Your newly awakened interest in pen and paper RPGs has taken you here in hopes of getting a step closer to your debut. If that is the case then you’re on the right track. To enter the world of tabletop RPGs can seem frightening and complicated at first, specially if you’re doing it all by yourself.
It doesn’t take long before the questions (Where? How? When? What? What again?) start stacking up and with no one there to give you the answers it may feel overwhelming.
[accordion] [accordion_item title=”Article Highlights”]1. Preparations for your first RPG session
2. How to find a gaming group for beginners offline and online
3. How to play tabletop RPGs online
4. What games to start with[/accordion_item] [/accordion]
Your lack of knowledge as a total beginner doesn’t come as a shock to the rest of us. It’s the natural course of things and that shouldn’t stop you from pursuing one of the best hobbies on earth (a bit biased) and I won’t let it!
To start playing you’ll need someone to play with, you can find people to group up with either online or offline. Make sure to start with a good tabletop RPG for beginners, some games offer too much information making it hard to absorb even for veterans. We’ll get there soon enough.
Here’s a breakdown of the (almost free) starter kit required for pen and paper RPG sessions.
What to bring to a tabletop RPG session
During my crusade through Rpegia (That’s what we used to call our game room when I was younger) I’ve found that a couple of things should be brought to a session of tabletop RPG – most of them aren’t essentials to be honest, they will only enhance your experience.
You could basically get by with just a pen in the same way that any 16 years old could get by without a 700$ smartphone, having a kit with all your stuff organized is a luxury that offers too much comfort to give up, at least for me.
If you’re attending an event for beginners, the hosts will most likely provide everything needed for the game but be there a couple of minutes early so you can investigate further.
Here’s a short list of items you should make sure to bring to your first tabletop RPG session!
- Pen – Not much to say, you’ll use this throughout the entire game to keep track of your character and his actions.
- Paper – Use these to write everything that doesn’t fit on your character sheet. I’ve come to terms with the size of my character sheets and the need for more paper to keep track of special abilities, loot, and rules.
- Character Sheet – The event you’re attending will very likely be providing these, if not – create/bring your own.
- Eraser – It’s a for the removal, my friend.
The items in the list below are luxury items. They are the sports car equivalent of board gaming, having these creates the illusion of you having your shit together. The set of dice should really belong to the list above but I just wasn’t sure. I don’t think the host of a beginners event requires or expects a newbie to be fully prepared anyway.
- Set of Dice
- Dice Tray – Perfect for at-home sessions with friends. If you’re hosting the game or don’t mind going the extra mile for your role-playing group, get a dice tray. It saves the table from taking damage and keeps everything on the table.
- Board Game Organizer – This is a sweet platform that takes your game station from “Where did I put that?” to “Fifth floor, section A, aisle 4, next to the mustard” On a serious note, having everything organized feels really good.
- Audio – There’s no easier way to create the perfect ambiance for a session of tabletop role-playing. Find a soundtrack that fits your flavor and keep it rolling in the background throughout your game. While it does boost the mood and strengthen the feeling of the game, it also helps remove the awkward feeling some players might sense when role-playing.
- Imagination – Seriously, tabletop roleplaying is a way to stimulate the fantasies in your head (Well… not all of them) Try to really engage the story and your character.
Some call them essentials others call them useless crap, my less obsessive friends refer to them as the latter. Not having some of these won’t stop you from having a great time. If you’re in it for the long ride I would seriously consider getting my hands on these. Aside from the things listed, prepare for a session of roleplaying by bringing snacks, drinks and your pen and paper RPG of choice.
Finding a tabletop RPG group for beginners (Offline and Online)
If you know of any RPG gaming stores nearby you could start there, the old school way of doing it would be to see if any local groups or events have put up flyers on their bulletin board. While you are at it you could put up a letter saying that you’re in search of a group to play with – make sure to do this on their online board too, if they have one.
While you’re there talk to the owner or employee and let them know that you’re new to the scene and in need of help (They’ll be glad to help a potential customer).
You can also try to visit the store during game nights and mingle your way through the groups to see if they accept new players. Most groups are closed to new players but asking doesn’t hurt. If you can’t think of any particular game stores in your area, visit Wizards of the Coast and use their store locator to investigate further. All of the aforementioned methods can be applied to your local gaming clubs and universities.
With the use of Google, Reddit and the Internet we can broaden or horizon significantly, making it much easier to find other people to play with. Living in a populated area is going to make it even easier to find others to play with. Nevertheless, by using internet-based services you can find local groups and players who live nearby who might be interested in forming a group.
Meetup will help you find local groups who frequently play tabletop RPGs. Visit their website and search for terms that fit your description. If that doesn’t work, proceed to Nearby Gamers. This website will show you a list of people in your current location.
Subreddit /r/LFG (Looking for group) With over 51.5k subscribers this subreddit is another goldmine full of information for whoever seeks it. Go there, ask questions. By now we’ve understood that Facebook works wonders when it comes to gathering people, don’t ignore that. Visit Facebook and search for groups + your location, alternatively, look for big regional or worldwide groups and ask there.
Playing tabletop RPGs online
With time being the most precious resource known to man and preparations for Tabletop RPGs the most time-consuming procedure known to humanoids/elves/dwarves etc. I’m not saying that meeting with your group one or two times a week to play pen and paper RPGs isn’t worth it, I’m just saying that it does take time to prepare and everyone doesn’t have the time for it.
Finding time for a session of pen & paper RPGs with your group can be hard, it wouldn’t be a problem if it didn’t take so long to get set up and going. Playing tabletop RPGs online doesn’t require the same amount of preparation.
Online virtual tabletop software are designed to bring tabletop RPGs to your browser or smartphone apps, making it possible to play games on your computer that you would normally play with a bunch of friends gathered around a table. While online-based services fall short in comparison to tabletop RPGs as we know them it’s still a perfectly good alternative if you’re moving away from your gaming group or live in a desolate area with no RPG presence at all.
Some are free, others are subscription-only and a few of them asks for a one-time fee. The cost of a virtual tabletop varies depending on the features it offers and the amount of premade material you get access to, material that will save you a lot of time and enhance your sessions. Here are a couple of ways to go.
- Roll20.net – Free platform that runs in your web browser and doesn’t require any downloads or installs. With a plethora of users (three million+), Roll20.net has an incredible reach. It’s very easy to get started with and even easier to use.
- Fantasy Grounds – This online gaming table features all of the tools needed to simulate a face-to-face session of tabletop RPGs including tools for communication, 3d-dice, drawings, portraits, rulesets, and a well-designed interface. The demo version of Fantasy Grounds is free of charge, Standard subscription is 3.99$ and Ultimate is 9.99$ per month.
Try your luck with these two to start with. If you find yourself unhappy with what they have to offer you can try other platforms that are unique in their own way. Talk to your group and specify what it is that you felt was missing and find a service that has such a feature. To compare the features of different virtual tabletops you can look at this chart that reviews a bunch of different VTs.
To find even more info you can read this guide on virtual tabletop programs written in 2013 (ol’ reliable).
First time playing tabletop RPGs
Life has prepared you for this moment. All of the movies you have watched and all of the games you’ve played will be your go-to sources of inspiration when you’re drawing blanks at the table. The thought of role-playing can evoke awkward feelings and insecurities but don’t bother listening to those feelings, if people were to obey those thoughts there would be a serious shortage of gaming clubs.
People don’t expect a lot from you the first few times you play TTRPGs so why should you? Try to have as fun as you can while absorbing as much information as possible. The other players will most likely be excited to have a new recruit and try their absolute best to make sure you’re having a good time.
If you find it troublesome to join a group of experienced players you could try to contact a player who has done his share of gaming and ask him or her to DM for you and your friends. That way you can have a skilled player teach the rest of you how the game works in an environment that allows you to break out of your shell.
There are rules to the game but there are no written rules of etiquette at the table, unwritten rules do exist (They always do)
When the sessions take place in a store
- Don’t cause a lot of commotion while others are playing – respect the players and their ongoing game.
- Don’t talk or play music on your phone while others are in the middle of a session
- Don’t bring food or drinks without asking if it’s ok.
- If you plan on adventuring the fields of any game other than the ones the store sells, make sure to ask if that’s ok. It’s understandable that a business would want its costumers to revel in the amusement offered by their products.
When the session takes place in someone’s home
- Do like you’ve always done as a guest, sit back, examine and adapt. (Ok, I’m probably wrong to think that everybody does that)
- If you plan on bringing other games or friends, ask.
- If you’re a total beginner, say so – lowering their expectations will make for a better game for you and them.
- Try to share the stage with the other players, take the stage and let your action do the talkin’ for a little while but let others have their turn at it too.
- Find out what game you’re playing and study it before the session.
Don’t over think this though, you’re only human. Being a beginner means you’re trying something new, new things can be challenging but they broaden your palette. You should be proud of yourself for trying tabletop RPGs.
I started out playing Dungeons and Dragons like many others. People who have no idea what role-playing is have probably heard of Dungeons and Dragons, making it sort of a portal into the world of tabletop RPGs.
I tried to learn as much as possible before playing the actual game but in the end, it felt like I was teaching myself how to drive a car by reading a book on how-to. In theory, I knew what the game was about and I learned a couple of terms that would facilitate communication with others at the table but I was not as ready as I had hoped for the action, rules, and lingo. Why?
Because the best way of learning this is by actually doing it. I walked away from that session with so much information and a little bit of confidence. The next couple of sessions my players witnessed the evolution of a nerd.
I entered that portal long ago and I’ve been exploring like crazy since then but I’m still searching for more games to play so please, don’t be shy if you’re sitting on a golden nugget – be it a game, device or soundtrack that can enhance the joy or comfort of pen and paper RPGs.
Beginner friendly tabletop RPGs
Are there beginner friendly tabletop RPGs? Which ones would I recommend? For a first timer, it would be beneficial to start with a game that offers a lot of action, role-playing and a couple basic mechanics to get you going, the game should also leave room for more complex gaming down the road.
We’re looking for a game that you can develop with. We want to avoid games that are too complicated as they tend to cause frustration and confusion to new players who try their absolute best to understand and adapt.
Tabletop RPGs for beginners will offer more guidance to the player and his group during all phases of the game. This can include templates for character creation and setting, examples of scenarios that can take place in said setting, an easy-to-understand rulebook and a lot of free material for the evolving player.
While these games are well suited for the new player they offer the same simple steps for first time DM’s. You’re looking for games that teach, challenge and capture new players without sacrificing the elements of an awesome RPG. In fact, I highly doubt a veteran player wouldn’t enjoy these games too.
Before I continue with the list of games, we should try to find out what type of game your group will enjoy. You want to understand your preferences when you pick a game for you and your group. Think about these questions before you continue reading.
- Do we want games that rely on our ability to engage, be creative, involved and outgoing
- Do we want games with more narrative and improvisation
- Do we want games with more creative control and fewer rules
These games are awesome for beginners but might not be the perfect fit for someone who is very self-conscious about role-playing as they encourage and put high demand on the group’s ability to socialize and act out scenarios as their character. There can be fewer dice-mechanics in these games allowing for players to naturally drive the plot forward.
To improvise can come very naturally for some players while others have a hard time going with the flow. In my experience, I’ve found improvisation to be funnier and easier when playing with friends who already know me as the clown I am. If you’ve asked yourself these questions without feeling at home, don’t worry – there’s a ton of different games for all flavors.
The introvert equivalent of the active role-playing games are the more structured and story-driven games like D&D (Dungeons and Dragons) with rules that can show you examples of how to approach and overcome given tasks. The need to showcase your improv and role-playing skills aren’t as high demand with these games.
In the end, it all comes down to flavor and excitement – what floats your boat? Find something that you’re all looking forward to playing and find a way to make it as comfortable and amusing to everyone as possible. I believe in trial and error when it comes to RPGs. With that said, here are my recommendations. I hope you find something that fits your taste.
Dungeons and Dragons Starter Set
This set has everything you and your friends need to get going including dice, pre-generated characters, rulebook, adventure book, and character sheet. In my opinion, this game is a sensational way for beginners to have their first-time experience of tabletop RPGs. Dungeons and Dragons has become the cornerstone of role-playing games for a reason. I’ll let the game do the talkin’. For just a couple of dollars, you get Amazons “Best Seller” in the category with over 950 reviews and 4.5/5 stars.
[button type=”real” shape=”square” size=”mini” href=”https://www.amazon.com/Dungeons-Dragons-Starter-Wizards-Team/dp/0786965592″ target=”_blank”Example”]Visit Amazon[/button]
Beyond the Wall and Other Adventures
This game is designed for new groups and first time GMs. Its simple steps are created to make sure your first adventure is a great one. The focus of this game is to present the idea of role-playing games to your group, including your GM, and they have done a great job at it.
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Pathfinder’s Beginner Box
To start your role-playing career adventuring with dungeon tiles and mini figures is the least frightening way to go about it. Pathfinder’s box contains monster and player pawns along with a myriad of valuable essentials including a 64-page player guide, 96-page gamemaster guide, a 16-page transition guide to help you advance from beginner when the time comes and much, much more.
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Star Wars Edge of the Empire Beginner Game
The system is pretty easy to use and the game itself will make sure to inform players of everything they need to know when needed. For a group of 2-4 players and a GM this game offers about 3 hours of absolutely awesome gameplay. Here’s the introduction of a review on Amazon: “The “learn-as-you-go” system is genius and intuitive. If not for this beginner’s kit, I never would have taken a chance on this system. As a very busy person with busy friends, I found that the rules were very intuitive and extremely simple, and it was great being able to get straight into the adventure. I can’t wait to pick up more Edge of Empire stuff and start designing my own adventures.”
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With all this in mind, you should be ready for your first session! I hope you enjoy yourself. As always, feel free to comment and share!