So I'm going to join a friend's D&D Campaign...

[Free Thinker]

What do I need to know and how would I go about making my character? I am not completely new to RPGs, but I'm new to the whole table-top RPG. I am also very excited because it seems like a lot of fun. So links to D&D character makers or anything would be extremely valuable to me.

 

[Jonluw]

I would think your friend will introduce you to anything you don't already know.

My tip: Just have fun. I've played one campaign, sort of (it was sort of a test-campaign to teach me the basics) and it consisted of me playing a psycopath, and a dwarf named Hrothgar who kept getting a sword hilt shoved up his ass for some reason.

 

[Free Thinker]

I would think your friend will introduce you to anything you don't already know.

My tip: Just have fun. I've played one campaign, sort of (it was sort of a proto-campaign to teach me the basics) and it consisted of me: a psycopath and a dwarf named Hrothgar who kept getting a sword hilt shoved up his ass for some reason.

"Save roll for lube! Save roll for lube!"

OT: She only explained what I couldn't do, which made me very sad. That apparently the only melee/magic mix was a Paladin. And that Dwarves aren't the best warriors cause they're short. It's been a whole bass ackwards thing for me.

 

[Jonluw]

I would think your friend will introduce you to anything you don't already know.

My tip: Just have fun. I've played one campaign, sort of (it was sort of a proto-campaign to teach me the basics) and it consisted of me: a psycopath and a dwarf named Hrothgar who kept getting a sword hilt shoved up his ass for some reason.

"Save roll for lube! Save roll for lube!"

OT: She only explained what I couldn't do, which made me very sad. That apparently the only melee/magic mix was a Paladin. And that Dwarves aren't the best warriors cause they're short. It's been a whole bass ackwards thing for me.

Hmm, well you can still use some "magical" special abilities even though you're a fighter. Like Second wind. God, that name conjured a lot of snickering. We're children.

 

[Space_Titanium]

What do I need to know and how would I go about making my character? I am not completely new to RPGs, but I'm new to the whole table-top RPG. I am also very excited because it seems like a lot of fun. So links to D&D character makers or anything would be extremely valuable to me.

For the first session I suggest that you get an idea for a character down and that's about it. The DM should help you build the character and teach you the basic mechanics as you go.If you really, really want to be ready, grab a copy of the book they're using and read up on the rules for yourself. I warn you, the learning curve is pretty steep at first.

However, I will say that the system you're using confuses me. Dwarves can't fight? Paladins are all magical? Different from the systems I use...

 

[kypsilon]

Which edition are you playing? Most people I know play 3.5 (Pathfinder for example is a modified 3.5 system) while a lot of people jumped on the 4.0 bandwagon.

It really depends on what you want out of your game session. As a starter character, you really can't go wrong with warriors as they are the easiest to play. Wizards and clerics require a lot of book-keeping, managing spells and whatnot. Barbarians are awesome, though they have been toned down since the earlier D$D systems. If you want to stay away from the thick of the fighting try a ranger. A thief is good as well and always useful to the party. As well their backstab ability scales nicely as they gain levels and can deal pretty serious damage to unwary opponents.

In the end, just try and have fun with the character and the setting. I've been table-top gaming for about six years now and mostly it's been a blast.

 

[ZtH]

OT: She only explained what I couldn't do, which made me very sad. That apparently the only melee/magic mix was a Paladin. And that Dwarves aren't the best warriors cause they're short. It's been a whole bass ackwards thing for me.

Depending on edition Ranger is also a melee magic mix. Also dwarves aren't necessarily bad warriors again depending on edition, despite them being short they are considered Medium size which puts them on par with other races being warriors with helpful stat bonuses too.

OT: I think you try anything/everything on Mr. Welch's list of things he's no longer allowed to do. Not actually though, your friend will never let you play again. As for character makers and the like you'll need to give us a hint to the edition you're playing. There is a very good wizards of the coast made 4.0 generator which requires a subscription for the full version, but there are several free and decent 3.5 generators.

 

[Bara_no_Hime]

Which edition are you playing? Most people I know play 3.5 (Pathfinder for example is a modified 3.5 system) while a lot of people jumped on the 4.0 bandwagon.

It really depends on what you want out of your game session. As a starter character, you really can't go wrong with warriors as they are the easiest to play. Wizards and clerics require a lot of book-keeping, managing spells and whatnot. Barbarians are awesome, though they have been toned down since the earlier D$D systems. If you want to stay away from the thick of the fighting try a ranger. A thief is good as well and always useful to the party. As well their backstab ability scales nicely as they gain levels and can deal pretty serious damage to unwary opponents.

In the end, just try and have fun with the character and the setting. I've been table-top gaming for about six years now and mostly it's been a blast.

This.

It sounds like you want to play a Fighter Mage. If you're playing Pathfinder, I have some recommendations on an excellent multiclass build. If you're playing 4E, then there are other things that I could recommend.

If you're playing classic 3.5, then that's a whole other thing.

 

[Free Thinker]

I have no idea what version it is. I had no idea there were versions. I'll come back to you guys on that when I get the chance to ask.

 

[Daniel Segal]

I would suggest first finding out if the other players in the campaign are hardcore-serious players, or mirthful jokers. There are few things that can kill a game like a single player either taking it too seriously or not seriously enough. Also, you may want to base your character off what everyone else is to make a better rounded party.

 

[Farseer Lolotea]

OT: She only explained what I couldn't do, which made me very sad. That apparently the only melee/magic mix was a Paladin. And that Dwarves aren't the best warriors cause they're short. It's been a whole bass ackwards thing for me.

Well, okay...I hate to say this, but if your friend is scoffing at dwarven fighters, I'd get dubious. They're iconic [http://www.wizards.com/default.asp?x=dnd/cc/20000626d]. (In fact, in both editions that have had racial favored classes, dwarves have automatically gotten fighter.)

That said, I'd go for rogue. But that's just me.

 

[Slycne]

What do I need to know and how would I go about making my character? I am not completely new to RPGs, but I'm new to the whole table-top RPG. I am also very excited because it seems like a lot of fun. So links to D&D character makers or anything would be extremely valuable to me.

Some good jumping off points/starts

Why is this character adventuring(a dangerous profession)?
Where did they get there training?
Who are their friends/family?

Those three simple question should give you more than enough backstory and motivation for a starting character, everything else you can let grow more organically as the character advances.

 

[Ranorak]

The 4th version has a lot of different classes that do both melee and magic.
But you can never go wrong with the barb, jack of all trades.

 

[Free Thinker]

OT: She only explained what I couldn't do, which made me very sad. That apparently the only melee/magic mix was a Paladin. And that Dwarves aren't the best warriors cause they're short. It's been a whole bass ackwards thing for me.

Well, okay...I hate to say this, but if your friend is scoffing at dwarven fighters, I'd get dubious. They're iconic [http://www.wizards.com/default.asp?x=dnd/cc/20000626d]. (In fact, in both editions that have had racial favored classes, dwarves have automatically gotten fighter.)

That said, I'd go for rogue. But that's just me.

She's already a Rogue. Plus my preference has usually been, "Give me some armor and something to bludgeon that guy's face into a fine paste." If I could make a hybrid melee/magic fighter who could dual wield one-handed maces, consider my pants in need of changing. But if I can't do it I could easily come up with my next favorite idea.

 

[not_the_dm]

She only explained what I couldn't do, which made me very sad. That apparently the only melee/magic mix was a Paladin. And that Dwarves aren't the best warriors cause they're short. It's been a whole bass ackwards thing for me.

In all editions Clerics have some combat ability, and there are Swordmages in 4th edition (though you'll need the Forgotten Realms Player's Guide for the rules for them). If you've got PH2 there's Avengers and Wardens, PH3 gives you Battleminds and Monks. Clerics, Paladins and Avengers are divine classes, Swordmages are arcane, Wardens are a primal class, and Battleminds and Monks are psionic classes.

Dwarfs not good fighters? This is from PH1

Play a dwarf if you want . . .
✦ to be tough, gruff, and strong as bedrock.
✦ to bring glory to your ancestors or serve as your
god?s right hand.
✦ to be able to take as much punishment as you
dish out.
✦ to be a member of a race that favors the paladin,
cleric, and fighter classes.

If you're playing 3rd or 3.5 then Rangers are Divine/melee hybrids too.

 

[Farseer Lolotea]

She's already a Rogue.

So there's a DMPC (dungeon-master player character) involved?

Plus my preference has usually been, "Give me some armor and something to bludgeon that guy's face into a fine paste." If I could make a hyrbid melee/magic fighter who could dual wield one-handed maces, consider my pants in need of changing. But if I can't do it I could easily come up with my next favorite idea.

I'd probably go for either a paladin specialized for dual-wielding, or a cleric with the War domain, then. Possibly ranger.

 

[Folio]

That apparently the only melee/magic mix was a Paladin. And that Dwarves aren't the best warriors cause they're short.

This doesn't sound like the Fourth Edition. Dwarves usually DO make the best warriors because they are strong. Melee/Magic? Paladin? Does not compute. It doesn't sound like a Paladin.

Anyway, don't make Constitution your dump-stat. (your lowest ability stat) You need Constitution for your hit points and such. If you randomly roll, I wish you luck.

Or! Watch Tales of the Table or Unforgotten Realms on The Escapist. Or look on youtube for The Gamers.

This little series shows some basics on how an average D&D session can go.

Also: Just tell the DM what you want to do, don't be shy or ashamed. The DM just tells you what you can or can't do and in what set of rules. Be sure to take notes because players don't like it if you repeat questions over and over again.

 

[Free Thinker]

Thanks for all the helpful posts! Sadly, my brain is turning to mush at this point from knowledge overload and the fact some posts might as well be in Greek to me. At least my AP History teacher is also on the campaign. I'm going to need as much help as possible.