
- 10 DIY Things You Can Do To Help DM Your Next Campaign
- 10 Items A D&D Player Should Never Lose
Playing An Artificer
Artificer is a unique class in that it was invented for a new D&D world, Eberron. Eberron has a “Magic as technology” feel, and so the Artificer was invented to give players a spellcaster that casts by tinkering.
- Everything You Need To Know About The Artificer
Playing A Barbarian
Does your DM love tough combat scenarios? Consider bringing a Barbarian along. You won’t be the life of the party, but you will keep them alive with your tankiness.
- All 6 Official Barbarian Subclasses, Ranked
- 10 Ways to Make an Overpowered Barbarian in Dungeons & Dragons
Playing A Bard
Do you have the music in you? Bards might not be the most powerful class for combat, but you can get the party out of sticky situations with some charisma and trickery.
- All 5 Official Bard Subclasses, Ranked
- 10 Ways to Make an Overpowered Bard
Playing A Cleric
Clerics are way more than healers in Dungeons & Dragons 5e. See how to make Clerics a force to be reckoned with on and off the battlefield.
- All 9 Official Cleric Subclasses, Ranked
- 10 Best Cleric Builds To Run
- The Best Feats For A Cleric
Playing A Druid
If you’re an animal person, the Druid is probably for you. You can summon animal helpers, turn into animal helpers, and sometimes even help your humanoid companions if you feel like it.
- All 5 Official Druid Subclasses, Ranked Worst To Best
- 5 Druid Abilities That Are Must Use (& 5 To Avoid)
- 10 Ways To Make An Overpowered Druid In Dungeons & Dragons
Playing A Fighter
If you’re just starting your D&D journey, Fighter might be the class for you. It can be a simple class where you hit things and tank, or it can be pivoted into a spellcasting utility player. Fighters are balanced, versatile, and perfect for all players.
- All 7 Best Fighter Subclasses, Ranked
- 5 Fighter Abilities That Are Must Use (& 5 To Avoid)
- 10 Best Weapons For Fighters, Ranked
- The Best Feats For A Fighter
- 10 Best Battle Master Maneuvers, Ranked
- 10 Ways To Make An Overpowered Fighter
Playing A Monk
Maybe you’re tired of the tropes of Western fantasy, or are a fan of martial arts movies. If that sounds like you, consider playing the Monk. Trade in the longswords and fireballs for crouching tigers and hidden dragons.
- All 7 Official Monk Subclasses, Ranked
- 10 Tips On How To Make An Overpowered Monk
Playing A Paladin
Every party needs a moral center, and that’s where the Paladin comes in. Not that anyone will listen to your sound moral advice, but at least you can smite.
- All 6 Official Paladin Subclasses, Ranked
- The 10 Best Weapons For Paladin, Ranked
- 8 Best Paladin Smites, Ranked
- The Best Feats For A Paladin
- 10 Ways to Make an Overpowered Paladin
Playing A Ranger
The current iteration of Ranger catches a lot of flak for being underpowered. But if your campaign will feature a lot of tracking, or if you just really like the flavor, follow these guides to be the best Aragorn you can be.
- 8 Things To Think About Before Starting A New Campaign As A Ranger
- All 5 Official Ranger Subclasses, Ranked
- 10 Best Weapons For Ranger, Ranked
- 10 Ways To Make An Overpowered Ranger
Playing A Rogue
The Rogue is a vital asset to most parties, as they can pick open locks, scout enemies in secret, and maybe even fast-talk their way out of a jam. They can also be an excuse for jerks to steal from other players and disrupt the party. Here’s how to be a sneak without being a cheat.
- All 5 Official Rogue Subclasses, Ranked
- 10 Ways To Make An Overpowered Rogue
- The Best Feats For A Rogue
Playing A Sorcerer
Some spellcasters hone their craft through study, and some through giving themselves to an otherworldly force. The Sorcerer just has magic, however. If you want to blast things with little regard to why you can lore-wise, try a Sorcerer.
- All 5 Official Sorcerer Subclasses, Ranked
- The Best Feats For A Sorcerer
- 10 Ways To Make An Overpowered Sorcerer
Playing A Warlock
Playing a Warlock is basically shouting “Eldritch Blast!” and doing tons of damage without ever actually using your resources. Of course, there’s a lot more to the class than that. Consider why your character made a bargain with a mystical entity. It could create great roleplay.
- All 6 Official Warlock Subclasses, Ranked
- 10 Best Warlock Invocations, Ranked
- The Best Feats For A Warlock
- 10 Ways to Make an Overpowered Warlock
Playing A Wizard
Do you want to make things explode? Then Wizards might be the class for you. You start off frail, but if you can make it to later levels you can rain devastation on your enemies.
- 8 Things To think About Before Starting A New Campaign As A Wizard
- All 10 Official Wizard Subclasses, Ranked
- The Best Feats For A Wizard
- 10 Ways To Make An Overpowered Wizard
Dungeon Master Tips
Kudos to you! If you’re reading this, you have probably decided to take on the role of Dungeon Master. Without you, there would be no game. The task won’t be easy – there’s a lot to learn and keep track of – but the below guides should give you an excellent starting point.
- A Beginner’s Guide To Dungeons & Dragons
- 10 Challenges That Dungeon Masters Face (& How To Overcome Them)
- 10 Crazy Magical Items From The Dungeon Master’s Guide
- How To Come Up With Fiendish Traps and Tricky Puzzles
- 5 House Rules To Make Exploration More Mysterious
- 5 Rules DMs Should Really Use More
- 5 House Rules To Make Combat More Exciting
- DM Pro-Tip: How To Use Abyssal Chickens
Hoped this guide helped up your game! Stay tuned for more!
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