Getting into Tabletop Role Playing Games (RPG's) - What you should know.

     I've noticed that recently there has been an increase in people posting about D&D and how to get into it.  However it's important to remember that there are other tabletop RPG's out there besides Dungeons & Dragons.

     Now, D&D is a great jump on point for people.  It benefits from being the most widely known RPG out there, and it is the longest running at that (well so far as I'm aware).  Tabletop gaming isn't limited to just D&D.  So if you have an interested playing tabletop games - whether with friends or your family, here is what you need to know.

Getting Going

Step 01:  Know Your Game

     The first thing you want to do is research your tabletop RPG's.  To start with this you will want to think about just how complex you want your RPG to be.  Many tabletop gamers can classify their RPG's into a typical 3 levels of difficulty.

• Easy
• Medium
• Hard

     Difficulty comes in the form of learning curve and complexity of its rules.  D&D 5e would likely fall into the Easy category.  It's not difficult to learn and the rules are not too complex, which is why it is a great leap on point for many people.  By contrast, Starfinder would likely fall into the medium category.

     AndHero System is in the Hard category.  For this system it is considered this fore one fact alone, the complexity of its character creation.  Don't get me wrong, I enjoy Hero System just for the fact that I can make any character I can imagine, but it takes a long time to make a character (a few days if you know what you're doing).
a game like

     Research is very important for new players.  Part of this process starts by reaching out to the gaming community (via Twitter, or Facebook for example) and ask questions.  Most tabletop gamers who have been playing for more than a few years will know of not just the more popular and well known games, but possibly even more obscure ones as well.

     For a beginner you really should keep yourself in the easy category though.  Starting off easy is nothing to be ashamed of and it will help you to get on the train of what you can expect in other RPG's.

Step 02:  Get Your Gear

Just 1 of 3 different core rule books for the
Star Wars RPG by Fantasy Flight Games.

     Tabletop gaming can be an expensive hobby to really get into, depending on the game and the degree by which you want to be involved.  A war game, like Warhammer, will cost you a small fortune to play (since it is specifically a miniature based war game).  Unless you plan on running a game, for the most part you'll ever only really need one book.

     Before you even buy your book, got to the website for the company that makes the RPG.  You'll find that some companies offer up some free basic rules that give you an opportunity see some basics on how the game is played.  Not everyone does this though, so keep that in mind.

     Starting out, expect to spend roughly around $80 (this is a high estimate on purpose) on your materials for getting started.  But only spend money when you are ready to jump into a game system.  Do not spend money until you are ready.  I've heard people complain about spending money on getting into a game system and then turn around and balk at how much money they waisted.

     They did not do their research.

     Books will often run you around $20 for a PDF copy where it is offered (Paizo, who makes Pathfinder & Starfinder offers PDF copies of their books, as does Hero Games).

     A physical copy of a book is also nice to have, though they will cost you more, and depending on where you buy it the book can cost you between $20 and $50 bucks (maybe more depending on the system and the publisher).  Always look for either a Player's Handbook, or Core Rule Book.  These are the two most common names for the book types that get you started in games.

     Your next expenditure will be on dice.  There are some very nice dice out there, and the rest of your budget can easily go to these.

     Now you only really need 1 of each die type, but it's better if you have a lot more.  I advise getting yourself some dice grab bags, bags of a random assortment of for "x" amount will give you a large number of all the dice you'll need.  Sure they may not match up, but it's ok, you're just starting out.

     You can get tubes of dice sets which gives you one of each type of dice, and the prices often start at around $12, and they go up from there.  And if your willing to spend even more money, you can get some very nice metal or even stone dice to use.  If your using just d6's (a six sided dice) then you can get some cheap ones in the grocery store in a pack of 6.

     But can you really play a game with only one of each die type?  Yes...but in some cases more dice are far better.  If your playing D&D, and have to roll 5d8 (five, eight sided dice) then it can be a bit time consuming to roll your 1d8 a total of 5 times.  In general, if you can get about six of each die type then your good to go, even if you may need a few more dice beyond this.

     And that is it!  You got a book, and you got some dice.  But wait...you live in a place where there's not a lot of people around?

     Your covered.  As long as you got an internet connection, and a webcam (for communication) you can play online with people via a virtual tabletop.  There's several programs available, and I strongly suggest talking to other gamers on what they recommend.  Expect this to tack on another expenditure in order to make use of it.

     Of course, read the book before you start gaming.  Make a few practice characters to help you familiarize yourself with the process.

Step 03:  Get Your Group

     And here we are at the most important junction in your start as a tabletop gamer - finding a group.  Each group is going to be different.  You may get along well with your first group, but you also could end up being asked to leave just because you don't really get on with them.  Playing the game with close friends and family is one great way to get around this...but if your family is like mine then there will be a passing, vague interest in RPG's but it may only extend to just watching or talking about playing, but never getting around to it.

     This process can be even more difficult if you're planning on gaming online.

Communication is Key

     Your new, so be upfront with this in any group you join.  You'll get help if you don't understand something, and be sure to ask questions if your confused.  Also, you must be open minded to taking critiques.  It's not easy, but keep in mind that you learn through critiques.  If you have a habit that is kind of annoying to other players, it would be good to know about it so you can work at avoiding that habit.

     Now I know what your thinking, "I don't want to get my feelings hurt, or lose my temper."

     Look, critiques can hurt your feelings and this is mainly due to the fact that most people don't know how to offer up helpful critiques.  Critiques are about building a person up, making what they can do better - NOT about tearing the apart!  As an amature writer I can attest to this.

     And sure, you could lose your temper.  If you get pushed to this - walk away.  Don't respond, don't let your emotions get the better of you and lash out.  Step away and calm down.  If your told something particularly harmful or hateful, still walk away.  And when you come back talk to the Game Master (GM) about what just happened.

     And if it comes down to it, leave.  Some groups will be filled with just friends and maybe one or all of them will be assholes, or immature teens who have yet to gain any maturity for acting like adults.

     Regardless, be ready to walk away.  Your not going to fit with every group, and that is ok.  This is why gaming online is a viable option these days for when you can't find a group locally.

     But as I said, communication is key.  Work with the people in your group.  Learn the groups rules, and pay attention as best you can.

Remember Rule #01

     Just what is rule one?

     Rule one is the most important rule in all games.  It is a rule that some people in a group can forget.

     Have Fun

     Some players, and even GM's, take their games too seriously.  Game time should be more about being with friends than it is playing the game.  The game is there, it is important, but in my personal opinion a game day is about spending time with friends.

     This is an important rule that not just new players should be mindful of, but it is a rule that long time gamers need to remember.  And to this end I'm going to address you long time players and GM's now.  Joking around, breaking character, a bit of meta-gaming, sure it breaks immersion and takes time away from the game.  But the people you game with should be your friends.  You should allow a some of this to go on.  If your focused on a player doing one thing while others talk a bit with themselves then don't lose your cool over it.

     I cannot stress this rule enough for everyone.  Have fun, be friends first before you be rule lawyers.

Step 04:  Get On With It

Monty Python jokes aside, you probably still have some questions.  So below I'm going to try an answer a few that you may have.

Q.  
     Do I have to dress up?

A.
     Yes, you must wear cloths.  However, cosplay, is not required.  Some people in some groups do like dressing up a bit, but if that's not for you then that's ok.  But there is one noteworthy exception: LARPing.

     Ok, get your laughing out now...you good?

     LARPing stands for Live Action Role Playing.  Think of it as being in a theater troupe, except that there is no script and you are expected to act the part of your RPG character.  This is actually a good way to see if your a capable actor...just don't expect to land a role.


Q.
     I heard that D&D is for devil worshipers, is that true?

A.
     [sigh]

     NO.  Let's clear up this bit of slander now.  If you do your research you'll learn that many years ago, D&D was just another victim of the whole "leads to satan" bible thumping debacle that was going around.  Rock music was made by the devil before this.  Look, it's just not true at all.

     Sure, D&D has "gods" in it, but so too do many other fantasy novels and movies.  It's not you who actually worships Thor, Odin, or any other fictional deity.  It is the character, the make-believe being whom is limited to your imagination and a piece of paper.

     Moreover there is not a single shred of evidence that this is true or that RPG's drive you to do evil and/or inhuman things.  What you will find instead are instances where a mentally unstable person, who just happened to have an interest in an RPG, (Vampire the Masquerade is an example), did something morally reprehensible.

     The sham movie, Mazes & Monsters, was made based off of this sort of BS and was allegedly based on a real event...but it wasn't.  Look it up, Tom Hanks was in it.

Q.
     What level GM are you?

A.
     Should I sigh again?  This is an old rumor spread by people who don't get, or want to get RPG's.  Game masters, or GM's, or DM's (Dungeon Masters), or Storytellers do not have levels.  It's not like you're going to walk into Comic Con and see a table where you, as a GM, can level up.

     Instead it's best to think of a GM as possessing a skill level akin to one's job skills.

• Beginner:  Their just starting out, so bear with them please.
• Intermediate:  They've run a few games and the people like what's been dolled out.  They have a decent grip on what they are doing, but may have difficulty with player thrown monkey wrenches.
• Experience:  They have been running games for a year or two.  They know what needs to be done, and how to handle things when players through monkey wrenches at their story.  It's also important to know that they also feel like they can continue to improve.
• Veteran:  A veteran GM is someone who has an established method of running games.  They've been doing this for many years, and know many different tricks.  They also may be a bit set in their ways, and open mindedness to trying new things may require some thoughtful explanation on your part.

     As you can see, this is more of a generalization, and even then it's not overtly a fair one.  Some beginner GM's may well be fantastic out the gate.  While some veteran GM's may well be more like beginners, but the best that a group has had for a long while.


Q.
     Someone in the group I joined is always losing their temper over things that happen, or when the dice aren't going their way - what should I do?

A.
     This can be troubling, and can ruin a game for everyone.  The best thing you can do is talk to the GM and find out about this problem.  It could be that this is the only outbreak of this sort of thing and that the person has just been having a bad day (or week).

     But this may not be the first outbreak of temper.  If this isn't the first time then you definitely need to talk to your GM.  But if it keeps up regardless of how many times it happens - walk out.  Nothing is changing, so you may as well make a statement.  Other folks may well join in.  But if you come back and there's no apology or attempt to change then it is likely time to join a different group.



Well that's it for now folks.  I'd have something else, but college is in session and I am actually working on a new dice box project, but again that pesky thing called time isn't always on my side.