Help me teach someone to play...

[Quartz]

For a one-off learning-to-roleplay game, how about Paranoia? Then it doesn't matter if the PC dies. Just send in another clone!

 

[DestroyYouAlot]

For a one-off learning-to-roleplay game, how about Paranoia? Then it doesn't matter if the PC dies. Just send in another clone!

While I have seen a first-timer make a startlingly good morale officer, there's something to be said for introducing Paranoia to someone after they've already got a head full of RPG tropes, so they know what it is they're not doing.

 

[Gilladian]

Another possible option would be microlite d20. It has very simple rules and can be great for newbies. It gets the point of roleplaying across very well.

Look here: http://wiki.greywulf.net/cgi-bin/wiki.pl/Macropedia/Microlite20

 

[Klaus]

I taught my nephew the basics of roleplaying in 5 minutes. Here's how it goes.

"You're a prisoner in the top room of a tower. You were brought here by soldiers of the evil Baron Zamox because you, as a knight, could pose a threat to Zamox's claim to power now that the King is away. Your room has a small window, a bed and a privvy chamber. A table nearby holds what remains of your last meal, and a servant should be getting it soon.

What do you do?"

Whenever chance matters, toss a coin 3 times. Easy tasks take only one heads. Hard tasks take two and impossible tasts take 3.

That introduces the person to the basic principle of pretending to be a character, the limitless possibilities of action, and to the element of chance inherent in the game.

 

[DestroyYouAlot]

I taught my nephew the basics of roleplaying in 5 minutes. Here's how it goes.

"You're a prisoner in the top room of a tower. You were brought here by soldiers of the evil Baron Zamox because you, as a knight, could pose a threat to Zamox's claim to power now that the King is away. Your room has a small window, a bed and a privvy chamber. A table nearby holds what remains of your last meal, and a servant should be getting it soon.

What do you do?"

Whenever chance matters, toss a coin 3 times. Easy tasks take only one heads. Hard tasks take two and impossible tasts take 3.

That introduces the person to the basic principle of pretending to be a character, the limitless possibilities of action, and to the element of chance inherent in the game.

This is great.

I've also successfully run The Orc and the Pie more than a few times - it gets the point across, for folks who can't grasp what it is I do with my Tuesday nights.

 

[FATDRAGONGAMES]

Since she won't be starting with the rules you'll eventually be using, why not try something like Labrynth Lord. It's free, very simple rules (based on the Moldvay 1E D&D basic set). The rules are simple enough not to intimidate a new player and let her concentrate on the role playing aspect of the game.

 

[SoulsFury]

Since she won't be starting with the rules you'll eventually be using, why not try something like Labrynth Lord. It's free, very simple rules (based on the Moldvay 1E D&D basic set). The rules are simple enough not to intimidate a new player and let her concentrate on the role playing aspect of the game.

Simpler rules its probably a good idea. Since I can't go back in time to 83 and pick up the aformention books (unless they are online somewhere), where can I find this Labrynth Lord book?

 

[SoulsFury]

Another possible option would be microlite d20. It has very simple rules and can be great for newbies. It gets the point of roleplaying across very well.

Look here: http://wiki.greywulf.net/cgi-bin/wiki.pl/Macropedia/Microlite20

Thanks for the link! I'll read up on it. It looks perfect.

 

[Blackrat]

One thing to note. There is a possible problem when teaching someone play the game in one-on-one. This is what I ran into when I taught my girlfriend the game. She really loved to play and we played for about a two months one-on-one. Then I asked if she would like to join my regular group. The other players were already friends with her too but she found that group playing just wasn't as fun. She was bored to wait others make decisions etc. So after a few sessions she told me that she didn't want to game with the group anymore. I think the main problem was that I introduced her to the group-mechanics too late. Now whenever I run a one-on-one game for her, she loves to play. And she has no problem with playing multiple characters all by herself. Which is actually good since I can playtest my adventures with her .

Just some thoughts to think about.