Learning how to play Dungeons & Dragons can be a tough task, even as each edition helps simplify and streamline the rules. Doing it without a friend can be a tough feat, what with all the origins, abilities, and, well, feats to choose from. If only we could all have someone like Deborah Ann Woll to teach us the ropes. In this highlight video from the Real Ones With Jon Bernthal podcast, Woll gives Bernthal a rundown on how to roll up a character and experience a campaign.
Woll is a talented Dungeon Master, able to set up a simple scene — Bernthal is traveling through the woods, a bow on his back, a knife at his belt, and only dim moonlight to guide his path. Bernthal’s first question, as an utterly new player, is, “How far away?” He’s quickly hooked, and Woll teaches him about owlbears, history checks, and the differences between wizards and fighters.
A rookie error is sitting down with a character sheet and walking a newbie through the form step by step, which can be a little intimidating. Learning how to inhabit a world, build a cool (but flawed) character, and deal with stage fright can be a lot, but Woll addresses it all in a simple, concise, and interesting manner.
Woll and Bernthal have history of working in nerdy spaces; they both worked on Marvel’s Daredevil series and Bernthal played the bad guy in Ghost Recon Breakpoint. Nonetheless, in the video, Bernthal admits to a bit of imposter syndrome as a former jock — but he sees the appeal of a tabletop game. It’s a showcase of how universal D&D is as a hobby; humble gamers and Hollywood stars can all sit around a table and roll some dice. I wouldn’t mind seeing the two sit down for a full campaign with some friends some time, especially if Woll is the DM.
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