Post/Author/DateTime	Post
Just Justin 09-24-04, 11:54 PM	ok to tell you of my tale you need to know some backround info I just got my licence so i'm sort'a timid of long trips and highways the nearest D&D store is 30 min's away in strouseburg PA and im going to try to get down there every friday, on acouning thats when every one plays D&D so on my first trip i went down there, on a thursday using map quest... :( it gave me the LONG route - 45 min's I get there and the Casheir looks at me and i ask were they play. he pointed to a door passed all the mini's i looked in and only a few people were playing magic or yugio. then the Cashier said all the D&D campaigns were tommorow :mad: . so i bought some mini's and a d100, i left there and got on the high way my home is NORTHBOUND on 80 i some how got on 80 SOUTHBOUND :( it took me 1 hour to realise i was on the complety wrong side of PA. so i tried to turn around but instead, i just got udery lost. :weep: 2 hours latter im fiannaly home. Friday. My dad showed me an easier way there that ownly took 15 min's i got there easily. :D i walk and the gaming area is about the size of a school gym about 15 groups line the area, i was so exited but then it hit me how am i going to join a game? :confused: there were little children playing at one table and 30 year olds at another, and every thing in between. i got so nerviose that i can't talk to anyone so i whatched the little children play and i was impressed, so my problem is that i wana join a game but i dont wana intrude on someones game any ideas on how to get in a game or atleast to talk to people? Plz help sorry its so long
GaffeR 09-25-04, 02:31 AM	just go down there with a megaphone and yell: "WHO WANTS THE PRIVILEGE OF MY COMPANY?" lol, but seriously just find some gamers around your age (though the old folks can be fun too) and ask to join. the worst thing that can happen is that they politely say no, and might suggest another group. you could also leave a posting saying that you wanna join a group in the store.. or gaming arena... or whatever. Just leave some contact info. ... i like the megaphone idea though
Harmor 09-25-04, 02:43 AM	lol, but seriously just find some gamers around your age (though the old folks can be fun too) and ask to join.HEY!!! Old guys help MAKE D&D. We've been around a long time and been playing for decades, probably longer than you've been alive boy'o. Anyhow, just goto a group of people and say: "Hey guys, you guys got a spot open?"
GaffeR 09-25-04, 02:58 AM	HEY!!! Old guys help MAKE D&D. We've been around a long time and been playing for decades, probably longer than you've been alive boy'o. i ment i LIKE playing with the older guys from time to time. more mature... well at least when it comes to roleplay :rolleyes:
SnowbearK 09-25-04, 03:34 AM	:rofl: he said "more mature" while referring to us old folks! :D Most game stores that host games as well tend to have regulars who are known to the staff. I suggest politely asking someone on the staff about the situation, if he/she knows anyone who's taking new players, what campaigns are being held, that kind of thing. Strike up a conversation while you make your purchases. That way you don't disturb anyone's game in progress without being able to say something that sounds more courteous than "hey, you got room for one more?", the staffperson will feel like they have an obligation to help you out (as a potential return customer), and you might just make a friend who works at a game store. Worse comes to worst, you find out that the staff there has no clue who anyone is, you fall back to interrupting games, and you still might make a friend who works at a game store.
Incenjucar 09-25-04, 04:32 AM	Get there early, try and help set up if its even a valid thing, and chat with people as they arrive and are waiting for their group to show. It also shows how devoted you are to the game, and gets you points thus.
Escef 09-25-04, 09:03 AM	Indeed, show up early and ask around. Don't be intimidated, gamer geeks only look scary. Once we find out that you're interested in the game we can be some of the friendliest, most helpful people you'll ever meet. For many of us gaming is like a misunderstood, small club. We're always glad to bring someone in or help you find someone else who can if our own table is full, it's like adding to a family. Specifically, see if you can find some form of coordinator of the whole mess, mayhaps they can find a group that would be willing to teach the game to you.
Zherog 09-25-04, 01:00 PM	i left there and got on the high way my home is NORTHBOUND on 80 i some how got on 80 SOUTHBOUND No wonder you got lost! I-80 runs East-West! :P
Darrett 09-25-04, 01:10 PM	I'd never really considered that people would play D&D at a game store... neat. The suggestions above are good, what you can also do is ask one of the players about what's going on in their campaign (During a break, or a time in which the player isn't doing anything). It at least gets you talking to the player, and you can ask if they have any spots open. Likely they'll ask the DM for you at that point.
Lord Nat 09-25-04, 01:24 PM	Do what I do. First look on the Bilbord and if nothing is there do the mega phone idea. Ok ok. Really just call out you are looking for a group. some one is bound to let you in.
Dragon Snack 09-25-04, 08:46 PM	I never bit anyones head off for asking to join my group at the LGS. Of course, that's why I have 7 players in that game now (and it was 8 at one point)... I'll add the suggestion that you should look for the groups with fewer people in them, more possibilities for an opening. Of course, the more people, the more chance the DM is a pushover and will let you join anyway. ;) To be honest though, I have started to turn away players now that I have that many people (just to keep it a "reasonable" size). If you are into minis (you did buy some, right?), look for a group that uses them. If nothing else, it's another reason for you to start up a conversation with someone in the group.
Darrett 09-25-04, 09:16 PM	If you are into minis (you did buy some, right?), look for a group that uses them. If nothing else, it's another reason for you to start up a conversation with someone in the group. Hmm... is it a major faux pas to not have any minis? :D This whole thread is making me feel clueless... I was somewhat surprised hearing that people play D&D in game stores, now it seems I'm a black sheep due to lack of minis. (Unless you count the OLD pewter minis that TSR put out)
Zherog 09-25-04, 10:10 PM	Nah, Darrett. Justin mentioned in his first post he bought some minis. DS was pointing out that this gives him something to converse with somebody about.
Just Justin 09-25-04, 11:22 PM	they sell the pewter or lead miniatures there. the clerk said that they are niceier then the new plastic ones :D
Darrett 09-25-04, 11:40 PM	Nah, Darrett. Justin mentioned in his first post he bought some minis. DS was pointing out that this gives him something to converse with somebody about. Well, that makes me feel better then. I'd say the Pewter ones are nicer; they come unpainted, right? Painting your own is always a good choice. (This comes from a Warhammer player though, so I'm slightly biased.)
GaffeR 09-26-04, 05:39 AM	when i started playin i wondered about needing minis.. and then i played one session. my groups dont use em, have no need for em. sure they look kinda cool, but can someone explain to me the usefulness? :confused: i would guess to keep track of combat squares, but that can be done in ones head