DnD Roleplaying Tips for Beginners
Are you a new player looking for D&D roleplaying tips to improve your game? If so, you’ve come to the right place!
Here are some DnD roleplaying tips to get you started on your journey into the world of roleplaying.
Familiarize yourself with the game
Before you dive into playing, take some time to learn about the game. Getting the mechanics out of the way allows you to focus more on roleplaying than rules.
Read up on the rules and familiarize yourself with the different races, classes, backgrounds, and other game elements - but don’t overwhelm yourself.
A great place to focus is your character’s abilities, features, and combat mechanics. Where does your character fit into the party, and how can you express that through dialogue and actions?
Gather your materials
You’ll need a few items to start, such as dice, character sheets, and a pencil.
Depending on the game you’re playing, you also might need a miniature figure to represent your character on the map. You can buy these items in stores or online.
Additionally, you’ll need a copy of the Player’s Handbook and any expansion books, such as Xanathar’s Guide to Everything, or material outside of D&D, like a book on Greek Mythology.
You can find lots of helpful information online, including resources from Dungeons & Dragons Beyond and the free Systems Reference Document (SRD).
Find a group
Playing D&D is more fun with others, so try to find friends or a gaming group in your area. You can also look for online groups if you can’t find anyone local on sites like RPG Geek and StartPlaying.Games.
If you’re having trouble finding a group, D&D Adventurers League is a great way to play with engaged players consistently online or in-person.
The great thing about AL is that you can take your character from one table to another.
The downside is there are a few more rules and the requirement to log your character’s achievements to keep things fair.
If you’re still having trouble, check out Looking For Group (LFG) groups on Facebook, Reddit, or your favorite social media channel.
Create your character
Now it’s time to create your character. This can be the most fun and creative part of the game but also the most challenging.
Think about your character’s background, class, race, and other attributes and how you might want to express or act them in the world. Emulating characters from popular fiction is a great entry because it gives you something concrete to work with.
For example, if you’re playing a sneaky Rogue, you could take notes from Batman, Solid Snake, Black Widow, and Arya Stark on how to role-play a stealth type.
Steal inspiration from these characters to create something fresh and new!
Create your character’s voice
Once your character sheet is created, and you have a good idea of your character’s personality, it’s time to give them a voice.
Doing character voices can be a vulnerable place. We’ll have an in-depth guide on character voices soon, but in the meantime, you can focus on small changes to your voice to represent your character if going all in makes you uncomfortable.
Making your voice an octave higher or lower is an easy start, as is speeding up or slowing down your cadence.
Trying to add too many layers, like an accent coupled with other affections, can make it difficult to stay in character. Keep it simple, and work from there!
Explore the world
Once you’ve created your character, you can start exploring the world of D&D.
It can be tough at first, but try to see the world through your character's eyes instead of your own. Based on their goals, hopes, dreams, and fears - what would they do in the given situation?
Be gentle with yourself when you’re new, but don’t be afraid to take risks with your roleplaying - talk to the Dungeon Master to find out what’s around you to uncover new quests and adventures you can embark on.
Have fun!
Above all else, enjoy the game! Don’t be afraid to make mistakes or ask questions. The most important thing is to have a good time.
Roleplaying is an ongoing journey, so talk with your tablemates to discuss what you want to get from your interactions.
We hope these tips help you get started playing Dungeons & Dragons. Good luck on your journey!