D&D General Who shouldn't play D&D

[Arilyn]

Also, Mindy is a hamster. Her lack of higher reasoning and opposable thumbs make it difficult for her to play D&D.

Please do not exclude hamsters. I'm sure my hamster could have played D&D if she had chosen. She much preferred board games, however, and the chewable cardboard tokens.

 

[pemerton]

They exist and are called Cozy RPGs.

I think this reinforces my doubts about the aptness of "NOT"!

 

[The Soloist]

I think this reinforces my doubts about the aptness of "NOT"!

In US prisons it is strictly forbidden to play D&D or RPGs because sociopaths and imprisoned sexual offenders are known to reenact their crimes in the fantasy world. For them, NOT is apt.

edit: my info on this was wrong. see posts below.

 

[Li Shenron]

Should people without required skills play D&D? What are the required skills?

It doesn't require much "skills" but it requires a good attitude.

Which preferences does D&D not cater to? Like if you want X out of TTRPGs, don't play D&D and go play some other game instead??

If you want the game to be a simulation of reality, or if you are obsessed with balance, don't play D&D (and probably don't play any RPG at all).

Anything else that would make a person unsuitable for D&D? If you think of something, post it!

Any socially disruptive behaviour such as cheating, constantly criticizing/patronizing other players (which is a form of bullying, really), and ruleslawyering makes a person unsuitable to play, except maybe with a group where everybody is equally disruptive, but I am not sure.

 

[Reynard]

In US prisons it is strictly forbidden to play D&D or RPGs because sociopaths and imprisoned sexual offenders are known to reenact their crimes in the fantasy world. For them, NOT is apt.

This is not true. Dice are usually off limits because of gambling, but whether D&D is allowed is institution dependent and even if it is banned, it may be for a myriad of reasons.

 

[Bayushi_seikuro]

I always quote Matt Colville:

There are no Bad Players. There are only players who aren't right for your table, but would be absolutely fine at another table with people like them.

So, clearly, D&D or games can be for anyone

 

[Bayushi_seikuro]

Please do not exclude hamsters. I'm sure my hamster could have played D&D if she had chosen. She much preferred board games, however, and the chewable cardboard tokens.

Won't someone think of poor Boo?!

 

[Bayushi_seikuro]

In US prisons it is strictly forbidden to play D&D or RPGs because sociopaths and imprisoned sexual offenders are known to reenact their crimes in the fantasy world. For them, NOT is apt.

On death row, Dungeons & Dragons offers a chance for new role

"This is one situation in which they can take control of their narrative, so they can rewrite the story and envision a world in which they are not seen as the bad guys, but the heroes who can save the world."

www.texasstandard.org

 

[Deset Gled]

I'm going to borrow a line from 2007's Ratatouillie.

"Anyone can cook." -- Auguste Gusteau

Anyone can be a D&D player regardless of where they come from. But it doesn't follow that D&D is for everyone. If you don't like fantasy, then D&D is probably not a good choice. If you prefer to play in campaigns focused on investigation and solving mysteries, D&D isn't the best choice. You can do it, The Assassin's Knot is 41 years old now, but solving mysteries isn't D&D's strong suit. There are also people who simply don't like D&D and that's okay.

Ego's full version at the end is streets ahead: "Not everyone can become a great artist; but a great artist can come from anywhere."

Continuing the list of people who probably shouldn't play D&D...

If you don't want to play a game with combat and violence. Sure, D&D has other stuff. But a huge part of the game is built around fighting to the death. If you don't want that, find a different game that actually focuses on the parts you want to play.

If you're philosophically opposed to fantasy magic. People already joked about Jack Chick, but let's be respectful and acknowledge that some people genuinely believe some forms of make-believe are blasphemous. Those people shouldn't play D&D (and as long as they don't say we can't play, we can all get along).

If you don't like randomness, opposition, or other key gamist mechanics. Accept that D&D is a game, and a specific one at that. I've definitely encountered people who would be more satisfied doing collaborative storytelling or improv theatre than playing D&D.

If you want a game without a DM. There are plenty of games not based around this concept. Play one of those instead. Everyone will be happier.

 

[Mallus]

D&D has spent the last 50 years being a lot of frequently contradictory things to an enormous number of people. So I am confused by the premise of the question.