First Convention- please help

[Crothian]

Figs are also almost always (IME, AAGGNAR) overpriced at 'cons. Actually, pretty much everything else is, too. Buying at a convention is like going to the supermarket when you're hungry: you buy more than you need for more than it's worth.

This isn't always true. I've found some great deals at cons, you just have to look for them and be prepared to act.

 

[Mark]

Have I forgotten anything?

Any meds you need to have with you? (Even just asprin if you are prone to headaches from the incessant drone of the crowds?)

 

[Mark]

Figs are also almost always (IME, AAGGNAR) overpriced at 'cons. Actually, pretty much everything else is, too. Buying at a convention is like going to the supermarket when you're hungry: you buy more than you need for more than it's worth.

I've seen and bought from some huge bins of inexpensive Mage Knight figs, to fill out my generic monsters.

 

[Wycen]

Well, not anything to do with the actual gaming aspect, but...

Remember that booth babes (is that the correct term anymore?), if they exist at your 'con, don't use the wares they're hawking, and do not want to join your gaming group. This can help you avoid some awkward conversations.

Oh, and if a game's full but you really wanna play, be sure to sign on as an alternate. Somebody always drops out (I've played in games that ended up being mostly alternates.).

Dundracon has very few, if any booth babes. In all the years I've been going I could probably count them on one hand. Though, I've pretty much just skimmed the dealers room for the last 3 years.

If a game is full, show up anyway, they might take extra people. If you and a friend sign up for the same game, do NOT expect to get into that game with your friend at Dundracon. They guarantee you'll get a game, but it is random (unless you have a GM priority slip).

Are you staying at the Marriott or another local hotel, or are you close enough to drive to and from the con when you want to sleep/shower/eat/etc? The food at Dundracon sucks, unless you go into the Marriott's resteraunt, but that is expensive, at least compared to local food choices.

 

[kenobi65]

Depending on what kinds of games you'll be playing, you might want to bring along some sort of battle grid and some minis, if you're into that sort of thing. Some DMs bring their own, but some don't, and it can't hurt to offer them as a player.

 

[JDragon]

Harmon,

As a regular attendee of DunDraCon I have a few comments and suggestions for you.

This will be my 14th year at DunDraCon, and the first time that it appears I will not ba able to stay the entire weekend. (Damn Work ) I have been attending the Con the entire time they have been at the Marriot.

First thing, make sure to look through the website: www.dundracon.com (just in case you hadn't seen it )

What to take? To me this depends on your arrangements for the weekend: if you are staying at the hotel take any books you may want to use and store them in the room or car untill needed. If you have to take public transport or such then keep it as light as you can.

I would deffinetly bring any characters you have as alot of games are player provided characters and even if the game description says DM can provide. I have been in several games where the DM said they would provide characters and he is writing them up as I walked in the room just before the game is to start. (the I turned and walked out )

Snacks are a good idea as that will be cheaper than eatting there. There is a Target right next to the hotel for food runs along with a few resturants close by.


Ok here is basic overview of the weekend.... (all of this is based on what I have seen over the years)

The con reg desk should open beteen 2 & 3 Friday afternoon. If you get their much after 4 be prepared to wait in line for a little while. (but don't worry nothing like the horror stories of GenCon)

The first offical games start at 8pm. Well thats when they are supposed to start if the listings for the game are up yet. ON Friday night the first sign up session ends at 7pm which gives the staff only an hour to input the choices and have their computer figure out games. As a result it usually after 8pm before the list is posted for games starting at 8. Their will be a huge crowd waiting for those postings, just hanging out talking and catching up. Its the norm so don't worry about the Dm starting with out you.

Getting in to Games: DunDraCon breaks the weekends games in to about 7 sessions of games to sign up for. Some of the games from these sessions will overlap, so make sure you look ahead at what you want to do. For each session you are going to list your top three picks by game #. As mentioned before don't be surprised if you and your budy don't end up in the same games.

Also be prepared to possibly not get into a game every session you sign up for. Most years I sign up for games in 5 sessions and will actually get into maybe 2 of the games with the sign up. The rest of the games I crash on Stand-by. Stand-by is basicly showing up a little while before the game starts and seeing if the DM has room for extra people or someone doesn't show up. (this gets easier as the weekend progress and people decide sleep is better than that game starting at 8am sunday morning)

For stand-by most DM's (not all though) do stand-by on a first come first serve basis. I have seen some just have the people dice off for it.

Your other option for games is the open gaming area. Their are two large rooms for open games. You can almost always find some kind of a game going on here. My budies and I usually have a pick-up game or two prep'ed for when we can't find something we want to play in.

Hopefully I hav't overwhelmed you with all this babble.

If you have any specific ?'s and I'll try to answer best I can.

Are planning on being their all weekend or just a day or two?

 

[Keeper of Secrets]

Some generic advice -

Whereas most of the time the games you play the GM will have pregenerated characters (its easier and faster that way) I might consider bringing a few blank character sheets. Further, I would suggest that cons are the perfect opportunity to play something you've never tried before. Sure, you can play D&D all the time at home with your gaming group, but what about Spycraft or Gamma World? By trying one of these out, you may find a new game that you love.

Bring lots of one dollar bills (for nearby soda machines, not strip clubs), bring some easily portable snacks, and probably a book to read, portable MP3 player or something else to pass the time, especially if you are going without people. That way you can amuse yourself during some down time.

 

[Harmon]

Presently its an all weekend thing- I have Friday thru Monday off from work (though I should be studying for school ) as do my two companions (wife and gaming buddy). We should be leaving Sunday night how ever- but have no solid plans as of yet.

From what I have heard the Con people tend to frown on bring in food, though I have seen mention more then once- bring snacks being mentioned so I presume that as long as your not bring in a large quanity of food (five pizza and a case of soda) it should be okay. Is this about the jist; is this correct?

No public transport (hopefully), and ya, staying at the hotel, so lugging a pack of books not much of a problem.

My gaming bud plans on joining up with games we never play. We generally get 100% into a system and stay with it until its played out, so playing games like Buffy and such don't get done. We are considering what games to get into right now and later on today (I hope).

Bring figures and a battle map- ahh, not so much into that, but thanks for the idea.

Meds a good idea- didn't think of that. AirBorne not a bad idea as well as hand sanitizer.

My wife has the intent of taking study breaks and going into the con to have a look around, she's good at spotting deals so if there is something on sail (I mean sale) she will spot it- course, we might need a UHual to get some of the stuff home.

Okay, if there was anything else, let me know, and thank you for taking the time, I would think that this kind of thread is helpful to all first timers

 

[JDragon]

Regarding the food.

The Marriot is actually really cool about outside food at the Con.

They have stuff you can buy, but as mentioed before its not the greatest stuff out there.

You'll see people around with food from all the local resturants and could see the local pizza delivery guys showing up occasionaly too. Speaking of pizza, I have the # for the local Round Table Pizza that delivers to the Hotel. (925) 866-1331 (I know this becasue I worked there in high school and have had pizza delivered almost every year I've been at the con.)

I know a lot of people bring coolers and set them up in there room for soda and such, so bring what ever you want. AS long as you are not selling stuff the hotel will not care.

The only thing they would have an issue with is peolpe wandering around with alcohol.

 

[Wycen]

Regarding the food.

The Marriot is actually really cool about outside food at the Con.

They have stuff you can buy, but as mentioed before its not the greatest stuff out there.

You'll see people around with food from all the local resturants and could see the local pizza delivery guys showing up occasionaly too. Speaking of pizza, I have the # for the local Round Table Pizza that delivers to the Hotel. (925) 866-1331 (I know this becasue I worked there in high school and have had pizza delivered almost every year I've been at the con.)

I know a lot of people bring coolers and set them up in there room for soda and such, so bring what ever you want. AS long as you are not selling stuff the hotel will not care.

The only thing they would have an issue with is peolpe wandering around with alcohol.

What he said.

As opposed to Gencon, where you can't bring stuff into the exhibit hall, because the exhibit hall IS the convention area, you can bring food into games. The games are in the hotel rooms or larger meeting rooms.

I don't think you can/should bring alcohol into a game session, but you can drink in your room or at the bar and you'll find people in the bar area each night, (Friday night is the tradition for my group).