New role-playing games can be daunting. From the number of character options to managing the rules to finding someone who is willing and able to run the game, it’s easy to see how frustration can grow for new players. That’s why we’ve put together this brief guide to help new players approach Dungeons & Dragons with confidence that the experience will be a great one.

It’s About You

The first and most important thing to remember is that the game is about you. Have fun with it! Most of the game can be learned as you go along, so if you’re feeling nervous, allow yourself to grow into the game. A good and experienced dungeon master will guide you through the game, so all you need to worry about is creating a character who excites you. Maybe you’ve always wanted to raid the large manor houses of the nobility, or you want to feel the flow of magic through you. Perhaps your greatest dream has been to run free through the wilds, more in tune with plants and animals rather than other people, or maybe you want to shed your skin completely, taking on a new gender or body. The choices are up to you. For that reason, it’s also usually best to work backwards and think about what kind of character you want to play, and work with your dungeon master to get the rules to work for you instead of the other way around.

It’s a Cooperative Game

So many modern games are about how we can win or defeat the other players. Dungeons & Dragons, on the other hand, is cooperative and works best when the team works together to handle the encounters and challenges set before them.