So my girlfriend wants to learn how to play D&D...

[CleverNickName]

Pretty awesome, huh? I not only found a hot nerd girl, I managed to get her to go out with me. The other day she was browsing my collection of books, and asked "Hey, when are you going to teach me how to play D&D?" So I thought, awesome!!! But where to start?

A bit about her: she is 27 years old, and is a history major here at Portland State (with a minor in literature). She is a fan of console and computer RPGs...especially Skyrim, Fable, and Diablo...but she is relatively new to the world of tabletop gaming. She taught me how to play Magic: the Gathering, and routinely beats me with her custom vampire deck. She's a fast learner, and quickly develops strategies once she learns the rules. You don't want to play chess with her.

I am a D&D collector, and I have all of the rulebooks for every edition of the game published (except 4th Edition, of which I only have the PHB for.) I also have non-D&D RPGs that we could play (Castles & Crusades, G.U.R.P.s, etc.) but she only wants to play "the official" D&D games. She "wants to play the real Dungeons and Dragons" so that she can "get all the pop-culture references" that our friends use.

So which version of D&D did you learn to play from? Would you recommend it to other newcomers to the game, or would you recommend something else? Are there any particular adventures or modules that you would suggest we try out first?

Right now, I am leaning toward the same system that I learned from: the Basic Rules Set, from 1986, and "The Keep on the Borderlands." It's a classic, but...well, it is a bit out-of-date. I mean, there are upside-down armor class, extra save throws, and races-as-classes in there...stuff that she would have to un-learn later if she were to join my regular gaming group. It would be very nostalgic for me, but this isn't about me.

Suggestions? Tips? High-fives? Anything more concrete than "just pick one, they are all D&D"?

 

[brewdus]

Pathfinder Beginner Box!

 

[S'mon]

Pathfinder Beginner Box!

It's a great intro that feels very D&D-ish. But I think the OP should also ask her and get her opinion.

 

[Dannyalcatraz]

Teh Interwebz et me post!

To sum up what was lost:

1) Lucky bastard (sword)

2) Teach her the system that you feel most comfy teaching; your description tells me she should grasp any system you use.

3) Plan adventures that give her nifty combats to flex in, and interesting plots to uncover- this will ply to both her CRPG playing and educational backgrounds.

 

[Traveon Wyvernspur]

How about some one-shots or mini campaigns starting from the beginning box that you have and work your way through the editions giving her a small taste for each one and then she can decide for herself which she likes best? I just think that she might appreciate the effort you put into it even if she has to learn some new rules each time from edition to edition, but it would definitely give her a crash course in the pop-culture references!

I also suggest the Pathfinder Beginner Box, even if PF is not "official D&D" it is based on the core 3.5 rule-set and then improved upon. I still call it D&D even if the official name isn't "D&D" on the front of the books.

 

[Oryan77]

Ok ok, I'll play along. But this sounds like fairy tale land to me!

Naw, my wife did the same thing when we started dating. I was pretty surprised myself.

First, I'd ask her what type of adventure she wants to play so you can get an idea for which published modules to consider. Just ask if she wants a basic dungeon crawl, or a mystery/investigation, or whatever. Personally, I think an adventure that incorporates a little of everything would be the best.

I prefer introducing players to D&D with some roleplaying situations rather than just a hack-n-slash session. What I remember most about my first D&D session was the sticky situation I was put in and I had to figure out how to deal with it. I don't even remember if I did any combat other than stabbing and killing an NPC that was harassing me. I never felt like combat is what really hooks a new player to D&D. But that's just my assumption.

 

[Asmor]

Don't overthink it. Just teach her to play whatever it is you currently play.

 

[GregoryOatmeal]

Lucky duck.

I'd run something that's iconically D&D like Keep on the Borderlands or Ravenloft, but with C&C. That'll minimize the rules upfront then she can quickly transition into real D&D, but still get an iconic experience. That fixes the funky rules like updside down AC. I think that'd be a suitable introduction to the "culture" and she'd start picking up the inside jokes.

FWIW, I play Pathfinder with four women and I haven't noticed any substantial differences between how those groups play and my groups with guys.

 

[GregoryOatmeal]

Don't overthink it. Just teach her to play whatever it is you currently play.

Personally I've had bad experiences dropping a new player into PF/4E games around level 7. Lots of folks get overwhelmed by character creation...but this one seems to have a bit more of a strategic mind.

 

[Dausuul]

Unless she specifically wants to learn Edition X, I would teach her whatever your gaming group plays.

Personally I've had bad experiences dropping a new player into PF/4E games around level 7. Lots of folks get overwhelmed by character creation...but this one seems to have a bit more of a strategic mind.

If she can build an effective Magic deck, she shouldn't have any trouble figuring out how to build a character. Of course it will depend somewhat on what class she chooses, and (in 4E) whether you're using Essentials.