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Since the show Stranger Things and COVID made all sorts of people want to start trying D&D, I was getting super excited. I haven't played D&D since AD&D 2nd Edition. Thinking back on how fun it was, I can't help but think that it was only fun then, because I was with the right friends.

Why do I feel like this isn't a game I can just pick up and start playing with anyone? I've been invited by a couple people to join in with their group, but I'm just like... "Eh... it's not going to be as funny or fun as it was when I was 17." Also, these people are playing their own campaigns and I'd feel like I'm intruding. SOOOooo... I pretty much blow them off.

I'm conflicted... I really do want to play. But I'd have to get back into it with a new set of people. Some of these people have never even played an RPG of any sort. Has anyone else felt this way when trying to get back into something they have fond nostalgic feelings for?

I think that I could set the mood for it to be fun and relaxing, not be a stickler or fanboy for any sort of rules or take the game too serious.

Does anyone have any tips for premade character creation? Like what core things should a party consist of so that a group of players will succeed in their quest? I figure some sort of short introductory adventure and a pool of premade characters for players to choose from, would smooth over introducing people to the game.

The Lost Mines of Philandevar (or whatever) is a pretty good starting adventure that has pre-gen characters to help you succeed.

 Easy E wrote:
The Lost Mines of Philandevar (or whatever) is a pretty good starting adventure that has pre-gen characters to help you succeed.

I second this. It's the adventure in the original 5th edition D&D Starter set:

https://www.amazon.com/Dungeons-Dragons-Starter-Wizards-Team/dp/0786965592/ref=sr_1_3?crid=35V9R374S1CJ3&keywords=d%26d+starter+set&qid=1660998103&sprefix=D%26D%2Caps%2C638&sr=8-3

It's a really good adventure taking characters from 1st to 5th level, with a 32 page cut down rulebook and 5 pre-gen characters, and the set is available for a fantastic price so you can try it out and see if you do still like it without losing anything much.

You can also get the basic rules as a free download. These have a limited selection of races and classes, monsters etc but can give you an idea how the modern game plays.

https://dnd.wizards.com/what-is-dnd/basic-rules

The official D&D Essentials starter set is said to be good if all you can manage at the moment is yourself and one other player. One will be the DM while the other is a single character accompanied by an "assistant". Otherwise the "Lost Mines" set is indeed a good starting point.

If there are no groups, nor a friend, then there is at least The Solo Game Master's Guide by Geek Gamers and published by Modiphius. I'm currently reading through it and enjoying the book, but I can definitely say that the solo rpg style is a very different experience compared to enjoying a game with others. But it is an option all the same and feel that it's worth the mention.

I'll join the chorus and say that The Lost Mines of Phandelver is a really great adventure for beginners. You should definitely check it out.

It's not perfect, can be definitely improved upon with a healthy dose of Homebrew, but it gets the job done. Well-balanced premade characters, a simple, short, yet interesting story, and the right amount of fighting, exploring, and social encounters. Plus, it's written with the mindset that the guy running the campaign is also a novice, so it really spells out everything the DM should do.

My biggest criticism of Mines of Phandelver is you need to rail road your players a little to steer them away from the dragon. That fething thing is WAY too high a CR for a starting party of inexperienced players. It can easily party wipe if you don't keep them away from it until closer to the end.

The bugbear coming up behind the party in the caves (second fight, if they go looking after the ambush) provides a similar problem. For whatever reason WotC devs badly underestimate the abilities they given the orcs/goblins/related races at low levels. (hobgoblins are the worst offenders for this, where they all give each other bonus damage just for standing next to a PC)

And they often write encounters for official adventures where other enemies can easily be pulled in and TPK the party.

+1 to the list of peeps who think the starter set is what you're looking for.

To be fair, as a DM you can always introduce 'spielbergs fish' if the party are getting their asses handed to them.