D&D 5E (2024) How do you run an open table game in D&D '24?

[bedir than]

Stock up on premade character sheets. Don't include spellcasters in premade characters. If someone wants a spellcaster, they make one at home or come early to create one with you - that is a miminum they can do as a player to respect you and other players.

I might think that a Warlock would work because the simple version is cantrip and a big spell once in a while

 

[Clint_L]

Students come and go at D&D Club all the time. I just keep them all at the same level; nobody cares and it's much easier to track, create encounters, etc. And it sounds like the purpose of this is to give them a taste of the game. I definitely concur with using the most current rules; for me the main imperative is to make it easy for them to spin off their own games once they get the taste, and you aren't doing them any favours by teaching them a niche system or a system from your youth. The current rules will give them, by far, the system where they are most likely to find other players (better still, use DDB).

I don't bother with experience points; most new TTRPGs don't use them and they're a PITA in this kind of situation in particular. Just have a campaign level, and if that means some players level up after missing a few games, or join with a 4th level character, then that's fine.

I don't really understand the claim that the 2024 rules can't support open table play; it's not hard.

 

[Distracted DM]

Students come and go at D&D Club all the time. I just keep them all at the same level; nobody cares and it's much easier to track, create encounters, etc. And it sounds like the purpose of this is to give them a taste of the game. I definitely concur with using the most current rules; for me the main imperative is to make it easy for them to spin off their own games once they get the taste, and you aren't doing them any favours by teaching them a niche system or a system from your youth. The current rules will give them, by far, the system where they are most likely to find other players (better still, use DDB).

I don't bother with experience points; most new TTRPGs don't use them and they're a PITA in this kind of situation in particular. Just have a campaign level, and if that means some players level up after missing a few games, or join with a 4th level character, then that's fine.

I don't really understand the claim that the 2024 rules can't support open table play; it's not hard.

Yeah, as posted earlier 5e's flat math makes differently-leveled parties playing together fine. And if you're running open table play, a club or a FLGS, keeping everyone the same level and skipping XP makes sense.

The only thing I don't understand is the statement that "most new TTRPGs don't use experience points."