What's a total noob to do?

I've never played a tabletop RPG. And I have no idea where to start. I'd like to join a game here but I don't really know what to do. Any advice?

Quite a few books for various tabletop RPG's out there provide introductory sections that help to explain what TableTop RolePlaying is, and quite often give examples of gameplay. &nbsp;Usually it's easier to try a game with your friends first before you meet up to play with folks you haven't met before, just because it gives you an added amount of comfort zone to explore the concept with first. If you would like a quick example of a table top RPG, and a chance to see what the flow of a game can be like, then I highly advise watching the recent Wil Wheaton TableTop episode that covers the Dragon Age RPG. <a href="http://tabletop.geekandsundry.com/episodes/dragon-age-chris-hardwick-kevin-sussman-chris-pramas-and-sam-witwer-join-wil-on-tabletop-episode-19-pt-1/" rel="nofollow">http://tabletop.geekandsundry.com/episodes/dragon-age-chris-hardwick-kevin-sussman-chris-pramas-and-sam-witwer-join-wil-on-tabletop-episode-19-pt-1/</a> It gives you a fair bit of insight to what TableTop Roleplaying is/can be like. &nbsp;Of course, tabletop roleplaying covers a huuuuuge variety of experiences, which all depends on the folks you choose to game with, so no two experiences are gonna be the same. &nbsp;But the episode I link above will give you the gist of it. If you want to use the looking-for-group forum, be sure to mention that you're new to all this, and are looking for a GM that's willing to take the extra time to help guide you through it. &nbsp;Don't waste time on GMs that don't have that patience. &nbsp;Roleplaying can be a very rewarding experience, but it is dependant upon gaming with good natured folks :)

Matt, hello and welcome! &nbsp;Here's some things you can do to get started: 1) Stop referring to yourself as a noob. 2) Figure out what you want to play. &nbsp;There's a wide variety of games being played on Roll20 and knowing what you want out of one is a good start. &nbsp;There are fantasy dungeon crawls, modern day action-adventure games, science fiction, horror and more games being played right now on this site. &nbsp;Start thinking of what media interests you and what genre you'd like to play in. 3) &nbsp;Find a game or let a game find you. &nbsp;Look under the "Looking for Group" section that's above and filter by the times you're available. &nbsp;Message or join a game that is accepting new players and ask if they're willing to take in someone with limited experience - my guess is they won't have a problem. &nbsp;I'd also recommend you post in the Looking for Group sub-forum and tell game masters why they would want to have you in the group. &nbsp;What I'm looking for in such a post are your interests, your time zone, when you're available and a little bit about yourself - enough to let me know that you're a good investment in both teaching and bringing you in to the game. &nbsp;You can also search through the Looking for Group sub-forum and find other games that might not be listed in the LFG search. &nbsp;I'd recommend stalking that forum until you find something you're interested in and in a group. 4) &nbsp;Least important to me is to learn how to play the game. &nbsp;Many games have either the basic rules available online legally or have demo versions that allow you to make a character without buying anything. &nbsp;The biggest help you can have in this process is the GM of the game you're interested in, he or she is likely to have specific rules about character creation or have other requirements that might not be in the rule book. &nbsp;I, personally, would much rather have a player who is interested and invested in the game rather than one who happens to know the rules. Feel free to ask any questions or bring up any issues you have during the process.

As a Player getting into a game is relatively easy. &nbsp;:) 1.) &nbsp;Take a look at the role-playing games out there and pick one you think would interesting to play. 2.) &nbsp;Most game companies today have a free Quickstart version of the game rules. &nbsp;Quickstarts usually include rules for character creation and an introductory adventure to give you an idea of the game. &nbsp;Some usually include an example of game play and how combat works. &nbsp;Check the company's website and look for a download section. 3.) &nbsp;Take a look at the LFG sub-forum and respond to a game that sounds interesting. 4.) &nbsp;If you respond to a LFG post just be sure to let the GM know that you are new to the system and gaming. &nbsp;Most gamers are willing to bring someone new into the fold with open arms, but it's nice to let them know up front. &nbsp;You might find one or two who aren't willing to take on a new player for various reasons, but these should be few and far between thankfully. 5.) &nbsp;Depending the GM, he may provide you with a pre-made character, let you create your own character based upon their guidelines for their game, or they may walk you through character creation themselves and assist you with choices. &nbsp;It all really depends on the individual GM and the game system in question. 6.) &nbsp;Create a character and begin playing! :D If a group and GM know that you are new to their particular game, and role-playing in general, they will walk you through what dice to roll in a particular situation and how the game system interacts with the situations that the GM presents to the players.

Thanks for the replies everyone! I appreciate it.&nbsp;

Also, keep asking questions here. &nbsp;This is a great community and is willing to assist new players to either Roll20, a particular RPG, or to role-playing in general. In order to help us help you, it would nice if you posted any preferences or leanings like genre or game system. &nbsp; Do you like grim-n-gritty fantasy, sword &amp; sorcery, high fantasy, post-apocalyptic, steampunk, hard science-fiction, science-fantasy, historical, modern, horror, superhero, martial arts, humorous, and etc. &nbsp;Or perhaps some combination therein? &nbsp; Have you looked at any game systems like 4e Dungeons &amp; Dragons (Wizards of the Coast), Pathfinder (Piazo Publishing), 4e GURPS (Steve Jackson Games), 6e HERO System (HERO Games), Call of&nbsp;Cthulhu (Chaosium Inc.), Fudge (Grey Ghost Press), The Dresden Files (Evil Hat Productions),&nbsp; Marvel Heroic Roleplaying Basic Game (Margaret Weis Productions), and etc.? Is there a particular game mechanic that you would like to try? &nbsp;What type of dice rolls are looking at to try? &nbsp;For example, a d20-based resolution system? &nbsp;A percentile dice roll? &nbsp;A dice pool roll? Have you looked at character creation types? &nbsp;Stuff like random roll systems, point-buy systems, template systems, and etc. &nbsp; &nbsp;

I think it's fine you let people know you're a newb (is different from a noob), gives the&nbsp; GM a heads up that they'll need a bit of patience and to teach. Once you pick a game you want to try, read up on the basic rules. Some games have special dice rolls, each has varying rules for combat, etc...&nbsp; While you're waiting on acceptance to a group (you probably want to find one geared to new players) do a little homework and familiarize yourself with it. For example you're interested in d&amp;d 3.5 you could check out something like <a href="http://www.d20srd.org/" rel="nofollow">http://www.d20srd.org/</a> for the basics of the d&amp;d 3.5 system. Being new to roll20, you'll want to check out how these tools work as well. There is an overview video <a href="http://help.roll20.net/player-overview/" rel="nofollow">http://help.roll20.net/player-overview/</a> and help section <a href="http://help.roll20.net/" rel="nofollow">http://help.roll20.net/</a> you can browse until you find a group. Useful for figuring out tools and syntax for dice rolls. When you apply for a group, let them know what type of gameplay you like...if you like roll playing, beating up monsters, puzzles, etc... A single session/campaign for new players starting at level one will help familiarize yourself with the game. Table top RPGs are a life long learning experience, so none of us are experts in all of it. Do some reading to get the basics, jump in and have some fun.

I have been looking at Pathfinder or AD&amp;D 3.5, both seem popular here. I've always been interested in the World of Darkness (played the TCGs a little years ago) though I think I'd prefer to start out in a traditional fantasy setting.&nbsp; Edit: Or 4e I guess. Makes no difference to me. Since I don't know the difference.&nbsp;

OK, check out the 4e Dungeons &amp; Dragons Quickstart rules free from the Wizards of the Coast website: <a href="http://www.wizards.com/dnd/files/quickstartrules.pdf" rel="nofollow">http://www.wizards.com/dnd/files/quickstartrules.pdf</a> There are no Quickstart rules for Pathfinder or 3.5 Dungeons &amp; Dragons , but luckily both have the game's SRD (System Reference Document) online for free as well. &nbsp;The SRD is the mechanical rules of the game with the game's 'fluff' (setting materials) boiled out of it... Pathfinder SRD: &nbsp; <a href="http://paizo.com/pathfinderRPG/prd/" rel="nofollow">http://paizo.com/pathfinderRPG/prd/</a> 3.5 Dungeons &amp; Dragons SRD: &nbsp; <a href="http://www.wizards.com/default.asp?x=d20/article/srd35" rel="nofollow">http://www.wizards.com/default.asp?x=d20/article/srd35</a>

White Wolf Publishing has a Quickstart rules for each of the New World of Darkness game lines, as well as some other free Quickstarts, and they all can be downloaded from <a href="http://www.drivethrurpg.com" rel="nofollow">www.drivethrurpg.com</a>. &nbsp;Here is the free page for White Wolf Publishing on their website: <a href="http://rpg.drivethrustuff.com/product/92564/Nightmare-on-Hill-Manor?manufacturers_id=1" rel="nofollow">http://rpg.drivethrustuff.com/product/92564/Nightmare-on-Hill-Manor?manufacturers_id=1</a>

Thanks! Looks like I have some reading to do...

If you're interested in a more "old-school" Dungeons &amp; Dragons feel, here are a couple of free clones: <a href="http://www.knights-n-knaves.com/osric/" rel="nofollow">http://www.knights-n-knaves.com/osric/</a> <a href="http://goblinoidgames.com/labyrinthlord.html" rel="nofollow">http://goblinoidgames.com/labyrinthlord.html</a>

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