D&D Character Sheet Basics
Summary
TLDRIn this engaging video, the co-owner of Skilltree, Maddie, guides viewers through the process of creating a Dungeons & Dragons (D&D) character. She starts with the basics, explaining how to determine ability scores and choose a race, focusing on a rogue character with a twist of irony. Maddie then delves into selecting a background, class proficiencies, and equipment, providing a comprehensive walkthrough of character creation. The video also teases an interactive community game, 'Branching Paths,' where viewers can influence the narrative within the D&D world created by Maddie and her friends.
Takeaways
- đ The video is a tutorial on creating a Dungeons & Dragons (D&D) character, focusing on the basics for beginners.
- đČ The character creation process starts with determining ability scores, which are the core stats of a character: strength, dexterity, constitution, intelligence, wisdom, and charisma.
- 𧩠A standard array of numbers is used to generate ability scores, and the video creator chooses to build a rogue character with a focus on dexterity and intelligence.
- đââïž The rogue class and the chosen race (halfling, specifically lightfoot) influence thećé of ability scores, with bonuses to dexterity and charisma.
- đ The video emphasizes the importance of choosing a character's race and background, which provide additional abilities, proficiencies, and features.
- đĄ The character's class (rogue in this case) determines proficiency in saving throws, skills, and equipment, which are essential for gameplay.
- đą Ability score modifiers and the proficiency bonus are calculated and applied to skills, saving throws, and other character attributes.
- đĄïž Equipment and weapons are chosen based on class proficiencies, and their use is explained in the context of the character's abilities.
- đĄ Armor Class (AC) is calculated, combining the character's dexterity modifier with the armor being worn, which affects combat effectiveness.
- đ The video concludes with filling in roleplay aspects such as the character's name, personality traits, and alignment, adding depth to the character's story.
- đ The video also promotes community engagement through a 'branching paths' D&D game on Skilltree, where viewers can influence an ongoing story.
Q & A
What is the first step in creating a D&D character according to the script?
-The first step in creating a D&D character is to determine your ability scores, which are the six basic stats of strength, dexterity, constitution, intelligence, wisdom, and charisma.
What is the significance of using the standard array to determine ability scores in D&D?
-Using the standard array to determine ability scores provides a pre-generated set of numbers that players can use to assign values to their character's six basic stats, ensuring a balanced starting point for character creation.
Why did the script's author choose to create a rogue character with a specific mindset?
-The author chose to create a rogue character who thinks he is smarter than he actually is, inspired by a spark of creativity, aiming to give the character a unique and interesting personality trait.
What are the favored ability scores for a rogue class in D&D?
-For a rogue class in D&D, the favored ability scores are dexterity and intelligence, as these attributes are crucial for the class's skills and abilities.
Why did the author select a halfling race for their rogue character?
-The author chose the halfling race for their rogue character because it provides a bonus to dexterity, which is important for a rogue, and allows the choice between lightfoot and stout subraces, with the lightfoot subrace offering additional benefits like stealth and charisma bonuses.
What is the role of a character's background in D&D, and how does it impact the character?
-A character's background in D&D provides them with proficiencies in certain skills, tools, and sometimes languages, as well as equipment and a unique feature. It helps to flesh out the character's story and history, influencing their abilities and role-playing aspects.
How does proficiency in saving throws, skills, and equipment work for a rogue class in D&D?
-A rogue class in D&D is proficient in dexterity and intelligence saving throws, which helps them resist effects related to these abilities. They also gain proficiency in certain skills and equipment, which are enhanced by adding a proficiency bonus to the ability score modifiers when the character is proficient in them.
What is the significance of ability score modifiers in calculating a character's skills and saving throws in D&D?
-Ability score modifiers in D&D are used to adjust a character's skills and saving throws, reflecting how proficient they are in various abilities. These modifiers can be positive or negative and are derived from the character's ability scores, affecting gameplay mechanics like initiative, passive perception, and attack rolls.
How are hit points determined for a first-level rogue character in D&D?
-For a first-level rogue character in D&D, hit points are determined by rolling a d8 (the rogue's hit die) and adding the constitution modifier. The maximum result of the d8 is used, and for a rogue, this base is typically 8, with the constitution modifier added to it.
What is the process for calculating a character's Armor Class (AC) in D&D?
-A character's Armor Class (AC) in D&D is calculated by considering the armor they are wearing and their dexterity modifier. The base AC from the armor, found in the Player's Handbook, is adjusted by adding the character's dexterity modifier to determine their total AC.
Outlines
đČ Introduction to Creating a D&D Character
The video begins with a playful introduction to creating a Dungeons & Dragons (D&D) character, highlighting the challenges of starting a new game and focusing on the basics of character creation. The narrator, Maddie, introduces herself as the co-owner and editor of Skilltree, a platform for D&D enthusiasts. She emphasizes the importance of a character sheet, which tracks a character's stats and abilities, and decides to use the official format from the D&D Player's Handbook. Maddie chooses to create a rogue character with a focus on dexterity and charisma, aiming for a character that is not very smart but convincingly portrays intelligence. She explains the process of selecting a race, choosing a halfling for its dexterity bonus and subraces, and adjusting ability scores accordingly. The video also touches on the importance of choosing a background, which provides additional proficiencies and features to the character.
đ D&D Character Sheet Mechanics
This paragraph delves into the mechanics of filling out a D&D character sheet, starting with the calculation of ability score modifiers and the proficiency bonus, which is based on the character's level. The narrator demonstrates how to apply these modifiers to saving throws and skills, explaining the concept of proficiency and how it enhances a character's abilities. The video covers the calculation of passive perception and initiative, which are key combat statistics. It also discusses hit points, the health and stamina of a character, and how they are determined by class and constitution modifier. The narrator walks through the process of equipping the character with weapons, armor, and tools, detailing how to calculate attack bonuses and damage. The armor class, which determines how difficult a character is to hit in combat, is also explained. Lastly, the video touches on class features and how they enhance the character's abilities at first level.
đ Engaging with the D&D Community
The final paragraph shifts focus from character creation to community engagement. The narrator invites viewers to participate in 'Branching Paths,' an interactive D&D game on Skilltree's community tab, where players can vote on the story's progression. This game takes place in the world that Maddie and her friends play in, meaning the community's decisions can impact their actual game. The video encourages viewers to explore the community tab, participate in the game, and learn more about the world and characters involved. It concludes with a nod to the ongoing narrative and the joy of playing D&D, inviting viewers to continue their journey in the game and to explore more content from the Skilltree platform.
Mindmap
Keywords
đĄD&D (Dungeons & Dragons)
đĄCharacter Sheet
đĄAbility Scores
đĄRogue
đĄRace
đĄBackground
đĄProficiency
đĄHit Points
đĄClass Features
đĄArmor Class
đĄAlignment
Highlights
Introduction to creating a Dungeons & Dragons (D&D) character
Explanation of the importance of character stats and abilities in D&D
Guidance on using the official character sheet from the Player's Handbook
Tutorial on determining ability scores for a character
Decision-making process for choosing a character's class and race
Insight into choosing a rogue class with a focus on dexterity and intelligence
Selection of a halfling race for its dexterity bonus and subraces
Adjusting character stats based on race choices
Importance of background in defining a character's skills and equipment
How to choose a background that complements a character's class
Overview of class proficiencies and how they affect character abilities
Explanation of how to calculate ability score modifiers and proficiency bonus
Filling out character sheet with saving throws and skill proficiencies
Calculating a character's passive perception and initiative bonus
Understanding hit points and how they relate to character health
Detailing the process of choosing and equipping a character with weapons and armor
Calculating a character's Armor Class (AC) for combat effectiveness
Incorporating class features at first level and their impact on gameplay
Finalizing a character with roleplay aspects like name, personality, and alignment
Invitation to participate in the 'Branching Paths' community D&D game
Encouragement for viewers to engage with the Skilltree community and resources
Transcripts
today i'm gonna get you started on an
epic journey and teach you how to make
your very own d d character yeah that's
not happening what are you doing what
are you doing i was
gonna show them how to make a d d
character do you think you're the most
qualified for that
that's not fair i've been playing d d
for like four years now yeah and i have
to explain your character every time
that's not true i know exactly what i'm
doing with this you put the the numbers
um
they're on page give me a second
oh i'm maddie co-owner of skilltree the
little crow in the corner usually i'm
also
the editor now that that train wreck is
avoided let's talk about dvd as i'm sure
most of you know the hardest part of
getting into anything is how to start
when it comes to d d a good place to
start is the basics of creating a player
character each character is defined by
their stats and abilities which we keep
track of on a character sheet you can
find just so many character sheet
formats out there but for our purposes
we will stick with the official sheet
provided in the back of the player
handbook because we are boring and i
have limited time you can copy it from
the book or easily find digital versions
online i'll be linking digital resources
i mentioned in the comments section
below so be sure to check that out all
right let's jump right into this the
first thing you want to do is to
determine your ability scores ability
scores are the six bare bone stats of
your character they are strength
dexterity constitution intelligence
wisdom and charisma the most basic way
of determining your scores is to use a
pre-generated array of numbers called
standard array with those scores we need
to decide what kind of character we want
to play i have decided that i want to
build a rogue that thinks he is smarter
than he actually is i don't know why i
guess a just a spark of inspiration hit
me now each class has ability scores
they favor basically what their
abilities are based off of a rogue's
abilities are typically based off of
dexterity and intelligence because of
that i'm putting my highest scores in
dexterity and charisma and my lowest in
wisdom and intelligence after all r
rogue is not so smart but he is really
good at convincing people that he is
we'll come back to what it means to be a
rogue later first i want to get the
basics in next we're gonna decide what
race we want to play i'm choosing a
halfling because it gives me a bonus in
dexterity it also gives me the option of
choosing between two sub-braces a light
foot halfling or a stout halfling i'm
choosing lightfoot because it gives me
another bonus to an ability that i'm
favoring charisma as well as a feature
that makes me stealthier all of which
are good things for our rogue after all
he he has to be good at some things all
that's left for our race is to adjust
our stats accordingly and write in the
features it gives us with that all
settled it's time to decide our
background a background gives every
character some things that they are good
at some special equipment and an ability
specific to the background since our
rogue is pretty good at pretending to be
something that he isn't i'm choosing
charlatan this makes our rogue
proficient in the deception and sleight
of hand skills as well as the disguise
and forgery tools it also gives him some
unique equipment and the false identity
feature what are all of those words that
just came out of my mouth
to avoid explaining myself twice i'm
gonna take us back to our class all
right like your background and some
races your class makes you good at
certain things every class gives you
proficiency in two saving throws some
skills and some equipment saving throws
are your ability to resist something be
it dodging out of the way of a trap
using dexterity resisting poison using
constitution or fighting off mind
control using wisdom rogues are
proficient in dexterity and intelligence
saving throws so we just bubble those in
next the book gives us a list of skill
proficiencies to choose from as a rogue
we get to choose four from that list
because of my background i'm already
proficient in deception and sleight of
hand so i'll avoid choosing those
instead i'll choose acrobatics
performance persuasion and stealth a
rogue is turning into quite a little
performer isn't he we've gotten about as
far as we can while still avoiding the
math so so let's let's talk about the
math you've probably noticed that each
of the ability scores have this big
empty space right above them that's
because we don't actually use the scores
themselves
instead these scores give us modifiers
in a kind of convoluted way these
modifiers can be either positive or
negative depending on how far above or
below 10 they are you don't need to
really know how that works as the book
will give you a handy chart for
reference you can just use that to fill
in the modifiers above your ability
scores there is one more modifier you
need to figure out your proficiency
bonus this is basically a bonus applied
to all the things that you are good at
it is determined by your character's
level so ours and every other level one
character is plus two now it's time to
use those modifiers to fill out a lot of
our character sheet your saving throws
and skills use the ability score
modifier that they relate to it should
be pretty easy to tell which saving
throw uses what ability score modifier
since they share the same name but for
the skills you'll notice a little hint
in parentheses telling you what ability
score modifier to apply if at any time
while you were making this character you
marked one of those skills or saving
throws as proficient add the proficiency
bonus as well we'll use our lovely
deception skill as an example it's the
biggest off charisma so we have that
plus two we are also proficient so we
add our proficiency bonus on top which
brings us to a plus four after we're
done filling out all of our skills and
saving throws let's fill in our passive
perception it's super simple it's just
10 plus your perception skill modifier
for this rogue since we have a plus 0 in
perception it would be an even 10. if he
was more perceptive like maybe a plus 2
it would be 12. another easy thing to
fill in now that we have all our
modifiers figured out is our initiative
bonus this is just your dexterity
modifier he may not be smart but at
least he's quick to action only a few
things left before we have a fully
functional character that in mind let's
talk about hit points a familiar concept
to most hit points is your health your
stamina and your luck every class has a
certain dice assigned to them to
determine how many hit points they have
the bigger the dice the more hit points
for the first level of a character which
is what we are currently concerned with
you always get the maximum amount on
that dice so for a rogue who has a hit
dice of a d8 we have a base health of
eight we then add on our constitution
modifier to get our level one hit point
maximum because that modifier is plus
one our total level one hp is nine all
that's left now are our class features
and our equipment for our equipment we
make sure to fill in what weapons armors
and tools we are proficient in from our
class and then we choose our starting
gear from the options listed i think
i'll pick the short sword the bow and
the burglars pack since we have weapons
now let's add those attacks to our sheet
all of our weapons are dexterity based
so we use that modifier to determine the
attack bonuses and the damage rules we
can reference the weapons chart further
in the player's handbook for all the
statistics of each weapon we can also
finally figure out what our armor class
is now that we have armor armor class is
how difficult you are to hit in combat
be it from thick armor or being able to
dodge out of the way because of this it
takes both the armor you are wearing and
your dexterity modifier into
consideration we are now wearing leather
armor which if we check the armor stats
in the player's handbook gives us an
armor class of 11 plus our dexterity
modifier for us that would be 14.
alright now we only have one last thing
to do which is to fill in the class
features you get at first level these
vary drastically between the classes but
typically are pretty self-explanatory
the rogue's level one abilities aren't
super complicated if we read through
them we can see we get a special new
language called thieves can't the
ability to do extra damage under certain
circumstances and the choice of two
proficiencies to upgrade i think i'll
apply our new expertise ability to our
deception and performance skills i just
add the plus two of our proficiency to
their bonus again and our rogue is now
an expert at lying and putting on a show
and we're done all that's left is spaces
for where you define the roleplay
aspects of your character like their
name and personality traits my
background recommended a few personality
traits so i'm just gonna plug in a few
from there as for alignment he seems a
free-spirited fellow not concerned with
the morals of others so chaotic neutral
it is and for a name i mean i'm a fan of
irony so i think i'll call my not so
smart rogue
clever seems fun right and there we have
it a fully functional level one rogue
with a bit of personality to him
obviously there's more to learn when it
comes to actually playing said rogue but
we've officially taken that first step
and have a basic character perfect
timing too because i think i'm reaching
the limit of how long i can keep clean
got it back
all right
okay
everything's how it should be and sure
maybe she did an okay job explaining it
but i mean i would have made at least a
smart character why would you name him
she's so mean
anyways i wanted to take this
opportunity to tell you about something
cool we're doing in the community tab
here on skilltree for a few weeks now
everybody's been playing a game of d and
d with us it's called branching paths
and it basically works like a choose
your own adventure as the pieces of the
story get listed you and the rest of the
community get a chance to vote on what
happens next and as a bonus this whole
thing takes place in the world that
maddie created that myself and my
friends play in which means the
decisions you make have an actual impact
on the game we play it's been super fun
to see the interaction so far and the
type of decisions you all are making so
yeah check out the community tab here on
skilltree if you want to play and also
check the links in the description to
learn more about the world we're playing
in the character and the story so far i
hope to see you there and i can't wait
to play with you this is a fun game that
i really do love in the meantime though
keep leveling up you
thank you for sticking around i know
she did this episode but if you want to
watch a really good episode why don't
you check out one of these ones down
here these ones feature just me
makes them better
alright let's be honest she probably
does know better than me
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