New to D&D? What You Should Know Before Your First Game

Team Faes AR
1 day ago
2 min read

Starting Dungeons and Dragons for the first time can feel intimidating. Books are thick, rules sound complex, and experienced players often make it look harder than it actually is. The truth is simple. You do not need to know everything to enjoy D&D. You just need to understand what the game really is and what is expected of you.

This guide covers what every new player should know before sitting down at their first table.

D&D Is a Collaborative Story, Not a Test

D&D is not about winning. It is not about playing perfectly. It is a shared story built by the Dungeon Master and the players together.

You are not expected to:

Know every rule
Optimize your character
Speak in accents or act constantly

You are expected to:

Participate
Make choices
React honestly as your character would

Mistakes are part of the game. They often create the best moments.

You Only Need to Know Your Character

As a new player, your responsibility is small.

Focus on:

Who your character is
What they are good at
What they care about

You do not need to memorize the rulebook. Learn your main abilities and ask questions when you are unsure. Good tables welcome questions.

Roleplay Is Optional, Not Mandatory

Many new players worry about roleplaying. You do not need to perform or act.

You can roleplay by:

Describing what your character does
Explaining how they respond to situations
Speaking normally instead of in character

Roleplay grows naturally with comfort. There is no correct way to do it.

Dice Do Not Decide Everything

Dice introduce uncertainty, not control.

Your choices matter first. Dice are used when the outcome is uncertain. The Dungeon Master decides when rolls are needed. You are never fighting the dice. You are using them to help tell the story.

Expect the Game to Feel Slow at First

Early sessions often feel slower. People check rules. Turns take time. This is normal.

Speed comes with familiarity. Focus on understanding the flow of play rather than worrying about pace.

Online D&D Feels Different Than In Person

If you are starting online, the experience can feel more distant at first. That does not mean it is worse. It just requires more intention.

Visual immersion helps new players feel comfortable faster. Seeing characters instead of plain webcams can reduce self-consciousness and make roleplay feel easier.

Faes AR supports this by letting players visually embody their characters in real time using fantasy masks and character elements. It helps new players feel like part of the world instead of just a voice on a call.

You can explore Faes AR here:https://www.faes.ar/

And access the full product here:https://gumroad.com/products/qyoqv