Create A D&D Character for your Dungeons & Dragons Campaign
A quick introduction to the rules, world, and methods to play Dungeons & Dragons, this course will prepare learners for any D&D campaign by guiding them through the basic rules and having them create and play their first D&D character.
What's included
1 live meeting
1 hrs 30 mins in-class hoursClass Experience
Beginner Level
This class is designed for beginner D&D players who want to learn D&D by playing alongside other gaming enthusiasts their own age. During this one-time class, learners will learn the basic rules of the game (like saving throws, skill checks, and attack rolls), how to play (like roleplay, collaboration, and combat), and the components of a character sheet (like armor class, ability scores, and hit dice). Then, we will discuss each learner's character concept, referencing official D&D materials for inspiration when needed. Will they be a dwarf artificer from a legendary guild? An elf druid from a glen deep in a magical forest? Or perhaps a gnome cleric who learned the power of healing as an acolyte? Once these have been determined, we will map them to the parameters of a D&D character. Learners will go through the components of a D&D character one by one, individually choosing an ancestry, background, and class while building a character alongside other learners. Finally, learners will test their character and knowledge in a demo scenario where they can actually play D&D. All learners' characters will come together as an adventuring party where each learner can play their new character and work with other characters to overcome a challenge. When the class is complete, all learners will know (from experience!) how the game is played and have a character sheet in hand that they can bring to any game of Dungeons & Dragons.
Learning Goals
How tabletop roleplaying games like Dungeons & Dragons are played
The basic rules of Dungeons & Dragons 5th Edition
Other Details
Parental Guidance
A large component of Dungeons & Dragons involves simulated fighting. Though learners will not participate in an in-game combat scenario in this class, they will learn about game elements that are meant to be used in battle (swords, arrows, fireballs, etc.)
These abilities are used in a fantasy setting in which players take the role of heroes fighting for goodness, but D&D players still roleplay the use of weapons, magic, and other abilities for the sake of fighting others.
Supply List
A copy of the D&D character sheet and rules reference will be provided.
External Resources
In addition to the Outschool classroom, this class uses:
Sources
The Dungeons & Dragons 5th Edition rules, including the Players Handbook, Dungeon Master's Guide, and supplementary materials like Tasha's Cauldron of Everything, will be referenced. All materials will be provided.
Teacher expertise and credentials
I’m Jaclyn Lewis, and I’ve been teaching Dungeons & Dragons to kids online and off since 2020. I know the game in and out and have used it to bring students into a safe and fun learning environment where they can explore mechanical and story ideas through the medium of play, connect with other students with similar interests, and learn key social and emotional skills for interacting in day-to-day life. I’ve written a book, Rolling with the Youth, on how to do exactly this, and have worked with young players at places like the Kalamazoo Public Library, online social club Young Dragonslayers, online and in-person groups with OutFront and Fire Arts, and plenty of gaming conventions. I hope you’ll entrust me with your young learners, and I look forward to the adventures we will share!
Reviews
Live One-Time Class
$10
per classMeets once
90 min
Live video meetings
Ages: 10-14
2-6 learners per class