D&D 5E How would you preface D&D to newbies for their first time?

[GravyFingerz]

Tomorrow evening I will be running the new D&D Starter Set (5e) for a group of 4 complete beginners. I've been thinking about what to say to them, because I want to preface the first session with an overview of D&D and RPGs in general, but I'm not sure what I should say. I want to keep it short, but effective.

What would you say?

 

[fba827]

It's a story telling game, where we build a story for your characters set in a fantasy world.

I'm running the game to describe the scenario, you will tell me how you will react, be it actions or even attacking in combat, then we roll some dice to see how well it works.

( I'd also throw in a reference to a movie or show that is fantasy based for them to relate to)

 

[dd.stevenson]

Depends on the players; every relationship is different and what "clicks" for one group might not work for another. That said:

"This is D&D. I tell you what you see, and if I do my job right you'll be able to see the scene in your mind's eye. Then you each ask questions and tell me what your characters do. When there's ambiguity, we resolve your actions with these funny looking dice. Its fun because we make stuff up and tell a story, and it's fun because we get to roll dice and bite our fingernails and get the gambler's rush."

 

[Jake Johnson]

Depends on the players; every relationship is different and what "clicks" for one group might not work for another. That said:

"This is D&D. I tell you what you see, and if I do my job right you'll be able to see the scene in your mind's eye. Then you each ask questions and tell me what your characters do. When there's ambiguity, we resolve your actions with these funny looking dice. Its fun because we make stuff up and tell a story, and it's fun because we get to roll dice and bite our fingernails and get the gambler's rush."

I like the gambler's rush angle. I hadn't thought of that. We have some new players in the group I'm running through the Starter Set beginning next week. I had a pretty good handle on describing the game, but this adds a nice touch to the roll playing aspect.

Thanks,

Jake

 

[Starfox]

I usually begin my introduction by referencing to adolescent adventure books - because that's where most role playing games end up. Things like the "famous five" or "Biggles" books. The model with a pretty straightforward plot that is gradually unraveled is easy to understand. I also throw in a warning about the violence. New layers easily go into violent solutions, but sometimes find it shocking afterwards.

If I am introducing people who are not fantasy readers, I tend to give them an entirely nonviolent plot. I once showed of role-playing to a group of 5 social workers, the plot then was about gypsies and prejudices.

 

[pemerton]

Tomorrow evening I will be running the new D&D Starter Set (5e) for a group of 4 complete beginners. I've been thinking about what to say to them, because I want to preface the first session with an overview of D&D and RPGs in general, but I'm not sure what I should say. I want to keep it short, but effective.

What would you say?

I think it depends pretty heavily on what sort of game you're going to be running for them.

For instance, if you run a game in which you, as GM, decide who the villain is, and the players' job incudes following your plot hook into fighting that villain, then there is no point telling the playes that "they can do whatever they want".

This thread I started yesterday has some pithy summaries of playstyles from an old White Dwarf magazine that I still think are pretty useful.

 

[Starfox]

For instance, if you run a game in which you, as GM, decide who the villain is, and the players' job incudes following your plot hook into fighting that villain, then there is no point telling the playes that "they can do whatever they want".

While sandboxing is a legitimate and distinct playstyle, I think making the distinction to newbies is kind of silly. Tell them to do what they want, then drop your plot hooks. If they are hooked, fine. If they are not, either run with what they want to do or go into meta stance and tell them about the adventure you planned.

Totally sandboxing newbies will often leave them confused and doing nothing.

Edot: Of course, if you are a capable and experienced sandboxer, able to weave an interesting session around whatever the players choose to do, go for that! Such GM abilities are rather exceptional, tough.

 

[pemerton]

While sandboxing is a legitimate and distinct playstyle, I think making the distinction to newbies is kind of silly.

<snip>

Totally sandboxing newbies will often leave them confused and doing nothing.

I didn't say you'd make the distinction to newbies. Or run them through a sandbox (I don't do that for oldies either.)

I just said that what you tell them D&D is depends on how you are going to run D&D.

Tell them to do what they want, then drop your plot hooks. If they are hooked, fine. If they are not, either run with what they want to do or go into meta stance and tell them about the adventure you planned.

If you're going to go into metastance, then why not do that from the start?

Eg "In D&D, your character start in a tavern. As the GM, I'll be playing all the other people in the world [explain NPC terminology]. At the start of the game, one of these NPCs will approach your players and give you a mission." That's roughly how Classic Traveller works.

Or "Your characters have heard rumours of XYZ. Following whispered leads and half-remembered stories, you have ended up at ABC ready to start searching for the [McGuffin]." That's roughly how Gygax's example in his DMG works.

In a system with fragile 1st level PCs and GM-adjudicated DCs, I would also say something about genre expectations for violence, resilience, gonzo-ness etc. Eg you need to be careful comparing to LotR if the newbies mostly know the movies, and therefore think of their ability to fight orcs and goblins in those sorts of terms.

 

[Starfox]

If you're going to go into metastance, then why not do that from the start?

I would go back and forth between meta and actor stance as much as needed. The basic premise of the OPs question seemed to be what to tell the players in meta-stance before you begin.

Read more: http://www.enworld.org/forum/showth...to-newbies-for-their-first-time#ixzz37twryGDL

This cut 'n paste text ENworld keeps sending is really annoying.

 

[Nagol]

I would go back and forth between meta and actor stance as much as needed. The basic premise of the OPs question seemed to be what to tell the players in meta-stance before you begin.



This cut 'n paste text ENworld keeps sending is really annoying.

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