Presto2112
Explorer
Actually, I was thinking about introducing the game to my son when he's about 7. Currently he's 4 (5 in August) and I haven't even let him watch Lord of the Rings yet.
A good age to start...
- Thread starter Xath
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Calico_Jack73
First Post
I started at 8 years old with the Basic Red Boxed Set (Elmore Cover). My suggestion would be to stick with what works. You can download the old boxed sets on RPGnow for $5 per boxed set or you can go looking for it on some sites that deal with out of print games (E-Bay is a good place to look too). You can also download the old Basic D&D Modules from RPGnow. Modules are great for younger players and DMs because it gives them a feel for how the game is supposed to flow and they can progress to running their own.
I feel that 3.X edition is a little too involved for 8 year olds... the old boxed sets were perfect.
I feel that 3.X edition is a little too involved for 8 year olds... the old boxed sets were perfect.
DungeonmasterCal
First Post
I know 35 year olds who are too immature to play this game. On the other hand, my own son is 10, and he's mildly interested, but not much. He's played a couple of times (once when he was 6, he figured out the safest way to circumvent a trap while the "veterans" were diagramming stuff on scrap paper). He's played Star Wars d20 a couple times, but my big issue with his playing is he doesn't want to follow my guidelines for characters in my games (no evil or dark-side characters, etc.) I told him quite simply if he doesn't follow my (THE DAD's) rules, then he can't play. Same thing I tell the grownups. He's an astoundingly good roleplayer, but gets bored pretty quickly and starts wanting to chop things up, and many of my games are almost all roleplaying. I'm thinking of running a "kids' game" this summer for him and some friends that'll be more action oriented.
You could always make her the apprentice of an NPC and give her little important tasks from her kind master. Bottle line, keep it simple, black & white, clear cut and very "kiddie fantasy" and I think you'll both have a lot of fun.
BTW - Can't wait to introduce the game to my little boys in a few years, little Conan & Little Merlin, 3 yrs and 4 months respectively, I have a few more years for Conan and more than that for Merlin - LOL.
BTW - Can't wait to introduce the game to my little boys in a few years, little Conan & Little Merlin, 3 yrs and 4 months respectively, I have a few more years for Conan and more than that for Merlin - LOL.
MerakSpielman
First Post
My son is 2 1/2 and has watched his mommy and daddy play D&D every weekend for several hours ever since he was born.
I strongly feel that it's going to come natrually to him, at a pretty early age.
I strongly feel that it's going to come natrually to him, at a pretty early age.
tyoda
First Post
8 year olds and D&D
I recently returned to DMing after my 8-year-old son expressed an interest in playing D&D. I've discovered that he and his friends really get into the role-playing, are incredibly creative problem solvers, and are the most enthusiastic players I've ever had the privilege of playing with. Bring a youngster into your game!
I recently returned to DMing after my 8-year-old son expressed an interest in playing D&D. I've discovered that he and his friends really get into the role-playing, are incredibly creative problem solvers, and are the most enthusiastic players I've ever had the privilege of playing with. Bring a youngster into your game!
Dimwhit
Explorer
Apologies in advance is someone already said something similar...
The problem with 3.x is that is a much more complicated game the Original D&D (or even 1st ed). I started playing at 9 or10 years old, but it was a much easier game to play back then. Hopefully the starter set that comes out later will be a little easier to pick up. But 8 is an ok age to start, as long as you start a little simple. IMO, of course.
The problem with 3.x is that is a much more complicated game the Original D&D (or even 1st ed). I started playing at 9 or10 years old, but it was a much easier game to play back then. Hopefully the starter set that comes out later will be a little easier to pick up. But 8 is an ok age to start, as long as you start a little simple. IMO, of course.
MerakSpielman
First Post
On simplifying D&D:
The two most complicated parts of D&D are 1) Character Creation and 2) Combat
For young newbies, I suggest using simplified, pre-made characters. Tell them "This is the kind of person you are playing, and these are the things you're really good at."
For combat, bring it back to basics. Attack rolls vs armor class. hit points. No fancy combat actions on their parts or the monster's, very few monsters using special abilities, etc...
Let them get used to this over the course of a session or 2. Then slowly start inserting new rules. Saving throws. The six ability scores. skills. etc. You can follow the kids cues, too, by introducing new topics when they try to do something that the rules cover.
The two most complicated parts of D&D are 1) Character Creation and 2) Combat
For young newbies, I suggest using simplified, pre-made characters. Tell them "This is the kind of person you are playing, and these are the things you're really good at."
For combat, bring it back to basics. Attack rolls vs armor class. hit points. No fancy combat actions on their parts or the monster's, very few monsters using special abilities, etc...
Let them get used to this over the course of a session or 2. Then slowly start inserting new rules. Saving throws. The six ability scores. skills. etc. You can follow the kids cues, too, by introducing new topics when they try to do something that the rules cover.
I started play at age 12, and have introduced others to the game at that age.
If the kid is mature enough, there's no age too young. However, the younger the kid, the more the kid needs to be introduced to the game with children of similar ages and maturity. That way, you won't have to run the game differently for different players in the game.
Also, to play off of the suggestion of pre-gens-excellent idea, especially for the youngest initiates. To refine it further, I would ask the kids to write a paragraph about what kind of person they would like to play before making the pre-gens to hand out. That way, you'll be able to ensure each kid is playing something they'll like.
Given today's pop-culture-I bet you'll have a LOT of little HP clones.
If the kid is mature enough, there's no age too young. However, the younger the kid, the more the kid needs to be introduced to the game with children of similar ages and maturity. That way, you won't have to run the game differently for different players in the game.
Also, to play off of the suggestion of pre-gens-excellent idea, especially for the youngest initiates. To refine it further, I would ask the kids to write a paragraph about what kind of person they would like to play before making the pre-gens to hand out. That way, you'll be able to ensure each kid is playing something they'll like.
Given today's pop-culture-I bet you'll have a LOT of little HP clones.
Chroma
Explorer
Many, many *many* years ago, I taught my brother how to play RPGs when he was eight; while out working in the fields on the family farm. We used no rules, no dice, no character sheets, nothing, just taught him the concepts of role-playing by starting almost every scenario with, "What do you do?", as we walked the land.
"Where am I? What do I have? What am I?" would be his eventual trained response. I would put him through mysteries, strange places, or just wandering in a fantasy world with very little structure, but lots of interactions. Twenty years later we still game together and the phrase, "Put me on an adventure!" always brings a smile to our faces.
I would recommend avoiding, or extremely simplyfing, mechanics, and focusing on character interactions and choice making within scenarios. Allow her to customize her character as she plays and show her the make-believe aspect of RPGs as opposed to the rules just yet. I think that would be the best approach; her interest will kindle as she discovers the freedom and imagination of role-playing games.
IMHO.
I wish you the best of luck!
"Where am I? What do I have? What am I?" would be his eventual trained response. I would put him through mysteries, strange places, or just wandering in a fantasy world with very little structure, but lots of interactions. Twenty years later we still game together and the phrase, "Put me on an adventure!" always brings a smile to our faces.
I would recommend avoiding, or extremely simplyfing, mechanics, and focusing on character interactions and choice making within scenarios. Allow her to customize her character as she plays and show her the make-believe aspect of RPGs as opposed to the rules just yet. I think that would be the best approach; her interest will kindle as she discovers the freedom and imagination of role-playing games.
IMHO.
I wish you the best of luck!
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