Help me teach someone to play...

SoulsFury

Explorer
I would like to get a 1 on 1 session going with my girlfriend so she can familiarize herself with how to play the game and how to roleplay so that when 4th edition comes out, she will know how to play and can join the group I'm gonna get together. Any tips on what kind of adventure to run or how I can get her interested?
 

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I recommend Dungeon Crawl Classics 0: Legends are Made, not Born. http://www.goodman-games.com/5100preview.php

The pre-generated characters make for fine background AND they reduce the lethality of the single player campaign. As 0th level characters, your PC's 1st level character will make a natural leader and it allows her the chance to both say "I do this" and to say "I want you to do this." Be a hero and a leader!

Alternatively, if you're looking for something zanier, I recommend Pathfinder 1: which has the awesome goblins, some great background on the town, and really cool set pieces. Plus, the villain's reason for villainy might be an additional hook for your girl.
 




Don't mean to naysay, but do you think it makes sense to teach her using 3e when 4e isn't that far away?

I know they say that 3e and 4e won't be quite as different as the 2e to 3e change, but I was teaching new players 2e D&D just a few months before 3e came out (this was before I found this wonderful site and was clueless that a new edition was coming). The conversion to 3e proved to be very confusing for the new players since they still hadn't fully grapsed the 2e rules - they were constantly confusing 3e rules with 2e rules.
 

Agreed. You might consider teaching her an entirely different system.

Savage Worlds is fairly simple, cheap, and fun.
 

I kinda want to get her used to the roleplaying, problem solving, and rollplaying so that she understands what is going on. I'm sure she is not gonna have a full concept of the rules when 4edition comes out. I don't want her first game to be when we all play Keep on the Shadowfell. I want her to be prepared for that module and what it might entail, that way we can all learn 4th edition together. This is assuming she enjoys D&D which is why I want to make her first experience a good one. I'm not concerned with her learning rules, but more of the fact of controlling a person and a world that is fictional.
 

Two thoughts:

First, F all this noise about 3e/4e. 3e isn't a beginner's game - it just isn't. You want to introduce her to roleplaying, not a ruleset. I kid you not when I strongly recommend Basic Set D&D (the 1983 Frank Mentzer version). Not from some grognard-y high horse because it's cool, but because this is the right tool for the job - this is literally a version of the game that's set up as a tutorial.

You play through a little Choose Your Own Adventure-style solo adventure, introducing D&D concepts one step at a time: mechanics like ability scores, hp, attack rolls, saving throws - none of which have changed that drastically - and concepts like "fight, parlay or flee," NPCs, character motivations, and the element of choice - none of which have changed at all.

Then there's a slightly more "D&Dish" solo adventure, which introduces mapping and some other stuff. Then it's on to the DM book, which has entry-level party adventures to run.

If there's a better intro to roleplaying ever to see print, I'm not aware of it.


Second, if you're looking to induct your lady friend into the hobby, you might be interested in this thread:

http://forum.rpg.net/showthread.php?t=377042
 

I will sometimes make sure the player knows that:
1) The game will seem overly complex and confusing at the beginning. That's fine and normal. They can adapt. Just ask questions, because that can often be the easiest way to learn things.

2) Campaigns are often like a TV series. Just like a TV series, not every adventure/session can be stellar. There will be off sessions sometimes. However, the good sessions really make it worthwhile.

3) Try to stick to the game for 3 sessions to see if you really do or do not like playing. I've learned that if a person sticks around for 3 games, they are hooked.
 

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