D&D General How to Start a New Player?

[Retreater]

First, I'm a jerk. I have strong opinions about D&D and the TTRPG hobby. Most of the time my opinions are unpopular even amongst the most enthusiastic fans. Sometimes it's questioned if I even enjoy gaming at all.

To jump to the current situation and topic at hand. I've been asked to introduce a new player to D&D. She is enthusiastic about the hobby, watches Critical Role, etc., but has never played. It's important to me to try to put my biases aside and give this person a fair chance to fall in love with this hobby. I don't want my grognard, anti-WotC, anti-5E mentality to push away someone who could become a lifelong fan.

You on here wouldn't want that either, I'm sure. So I want to listen to your feedback and tips to help me get out of my own head and be welcoming to this enthusiastic new player. (She is a coworker of some of my other players.)

Some specific questions...

5E or 5.5E?
Or Shadowdark?
Start at 1st level or 3rd?
Should I try to streamline the character sheet?
Pregens?
Should I try the Starter Set? (I'm concerned because it's not really like how the actual game is played - with cards and components that don't really support the rest of the experience outside the starter adventure.)

Any other tips you'd recommend?

 

[Morrus]

I'd suggest somebody who likes TTRPGs.

 

[payn]

Some specific questions...

5E or 5.5E?

Id use 5.5E if you have it available. If not, id explain you are using 2014 rules because its what you got and its gonna be close to 5.5E.

Or Shadowdark?

No.

Start at 1st level or 3rd?

1st, since this is a new player, let them experience from the very beginning.

Should I try to streamline the character sheet?

No. I think your instincts are kicking in to try and curate the experience for the player and I think thats exactly what you need to curb. Give them the by-the-book experience.

Pregens?

Depends. Id ask them if they want to learn chargen or if they would prefer to jump right in.

Should I try the Starter Set? (I'm concerned because it's not really like how the actual game is played - with cards and components that don't really support the rest of the experience outside the starter adventure.)

Normally Id say yes, but you already seem to not like the starter set so you should probably avoid it.

Any other tips you'd recommend?

Just run the game and have fun. There are going to be times you want to pull out "back in the 80/90/00's /slides glasses up nose," but just dont do it. Answer only the question the player has of the game. If it goes down memory lane and they seem genuinely interested, then sure give them the history and your experience. Just remember, this is about them and their first experience.

 

[GMMichael]

5E or 5.5E?
Or Shadowdark?

Either or? Okay, Shadowdark.

Start at 1st level or 3rd?

Always 1st. I'm pretty sure 5e's third level was what made me write the game off completely.

Should I try to streamline the character sheet?
Pregens?

Pregen is a safe bet. Unless you're playing a game where chargen isn't a hassle.

Should I try the Starter Set?

D&D's? Great way to reinforce those WotC-approved thought processes.

Any other tips you'd recommend?

Homebrew quest. Don't say "if you run out of hit points you die," and play something easier (more fun?) than D&D.

 

[abazaba]

I would answer this question myself, but @payn seems to pretty much have already given all the answers I would have given myself.

One note about the new-ish 'Heroes of the Borderlands' starter set though: I agree with you that with all the gimmicks included in the box, that would in my opinion not translate well to how the game is actually played and give false expectations. Perhaps an older starter set (like but not limited to 'Lost Mine of Phandelver', if you can even still get that) would be more appropriate ?

 

[Reynard]

First, I'm a jerk. I have strong opinions about D&D and the TTRPG hobby. Most of the time my opinions are unpopular even amongst the most enthusiastic fans. Sometimes it's questioned if I even enjoy gaming at all.

To jump to the current situation and topic at hand. I've been asked to introduce a new player to D&D. She is enthusiastic about the hobby, watches Critical Role, etc., but has never played. It's important to me to try to put my biases aside and give this person a fair chance to fall in love with this hobby. I don't want my grognard, anti-WotC, anti-5E mentality to push away someone who could become a lifelong fan.

You on here wouldn't want that either, I'm sure. So I want to listen to your feedback and tips to help me get out of my own head and be welcoming to this enthusiastic new player. (She is a coworker of some of my other players.)

Some specific questions...

5E or 5.5E?
Or Shadowdark?
Start at 1st level or 3rd?
Should I try to streamline the character sheet?
Pregens?
Should I try the Starter Set? (I'm concerned because it's not really like how the actual game is played - with cards and components that don't really support the rest of the experience outside the starter adventure.)

Any other tips you'd recommend?

Have you considered the idea of letting someone else do it? You are aware of your biases and that's awesome and commendable. But if you know someone who can giver her that CR, 5E, neo-trad experience she obviously wants, do that.

 

[mamba]

5E or 5.5E?
Or Shadowdark?

why not Daggerheart? You like it and they are interested in the hobby, not D&D specifically, from my understanding.

They also like CR, so DH might be a good introduction for them

Assuming you go with D&D regardless here are the other answers

Start at 1st level or 3rd?

1st, preferably 5.5 for it being the current version, but 5.0 is fine too

Should I try to streamline the character sheet?

no

Pregens?

maybe

Should I try the Starter Set? (I'm concerned because it's not really like how the actual game is played - with cards and components that don't really support the rest of the experience outside the starter adventure.)

no, go with something that is like the actual game. Lost Mine or any other starter adventure is fine, I would not go with the Borderlands starter set however

 

[Retreater]

Have you considered the idea of letting someone else do it? You are aware of your biases and that's awesome and commendable. But if you know someone who can giver her that CR, 5E, neo-trad experience she obviously wants, do that.

Unfortunately I don't really know anyone. I live in a small town in the Bible Belt of the U.S. South. There's not a lot of players here. There's the occasional RPG day event at the comic store, but there's no promise that they're any better.

 

[Stormonu]

If there's a local FLGS that run games, suggest going with them to that venue and sit with them. If they have questions and are uncomfortable asking others, they may be more confident in asking you about it.

Even if you decide to DM yourself, I'd try to rope a small group together. A lot of D&D boils down to a good time with good friends.

<edit: didn't see the most recent post - I'd still encourage a small group instead of solo, though>

 

[Reynard]

Unfortunately I don't really know anyone. I live in a small town in the Bible Belt of the U.S. South. There's not a lot of players here. There's the occasional RPG day event at the comic store, but there's no promise that they're any better.

In that case I would recommend 5.5E (not because I prefer it, but because it is the current version) and do a thing that let's you highlight all 3 pillars. Start at second level and level them up to 3rd before the finale. Leveling feels good and tying it to the BBEG fight or whatever will give it weight.

If it were me I would use one of my go to one shot ideas: a adolescent or young adult member of the community is missing and presumed kidnapped. The party is hired to rescue them. After a brief but tense tracking/exploration challenge, they discover they have run away with their live to get married -- who turns out to be a vampire or fae or whatever thing. Fight and re-kidnap them, or try and convince them to come home?

Like that.