Guidelines for Polite Gaming Society

Below is a one page document I whipped up to bring to my Encounters table to help new folks who sit down at the table and to foster a civilized gaming culture. 

Guidelines for a Polite Gaming Society
Welcome to the table!  We are all here to be creative, roll dice and have fun.  To help everyone have a fun and satisfying game please keep this advice in mind!  Thanks!

    •   When the Dungeon Master speaks, listen.
    •    Have your dice ready to roll when your turn comes up.  Have a plan of action and be ready with the numbers you will add to that d20.
    •    Players make their own decisions on their turn.  Don’t offer advice unless they ask.
    •    Allow players to do their own math, unless they ask for help.
    •    Be respectful of other people's stuff (dice, papers, beverages etc)
    •    Make notes on your character sheet, (Healing Surges, Action Points etc) for the next session.

If this is your first time playing this role-playing game, your are in the right place.
  The game of Dungeons & Dragons takes place in the collective imagination of the group sitting around the table.  Based on your choices your character will explore the world described by the Dungeon Master, facing fantastic challenges and reaping fabulous rewards!



The core mechanic of the game is simple: Roll a 20 sided die.  The higher you roll, the better.


This is how Combat works:

• Each player rolls a d20 for Initiative to see who goes first.

• Characters and monsters act in initiative order.

• Attacks are resolved by rolling the d20, adding modifiers, and comparing the result to the defender’s Armor Class.  (Declare the total to the Dungeon Master.)
• Your character sheet has a variety of Powers that are available on your turn.  You may use Green powers every turn(At-Will), Red powers once per Encounter, and Black powers once per game day(Daily).  Make sure to make a note when resources are used.
• Look carefully at your Powers.  Find the line with the math in it.  
• For example the “Basic Melee Attack” might say :   d20+5 vs. AC; 1d8+1 damage   
• This means you roll the d20 and add 5.  Declare your total to the Dungeon Master.  If the number is equal or greater than your opponent’s AC, roll the d8 and add 1 for damage.  “Effects” occur automatically, whether you hit or not.