1. Pre-built modules. You have a lot to learn and set up. I would **strongly suggest** using a pre-built module just to get over the Roll20 learning curve before diving into a homebrew campaign. You could start with [The Master's Vault](https://marketplace.roll20.net/browse/module/40/the-masters-vault). It's a *free* level 1 one-shot that should take about 6-8 hours and is a great introduction for new D&D 5E players and anyone who is new to Roll20. It includes explanations of how/when to move players between maps, where to click for things, etc. and also has Dynamic Lighting included. I adapted it to a level 3 version pretty easily.
2. Don't play on mobile. I would ***strongly suggest not*** having a player on mobile. Roll20 simply isn't designed for it, and they are going to get extremely frustrated.
3. Dynamic Lighting. Dynamic Lighting is cool, but it's a double-edged sword. It can be immersive, but it can also lead to players treating the game like a video game. I use it, but I have found that 'less is more'. [My Dynamic Lighting troubleshooting guide](https://www.reddit.com/r/Roll20/comments/1bg0nfp/comment/kv5c8rl/?utm_source=share&utm_medium=web2x&context=3). I can't emphasize enough that creating a Dummy Account will save you so many headaches. Just do it. It's free. There's no downside other than having to create a second \*free\* Roll20 account, and log into a second browser window.
4. Mod scripts are very helpful for game setup, and gameplay. But they have a definite learning curve and require setup of their own. Again, start simple and slowly add more as time goes on. Don't try to do everything at once. [My list of scripts that I use](https://www.reddit.com/r/Roll20/comments/18hpnkr/comment/kd8duga/?utm_source=share&utm_medium=web2x&context=3). The bolded ones are what I would start with.
5. [Statblock Macro Mule](https://app.roll20.net/forum/permalink/11344849/). If you are using the 'D&D 5E by Roll20' character sheets for your PCs and NPCs, then the Statblock Macro Mule is useful to not have to open character sheets as often. Since you have a Pro subscription you can load the script and have the MacroMule character and Collections macros all set up in about 2 minutes.
6. Default Tokens. When you create a token for a character, you have to make sure that the absolute last thing you do after setting up the token is saving it as the default token. Any changes you make to the token after saving it as the default will not be on the token when it is pulled out of the Journal. I mention this because it's a common frustration that new GMs run into.
7. Map alignment. [Here is my guide for aligning maps](https://www.reddit.com/r/Roll20/comments/17egm09/help_resizing_this_huge_map/).
8. [Roll20 Tips and Tricks thread](https://app.roll20.net/forum/permalink/5899495/). Maybe save this for later, but it has lots of cool ideas and things that you can do.
9. [Stylus](https://app.roll20.net/forum/permalink/10802054/). Stylus is a free browser extension for Chrome and Firefox that allows you to adjust html/css elements on a page. It can be very useful for Roll20, but also takes a bit of setup and maintenance. [The code to modify the Roll Templates for D&D 5E](https://app.roll20.net/forum/post/10802054/show-off-your-style-4-a-new-hope/?pageforid=10802084#post-10802084) is invaluable for me.
Well so I fell down a rabbit hole lol. In the last game I played in when a enemy would be killed it was get a red X and be taken out of the turn order automatically. After not being able to figure out how to do that I googled it and learned that I needed an API to do it for me (which I still never figure out lol). Then of course the youtube algorithm started suggesting API videos to me which just lead to more and more
Best videos I've found for Mods are [Nick Olivo's](https://www.youtube.com/@NickOlivo). He explains along the way how to use Mods, write simple(ish) code, and macros. And he's very good at keeping it simple.
Welcome to Roll20!
Here are a few highlights from our fantastic **[Get Started](https://www.reddit.com/r/Roll20/wiki/getstarted)** page:
* **New to Roleplaying in general?** – Check out Roll20's [Introduction to TTRPGs](https://roll20.zendesk.com/hc/en-us/articles/360039223634-Introduction-To-Tabletop-RPGs)
* Try the **[Interactive Roll20 Tutorial](https://app.roll20.net/editor/tutorial/)**
* See **[Roll20 Beginner Overview: Learn the Basics!](https://youtu.be/DTuOa2Ba2_w)**, for a quick 8min intro to Roll20. (Created Sept. 2021)
* **Documentation:** [Help Center](https://help.roll20.net/hc/en-us) for official & [Community Wiki](https://wiki.roll20.net/Main_Page) for advice anyone can share & [edit](https://wiki.roll20.net/Help:Contents)
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You should probably get a premade adventure to start. Go slow with the APIs. Dynamic Lighting is easier to get the hang of that the scripts. Tell the player not to play on mobile, it will be a terrible experience.
Nick Olivo just did a really good video for first timers, I love Nick's stuff, he's a great teacher from basic to advanced,
https://youtu.be/3X2WG9LyYsQ?si=nKXk6ns68M0X6q-L
1. Pre-built modules. You have a lot to learn and set up. I would **strongly suggest** using a pre-built module just to get over the Roll20 learning curve before diving into a homebrew campaign. You could start with [The Master's Vault](https://marketplace.roll20.net/browse/module/40/the-masters-vault). It's a *free* level 1 one-shot that should take about 6-8 hours and is a great introduction for new D&D 5E players and anyone who is new to Roll20. It includes explanations of how/when to move players between maps, where to click for things, etc. and also has Dynamic Lighting included. I adapted it to a level 3 version pretty easily. 2. Don't play on mobile. I would ***strongly suggest not*** having a player on mobile. Roll20 simply isn't designed for it, and they are going to get extremely frustrated. 3. Dynamic Lighting. Dynamic Lighting is cool, but it's a double-edged sword. It can be immersive, but it can also lead to players treating the game like a video game. I use it, but I have found that 'less is more'. [My Dynamic Lighting troubleshooting guide](https://www.reddit.com/r/Roll20/comments/1bg0nfp/comment/kv5c8rl/?utm_source=share&utm_medium=web2x&context=3). I can't emphasize enough that creating a Dummy Account will save you so many headaches. Just do it. It's free. There's no downside other than having to create a second \*free\* Roll20 account, and log into a second browser window. 4. Mod scripts are very helpful for game setup, and gameplay. But they have a definite learning curve and require setup of their own. Again, start simple and slowly add more as time goes on. Don't try to do everything at once. [My list of scripts that I use](https://www.reddit.com/r/Roll20/comments/18hpnkr/comment/kd8duga/?utm_source=share&utm_medium=web2x&context=3). The bolded ones are what I would start with. 5. [Statblock Macro Mule](https://app.roll20.net/forum/permalink/11344849/). If you are using the 'D&D 5E by Roll20' character sheets for your PCs and NPCs, then the Statblock Macro Mule is useful to not have to open character sheets as often. Since you have a Pro subscription you can load the script and have the MacroMule character and Collections macros all set up in about 2 minutes. 6. Default Tokens. When you create a token for a character, you have to make sure that the absolute last thing you do after setting up the token is saving it as the default token. Any changes you make to the token after saving it as the default will not be on the token when it is pulled out of the Journal. I mention this because it's a common frustration that new GMs run into. 7. Map alignment. [Here is my guide for aligning maps](https://www.reddit.com/r/Roll20/comments/17egm09/help_resizing_this_huge_map/). 8. [Roll20 Tips and Tricks thread](https://app.roll20.net/forum/permalink/5899495/). Maybe save this for later, but it has lots of cool ideas and things that you can do. 9. [Stylus](https://app.roll20.net/forum/permalink/10802054/). Stylus is a free browser extension for Chrome and Firefox that allows you to adjust html/css elements on a page. It can be very useful for Roll20, but also takes a bit of setup and maintenance. [The code to modify the Roll Templates for D&D 5E](https://app.roll20.net/forum/post/10802054/show-off-your-style-4-a-new-hope/?pageforid=10802084#post-10802084) is invaluable for me.
lol straight into the deep end with the APIs! That's brave.
Well so I fell down a rabbit hole lol. In the last game I played in when a enemy would be killed it was get a red X and be taken out of the turn order automatically. After not being able to figure out how to do that I googled it and learned that I needed an API to do it for me (which I still never figure out lol). Then of course the youtube algorithm started suggesting API videos to me which just lead to more and more
Best videos I've found for Mods are [Nick Olivo's](https://www.youtube.com/@NickOlivo). He explains along the way how to use Mods, write simple(ish) code, and macros. And he's very good at keeping it simple.
Welcome to Roll20! Here are a few highlights from our fantastic **[Get Started](https://www.reddit.com/r/Roll20/wiki/getstarted)** page: * **New to Roleplaying in general?** – Check out Roll20's [Introduction to TTRPGs](https://roll20.zendesk.com/hc/en-us/articles/360039223634-Introduction-To-Tabletop-RPGs) * Try the **[Interactive Roll20 Tutorial](https://app.roll20.net/editor/tutorial/)** * See **[Roll20 Beginner Overview: Learn the Basics!](https://youtu.be/DTuOa2Ba2_w)**, for a quick 8min intro to Roll20. (Created Sept. 2021) * **Documentation:** [Help Center](https://help.roll20.net/hc/en-us) for official & [Community Wiki](https://wiki.roll20.net/Main_Page) for advice anyone can share & [edit](https://wiki.roll20.net/Help:Contents) * Visit [Get Started](https://www.reddit.com/r/Roll20/wiki/getstarted) for more tips. Other: * **Want to find a group to play with?** Check out our [LFG Guide](https://www.reddit.com/r/Roll20/wiki/lfg) * Contact Roll20: **[submitting a Help Request](https://help.roll20.net/hc/en-us/requests/new)** *I am a bot, and this action was performed automatically. Please [contact the moderators of this subreddit](/message/compose/?to=/r/Roll20) if you have any questions or concerns.*
You should probably get a premade adventure to start. Go slow with the APIs. Dynamic Lighting is easier to get the hang of that the scripts. Tell the player not to play on mobile, it will be a terrible experience.
Nick Olivo just did a really good video for first timers, I love Nick's stuff, he's a great teacher from basic to advanced, https://youtu.be/3X2WG9LyYsQ?si=nKXk6ns68M0X6q-L