D&D 5E My Starter Set Play Experience with New Players (SPOILERS)

[Thaumaturge]

Did you handle your self-declared reluctant player differently from the others?

I could give them cookies to reward them

I didn't. I was aware of his attitude, but I'm aware of each player's attitude as best I can be. When he wanted to do stuff, like move things around in the wagon, I let him. But I'm a "yes, and..." or "yes, but..." DM most of the time, too.

I made sure to make rounds go quickly in combat. If someone missed, I just rolled on and kept the tempo very upbeat. It kept everyone on their toes, sped up play, and made a miss seem not that big a deal, because it would be your turn again soon.

Hopefully, you know your girlfriend and sister well enough to know what they think is fun. You can emphasize those parts of the game you expect them to like more. If you get a sense they don't like a section (exploration or combat for instance) feel free to cut parts out.

If they're into sweets as a reward, I've played at tables where players got little candies every time their characters killed an NPC. That might work.

Thaumaturge.

 

[Scrivener of Doom]

(snip) If they're into sweets as a reward, I've played at tables where players got little candies every time their characters killed an NPC. That might work.

Thaumaturge.

With my wife's family, I would have to use alcohol... and then the game would degenerate quickly as they are really cheap drunks. Nevertheless, I am considering it which is why threads like this are priceless.

 

[Thaumaturge]

With my wife's family, I would have to use alcohol... and then the game would degenerate quickly as they are really cheap drunks. Nevertheless, I am considering it which is why threads like this are priceless.

I think it could work. You'd just have to slow down the pace a bit. Every 5 kills you get a drink.

Could be fun.

Thaumaturge.

 

[Agamon]

I think it could work. You'd just have to slow down the pace a bit. Every 5 kills you get a drink.

Could be fun.

D&D, the drinking game.

Take a drink every time the DM says, "Are you sure you want to do that?"

 

[Thaumaturge]

D&D, the drinking game.

Take a drink every time the DM says, "Are you sure you want to do that?"

Or any of the other things listed in the disclaimer of 5B. That's a pretty good start.

Thaumaturge.

 

[mips42]

Reading your abbreviated account made me smile and say 'that's awesone'. Sounds like all had fun and that's the goal.
I FINALLY got my Starter set and am reading away hoping to get a group together soon.
Play on!

 

[Jake Johnson]

Players: Wrap-up: About half-way through the night W shook his head and looked at me with wonder. “I can’t believe I’m having fun.” By the time of Klarg’s demise, he, and everyone else, was high-fiving, and excited to achieve victory. The next morning we all agreed to set up a once a month google hangout game, so we could continue playing. E, W’s wife, has already called and said I need to get the ball rolling on scheduling the next game. Everyone had a blast, and they all want to play again.

Thanks for the great write-up. Our playing experience with the Starter Set was similar, in that we focused on having fun and handled the rules mostly as written, but a little loose as needed to keep things going. How could I not let the Wizard use Mage Hand to throw hot coals in Klarge's area at a goblin? One of the players said he had more fun that night than he can remember having at any gaming session for a long time.

The plan for our group, is to keep going with the Starter Set until we finish, then move on to Hoard of the Dragon Queen. Everyone's really excited. We're moving our play session to a weekday. It will have to be a little shorter, but we will be more likely to play every week this way.

 

[skotothalamos]

Players: Three (A, J, and E) sisters and their husbands (H and W) (except me, who was running the game). Three players had played a game or two 15+ years ago. My wife (A) is an experienced player. One player (W) begrudgingly agreed to play, though he expected to hate it. His wife (E) forced the issue, though. To be technically accurate, J and H also played one evening’s worth of the playtest a year ago, which they’d enjoyed.

I was expecting a logic puzzle after this intro.