+1 for option one, the best way IMHO is to sit down with people you (at least moderately) enjoy the company of and play!

@Ruse Yes, I think you get the idea! To your second comment, no, there will not always be 2 factors. At least, it isn't guaranteed at this point! (This is still very early on.) The order in which to apply factors will be set, so there is no question if one comes before another.

@Trish thanks for the FASERIP mention! It's worth a look in more detail!

Wow, a lot of comments! @axoren, the poker hands give you a nice non-linear scale, and some hands really require teamwork to achieve. It's also memorable and gives every one a chance to contribute to some outcome.

@user2754 Ah yes, the "turns and runs" trope. It's "D&D: 'Ignoring How Things Actually Work (c)' since 1974."

@korvinstarmast I understand an "edition" to incorporate some set of rules which are intended to work together and are published by [legal entity who holds copyright over Dungeons & Dragons at that time]. So a book with new races, classes, and mechanics does not constitute a new edition when intended for use with existing material. A book which overhauls rules from 3rd party would not be a new edition. A book from WOTC (the current copyright holder) which does not reference other books would be a new edition.

Even if it's only 3 strikes, this makes them much more powerful!

@kryan Well, I certainly am learning a lot from this question! Good catch.

@ThomasMarkov Good to know!

Not worth a full answer, but a good addition is a "session 0" which includes "hey players, you evil characters need to have motivation to save the world." It's similar to an ultimatum I give evil characters in general (which is "work with the party or become an NPC")