Completely new and In need of assistance

Hi, I am, as the title says, completely new to table-top rpgs - didn't know anyone else interested in them locally and too shy to ask around - so I'm not too sure what to do. Due to my complete inexperience I'm a little worried that, if/when I join a game, I'll ruin it for everyone else by having no clue what's going on, or make some terrible faux pas, and just generally screw up. Due to all this I wondered if anyone would be able to answer a couple of questions for me and/or give me advice on what to do next? Questions: 1) Which game is best for beginners? (I'm quite interested in D&D, but from what I've heard it's quite difficult to get the hang of, and even then there are several different versions available here. If you could also explain the differences between them, that'd be appreciated.) 2) How long do sessions last, in general? (I know they'll change depending on various things, but as I'm not sure how long it'll be roughly I'm not sure what to set the time filter to) 3) Are there any places online to get free rulebooks etc. for various games? 4) Is it better to start off with a weekly/monthly game or a one-off? 5) Is there anything else I should probably know before I try joining a game? As I said, I'm completely new to this so I'm sorry if my questions are stupid/have obvious answers. Thank you.

Mel M. said: Questions: 1) Which game is best for beginners? (I'm quite interested in D&D, but from what I've heard it's quite difficult to get the hang of, and even then there are several different versions available here. If you could also explain the differences between them, that'd be appreciated.) 2) How long do sessions last, in general? (I know they'll change depending on various things, but as I'm not sure how long it'll be roughly I'm not sure what to set the time filter to) 3) Are there any places online to get free rulebooks etc. for various games? 4) Is it better to start off with a weekly/monthly game or a one-off? 5) Is there anything else I should probably know before I try joining a game? As I said, I'm completely new to this so I'm sorry if my questions are stupid/have obvious answers. Thank you. Hi Mel, welcome to the community. Don't worry about being totally new. I was when I started and so was everyone else here. All we have on you is a few more years playing this hobby. Now on to your questions. 1: There are many different editions of D&D that range from the old editions and retroclones (This is what I play and run), 3.5 and Pathfinder (very popular editions - free rules here: Pathfinder SRD and 3.5 SRD ), 4e (a very beginners friendly edition that feels like a mmo almost), and the betatesting D&D Next. 2: On the average most sessions range from 3-4 hours but some will go longer and others will go less. 3: I listed the two most popular ones in 1. 4: That totally depends on what you want. 5: probably know? how to listen and be polite. That and good manners overall will help you the most. Everything else gamewise can be learned. As I tell my 12 yr old son constantly, the only stupid question is the unasked one. If you have a question then ask, you will get an answer but whether you like it or not, I can not guarantee it.

Welcome, and hope you soon find a game to your enjoyment! Metroknight answers your questions pretty well, so here just my advice. 1) For D&D I'd say 3.5 is maybe the most popular one, or you could play Pathfinder (which is basically almost the same). It's also not that hard to learn. You should probably still have someone explain it to you first, at least how you fill out the character sheet. 4) I'd say you could probably already apply for a weekly game, because if you don't like it most people will let you bail out anyway. Just explain that you are not as experienced, or don't know what to expect and most people will understand! 5) Maybe you should just know what kind of game you'd want to play. Like, do you expect lots of combat, or would you rather talk to many NPCs; do you don't mind a custom world that may not have any dragons or magic items, or are you there for the "classic" D&D experience? Also always include time zones in your post and whether you want to use text only or voice chat. So, have fun! Regards Lee

1. Simpler games like Dungeon World might be better for beginners than D&D. But, the hobby is also full of people willing to help you get started with whatever system you want to play. Basically, D&D is the granddaddy of all roleplaying games, aging back to the 70s, and is still probably the most popular and well known. Over the years, it has been updated and rereleased with new editions. Each edition is different and they generally aren't very compatible if at all. Lots of people have their favourite editions - some like old school, some like newer editions, etc. Anyways, a few years ago, they were on edition 3.5, when the company that makes D&D decided to launch 4th edition. 4th edition broke the mold in a lot of ways and did a lot of things differently, so some people liked it while others didn't. There seems to be a love/hate thing for 4e among a lot of gamers - some people really love the changes, others really hate them. After the company that made D&D moved over to 4th edition, a lot of the people who liked 3.5 decided to launch their own system called Pathfinder, which was very similar to and pretty much an update of 3.5. Also, recently the company that made 4e decided to start working on a new edition, called D&D Next, which is to be launched this summer (although there are people already playing the beta versions) Long story short, there's been a bit of an "edition war" between 4e and Pathfinder, and asking which one is best can be like asking a bunch of kids in the '90s whether Nintendo or Sega is better. 4e is more beginner-friendly though, and I'm a big fan. 2. Yeah, 3-4 hours is a good average, but you should ask when you join the game. 3. Depends on the system. Some indie systems offer pdfs for free (Fate), and others for cheap (Dungeon World), and others have SRDs online (3.5, Pathfinder). Also, there are probably less than scrupulous ways to get free pdfs of various systems, but I believe in supporting the hobby and supporting content creators, especially for indie games. 4. I prefer one-offs and episodic games of a few sessions. Signing up to a weekly game for the next year or so is a big commitment. And, you might want to dip your toe in before you commit to a big long campaign. 5. I have three pieces of advice for any player, and if you follow these, you'll always be welcome at my table: Don't be a dick. Build off of each other, don't block each other. Your character is a badass, act like it - do stuff, preferably awesome stuff.

As you can see Mel there are many different view from people and they are all correct. B.L. is correct about the edition conflict between 4e and the other editions and that has lead to many shouting matches. My personal choice is a free retroclone that took 3.5 and rewrote it to feel like the earlier D&D systems. Listen to everyone's 5 for that advice will help you get into a game. Just relax and have fun.

I run 2nd edition D&D which is very old school, from the 80s. My sessions are listed as 4 hours, but we sometimes go 3 hours, or if the players are having a lot of fun, up to almost 5. I play a lot of games with people from UK, even though I'm American, because their hours and days happen to fit mine better. There are lots of D&D and Pathfinder. And other games that are not fantasy, but science fiction, post-apocalypse, science fantasy, horror, anime based, lots of things. It's important when applying for a game to read what the GM has posted about what they need. If you can fill the need, and it sounds like something you'd enjoy then apply. Just conduct yourself as you would if you were going to someone's house, because you are, virtually. Most groups are very forgiving, you need not worry. Just listen, take your turn, be helpful, and listen to what the GM is saying and what others are suggesting, and do that, adding in your own ideas. Act as a team. Good luck and welcome to the community.

Hi Mel, Welcome to the hobby of RPGs and to Roll20! Here are my thoughts on your questions: 1) I'd say the more important question to ask is, What genre of games are you interested in? Whether it's Medieval Fantasy or whatever, have a look at the different systems and decide which one looks most appealing to you. Then look for a group that welcomes new players. However, it's true that certain games such as Pathfinder are more popular than others, so you'd have an easier time finding a game for one of those. It's a trade-off. 2) I'll echo what others have said: My games typically run 3-4 hours per session. 3) Visit RPGNow.com and search for free products. There's lots to be found there which you can download immediately. 4) Your own schedule will dictate that. The games I run are weekly. One I play in is every other week. Meanwhile, lots of one-offs are frequently advertised in the LFG forum. 5) Here's my list: 5a: Don't be a d--k. (already said, I know, but it bears repeating) 5b: There is no one "right" way to play role-playing games. If everyone is having fun and no one is violating 5a, you're doing it right. 5c: Do stuff (already said, I know, but it bears repeating). Do lots of stuff. Interact with everyone and everything you can. The GM presents you with the setting, but it's your characters' actions that drive the story forward. The more you put into the game, the more you'll get out of it.

Check out these links for good tips that'll put you ahead of the curve on being a quality RPG player: What Roleplaying Is 11 Ways to Be a Better Roleplayer 10 Ways to Be a Better Online Gamer You are Not Your Character "Yes, and..."

Hey guys., Ok so.. Im very very very new here... an I like to play d&d.... ive only started playing d&d recently.. the thing is I was theone that made the map for my group and models for character... and I was wondering how can I make a map here to play it..... Im not hopping to make $$ of it I just want to play it.. cause I cant play it with my group anymore..... (old army buddy).....

If you're interested in learning how to use Roll20 to make maps and so forth, the best place to start would be Roll20's own wiki and also to search YouTube for Roll20 tutorial videos. You can learn a lot just from those sources.

As Brett E. said, the Roll20 Wiki is a great place to start. There's even some getting started videos to help you get acquainted with the VTT. This GM introductory video and The one for Players are great. You can also check out the Roll20 Help Youtube Channel for more tutorial videos.

You may find a paperback book on How to Play Role-Playing Games because one comes out every few years. 1) Beginners should actually buy a beginner box. Beginner boxes exist for Pathfinder, Dungeons & Dragons (which they call a Starter Set), and Star Wars. These boxes include booklets which are a streamlined version of the full rules, with programmed learning (you learn rules as you go along in a clear order). You also get lots of flashy tokens or playing-pieces, dice, and colourful maps. The person who buys the box actually is trying to run a game for friends, in other words they are a game-master (dungeon-master, referee, etc.) These are great for even the youngest children. Usually they suggest age 10 and up because players have to be able to handle simple arithmetic. <a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9KPv80QsBfI" rel="nofollow">http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9KPv80QsBfI</a> (Pathfinder video) <a href="http://www.wizards.com/DnD/Product.aspx?x=dnd/prod" rel="nofollow">http://www.wizards.com/DnD/Product.aspx?x=dnd/prod</a>... D&D RPG Starter Set (4th-edition rules used) <a href="http://www.wizards.com/dnd/redbox.aspx" rel="nofollow">http://www.wizards.com/dnd/redbox.aspx</a> D&D Starter Set "Red Box" (some kind of simple version copying the original red-box Basic Dungeons & Dragons set) <a href="http://www.fantasyflightgames.com/edge_minisite.as" rel="nofollow">http://www.fantasyflightgames.com/edge_minisite.as</a>... Star Wars Edge of the Empire RPG. (not to be confused with past Star Wars RPG editions from other publishers) 4 pre-made character-sheets, tokens, maps, and dice with abstract success/failure symbols are included. 2) Sessions may last 4-5 hours. Online on Roll20 people may come from very different time-zones so they may only have a narrow "window" to meet. Sometimes people decided not to meet every week but leave off every 4th week or maybe only every 2nd week, so that they left time for real-life and non-gaming friends! 3) You can go to places like <a href="http://rpg.drivethrustuff.com" rel="nofollow">http://rpg.drivethrustuff.com</a> and specify you want to find free downloads. My favorite game was a minor boxed game from 1982 called STAR FRONTIERS. It tried to be an all-in-one box with clear rules (there is a quick combat-system enabling personal weapons, vehicle combat and aerial combat all at the same time), AND extensive notes on how to run a game effectively AND design new adventures effectively. The book was re-edited and revived by fans and you can download it here: <a href="http://www.starfrontiersman.com/PDF/Star%20Frontie" rel="nofollow">http://www.starfrontiersman.com/PDF/Star%20Frontie</a>... Other downloads (KNIGHT HAWKS spaceship rules, ZEBULON'S GUIDE which was rules changes, adventure modules (like story-scripts the referee reads and presents to other players), character sheets to print, and the original maps from the game. Much of this stuff is also available in hard-copy at print-cost, if you go to the Print-on-Demand site <a href="http://www.lulu.com" rel="nofollow">http://www.lulu.com</a> and search for author "Bill Logan". The "D6 System" is a rules system that was used in the original edition of STAR WARS (and also a game called MEN IN BLACK). You'll get notes and gaming tips in there too, like in most RPGs. Go to this page and scroll down to the D6 section: <a href="http://www.polgarusgames.com/download-page" rel="nofollow">http://www.polgarusgames.com/download-page</a> The "Basic Roleplaying" system (BRP) was the rules structure for games from Chaosium, Inc. (CALL OF CTHULHU, RUNEQUEST and others). You can get a free 48-page quick-start rulebook here, but may not be able to do very much with it. Game-masters can often write their own adventures, think up their own lands, vehicles and equipment, but often prefer a lot of supplement materials to ease their work-load. For that you will pay $$$$$! <a href="http://catalog.chaosium.com/product_info.php?cPath" rel="nofollow">http://catalog.chaosium.com/product_info.php?cPath</a>... Apart from the more popular games like D&D and PATHFINDER, there is a bewildering variety of games and rule-systems in the tabletop roleplaying hobby, but you should pick what appeals to you. Believe me, this hobby deserves your careful study and practice, and brings rich rewards, as the entertainment can be tailor-made to a player's preferences, and as new situations can be improvised at a moment's notice, whatever will add excitement and flavor to a game (no big movie-sets to build, no lines and lines of new programs to code: your characters go to new places just by TALKING about it!)