Questions regarding players who are new to a specific system or to RPGs in general.
51
votes
8answers
4k views
I'm at a loss with “Dungeons and Dragons.” How does one play it, anyway?
I'm no gamer at all, so this could be like a very silly, basic question for you guys. The thing is that I always read about "Dungeons and Dragons" game (not the video game, but the normal game to play ...
35
votes
6answers
1k views
Did I do a bad job as a GM?
Last night we played our first RPG (ever!) and I'm not sure if it went well.
The basic story was to find someone. There were three possible places where he could be; then the players hot wire a ...
35
votes
13answers
2k views
Playing 4th Ed D&D for the first time, what should I read to avoid holding everyone back?
I've been invited to join a new game of D&D 4th edition this weekend, but haven't played proper D&D before. Are there any resources I ought to read or get before I turn up, so that I'm not a ...
27
votes
7answers
743 views
Acting role vs Player personality
I am new to RPGs and can't figure this out: should I act as my character or should I be me - in the sense of thinking and making decisions?
For example, what if I am a senior cop involved in ...
26
votes
6answers
581 views
What is role-playing, and where do I start?
I have been told that roleplaying is great fun. I've looked and looked and it all seems so complicated. Could anyone tell me a good place to start, and what sort of things you end up doing in ...
24
votes
5answers
353 views
Spoilt for choice: helping traditional-system players adapt to narrative-control games
My group teethed on D&D 3.5 and loved 4e, but now we're eager to take advantage of FATE's more narrative- and character-driven philosophies. However, on our first (DFRPG) game last night, my ...
23
votes
3answers
1k views
Is there a core campaign setting for DnD 4e?
I'm completely new to RPGs in general, so I apologize in advance if this is an odd question. There's such an overwhelming abundance of lore on all the different campaign settings for DnD that I've ...
23
votes
6answers
330 views
Non native speakers and Pen & Paper Role-Playing Games
I'm among a group of people which doesn't share the same mother tongue. We are speaking English every day and can communicate very well in daily situations and even in an academic way.
Some of them ...
21
votes
6answers
778 views
Is it normal that players share their characters' thoughts?
I am totally new to RPGs and haven't participated in a single game yet. However, I'm interested in the topic and today, I found a link to Dungeon World on this site and started reading.
There's ...
21
votes
15answers
865 views
I am looking for a game to ease my friends into role playing
Let me start with saying it's been many years since I played D&D. I have a group of friends that meet every week to play board games like Descent, Heroquest, etc. The thing is, none of these ...
21
votes
7answers
3k views
How do I get started playing Dungeons and Dragons by myself?
I've been wanting to start playing D&D for some time, and I was wondering how I could get started by myself with relative ease. I own the first two player handbooks, and a set of dice.
21
votes
6answers
630 views
How can I treat old and new players fairly, without upsetting anyone?
The last time I ran a game of D&D there was a lot of tension between new players (both to the group, and D&D) and old players. It stemmed partly from oldbies not wanting their ball taken away, ...
21
votes
4answers
599 views
How do I explain stress to a d20 crowd?
In the next month or so I'm going to start running the Dresden Files RPG soon with a group that has most of its experience in D&D 3.5 and 4e. We're all new to FATE, and I tried to explain the ...
20
votes
5answers
2k views
What are the things every Savage Worlds player should know?
I'm playing in my first savage worlds next week, and I have no idea what the system is like. What should I know going in?
18
votes
6answers
868 views
How do I explain the concept of “staying in character” to a newly starting player?
I've always had difficulty trying to explain the concept of "staying in character" to newly starting players. Typically, what we end up doing is just start playing the game. Sooner or later (often ...
17
votes
6answers
632 views
How can I screen new players to make sure they are a good fit for my game?
I'm looking to start a new Savage Worlds campaign and I need a full set of players for it. I've played in games before and ran a couple of one-shots, but I've never GMed a full campaign. There's ...
16
votes
7answers
524 views
What's a good class and race for beginners?
I'm a newbie GM and I have a new player at the table. He wants to play and I'm letting him (despite his loud, overly energetic behavior, and has a short attention span). Whats a good 3.5 class for ...
16
votes
6answers
441 views
I'm fairly new to D&D but want to GM; where do I go from here?
I'm a 16-year-old male, and I have been interested in tabletop RPGs for a long time, especially D&D. I sorta dove into D&D really fast and hard by buying the Red box, Dungeon Master Kit, ...
16
votes
6answers
797 views
What role-playing games should I pick for an absolute beginner group?
I've always wanted to play Dungeons and Dragons, but where I live it's more of an underground thing, so it was difficult to find other players. After recently moving to a new school, I made a few ...
16
votes
4answers
447 views
How do I, as a DM, help a girl integrate into a group of all male role-players? [closed]
We have recently had an addition to our gaming group. She is very bright and has picked up the rules quickly and seems to have enjoyed herself. We have had one session with her involved and she has ...
15
votes
9answers
524 views
Does GMing diminish or detract from being a player in games?
I started playing RPGs last year with the Pathfinder Beginner Box. I have been GMing and writing a campaign, but have also encouraged members of the party that are interested to run a one-off Beginner ...
15
votes
1answer
251 views
What is the definition of a natural roll on dice
So I am starting in the world of pen-and-paper RPGs, and sometimes the material I read mentions a natural roll, like a natural 1 is always a miss, and a natural 20 is always a hit.
I understand that ...
15
votes
5answers
2k views
How can I create an introductory D&D encounter intended for teaching the rules?
For my next D&D campaign, I want to introduce the players to the ruleset by having them play through a sample combat encounter. All of them have prior RPG experience, but they haven't played any ...
14
votes
4answers
256 views
I have read the D&D PHB but am still having trouble grasping some of the basics, how can I learn more?
With credit to one of the more experienced members on the site, mxyzplk, I thought I'd ask where noobs like me should ask or find answers to basic questions about Dungeons & Dragons mechanics if ...
13
votes
6answers
467 views
Introducing System Mechanics to new players
Context
Hello, I'm assembling a DnD/Pathfinder group, and all the players are new to tabletop rpg. All they know is rpg is about storytelling, dice rolling [ and macabre rituals <- just kidding, ...
13
votes
7answers
385 views
How should a GM handle novice players?
In our game, we have 5 players - two are completely new to roleplaying, and one is new to the system we're playing (Pathfinder).
At the moment, the GM grants the new players no leeway - if the player ...
13
votes
7answers
281 views
Advantages and disadvantages in using a one-shot pre-gen to introduce a new system
In questions about how to learn new systems, or teach them, a common suggestion is to run a single-session game with pre-made characters and a pre-made scenario.
In your experience as a GM and/or ...
13
votes
7answers
1k views
Starting the first game tips?
I was wondering if anyone had any tips on how to start our very first session. Everyone, counting the DM, has yet to play the game and we are not exactly sure were to start. Our PCs are:
Drow ...
13
votes
4answers
489 views
How to get back into gaming?
So I used to play RPGs a lot back in the day, but then life, work and the usual dull stuff got in the way and it all fizzled out. Now I've seen this site my interest and memories have returned and I ...
13
votes
3answers
1k views
How does an opposed (stealth) check work?
I was reading the Players Handbook 1 and I don't understand how the opposed check works, especially in context of a stealth check.
12
votes
4answers
347 views
What should I look out for during my first game of Apocalypse World?
I am coming close to playing my first ever game of Apocalypse world. This will mark my first post-apocalypse based RP, and will see me trying to transition from a combat heavy D&D 4e background ...
12
votes
2answers
187 views
Anyone have some links to “easy to read” resources for a DND newbie?
Howdy! I am about to start a campaign with some friends in a month or so when they finish their current game. We will be using the 4e rules and characters. My wife has expressed interest in playing ...
12
votes
2answers
130 views
Is there an RPG or RPG setting for Un Lun Dun, and if not, how and how easily would one go about making one?
I'm honestly a complete noob to tabletop RPGs, having only read the manuals for DnD 4th edition and never having played, but I'd like to know if an RPG or setting for one exists for China Miéville's ...
11
votes
5answers
1k views
How to introduce a pen-and-paper RPG to family?
My brother and I have dabbled in D&D when we were younger. Also, at the last place where I worked, we had a weekly Pathfinder game session, which was fun.
Usually at our family get-togethers my ...
11
votes
9answers
227 views
What are the best places on the Web to advertise for players? [closed]
I am looking for players to join a play-by-chat game. I have set up a wiki for the game at Obsidian Portal, and have advertised on a couple Yahoo Groups dedicated to gaming. Are there any other places ...
10
votes
8answers
384 views
Minimum player knowledge of the rules
None of my group of players have read any of the rule books, not even the Player's Handbook.
I find this isn't a problem when making rulings, as they all accept my word (and a quick lookup if I'm not ...
10
votes
4answers
503 views
How should one properly roleplay a Kender?
For my first campaign ever, we are playing 2E DragonLance. I, not content with my usual lot, chose to play a female kender handler. The first playsession went well, but reading up on kenders (from ...
10
votes
3answers
2k views
How do hit points work?
I'm about to start my first D&D game, and I just noticed that my character sheet has four different hit point values. I assume maximum is how many you have before you're dead, but how do Bloodied, ...
9
votes
4answers
542 views
Where can I find a couple “wife-friendly” adventures?
Some background:
My wife and I have always played computer games (we actually met on one) but it's been a lot of years since I did any table-top. A few months ago, we ran through a Tolkien-based ...
9
votes
4answers
315 views
What should be included in a 'getting started' player handout?
When playing a new RPG system and setting, it is helpful to have important game information in front of you. For my free RPG Icar, I intend on having a single side of paper with reference rules and ...
9
votes
3answers
345 views
As a complete newcomer - what do I have to look out for?
I just orderer the D&D Red Box 4th edition. I plan to play it with my GF and maybe I can convince my flat mate as well. None of us has any experience playing Pen and Paper games (I have Baldur's ...
9
votes
7answers
457 views
Character-driven fantasy adventure with infrequent combat?
I'd like to try one-on-one RPGing with my partner and am looking for an initial high-fantasy adventure to get started with.
My original plan was to adapt the Fighting Fantasy gamebook, 'The Warlock ...
7
votes
4answers
633 views
What are the essential elements of Legend of the Five Rings?
I got invited to a game of L5R (the role-playing game, not the card game) and I want to know enough about the game to be able to contribute instead of being hauled along. The biggest problem for me is ...
7
votes
5answers
264 views
Dealing with high player churn?
In my current D&D 4e game we have extremely high player churn. Any given night we may have between 2 and 5 players (out of 10 to 12) leave and or join (leaving often takes the form of simply not ...
6
votes
3answers
2k views
Choosing DnD 4th edition or Essentials for a new group and DM?
Recently I've got interested in roleplaying. My background is more or less hardcore boardgamer, I have played quite a large number of board games, even some of the most complicated ones and found it ...
6
votes
4answers
231 views
Good games for inexperienced players and GMs?
I have been the GM for my little circle of friends for a few months. We are having trouble finding an RPG system to be comfortable with.
On my part, I seem to be unable to settle on any particular ...
6
votes
4answers
451 views
Need a player guide for D&D 3.5
There's a fair chance I'm about to join a friend's 3.5 online campaign and I am frankly overwhelmed by the options and possibilities for characters spanning across all the books.
Are there any ...
6
votes
1answer
252 views
Running a one shot session in Dungeon World. How?
I'm going to GM a session of Dungeon World this saturday. My problem is that the book doesn't really deal with one-shot sessions in any detail. It discusses how to make sessions in great length ...
6
votes
4answers
197 views
Dealing With Inexperienced Players in Hero System
When playing Hero System, experienced players can really get the most out of every point, and create incredible characters, while new players can find the system a little overwhelming.
How do you ...
5
votes
9answers
288 views
What is best practice for auditioning a prospective new player?
Continuing on this question how is the best way to set up an auditioning session? What gamewise should you do differently? What are the expectations on the group and the potential new person? What is ...
