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08:04, 29th March 2024 (GMT+0)

Newb questions.

Posted by SiroVai
SiroVai
member, 1 post
Tue 29 Nov 2016
at 12:10
  • msg #1

Newb questions

Hi

Just joined and have a few newb questions. I'll use D&D as an example.

1. Is there a character sheet generator people tend to use?
2. How do dice rolls work in game how do the other players know what we roll?
3. Do players take it in turns to go or is it a free for all?
4. How many players are there on average per game?
5. How often do games fail due to players dropping out?
6. Where would a noob to D&D go to learn the game for the purposes of playing on the forum?
7. Are there images allowed in posts, for scene setting
8. Are there maps?

Thanks!
NowhereMan
member, 107 posts
Tue 29 Nov 2016
at 12:42
  • msg #2

Newb questions

Welcome to the site! I'll try to answer your questions in order.

1. Check the Heaven forum for the character sheets thread if you need a basis for a text sheet. Otherwise, I don't think there's any definite preference towards any generation program or other method.

2. Each game has a built-in dice roller, which is found along the top toolbar in a game forum. Rolls made with it are visible to other players in the game unless you check the "secret roll" box, in which case the roll is only visible to you and the GM.

3. That really depends on the game, though in most DnD-style games I've seen, it uses something similar to the rules-as-written initiative system.

4. Again, really depends on the game. For DnD, pretty much the same numbers as you'd expect around a physical table, though some GMs like to accept a few more than they need to account for early-game player attrition.

5. All the time, unfortunately, but many games either recruit new players for dropped characters, or for new characters altogether, rather than shutting down entirely.

6. Same places you'd go for a face-to-face game, really. "Help a noob learn X system" GM ads are pretty common, so you might want to start with that.

7. Yes. Check the Help section for how to post images, and image-hosting etiquette. However, images aren't allowed on the public forums, and the code won't work if you try.

8. Sort of, though not like you'd expect from something like Roll20. The Heaven forum I mentioned earlier has a thread for ASCII maps, and you can always host a map image the way you would any other image.
SiroVai
member, 2 posts
Tue 29 Nov 2016
at 13:33
  • msg #3

Newb questions

Thanks for answering.

So how does the GM keep track/monitor character sheets?

How are HP and status effects monitored/tracked?

How does movement work or is it theatre of the mind kind of deal?
Eggy
member, 747 posts
Tue 29 Nov 2016
at 14:30
  • msg #4

Newb questions

For each game, there is a GM Menu that helps with organization of sheets and maps, but how they're used is all up to your GM's preference. If there are certain types of maps and movement that you like (or dislike so much that it's a dealbreaker), you could let your potential GM know during the RTJ.

HTH
Gaffer
member, 1408 posts
Ocoee FL
40 yrs of RPGs
Tue 29 Nov 2016
at 21:14
  • msg #5

Newb questions

Hi, SiroVal (your breath smells fine).

As Eggy indicates most of your questions are down to GM preference. Once you get into a game, all will become, if not clear, less murky.
SiroVai
member, 6 posts
Wed 30 Nov 2016
at 11:18
  • msg #6

Newb questions

Thanks for all the help.

Now I just need to get into a game...

How insane would it be for me to DM a 5e game on here with little to no prior knowledge of the rules and how it works, but a willingness to learn and active imagination? I feel like I was born to DM.
This message was last edited by the user at 11:22, Wed 30 Nov 2016.
Eggy
member, 750 posts
Wed 30 Nov 2016
at 11:34
  • msg #7

Newb questions

Go for it. As long as you're all having fun, what's the harm? Also, running a game would give you a first-hand look at the GM menu and might answer a good number of your questions.
SiroVai
member, 7 posts
Wed 30 Nov 2016
at 11:44
  • msg #8

Re: Newb questions

Eggy:
Go for it. As long as you're all having fun, what's the harm? Also, running a game would give you a first-hand look at the GM menu and might answer a good number of your questions.


Do you reckon reading the free DM rules off of the Wizards website would be sufficient prior knowledge?
Eggy
member, 751 posts
Wed 30 Nov 2016
at 14:21
  • msg #9

Re: Newb questions

No idea. I've never liked D&D enough to read up on how to run the game. But I think that if you're into it and you're upfront about it being your first run, then you'll find players who are looking for that. A lid for every pot!
Gaffer
member, 1409 posts
Ocoee FL
40 yrs of RPGs
Wed 30 Nov 2016
at 16:44
  • msg #10

Re: Newb questions

In reply to SiroVai (msg # 8):

It depends on how you advertise it. If you're up front that that's what you're planning, then people who don't think that's sufficient won't apply.

Maybe you could do it as "Let's try DnD together" and gather other people with no experience as a demo of sorts.
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