There are many well-known best practices for players joining a newDungeons & Dragonscampaign from the ground floor. However, joining a game in progress requires an entirely different approach, for those who hope to enrich a campaign instead of derailing it. When players and the DM collaborate at Session Zero they have an opportunity to claim their desired role within the party, and present backgrounds the DM might integrate into the lore of the campaign. When a campaign in progress adds a new player, for whatever reason, there are vastly different considerations involved that players must be cognizant of.
MostDnDDMs want immersive role playing, and the setup provided by Session Zero is a critical component in that. It takes a skilled player to “catch up” on the vibe and lore of a campaign already underway andcreate a character that organically fits into that world, and the story that is unfolding. It is already poor table etiquette to come to a game with a backstory already written, instead of speaking with the DM about the intended setting and theme for the campaign. Entering a campaign midway through with such preconceived notions about one’s character is even worse.
For D&D Games In Progress, Players Should Prioritize Teamwork
A New Player Can Fill In Gaps In The Party’s Skillset & Avoid Redundancies
ExperiencedDnDgroups aim for optimal teamwork, with each character bringing a distinct mechanical contribution along with unique characterization. New players may approach a campaign with a rigid idea of the character type they wish to play, irrespective of the game or the rest of the party.When a player joins midway through a campaign, theyhave an opportunity to fill in the gaps and add something meaningfulto the group. They might recognize that the party needs healing, or various important skills, and build a character specifically to make up for what the group lacks, focusing fully on teamwork.
If a new player joins who has entirely disparate goals and ambitions from those the party is currently pursuing, they did not make a player character for that game, but an NPC.
While manyDMs are afraid of railroadingtheir players, if anew player asks the DM explicitly what sort of character might best help the party, they will usually weigh in on it. The DM might note the party has been unable to properly deal with traps or social encounters due to lacking a Rogue or a Bard, which limits the kind of challenges they face. Similarly, the new player can inquire about general characterization archetypes, so they can confirm if the group already contains one edgy character haunted by a dark past, then they likely don’t need a second.
There are some roles a party can double up on, likeDnD2024’s best ranged damage options, as more damage per round helps topple monsters faster.Other roles certainly can be very redundantand might even step on another player’s toes, in many cases. Unless an entire campaign centers on outdoor survival, if a group already includes a Druid fully focused on nature-related skills, a Ranger with the same concept and skill choices might seem less relevant. If the party has an Enchantment Wizard, a Bard casting the same spells might be needless, where a Valor Bard could be ideal.
Working With The DM Lets The Player Enter The Story Organically
A New Player Should Lean Into The Campaign’s Current Plot & Party Goals
Beyond mechanics and personality,finding thebest way to integrate into an ongoing story is a major challenge. Instead of adding thestrangestDnDlore into a backstory, where addressing these complications could distract from the plot, theplayer can discuss with the DM how to organically join the party as part of the already unfolding narrative. The DM might describe the party’s current goal. Theplayer can work to design a character with deep emotional ties to that goal. Working together, they can create a character that is a natural fit for the party and propels the story forward.
Yes, You Should Absolutely Run Severance As A D&D Game
Severance is a uniquely horrifying and compelling television series. All of its thrills can translate to Dungeons & Dragons, and other tabletop RPGs.
When a DM is swinging for the fences with anepicDnDcampaign with high stakes, stories tend to center on time-sensitive goals and ticking-clock narratives. These stakes also rationalizeDnD5e’s six to eight combat encounters per adventuring day. When a player joins a campaign in progress,there is likely already a series of plates spinning, in terms of the plot, with complex politics, menacing antagonists, and the fate of the region imperiled. Themore a player does to lean into the campaign’s current story, when entering mid-game, the better. Otherwise, they could be a potential liability.
New players should always ask to be caught up on the campaign’s lore and history prior to their joining, even if these are things their character would not know firsthand.
There aremany routine character-building mistakes, and one of the most common ones isfailing to enter a game in progress with the right mindset. If a new player joins who has entirely disparate goals and ambitions from those the party is currently pursuing, they did not make a player character for that game, but an NPC. Even if their alignment broadly matches the bulk of the party, character goals that veer from the party’s agenda could detract from any sense of urgency and narrative stakes.DMsshould not grind progress to a halt for a new character.
A Freshly Added D&D Character Can Give A Campaign Renewed Energy
Different Personality Archetypes & Mechanical Abilities Let New Characters Excel
While there are many pitfalls involved with adding a new character to an ongoing campaign, it canalso offer great rewards when handled correctly. New blood might help shake up a tedious party dynamic, andthe character could revitalize the campaign’s energy. This is particularly true when the new player commits fully to the themes and conflicts involved in the campaign’s central narrative, as it is no longer only external factors and NPCs creating urgency, but a member of the party. A new skillset also opens doors for different approaches, like a Divination specialist offering supernatural methods for gathering information.
I’ve Been A DM For 20 Years, Here’s My Advice For Getting Your D&D Parties Excited & More Involved
Pinning down the differences between a great Dungeons & Dragons campaign and a failure can seem elusive. The Dungeon Master’s energy level is the key.
A new player makes mistakes with their character build when theyfail to take the existing party into account. They could make narrative mistakes by creating a character that is ethically incompatible with the party, or whose values and goals differ too greatly. Adding a touch of dissonance can make for good roleplaying but intuiting where to draw the line is a hallmark of experienced players. Schedules change, and player attrition is inevitable. Replacing a party member is often needed for a campaign to continue. With the right attitude, aDungeons & Dragonsplayer can become the perfect fit.
