Getting into Tabletop Role Playing Games: TTRPG Week 1

What you need in two easy steps

Tabletop Role Playing Games (TRPG) have seen an increasing, and thankfully positive, prominence in the public eye in recent years. This has piqued many peoples’ interest in the hobby. However, many of these same people have found themselves daunted in their attempts to engage in the hobby. This article, and those following, will attempt to help break down those barriers and not only allow you to enjoy a new pastime, but forge new friendships! Join us on Fridays at 8:00pm on Facebook to discuss TRPGs.

The First Step: YOU!

Inevitably, when people think of TRPGs, they think of Dungeons & Dragons. And for good reason – the game has been in publication since the 70s, has had a mountain of multimedia made about it, and was unfortunately made the focus of the “Satanic Panic” of the 80s. That alone is a lot to take in and can be very off-putting. The same can be said of the hobby in general; the sheer number of games and number of books associated with some of those games can be overwhelming even for those who have been playing for years. So let’s narrow the focus.

Ask yourself this: “What Stories do I enjoy?” Whether in books, movies, or comics, what moved you? Perhaps it was the fantastic adventure of the Lord of The Rings? Maybe it's the derring-do of the heroes of the MCU? The thrilling mystery of Criminal Minds?  Well, there is a game for that.

In my opinion, and with a touch of personal experience, the best way to start in the hobby is to play a game based on a genre you personally enjoy. When I began, I was particularly into the Cyberpunk genre as depicted by the movie Blade Runner and the books by William Gibson. The game I started with was Cyberpunk 2020. I eventually branched out into other genres and games, but my experiences with Cyberpunk made me fall in love with the hobby. That being said, don't limit yourself solely to your favorite genre. As I stated before, the most prominent game is Dungeons & Dragons and many people will want to see what all the fuss is about. The current (fifth) edition is one of the most accessible and easy to learn games out there.

Now that you have an idea of what you want to play, you should now consider what your own style of play is as well as what game style you want to try. By figuring out how you wish to engage with the game, with other players, and what you want to get out of the game, you can better control your experience. You’re in this to have fun after all!

There are a multitude of ways to play a game, especially a TRPG which has both a mechanical and social aspect. However they tend to fall somewhere within three broad categories. The Hack and Slasher likes a quick, action-oriented type of game. Character development and plot are incidental at best, role playing merely serves to punctuate the action. The Role Player likes a complex and immersive style of game. They develop their character's persona and engage the plot and other players through it. Political and social intrigue are their bread and butter with action as a brief punctuation. In-betweeners are players who enjoy and engage in both action and role playing, though they may favor one over the other. Most players fall in this category.

In general, games tend to fall into these same categories, but there are a few sub-categories which can drastically alter game play. Monty Haul, named loosely after the host of the 70s game show “Let's Make a Deal,” games often have XP (experience points) and loot doled out to the players fairly regularly. They also often use random tables to generate encounters and loot. The Adventure Path style of game is campaigns published by or through the company. They follow a set story and don't veer from that path too much. Homebrew games have been modified from the base game while keeping the core system. The setting is often very different from what the base game is based on and it's always good to ask the GM (game manager) what has been changed. Live Action Role Playing Games or LARP are games where participants dress up and act out the game in a manner similar to an improvised theater play. Very role play-heavy, and expensive due to the need for costumes, props, and space to play. Finally, the One Shot. These games are short, lasting between one to four sessions, and tend to be narrow in scope. They’re good for getting a taste of the game or a break from a long campaign, but can leave you wanting more.

Step Two: Materials.

Every game has rules, and TRPGs are no exception. Before you start to play, you should at least learn the basics, and to do that you will need a book. This can be a bit tricky for a new player as many publishers produce copious amounts of books. In general, if the game has more than one book, look for the one with just the name of the game or that and some variation of “players handbook.” Leave anything that has “advanced” or the number “2” before or after “players handbook.”  The next issue is price, as they tend to run about $50.00. Soft cover books and books from smaller publishers are cheaper, but I recommend PDF versions. Not only are they cheaper, they weigh less and don't fall apart after a year of heavy use. Drivethrurpg.com is a good source.

Next you need dice. The basic set runs from $4 - $10 and comes with everything you will need for most games. This is less important however if you are using a platform such as “Roll20” or “Fantasy Grounds” as they have their own inbuilt dice roll program.

Lastly, a pencil and paper. Notes are important, as you will be getting a lot of information thrown at you, and it's good to have it written down. After all, it wouldn't do to give the quest item to your mortal enemy because you forgot the name of the quest giver, or got lost in the dungeon because you forgot how many lefts you took.  Do note, if you are playing online or are using a smartphone, pop open your word processing program, take notes as you go and save a few trees.