Teaching the game to a new player

[Wicht]

I have found Buttercup that the character sheet makes a huge difference. Can you handle .doc files? If so I will a few characters illustrative of the character sheets I have used to introduce at least 9 new players to the 3e rules with pretty good success.

Having clear, concise character sheets solves half the problem IMO. The other half is dealt with by keeping their choices limited at first to what they are familiar with. Don't mess around with grapple for example until the basic hack and slash techniques are well understood.

 

[Drawmack]

I've thought of blowing it up to 11x17 for him, but he prefers to be a tad discrete about his visual handicap. (So he would just love it if he knew I mentioned it here. )

To quote Al Pichino from Devil's Advocate: ''Vanity, my favorite sin.''

Anyway back on topic. Get the SRD and you can print it with a font increase. He can then use that at home and the books at the table.

Though I am wondering how discrete is he really being if he's sitting there holding a magnifying glass over the book. Also look around I doubt the PHB is available on tape but it might be available in a large print version and if it's not maybe some d20 publisher could do that, only be missing 1 or 2 things from the phb.

 

[DDK]

So, any advice for me, before I rip all of my hair out?

I so completely sympathise with you. I have a fairly short-fuse and get frustrated very quickly and very easily. Dashed all my dreams of ever being a teacher

I've just recently tried to teach 3rd ed. to someone and have found it frustrating and annoying. The person is someone who I like and respect and think is intelligent (he's a climate scientist for Pete's sake!) but for some reason he just doesn't 'get' 3rd ed. What's worse, is that he's a GAMER, but he's just not taking 3rd ed. 'in'.

I have no advice because I too am at a loss as to what to do.

Maybe Eric will pipe up, he's a teacher, ain't he?

 

[Buttercup]

Wicht, I can indeed use .doc files. I'll PM you my email address.

Good suggestions, all. He was playing a rogue until I killed him, we've just finished working up a fighter character. The wizard is for the other new player, who is really set on it. But I think she'll take to it easier, since she's a math whiz.

We've been using the Fiery Dragon counters, and a large tablet of paper with a 1 inch grid for a battle map. The basic combat stuff he gets. He knows that he rolls and adds his BAB to beat the enemy's armor class, and he understands about rolling for damage. I haven't really even mentioned AoO or god forbid, grapple. I haven't had any enemies use sunder or things like that. I've been trying to keep the combat simple.

He has played CRPGS since the late 1980s, so he understands concepts like armor class and hit points. (Thank heaven for all those years we spent playing the various versions of Might & Magic!) It's the non-combat skills, the difference between feats & skills, the fact that a 16 in an ability score gives you a +3 bonus, and a 17 gives you the same bonus.... In short, I think all of it will become clear in time, unless he decides he "can't" get it, in which case he certainly won't. Sigh.

But please, if you have any other comments, I'd love to hear them.