Teach 30 People to Play D&D

[Mark]

Excellent idea, and best of luck!

Kinda reminds me of that Bicentenial Directive the US Government came out with in the mid-seventies of Beat Democracy into 200 People. That one never really caught on.

 

[Olfactatron]

Neat idea. I've been thinking of teaching my children to play, but looking at it this way, the 3.5 rules seem awfully hard for kids (one is 10). I was thinking on starting them on 1E (no flames please - I'm only talking about rule simplicity). Any other thoughts on D&D lite that might work for introducing kids to the game?

3.5 seems hard? When I was working at a game store last summer, I taught a group of kids from 9-11 to play 3.5. Granted, I have no control group for this, but it seems like third edition, in general, is easier to explain. I mean there's only one mechanic. Roll a d20, add a number, beat a number. I remember THAC0 being a totally wierd concept the first time I played 1stED AD&D, and that some rolls required low rolls while others required high rolls. Not to mention the poor organization and layout of the PHB. (I'm aware the 3rd Ed books are far from perfect on this matter, but at least they're better than the 1stED books.) I think the biggest "barriers" for new people, at least in my experience, are attacks of opportunity and the high number of situational modifiers that players have to keep track of (especially with feats, such as point black shot, mobility and so forth). It seems that the new D&D lite box set will be a really great way to get new people and young kids into the game. I for one will definately be picking it up, for no other reason than that.

 

[Mythmere]

3.5 seems hard? When I was working at a game store last summer, I taught a group of kids from 9-11 to play 3.5. Granted, I have no control group for this, but it seems like third edition, in general, is easier to explain. I mean there's only one mechanic. Roll a d20, add a number, beat a number. I remember THAC0 being a totally wierd concept the first time I played 1stED AD&D, and that some rolls required low rolls while others required high rolls. Not to mention the poor organization and layout of the PHB. (I'm aware the 3rd Ed books are far from perfect on this matter, but at least they're better than the 1stED books.) I think the biggest "barriers" for new people, at least in my experience, are attacks of opportunity and the high number of situational modifiers that players have to keep track of (especially with feats, such as point black shot, mobility and so forth). It seems that the new D&D lite box set will be a really great way to get new people and young kids into the game. I for one will definately be picking it up, for no other reason than that.

Yes, it's the tactical options that seem hard. Now, I may be underestimating my kids, too. Maybe if I took out the AOO rule. Oh, wait. The other hard thing is choosing out feats and skills. Well, maybe I'll just let them run into it in school, and then they can disclose to their friends that there's a first edition PH and Monster Manual at their house...