The most important thing is to have a good DM. If he's terrible the entire experience will be sucked of all enjoyability.
How fun is D&D?
- Thread starter Hallow'sEve
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I run two games and play in two (soon to be three as I'm retiring one of the games I run), so needless to say, I think it's a lot of fun. But that is entirely dependent on the GM. If the GM is not experienced and you have a bad time, don't write off the game. Similarly, if the party is a bunch of jerks, try it again with different people.Hallow said:
The mindset you should have is one of creativity and limitless possibilities. That's the problem I see the most with people coming from video games (making an assumption because you're on the Escapist). Even the most open world video game really limits your possibilities and you get stuck thinking like that. For instance, if an archer is at range shooting at you in an urban environment, how do you deal with it? Most video games either have the "wait till he shoots then charge to the next cover" strategy or the "snipe him better" strategy. D&D allows you to break into a house, and grab a table or take a door off of hinges, whatever, and use that for cover so you can just walk up. Or perhaps a giant wooden badger... The point is, approach it "How would I deal with this" not "How would I playing a game deal with this" and you'll do better.
Next, and this is surprisingly difficult for many people, don't be a dick. I know tons of people that I get along with great and consider friends that I refuse to game with, because they turn into dicks. To be specific, characters that just want to get laid or work against the party. Nobody wants to play with the guy who only wants to stab other party members in the back and loot them. And then that guy says "Yeah, I rolled up a giant spider that could use 4 great swords at once. His race kills all bipeds because they feel superior. It would have been awesome, but nobody would play with me." I think that speaks for itself. This is all dependent on the party, though. So get to know the people and play in their style. If they have a rather backstabby, good natured time, then roll with it. If they are a very cooperative group, making sure all their abilities work together, then go with that. The party will adjust to you as you adjust to it, but it will resist if you try to force it.
Other than that, just have a good time. Really flex your imagination, not every bad guy needs to be met in one on one combat. On the other hand, don't turn into the guy who absolutely refuses to fight normally, but insists on shooting flowerpots off of balconies onto enemies or trying to develop nerve toxins. Sometimes, you really just need to swing your sword or cast fireball.
Last tip: stats don't matter. You can have a character with amazing stats, but if you're stupid, you will die. Similarly, you can be a crippled halfing with no money and end up a god if you're really smart.
Okay, one more: most gamers I've played with believe (or joke about believing) that you have control over your dice. Your mojo, if you will. And that rolling poorly often is a reflection on you, not on random chance. As much as I know, scientifically, that the dice are random, I believe it too. I've seen the person roll a critical when it was their last chance. I've witness a guy say "What do I need to roll to pull the invulnerability card out of this deck" and the GM say "58 on a d100" and the guy says "ok" and rolls a 58. At some point, you just admit to yourself that the dice love drama. So if you roll poorly, don't take it personally when the rest of the party blames you for rolling poorly. It's probably just because of your inexperience with gaming. Once you get into it and find a good set of dice, you'll feel the mojo too.
D&D is a fairly fun RPG. It's extreemly stylized and unrealistic, but flows fairly smoothly because of the simplifyed mechanics. Like other people have said, how fun the game is depends on the people you play with, and whether they run a style of play you enjoy. Almost all of the game mechanics are about killing people, so expect that to be what your charicter will do in the game most of the time.
It depends entirely on the group, and how noob friendly they are...
We had this one guy (when i use to play dnd)who would constantly try and sabotage the group...sick bastard.
But when he left it was a blast! And a year latter when we had started a new campaign and gotten new people... it sucked again, one of the new girls was... aggressive for lack of a better less derogatory word and so i left because i could not stand her... and her i am! Nothing gained nothing lost but i wouldn't mind playing getting back into dnd.
So the sum this up... IT depends greatly on the people playing with you.
We had this one guy (when i use to play dnd)who would constantly try and sabotage the group...sick bastard.
But when he left it was a blast! And a year latter when we had started a new campaign and gotten new people... it sucked again, one of the new girls was... aggressive for lack of a better less derogatory word and so i left because i could not stand her... and her i am! Nothing gained nothing lost but i wouldn't mind playing getting back into dnd.
So the sum this up... IT depends greatly on the people playing with you.
Try not to make a perfect character that will steamroll everything; try to make a character that you can actually roleplay as, and the game will probably be much more fun than if you are an avatar of slaughter.
Try not to have your character be Chaotic Stupid, doing random things because "that's what a chaotic character would do!" You can play a chaotic character without being a moron.
And finally, don't be That Guy.
Try not to have your character be Chaotic Stupid, doing random things because "that's what a chaotic character would do!" You can play a chaotic character without being a moron.
And finally, don't be That Guy.
I love D&D.
3.5, 4th Ed, Pathfinder - they're all great. I've played in all kinds of different games, and run lots myself.
... I had a much better post, but an internet snafu ate it.
Basically, I love D&D. It's great - I can't recommend it highly enough.
3.5, 4th Ed, Pathfinder - they're all great. I've played in all kinds of different games, and run lots myself.
... I had a much better post, but an internet snafu ate it.
Basically, I love D&D. It's great - I can't recommend it highly enough.
one really important thing to remember... BE THE ASSHOLE LOOTER!!!!!!
It's fun stealing stuff man, really REALLY
and the dm makes situations, it's the players that make the situations fun
It's fun stealing stuff man, really REALLY
and the dm makes situations, it's the players that make the situations fun
I recently started to play it with 6 of my mates, best fun I've had in awhile. We played 'Tomb of Horrors' to start...o.o
3 hours later we killed our first monster! Twas a Gargoyle with 700HP!
But yes, as lot's of other people have said, it depends on who you play with, if they have a nerdylicouis sense of humour, then it will be much joy!
3 hours later we killed our first monster! Twas a Gargoyle with 700HP!
But yes, as lot's of other people have said, it depends on who you play with, if they have a nerdylicouis sense of humour, then it will be much joy!
I'm not a particular fan of DnD as a system, (it's well-made, just doesn't do what I want) but tabletop RPGs in general are always fun if you have a likeminded group. I've done stuff from zany antics, to high fantasy adventuring, to high society social/investigative games, to survival horror and they're all great if you've got a whole group in the same mindset.
Lots of fun my friend lots of fun.Hallow said:
In my opinion there is a certain mindset you need to be in in order to role play. When I play my buddies and I try to make the characters come to life so we carry on and act like wierdos - although never in public! As for a first time gamer I don't think you need to worry about that. Although what type of D&D you play you will need to consider. D&D is up to 4th edition now, however 3 & 3.5 edition is still widely played - and preferred - and AD&D or 2nd Edition is still played by old school types who have a hankering to go retro.
My advice for you is find a reasonably forgiving Games master and a group of players who aren't complete munchkins. First and foremost you want to have fun, so having a group that's prepared to show you the ropes rather than throwing a Player Manual at you is ideal. Also remember that D&D is a team sport. Play within the party especially if your character is new to that party. Nobody likes a dick or a smart ass!
Listen to the DM/GM, bring your own dice and spare change for pizza.
Personally I am more fond of Dark Heresy's leveling/experience system and its dice system but D&D's works well enough and the endless possibilities are amazing in table-top RPGs. You can make a character that screams incoherently at someone until they introduce themselves or someone who obsessively compulsively thieves (in a game of dark heresy my Scum character stole everything that wasn't nailed down. We went to a high society ball at one point... damn I was loaded with jewelry, fine cutlery and cash by the end). As everyone says it all depends on the people you roll with (notice the pun? *nudge* *nudge*). Get some borderline insane creative people like I have and let the good times be had.
That's a big yes on D&D if you didn't gather that.
As for what to expect... have a cleric check all items and potions for curses and poisons, if you know trolls are going to be involved take fire or acid (a bottle of whiskey shattered on a troll and a spark can cheaply suffice for the fire damage required) try talking to a dragon first before slaying, paladins/clerics cramp everyone's style unless they worship Kord, anyone who talks the talk while unarmed is either a wrestling type character or a monk/drunken master.
The only mindset you need is not to be too cautious. Be willing to take risks and have dangerous quirks in the name of fun.
That's a big yes on D&D if you didn't gather that.
As for what to expect... have a cleric check all items and potions for curses and poisons, if you know trolls are going to be involved take fire or acid (a bottle of whiskey shattered on a troll and a spark can cheaply suffice for the fire damage required) try talking to a dragon first before slaying, paladins/clerics cramp everyone's style unless they worship Kord, anyone who talks the talk while unarmed is either a wrestling type character or a monk/drunken master.
The only mindset you need is not to be too cautious. Be willing to take risks and have dangerous quirks in the name of fun.
Not trying to be a smart ass, but what do you mean by, doesn't do what I want?KalosCast said:
I mean, sure there are some limits, but in the end, it's the DM that lets or doesn't let you do stuff.
I'm honestly curious here, can you name a example?
D&D is fun, but it is more dependent on the group that you play with. Since it is you and your friends making the story.
well dnd is an amazing game if you have the right people, i know the group i roll with is.....well difficult, since they all suffer from ADD, which means they can do a two hour short quest and turn it into about 8. seeing as how they keep getting distracted, but at least its funny