Top 10 Tips for New Dungeons and Dragons Players
Starting Dungeons and Dragons can feel a bit like being tossed into a medieval pub quiz, where the questions are in Elvish and the prizes are dragons. There are a lot of places to begin, too many rules to absorb in one sitting, and so many classes and races that it feels a bit like school, but with more fireballs.
But here’s the secret no one tells you, you don’t have to know everything to start. You just need to be ready to roll some dice and have a laugh.
Here at Goomoo, fantasy is a huge part of what we do. From enchanted incense to chaotic TTRPG artwork, we live and breathe the whimsical and the weird. I’m Jake, and my love for roleplaying games is stitched into everything we make. I still remember making my first character, Dayve “The Bard” Dionysus. My DM wouldn’t let me call him just “The Bard”, which is fair enough. Dayve was a bearded, rotund whirlwind of nonsense, charisma, and questionable lute playing. I had no clue what I was doing, but it didn’t matter. I had fun, and that’s what stuck.
So if you’re feeling unsure about how to jump in, here are our top ten tips to help you roll that first D20 with confidence and a grin on your face.
AI generated Dayve (I can't draw) vibing with his lute!
1. Create a character you’ll actually enjoy playing
This is your opportunity to get weird with it. Choose something that sparks joy. Do you want to be a grumpy old wizard with a fondness for tea, a rogue who talks to rats, a barbarian who writes poetry in secret? The best D&D characters are ones that you, the player, look forward to embodying. If the idea makes you laugh or feel excited, you're on the right track.
And if you're nervous about roleplaying, no stress, I’ve written some handy tips for that here: Top 10 Roleplaying Tips in Roleplaying Games
2. Do your class homework, but make it fun
Yes, it’s a game, and yes, I’m telling you to revise. I’m sorry. But trust me, spending a little time looking at what your class actually does will save you from mid-campaign regret. Don't just pick a class because it sounds cool at level one, have a little peek at what it becomes at level six or nine or fifteen. Because if you choose “Big Axe Smashy Person” and six sessions later you realise you’re just having the same turn every time, you’ll wish you’d chosen spellcaster or at least something with a pet.
Unless “Big Axe Smashy” is your vibe. In which case, swing away.
3. Ask your DM questions, all the questions
Your Dungeon Master isn’t just a villain in a chair waiting to throw goblins at you. They’re your guide, your narrator, and your built-in helpdesk. If you’re confused by a mechanic, unsure about a spell, or wondering if you can dual-wield two frying pans and call it a day, ask. DMs love that stuff.
Some of them even keep a spreadsheet of frying pan rules. You never know.
4. Learn with others if you can
If you’re lucky enough to start a campaign where everyone is new, rejoice. You can all learn together and make glorious, glorious mistakes. Ask for a “session zero” where everyone makes characters at the same time and builds a bit of party chemistry. Bounce ideas off each other, come up with shared backstories, and start immersing yourselves before you even roll a dice. It’s like group therapy, but with dragons and more snacks.
This is what AI thinks a DnD session is like. 1. I wish! 2. That guy brought a knife!
5. You don’t have to memorise the rules, seriously
This one’s a biggie. There’s a lot of rules in Dungeons and Dragons. Some of them make sense. Some of them feel like they were written after someone drank three potions of confusion. But here’s the truth, you don’t have to memorise it all. If you remember how to roll a d20 and add your bonus, you’re already halfway there. The rest will come with time and repetition.
It’s absolutely fine to say “hold on, let me check that spell” or “what does sneak attack do again?” No one expects you to be a walking Player’s Handbook. That’s the DM’s job.
6. Don’t be afraid to get things wrong
You will mess up. You’ll misread your ability, you’ll forget your spell slots, you’ll try to do a backflip and fall on your wizard’s face. And that’s all part of the joy. The best stories come from disasters. My bard once entered a drinking competition with an absurdly high Constitution score. I thought I had it in the bag. Nope. Lost spectacularly. Then, in classic bard fashion, I ended up seducing a dragon instead. So honestly, still a win.
Mistakes are part of the magic.
7. Embrace the ridiculous
This game has talking swords and owlbears, for crying out loud. Don’t be afraid to get silly. If someone at your table wants to be a sentient pile of moss with dreams of stand-up comedy, cheer them on. Lean into the chaos. It’s not a Shakespearean drama unless you want it to be. Half the fun is the weirdness.
8. Keep a little notebook, or app
This might sound obvious, but you’ll thank yourself later. Jot down your abilities, key NPC names, where you last left off, and any bizarre in-jokes that crop up. Not only will it help you stay organised, but it’ll be hilarious to look back on after ten sessions and realise you’ve written “Steve the Cow, suspicious???” in capital letters.
9. Keep snacks and drinks nearby
It might sound silly, but nothing kills the vibe faster than everyone wandering off for twenty minutes to find a biscuit. Keep your favourite snacks within reach, and if you’re playing in person, bring enough to share. Bonus points if they’re on theme. Goblin gummies, dragon breath chilli crisps, or wizard water (it’s just lemonade) are always a hit. Stay hydrated, stay energised, keep rolling.
10. Have fun, that’s literally the point
Look, you’re pretending to be a wizard with your mates for three hours and eating crisps while rolling weird-shaped dice. This is meant to be fun. If you’re getting overwhelmed or stressed, take a breath. Talk to your party. Check in with your DM. You can always simplify, pause, or even switch characters. There are no grades. Just good stories and daft memories.
Everyone starts somewhere, whether you're a brave newbie or a confused bard called Dayve who just wanted to cause mischief and sing songs about a goblin he didn’t hit one time in ten turns. Dungeons and Dragons might feel like a lot at first, but you don’t have to figure it out alone. Chip away at it, ask questions, and let the magic build one roll at a time.
And if you’re ever stuck or want to chat about character creation, I’m always happy to help, just drop me an email at sales@goomoo.co.uk
Get Yourself Ready for Adventure
If you're looking to dive into Dungeons and Dragons with a splash of personality, we’ve got just the gear to help you do it:
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Let us know your favourite tip or first D&D character, we love hearing your stories. May your dice be kind and your imagination wilder than a goblin on a sugar rush.
– Jake
Goomoo, The Adventure Merchants