Words of Wisdom for those new to gaming

[Edgewood]

While I was at work I was reminiscing about my early days of gaming back in 1982 when I was all young and tan of cheek. Back when I started my first game of Basic D&D and how plain awful it was. I mean it was pitiful. I tried to run Keep of the Borderlands for a friend who I think barely had the concept of roleplaying in mind when I introduced him to the game. I remember asking my uncle (who gave me the game to begin with) how does one actually play this thing?? Even he didn't know. Of course over the years my understanding of the game grew, however it would have been nice to get some advice or words of wisdom from someone who has played before. You know, just some small tricks, or things to remember to make the game easier. So I thought, that if any new players to role playing ever come to this website, that they could find some small tidbits of advice from the online community. Perhaps you have something that you would like to pass onto the next generation? You know such as:

1. Yes Dragons will devour you in one go. If you see one, run away!!
2. Dice have minds of their own and will let you down when you need them the most. Find a set that seem to like you and stick with them.
3. For all that is sacred and holy, don't argue with the DM until the game is over!
4. If you think that DM is out to get you...you're right!

I would think up of better ones but I'm on call right now and its 3:11 AM where I'm at. Anyway, what bits of advice would you give to aspiring players and DM's?

 

[Aus_Snow]

* Keep the game moving; keep the pace up, rather than worrying about insignificant details.

 

[blargney the second]

5) Never split the party.
Corollary to 5) The odds are pretty good that the stealth rules are a trap.
-blarg

 

[GrumpyOldMan]

Never give a saga an even break.

 

[Mathew_Freeman]

- If you're not having fun, talk to the DM. Don't sit in silence and suffer!
- Always allow a villain to make their speech - they might say something useful!

 

[AFGNCAAP]

For what it's worth...

The new edition invalidates some of my gaming advice (only some, though), because of the knowledge of How Things Work in those old editions doesn't carry over to 4th edition (such as "If you want an easy class to start with, start with a Fighter."; not so true in 4th ed. anymore).

Nevertheless, there's still some advice I eagerly provide to new players:

• If you're not sure what Alignment to go with, go with Unaligned (or, in previous eds., true Neutral).
• Diversity is a good thing: ideally, having a diverse array of classes, races, languages, and skills is more helpfum than harmful.
• Diversity is a good thing, pt. 2: dungeon crawls lose their charm after a while. Diversity in adventures, challenges, and encounter types can liven a game.
• Cover your bases: have the classic combo of a Fighter, Rogue, Wizard, and Cleric (now more or less "have the each class role covered, along with key skills like Thievery").
• The best way to feel like your PC matters in a group is to cover something no one else has.
• You're part of an ensemble cast, not the main character. If you or another player feels that they're just the "supporting cast" for one player's PC in particular, then expect dissatisfaction or conflict to arise.
• Just because it worked out that way in a movie/TV show/comic/novel/etc. does not mean it'll work out that way in the game. Think of it as loosely-guided improv rather than exactly following a script.
• The players can make or break the game just as much as the rules or adventure can. Don't associate the game with the players, or the players with the game.
• Being disruptive in-game stops being cute after the 2nd or 3rd time you've done it.
• The "it's what my character would do" defense gets old really quick.
• Buy the Basic Adventurer's Kit: it's there for a reason.
• Buy a Dagger: all classes are proficient with it for a reason.
• TPKs just happen sometimes. Sometimes luck doesn't work in your favor.
• If, however, you constantly have TPKs, it's more than just bad luck. Seek to find an answer to the problem rather than just find a source to blame.

I have other bits of advice, but I'd need to screen them through the 4e filter first.

 

[Wormwood]

• Relax. It's just a game.
• Don't play with jerks.
• Never let OOC problems creep into IC actions
• Having fun should be your group's ultimate goal.
• If it's not fun, why are you doing it?

 

[Switchblade]

Most advice is rather system specific but here's some general stuff.
Don't panic - in most systems only the GM really needs to know those complex rules, you can pick it up as you go along.
If the GM is grinning that goblin has class levels
Your dice hate you - deal with it
Roleplaying a silly accent is funny - for the first minute, it becomes annoying in a 4 hour table top game and can get you killed on a 3 day LARP event
The GM's job is to harsh you - don't take it personally.
Left or right? It doesn't matter, both corridors are trapped.
Never make CON/BOD your dump stat in any system.
Your characters will die so don't get too attached. Unless you have a new character lined up you really want to play. Then you'll never get rid of the old one short of suicide.
By all means minmax your character - just don't be supprised when the NPC's do the same.
Never annoy the healer/medic.
It's only a game - if you don't like the character change it, if you aren't enjoying the game feel free to quit. Don't let it get you down.
Metal dice and pine/glass tables should never mix, buy plastic like everyone else.
Make sure you are all playing the same edition. (No - not a topical DnD crack. After a incident at a game table when the GM didn't know shadowrun had got to 3e 5 YEARS previous and all the players turned up with 3e characters. The 2 systems were similar enough that the GM didn't notice at first after reviewing our character sheets)

 

[S'mon]

- If you're not having fun, talk to the DM. Don't sit in silence and suffer!
- Always allow a villain to make their speech - they might say something useful!

Agree wholeheartedly on number 2!

Number 1 - talking to the GM - is a fine art, many of us are darn prickly when it comes to our games. But of course we want to have fun too, and we should be amenable to suggestions that can make the game more fun for everyone. I've seen players suffer in silence while other more assertive players dominate; and I think it can be a fine line between getting your desires across and being obnoxious. Certainly as a player I know I have to struggle not to be obnoxious.

 

[satin]

When the DM can't hold back that evil grin... it's time to panic.