So, you're playing a tabletop RPG for the first time. Congratulations! You're in for an adventure. However, you're probably also feeling a little overwhelmed. Even if you're familiar with other kinds of gaming, tabletop RPGs come with their own specific sets of challenges. With that in mind, let's talk about a few things that will make your gaming experience a critical success.
Prepare for your first session. Your Game Master, or GM, is the person who's going to be running your game. They're a resource for your questions, but they're also responsible for the other players in your group and the game as a whole. Make life easier on everyone involved by preparing your own material. Have an idea of what kind of character you'd like to build, without getting bogged down in specifics. Make sure you understand the mechanics of your character. If you're playing a magic user, know which spells are available to you and how they work. If you're playing a fighter, know your attacks and what they do.
The more information you have going into the game, the more specific you can be with your GM about anything that confuses you, and the more your GM will be able to help. Plus, the game is more fun when you don't have to stop every ten minutes to consult the rulebook.
Decide how comfortable you are with the act of role-playing. RPG stands for role-playing game. How far into the role-playing part of the game that you want to go is up to you. You may be interested in developing a complex character with a fully-fleshed out backstory, or you may want a character who exists as nothing more than a mouthpiece for you, the player. Some players enjoy using character voices and accents, while some players cringe at the thought. Figure out what makes the game most enjoyable for you and your group, and don't be afraid to experiment.
Be respectful of your GM and fellow players. Everyone in your gaming group, players and GM alike, are there because they want to have a good time. Part of your job as a player is to make sure that you're not the thing that's preventing that good time from happening. Being respectful in a tabletop game includes the usual rules of social interaction, of course: be polite to everyone at the table; refrain from using offensive language in or out of character unless it's something that your group has talked about and okayed; keep your phone and other distractions put away during the session.
Being respectful also means being aware of your presence at the table. It's easy to get caught up in how much fun you personally are having, but make sure you're not talking over other players or the GM. If someone is nervous about playing, they may not speak up as quickly, in or out of character. Be conscious of when other players are trying to speak and share the spotlight with them. And if you feel like you're the one being talked over or disrespected, bring up with your GM after the session. Your game should be a place where you have fun, not one that makes you feel uncomfortable or unsafe.
Have fun. Mike Mearls writes in the preface to the D&D 5th Edition Player's Handbook, "Read the rules of the game and the story of its worlds, but always remember that you are the one who brings them to life. They are nothing without the spark of life that you give them." So long as the rest of your group is okay with it, there really is no wrong way to play a tabletop RPG. The rules exist to guide you and give your gameplay structure, but at the end of the day the only rule that matters is this: have fun. What having fun means is up to you to figure out, with the help of your GM and fellow adventurers. Good luck!
contributed by Rebecca Faber
photo by Diacritica
Prepare for your first session. Your Game Master, or GM, is the person who's going to be running your game. They're a resource for your questions, but they're also responsible for the other players in your group and the game as a whole. Make life easier on everyone involved by preparing your own material. Have an idea of what kind of character you'd like to build, without getting bogged down in specifics. Make sure you understand the mechanics of your character. If you're playing a magic user, know which spells are available to you and how they work. If you're playing a fighter, know your attacks and what they do.
The more information you have going into the game, the more specific you can be with your GM about anything that confuses you, and the more your GM will be able to help. Plus, the game is more fun when you don't have to stop every ten minutes to consult the rulebook.
Decide how comfortable you are with the act of role-playing. RPG stands for role-playing game. How far into the role-playing part of the game that you want to go is up to you. You may be interested in developing a complex character with a fully-fleshed out backstory, or you may want a character who exists as nothing more than a mouthpiece for you, the player. Some players enjoy using character voices and accents, while some players cringe at the thought. Figure out what makes the game most enjoyable for you and your group, and don't be afraid to experiment.
Be respectful of your GM and fellow players. Everyone in your gaming group, players and GM alike, are there because they want to have a good time. Part of your job as a player is to make sure that you're not the thing that's preventing that good time from happening. Being respectful in a tabletop game includes the usual rules of social interaction, of course: be polite to everyone at the table; refrain from using offensive language in or out of character unless it's something that your group has talked about and okayed; keep your phone and other distractions put away during the session.
Being respectful also means being aware of your presence at the table. It's easy to get caught up in how much fun you personally are having, but make sure you're not talking over other players or the GM. If someone is nervous about playing, they may not speak up as quickly, in or out of character. Be conscious of when other players are trying to speak and share the spotlight with them. And if you feel like you're the one being talked over or disrespected, bring up with your GM after the session. Your game should be a place where you have fun, not one that makes you feel uncomfortable or unsafe.
Have fun. Mike Mearls writes in the preface to the D&D 5th Edition Player's Handbook, "Read the rules of the game and the story of its worlds, but always remember that you are the one who brings them to life. They are nothing without the spark of life that you give them." So long as the rest of your group is okay with it, there really is no wrong way to play a tabletop RPG. The rules exist to guide you and give your gameplay structure, but at the end of the day the only rule that matters is this: have fun. What having fun means is up to you to figure out, with the help of your GM and fellow adventurers. Good luck!
contributed by Rebecca Faber