BEGINNERS CHECKLIST

Learn to play proper “rules-as-written” 5th Edition D&D. We are currently using both the 2014 version and the new 2024 version of the rules, which are backwards compatible. Each player decides independently whether your character will follow the 2014 or 2024 rules. If you choose 2014 then your character is 100% restricted to only using older pre-2024 character rules, including 2014 versions of spells, magic items and other features that make up your character. You may not access any character features or spells from the 2024 rules, including 2024 spells. (Exception: Bastions, see below)

If you choose 2024 rules for your character then you must exclusively follow the 2024 rules, taking the good with the bad. This includes the backward compatibility rule: if a new feature of the same name exists in 2024 rules they replace older versions of the same name. If no newer version of a feature exists under the same name then the 2014 version is still in force and usable by all.

Before joining one of our games a beginner player should:

• • Read as much of the 2024 Basic Rules as possible. If you intend to play a character that can cast spells you MUST read the section on spells, but if you are not playing a spell caster you can skip this section. All players should own a copy of the 5th edition D&D Player’s Handbook. If you do not already have a Player’s Handbook we strongly recommend you buy the new 2024 version, not the old 2014 edition (which people will be trying to offload for cheap, be careful!)
  • Either build a new level 1 character from scratch using the Shared Campaign Rules, or choose one of THESE pre-generated 2024 starter characters.
  • Bring pencils (mechanical pencils are best), erasers and at least two full sets of dice, including d4, d6, d8, d10, d12 & d20. (We have sets of cheap dice available at the Den).
  • NOTE: all characters should be on paper sheets. D&D Beyond and similar online resources such 5e.tools are OK resources, but there is no substitute to learning the rules. We strongly advise against using D&D Beyond as your primary character repository. D&D Beyond is a micro-transaction trap that is over-priced, unreliable and error-prone. Please stick with pen and paper for the proper D&D experience.
  • The Shared Campaign Rules give you all the rules specific to playing with PureRAWdnd at the Griffons Den. Head over to that page next, where you will find the Character Creation Rules and many other important rules you must abide by when playing with us.