Help a Newbie

[Nostrus]

Howdy!

I'm here to ask some advice. Now, I used to do some freeform roleplaying with friends when I was younger, and although we had a brief dalliance with DnD, we never really got into it because we were all highly computer literate and wound up taking the MMO route instead. However, things have come full circle for me thanks to a work colleague who has been doing DnD (and various other games) for quite some time and so has sparked my interest once again.

Now, the problem is that we are basically the only two people we know who'd be interested in doing this locally, thanks to living in the middle of nowhere in Scotland. He happens to get his fix through playbyweb.com and enjoys it immensely, but as I happen to be new at this, I don't want to go diving in without the DM (and the other players) knowing what they've got themselves in for, so I'm sorta looking for someone to help me whilst playing a campaign so that I know what I'm doing. My buddy does DM, but he doesn't have the time to run a campaign at the moment otherwise he'd be more than willing to help and the game he is in has no free spaces, and they're fairly well on as it is so I'd sort of feel a bit out of place.

Unfortunately, thanks to playing MMOs, I have this very strange quirk of playing characters which seem to be an oxymoron. After perusing his 3.5 ed player's handbook and copy of Complete Scoundrel, I decided that I liked the sound of a... Half-Orc Paladin/Gray Guard. Yes, not a common combination, I guess. I do have a background, which I think would work, but essentially what I'm looking for is someone who'd be patient enough to shake their head when I make mistakes, heh.

 

[der_kluge]

So, what you're suggesting here is that people who aren't computer literate shouldn't play MMOs? What?



Seriously, just find a game and play. The numerous PbP (play-by-post) options would be a perfectly viable form of game for you. Oh, nothing will replace the feel (and smell) of live gaming around a table, but if that's not an option for you, then look into PbP or PBEM (play by email) games.

Just let the DM know that you are relatively inexperienced. You don't even need your own Player's Handbook, really. Most of the information can be gained freely from here:
www.d20srd.org

Just be prepared to make lots of new characters because I suspect you'll be dying frequently.

Have fun.

 

[crazy_monkey1956]

What sort of advice are you looking for? Help finding other players? Check the "gamers seeking gamers" forum here. Help finding a pbp? Check the "talking the talk" forum here. Help with character creation? Ask about it in the "d&d rules" forum here.

Basically, just browse around Enworld.

 

[Wik]

No one's going to sit over your shoulder and tell you when you're screwing up. That's the GM's job.

Really, simply saying "I'm new" will work perfectly fine. Just make sure to join a 1st level game (I hate new people trying to get in on a 10th level game, thinking they'll be fine). Play that half-orc paladin of yours - you'll do fine. Read the PHB when you get a few moments, and learn the game as you play.

Really, that's how we all get started, whether it's face to face, play by chat, play by forumboard, play by e-mail.... or whatever.

I'd recommend face to face, but since that's apparently not possible (although, I lived in the middle of nowhere, and I had no problem finding players), play by chat. It's a bit faster, especially if you can navigate your way through the sometimes difficult IRC chat programs.

 

[Nostrus]

So, what you're suggesting here is that people who aren't computer literate shouldn't play MMOs? What?

Heh heh, not at all. However, for us, learning to play an MMO was a lot easier than playing PnP. I guess we were a bit lazy like that, heh.

Cheers for the pointers, folks. I am planning to get a copy of the 3.5 PHB come my next pay day as I see that it's far more in-depth than the SRD.

 

[Rodrigo Istalindir]

I'd recommend staying away from the paladin. There is a whole unique set of baggage that comes with the class that doesn't come into play in MMOs. Even experienced players and DMs that are new to each other can experience some real friction when expectations differ.

Once you've some play-time with your group, and have a chance to make sure everyone is on the same page regarding paladin's codes and behaviours, then give it a shot.

 

[Mark CMG]

This might be helpful -

http://www.iconvention.org/vgtcomp.php

 

[MoogleEmpMog]

If it's the system that's intimidating to you, you might want to start off with the new Star Wars Saga, rather than D&D. It's streamlined quite a bit and should be easier for a new player to get into - for one thing, from what I can see, it's fairly difficult to screw up a Player Character so badly he's not a net plus for the party. As an added plus, it may be easier for you to find other local players for a game based on a popular non-RPG license.

If you're set on D&D-style fantasy, Castles and Crusades might be a good place to start. Normally, I wouldn't reccomend it, because I don't think it's a terribly well done game, but it IS easier to jump into and play with no experience, and its more rigid class system is more like an MMORPG.

 

[crazy_monkey1956]

Actually, if you're coming from MMOs, consider the World of Warcraft RPG or the Everquest RPG, both done by White Wolf I believe. I haven't played either, but if you've played the computer versions of either of them, the paper versions should contain a lot of stuff you're already familiar with.

 

[Wik]

Actually, if you're coming from MMOs, consider the World of Warcraft RPG or the Everquest RPG, both done by White Wolf I believe. I haven't played either, but if you've played the computer versions of either of them, the paper versions should contain a lot of stuff you're already familiar with.

Don't do it! They both, um, SUCK. I've seen the Everquest game, and it doesn't have a whole lot going for it. My brother played the warcraft one, and I heard nothing but bad things.

You're safer with D&D. Just don't play a mage as your first character (blech!)