WRau1 wrote:Sauce Boss wrote:WRau1 wrote:I've played RPGs and dungeon crawler board games almost my entire life but have never even attempted to play D&D. I have no issues with it, just that no one in my circle was into it so I never tried. Well, my wife was interested in it and signed up for a local group so it looks like I'll be joining. Bought a bunch of 5th Edition stuff to start studying. I tend to play healing classes whenever possible as well as druids so I think I'll roll a healing Druid. Not sure of the race yet, though. Anyone got any overall tips for a beginner?
I’ve been playing for like five years, can give as much advice as you want.
Overall, I’d say play what speaks to you. There’s definitely optimization you can do if making something strong is your cup of tea, but overall theory crafting doesn’t always translate to the table in the same way it would in a video game. Everything is viable in real play and there is a lot of flexibility based on your DM and players.
Druid might be a complicated start as you’ll have a lot going on (though I definitely like the class). You’ll have to manage spells, your ability to shape shift, a moderate hit die (D8 is in the squishier range compared to a D10 fighter/ranger/paladin or a D12 Barbarian), and some armor restrictions (no metal because Druid). You’re maybe the ultimate Swiss Army knife that can fill a bunch of roles, but Druids tend toward being a support/utility class. Your spells are usually crowd control focused and require concentration (so you can only hold one effect at a time), so you won’t be flashy like a wizard throwing fireballs or calling down a meteor storm.
Personally, I like clerics. They get better armor, some more melee options, and the best healing spells (though Druid and other odd options like a Divine Sorcerer are equally good and sometimes better).
I hope that helps some at a face value focused on classes, but can give you more in-depth info or suggestions for the game at large beyond mechanics. Hope you enjoy your first time playing!!
Yeah, I was pretty sure that I'd end up being a utility player that leaned more towards healing. That's pretty much been a role I've played since EQ. It's what I feel the most comfortable with. It's kind of funny how familiar I am with everything that I've read so far just from growing up on games that use these rules. I really haven't encountered anything in my reading that is new to me. My wife is pretty pumped and that's exciting for me. Thanks for the info, I'll be sure to send you a pm if something is confusing.
Awesome, glad to help!
If you’re good with the utility role and still planning Druid, I have a few more suggestions. Personally, I suggest picking Circle of the Moon for your subclass. It enhances your wild shape quite a bit, letting you use it as a bonus action in combat and giving you access to way better forms for fighting and other utility. It’s widely considered one of if not the strongest classes if you reach level 20 (which is doubtful, most games end in the 10-12 range, but still). You’re also a single ability dependent (SAD) class — you only need a high wisdom score to operate effectively. You can get away with any race with the new origin rules from the Tasha’s book, but regardless if you use them or not I like hill dwarf and firbolg as a Druid race. Dwarf gets you extra hit points and firbolg gets you some fun one off abilities in addition to being huge (they’re like 7-8 feet tall).
Enjoy!
) in and it is really original, great voice actors (Dafoe, McAvoy among others). Think Groundhog Day , Thriller, point and click adventure. 
It is quite original, but I haven't played a lot of games to be honest, at least recent ones (I started playing about 3 years ago after a 20 year hiatus 
), and I think I stopped around PL 150 or so. I might go back to it leading up to D2R full release, but it probably depends upon timing of the next Last Epoch patch.
