Why is this so hard? Someone PLEASE let me play!!!!

Hello, Here is my weekly try at finally finding a game. HI am new to 5E, but have 3.5 experience. I am currently learning 5E, and would like an opportunity to join your game. I have a discord and a microphone. The class I always get steered into playing is Cleric, and I don't mind playing support at all.  My favorite part about D&D are the fights and puzzles. Defeating a tough opponent, or finally opening a mysterious door always feels good.  Thank you for your time, and I hope you choose me. Good luck! Name: Mau Age: 31 Experience with D&D: 3.5 back in the day, new to 5E but learning Experience with Roll20: Watched tutorials, haven't played yet Timezone: US Eastern (GMT-5) Availability: Evenings and Nights, after 1700 (5PM) I am available to play any day and time. As long as I am given proper notice, I can adjust my schedule to play.  Character Name: Ormaline Class: Cleric Race: Hill Dwarf Alignment: Neutral Good

Not here to post a game. But offer some advice. More important then posting character details. Try posting your timezone, available hours, preferred day/time to play. This will help DM's with open slots see if it's worth dropping you a line.

I can't believe I hadn't thought of that, that's actually really helpful. Thank you so much!!

And look for games in that time slot.  Most DM's post their day and time that they are looking for players.  Then respond, quickly if needed.  

I'd say just look for it urself cuz not a lot of people look for players

I've been looking, and posting for a while now. I guess I'm just unlucky.

Ghosting by DMs seems to be a rather prevalent thing around here.  It's interesting to read DM's write about how players don't commit to their games, when DM's can't even communicate to those players interested in their games whether or not the player's application was sufficient to make the cut.  Bottom line I guess is, if you don't want your time wasted by players, don't waste their time before the games.  And perhaps if you actually communicated before the game, you might actually have backup players when someone does dump on you.

Unlucky has little to do with it. People don't want to game as much anymore. Their time is spent living their lives. With no time for others.

OK, as a DM, I gotta jump in here. So, the last time I made an application for a free game, within the week I had it up, I'd received more than 50 applications. Now, when I post them, I do read every application, but can you imagine the amount of time it would take to provide feedback for EVERY application? And that's one game! There was a point last year I was DMing 4 games on Roll20 per week. If I gave feedback to every application, I'd have no time to prep the game or live my life. It's not ghosting applicants, but DMs are only human and don't have the time to reply to everyone. As far as not being able to find a game goes, there could be a multitude of reasons. From what I've seen on Roll20, a lot of players and DMs are very roleplay focused and not so much on the combat or puzzle side of things, so putting those in your application or post is already short selling yourself on those. Reading that myself, I automatically think that roleplay is something you might struggle with or you're not going to be happy unless there's a combat every session, which I wouldn't do. There's no point inviting someone who isn't going to fit your style of game. 2nd, just having the post saying you want to play a Dwarf Cleric is fine, but it isn't interesting. Which sounds better: a) I want to play a neutral good, Dwarf cleric; or b) I want to play a dwarf cleric who follows his god but has a slight problem with gambling and also enjoys singing, even though he can't hold a tune to save his life. Give more insight and make your character interesting. 99% of the time, I'll ignore people with experience because they have bad characters and go for the beginner who has a great story. Lastly, make sure your character fits the setting. The amount of times I've simply passed applications because I'd posted about my homebrew  setting and the application was for a character from The Sword Coast or somewhere that I've clearly stated wasn't in my setting. If a player doesn't have time to read the game info, why should I take the time to read their application? Don't give up though, and try not to be disheartened as it can come through in applications. Have fun with your applications so that you can stand out to a DM who wants a fun group. Anyone who doesn't want fun players for D&D needs to stop playing D&D. I hope this was somewhat helpful, if a bit lengthy.

@Mau. Have you tried the Game Finder?  Games-> Join a game?  You can filter by system, F2P, etc... As for my roll20 experiences, people drop. It's what they do. Real life, higher priorities, too many items on the plate, some routinely join and quit, and sometimes folks just forget. It's nothing personal.  That doesn't stop me or others from setting up new games to run.  Just keep at it.   Of course far and away the best way to get a group is to run.  :)  Also half the listings on this first page of this forum are for open 5E ganes. So not sure if your schedule conflicts or ???

I run the oldest, super high quality campaign on roll 20, in 40k Dark Heresy. All my players have said it's the best campaign they've ever played. Still, I have zero players wanting to join my campaign. Life is weird O_o. I'm not in the same boat but a similar one ;)

@Morten H. Might be because, and don't take this personally, but you sound like you're blowing your own trumpet. I see DMs who post about how their the best or their games are the best and I laugh at them. Even if I'm looking as a player, I laugh. Just because one group says it's the best, TTRPGs are not one size fits all. And when a DM sounds braggy, it pushes players away.

AJ C. said: @Morten H. Might be because, and don't take this personally, but you sound like you're blowing your own trumpet. I see DMs who post about how their the best or their games are the best and I laugh at them. Even if I'm looking as a player, I laugh. Just because one group says it's the best, TTRPGs are not one size fits all. And when a DM sounds braggy, it pushes players away. Strange. I have run my campaign since 2014, spent thousands of hours working on it, and have had over a hundred players in it over the years, with nearly all of them giving me glowing reviews, and people randomly messaging me telling me it's the best campaign they've played, many of which have played RPG's their whole lives. You're saying if I tell you about this experience, I'm "just like all the others" and delusional? Despite it just being a factual telling of my experience? That seems a bit odd, I have no idea what that has to do with the original post or why you're writing to me at all, but I respect your opinion. Thank you :).

I am currently in the process of planning out a westmarch style campaign with some other DMs.  If you are interested drop me a private message.

From the perspective of someone who is the GM more often than a player: * We get dozens of responses for each spot we might have. As a result, even a considerate, responsible storyteller may not have time or energy to respond to everyone. * The more you paint yourself in a corner, the less people will want to invite you. Personally, if anyone proposes a character without knowing anything about a prospective campaign, they are already out of the running. * A lot of GMs are more interest in player personalities than in RPG experience. Talk about yourself - the things you love, what you are seeking in a group you might enjoy joining, and what motivates you. Groups where the participants build ties that extend beyond the 3.5 hours of weekly game time are far more likely to have longevity, and veteran storytellers know this.