August 4, 2020

Getting Started with Tabletop RPGs

If you’ve read this Newbie Tuesday space in week’s past, you know that these posts are designed to help new & prospective tabletop role-playing gamers settle into their first session.

But how do you find that first session? Today’s post covers some of the most common ways new players can join a table for the first time.

Virtual Tabletop

Especially in these times of global crisis during this COVID-19 pandemic, there’s a greater emphasis on staying at home. Roll 20, for example, is a wonderful resource for players of any experience level to play tabletop RPGs virtually.

Using the link provided, simply check-off “welcome new players” when you’re searching for a game to play. From there, all you need is a headset/microphone and some free software like Discord to play. The site itself has all the resources, instructions, and videos you’d ever need to get started.

While Dungeons & Dragons is the primary TTRPG system used on Roll20, there are absolutely other systems being used too. If you’re interested, take a few minutes to peruse their site and join a newbie game to see what the buzz is all about!

Local Game Store

After we’ve come together to solve this coronavirus crisis, your local game stores will, hopefully begin to flourish once more. Many of them have backrooms where people can come together to play games of all shapes and sizes on a regular basis.

Many of those stores have regular tabletop RPGs like Dungeons and Dragons, Pathfinder, and many others. Call up the store and see if any of those games are welcoming new players. Most stores absolutely will have a few games to choose from.

Takes a bit of courage, being new, and joining a table of mostly experienced players. But all good tabletop RPG players should be super understanding and welcoming of a new player joining the community. You’ll find a lot of wonderful and nice people out there who are just looking to relax, have a good time, and enjoy a great story with a solid group of people!

Start Your Own!

And if you’re so-inclined, you could start your own group of players! If you’re interested, some of your friends and family may also be willing to give it a try too. Systems like our StoryNite system lay out the red carpet for new players looking to have a fun, engaging, but not too complex experience in playing stories.

Try and organize a story night – hence the name of our system 🙂 – and see how everyone enjoys the experience. We have lots of resources for first time and new players looking to dive into playing stories. Be that focal point of the group and give it a shot! You won’t regret it.

And if you have any questions, please let me know and I’ll do my best to help you find your story!

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