Part of the beauty of tabletop gaming is the diversity of players, game masters, and group dynamics. No two players are alike, no two games are alike.
Be that as it may, there are universal themes that bind us together. There is a thread woven through Dungeons & Dragons that transcends all differences. Here are 10 classic D&D moments to which all players can relate!
10 And The Crowd Goes Wild
Your party stands, bloodied, nearly broken, panting. You’re down to your last paltry HP. You’ve broken some of your best equipment. You’ve just defeated THE boss. The big one.
The one that NPCs will sing the legend of in your next campaign. The one you’ll joke about with your group for decades to come. You pause in silence for one moment as your foe is dealt the fatal blow. Then, as if on cue, the silence is broken by cheers of celebration.
9 A Fallen Comrade
The extreme joys of gaming exist in contrast to the lowest of lows. Just as it is in reality, sometimes bad things happen to good characters. After carefully and lovingly min-maxing your way to the perfect fantasy alter ego, tragedy has struck.
Your character has bled out and even the cleric couldn’t save you. Heads bow around the table. Fond memories of your character are shared. The boldest among us simply scribble “The Second” on their character sheet and press on.
8 The Sound Of Dice Behind The Screen
You’ve heard prosaic descriptions of beholders. You’ve listened to creepy flavor text about dank tombs. You’ve even faced hordes of undead. Nothing compares to the terror that grips a gamer’s heart when the DM suddenly rolls a die behind the screen. Have you stepped into a trap?
Are you about to meet your soul mate? Does the scroll you’re about to read out lout say “I learned exploding runes today!”? There’s no telling what a sudden die roll could mean for that split second of panic.
7 Roll For Initiative
Every party has been there. You’re walking peacefully down a wooded path, minding your own business when the DM calmly says “Roll for initiative.”. There’s a collective groan as everyone shuffles around for their luckiest D20. This wasn’t supposed to happen. It’s not part of the plan.
You just wanted to make it to the inn. Optimists will view this as unexpected XP. More experienced players may realize that the DM just figured out you’re not ready for the CR of the next encounter and she has to level you up fast. A well-placed ambush is a valuable tool.
6 Where The Laws Of Reality Have No Meaning
Sometimes bad rolls happen to good plans. It’s much more fun when very good rolls happen to completely outlandish plans.
Party legends are made when against all reason, something that should never be allowed to happen succeeds masterfully. Have you ever seen a half-orc in full plate gracefully somersault over a sleeping guard in absolute silence? A natural 20 can make any dream come true.
5 Entourage
One of the many appeals of table top gaming is that it provides a healthy outlet to explore our fantasies. Short players can write up 6'5" characters. Tough guys can play loving grandmothers. You can earn a livable wage by doing something you love with people you enjoy spending time with. The possibilities are endless.
Adventurers are a big deal to NPCs. They look up to you as a source of safety during trying times. The sheer joy of listening to your DM describe the gratitude of the mud farmers you’ve just liberated is incredible. Everyone loves to feel cool, even if it’s only in our heads.
4 Internal Disagreements
Not all sessions are the non-stop laugh-fest we hope for. There are lulls in the action that can slow down the fun. The worst possible scenario for any gaming group is an internal disagreement over the interpretation of rules. Many veteran groups come up with plans to mediate these conflicts.
They’re a fact of gaming that we all grimace at. They’re unavoidable so it’s best to have a house rule and some tools to shut them down. We all know the pain of a rules lawyer deposition.
3 There’s No Way They Bought That
Some of the best memories made at the gaming table happen when the dice are in your favor but your role-playing skills are not. Thinking on the fly is one of the many skills that Dungeons & Dragons develops in its players.
We’ve all sat frozen as the player who just rolled a nat 20 on their bluff check tells the worst lie we have ever heard. The DM makes a pained face., the player grins with confidence, and the rest of us wait to see just how dumb these guards really are.
2 Put Down The DMG
Your dungeon master is a dichotomous figure. He is at times a benevolent savior from whom all joy descends. At other times he’s the most terrifying and powerful being in the room. There are moments that make our breath catch as we wait to see which side of the DM we’re about to face.
The pregnant pause when a DM picks up a reference material is real. Tension fills the air. Is she looking up the stats of a colossal red dragon? Is she determining how much gold the treasure you’re about to find is worth? You won’t know for those brief moments of reading. As the anxiety gripping you starts to become unbearable your DM looks up from her book and says: “Sorry, I forgot the name of the guy’s dog. Where were we?”.
1 Ghosts From Your Past
Many players enjoy writing a detailed backstory for their characters or even giving them flaws to make them feel more real. The problem with this practice is that Dungeon Masters are very creative people.
If you give them information, they will use it. It’s what they do. Any old grudge or phobia your character has will no doubt be hilariously exploited for the amusement of everyone else at the table. Anyone who’s played long enough knows the feeling of hearing the DM say “You hear a familiar voice behind you.”.
NEXT: 10 Of The Most Cliche Ways To Start A D&D Campaign
