Tips for playing D&D

Combat:
- Always hide behind another player. This may sound dishonorable, but hey, it's just a game.

- If that's not possible, then get to high ground or hide behind something else.

- Go for the eyes, head, or neck.

- Move around just a bit while fighting.

- If there is a leader, try to kill him/her first. A leader will be generally stronger and better dressed than the others. If the opponent's leader falls, the DM will usually make a morale check to see if the others will run away.

- Try to get as much information on your enemies as you can, and be prepared accordingly.

- Do as much damage as you can to an enemy the first chance you get, and don't stop until they're dead. Some enemies can regenerate wounds quite quickly.

- Try to surprise your opponents every time. This will reduce their defenses enormously.

- Don't make noise in a castle or complex, that's how you attract hundreds of enemies.

- If you are a wizard, then pick at least two or three protective spells, since you don't have good hit points.

- Try to capture one live enemy at the end of each battle. They may give you some clues about the rest of the quest, (especially if you have an "ESP" spell to see into their mind).

Level Advancement:

- Get XP by doing anything you can...Anything!

- Read everything there is to know about your player. Sometimes in the players handbook, you can get bonus XP for picking the strengths of your character.

- Act like your character in the game.

- Pay attention to what the DM tells you at the beginning of each quest. Information, like a name, that can be remembered and used will certainly earn you extra XP.

Miscellaneous:

-If you come across a "Deck of Many Things", stay away from it! Sure, you might advance a level, or get a free castle, but you may also have to be lost in a different elemental plane, loose your soul, or battle death itself.

- Another thing to stay away from is a Wraith. These are black puddle-like beings, who are deadly if you touch them.

- A good way to get money is to go into a bar and use your greatest talent to win bets.

- When starting a group of new characters, a good choice would be to have one wizard to generally reduce the hit points of opponents; One fighter to finish the opponents off; And one priest to heal the wounded in your group.

Beware:
- Wizards, don't ask for "Magical Items" in small towns. They'll kick you right out of their stores in either fear or anger. To understand why, picture someone walking up to you on the street and asking: "How many hit points do you have?"