Trying to start playing D&D

[a ginger491]

So I'm trying to figure out what I should do about my predicament. After going to PAX for a few years I have slowly developed a curiosity in Dungeons and Dragons. And I really want to give it a shot but none of my friends are interested in my endeavor(some of them even gave me a weird look as if I was ill or something). So I was wondering where I could go to just join a campaign and play a bit of D&D. I live in the Magnolia neighborhood of Seattle, Washington. If you know some places I could go to get this experience it would be great. If you live outside Seattle then maybe you could tell me what kind of place I should start at, Thanks everyone.

 

[ResonanceGames]

This would probably fare better in the Escapist roleplaying forum, that's where most of the people who would know hang out.

I haven't played D&D in about 8 years, so I'm not your guy.

 

[ecoho]

So I'm trying to figure out what I should do about my predicament. After going to PAX for a few years I have slowly developed a curiosity in Dungeons and Dragons. And I really want to give it a shot but none of my friends are interested in my endeavor(some of them even gave me a weird look as if I was ill or something). So I was wondering where I could go to just join a campaign and play a bit of D&D. I live in the Magnolia neighborhood of Seattle, Washington. If you know some places I could go to get this experience it would be great. If you live outside Seattle then maybe you could tell me what kind of place I should start at, Thanks everyone.

go out and find a comic shop and there should be at least one person there that could tell you were to find one.

 

[eternal-chaplain]

Hm, well I really wish I knew some places up there, but I know that even here in the southern end of the country, there are a good many stores (if you know where to look) that host what you're looking for. However this is often territory more for experienced players, so be aware you may find it hard at first.

 

[hiei82]

I generally suggest playing D&D with people you know, but as you have eliminated this possibility, I suggest either looking for a game shop in your area (people sometimes post a "looking for group" poster) or a college (as they sometimes have a table-top gaming club) your last option is to look for an online game but those can be git or miss for content.

Hope that helps

 

[Bluance]

Actually the answer to your question is in your post all ready. PAX is a good place to find people to play D&D with, and i'm even sure they play a few games there. next time you get the chance to go to PAX check out where the wizards of the coast is setup and meet people there, anyone native to the seattle area should be able to point you to some good places to meet and find a group.

 

[Jessta]

Gah it seems like it would be incredibly awkward to start off pencil and paper games with strangers... Bring booze and/or pot or some sort of other narcotic and tell them they can live out their wildest non sexual fantasies >

 

[thenumberthirteen]

Here's a cool video from The Spoony One about how to get into roleplaying.

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For those of you too lazy to watch some good tips are to go to a local specialist shop. They always have at least knowledge about where you can go to find a game. Many of them run beginner trials. remember if they get you hooked then you'll buy all the books and dice and stuff so it's in their interest to teach you.

Another great idea is to start off with RPG like boardgames. There are a few official D&D ones. They introduce you to many of the mechanics and playstyles of a full on RPG, but with a simpler, more condensed structure. Hope this helps.

 

[Darkmantle]

could always start by trying some D&D based games. I'd suggest Never Winter Nights 1 (NWN2 is kinda campy for my tastes), but I'm incredibly against 4th edition, but if you want to try 4e a slew of new games based around that edition are due to come out soon. I think.

DDO is also 3rd edition, but since it's an MMO it basically trashes half the system. May be a good jump off point, but I still don't recommend it.

EDITED for clarity

 

[sir.rutthed]

These are all good tips, but if they don't work you can broaden your horizons by online role playing. Me and my buddies play over Google+, and we live all over Texas. I wouldn't necessarily recommend it for your first role playing experience since it can be tricky doing combat, but it's better than nothing.

EDIT: Also, 3.5 rules are the best, but 4e is simpler and probably better for beginners if I'm being honest. but I'm not, because 3.5 is actually better in almost every way.

 

[Darkmantle]

These are all good tips, but if they don't work you can broaden your horizons by online role playing. Me and my buddies play over Google+, and we live all over Texas. I wouldn't necessarily recommend it for your first role playing experience since it can be tricky doing combat, but it's better than nothing.

EDIT: Also, 3.5 rules are the best, but 4e is simpler and probably better for beginners if I'm being honest. but I'm not, because 3.5 is actually better in almost every way.

Really? I found 4e to be convoluted and horrible :/ each class section is HUGE

 

[sir.rutthed]

These are all good tips, but if they don't work you can broaden your horizons by online role playing. Me and my buddies play over Google+, and we live all over Texas. I wouldn't necessarily recommend it for your first role playing experience since it can be tricky doing combat, but it's better than nothing.

EDIT: Also, 3.5 rules are the best, but 4e is simpler and probably better for beginners if I'm being honest. but I'm not, because 3.5 is actually better in almost every way.

Really? I found 4e to be convoluted and horrible :/ each class section is HUGE

Well I've never actually played 4e, so I'm basing that on the Star Wars Saga Edition rules, which were the prototype for 4e. At any rate, we can all agree that 3.5 is better in every way though.

 

[Darkmantle]

These are all good tips, but if they don't work you can broaden your horizons by online role playing. Me and my buddies play over Google+, and we live all over Texas. I wouldn't necessarily recommend it for your first role playing experience since it can be tricky doing combat, but it's better than nothing.

EDIT: Also, 3.5 rules are the best, but 4e is simpler and probably better for beginners if I'm being honest. but I'm not, because 3.5 is actually better in almost every way.

Really? I found 4e to be convoluted and horrible :/ each class section is HUGE

Well I've never actually played 4e, so I'm basing that on the Star Wars Saga Edition rules, which were the prototype for 4e. At any rate, we can all agree that 3.5 is better in every way though.

I agree 100%. 4e is bad

 

[Bara_no_Hime]

So I'm trying to figure out what I should do about my predicament. After going to PAX for a few years I have slowly developed a curiosity in Dungeons and Dragons. And I really want to give it a shot but none of my friends are interested in my endeavor(some of them even gave me a weird look as if I was ill or something). So I was wondering where I could go to just join a campaign and play a bit of D&D. I live in the Magnolia neighborhood of Seattle, Washington. If you know some places I could go to get this experience it would be great. If you live outside Seattle then maybe you could tell me what kind of place I should start at, Thanks everyone.

The game shop idea that someone else mentioned isn't a bad option.

Also, there are websites and forums where you can connect with local players.

However, if you want to get your friends to play D&D, I've found the best method is to come up with a game setting that appeals.

Do you friends like Skyrim? Run a game set in the Elder Scrolls world.
Any fantasy world will do. Or Sci-fi with some work.