Advice on Player Integration [Archive] - Wizards Community

Advice on Player Integration [Archive] - Wizards Community

Post/Author/DateTime Post
Ravenseye
03-09-06, 12:53 PM We have a new player joining our longstanding group in a few days, and we're all excited for the new blood. The rest of us have been playing for quite a while without having a new player jump into the game, so it'll be a new experience. In addition this is a guy who hasn't played since back in the early 1st edition, so he's almost completely unfamiliar with the new system.

I'm not worried about specific rule problems or him not knowing the exact range of a spell. We're all adults, and we're planning on giving him enough support and lack of pressure so that he can pick up the game and have a good time. I'm also going to sit down with him for about an hour before hand, and just do a really quick runthrough on his character, and some basic battlegrid conceptual stuff (yes we use miniatures and like it, damnit! ;) ).

I'm wondering if anyone else has any particular advice on things to do, not do, say, not say. Any particularly good things they should jot down, or such and such. I'm not really worried, I just want to know if anyone else has a simliar experience and if they've found or did anything to make it go less painfully.
KnaveofClubs
03-26-06, 11:16 PM Well, I like to integrate new players in a quest, it gives more roleplaying value. Also don't force the joiners into any particular role, in fact let them choose thier role or play solo missions with some classes to ge the feel of the game. One thing to stay away from is using jargon (words only the educated in 3.5 will know) and inside jokes. Its ok to use a couple of inside jokes or some jargon, but too much will leave the player feeling alienated. You want to welcome the new recruit to your group, so make sure to do other activites also that you usually do with your friends. My group usually plays basketball or X-box.
Twisted Puppy
03-27-06, 10:33 AM It's always nice to have new players join a group. However, the most reasonable and pleasant seeming individual may not end up as a good fit for your group. I'd recommend taking a few sessions to see how well he/she fits in before making any offer to bring them on board as a regular.

Good luck with the new player. :)
ashcat_lt
03-27-06, 12:00 PM You mentioned using minis. If in fact you are talking about the new "official" D&D minis you might try giving up one of your regular sessions and just getting everybody together for a skirmish battle or two. Depending on the size of your group you may have to play teams, or even use more than one map.

I think, though that it will not only give everybody a chance to get to know each other but will also give a crash course on the basics of 3.5 combat. The skirmish game is fun and easy to pick up. I know there are differences in the mechanics, but they are pretty easily explained.

Post/Author/DateTime	Post
Ravenseye 03-09-06, 12:53 PM	We have a new player joining our longstanding group in a few days, and we're all excited for the new blood. The rest of us have been playing for quite a while without having a new player jump into the game, so it'll be a new experience. In addition this is a guy who hasn't played since back in the early 1st edition, so he's almost completely unfamiliar with the new system. I'm not worried about specific rule problems or him not knowing the exact range of a spell. We're all adults, and we're planning on giving him enough support and lack of pressure so that he can pick up the game and have a good time. I'm also going to sit down with him for about an hour before hand, and just do a really quick runthrough on his character, and some basic battlegrid conceptual stuff (yes we use miniatures and like it, damnit! ;) ). I'm wondering if anyone else has any particular advice on things to do, not do, say, not say. Any particularly good things they should jot down, or such and such. I'm not really worried, I just want to know if anyone else has a simliar experience and if they've found or did anything to make it go less painfully.
KnaveofClubs 03-26-06, 11:16 PM	Well, I like to integrate new players in a quest, it gives more roleplaying value. Also don't force the joiners into any particular role, in fact let them choose thier role or play solo missions with some classes to ge the feel of the game. One thing to stay away from is using jargon (words only the educated in 3.5 will know) and inside jokes. Its ok to use a couple of inside jokes or some jargon, but too much will leave the player feeling alienated. You want to welcome the new recruit to your group, so make sure to do other activites also that you usually do with your friends. My group usually plays basketball or X-box.
Twisted Puppy 03-27-06, 10:33 AM	It's always nice to have new players join a group. However, the most reasonable and pleasant seeming individual may not end up as a good fit for your group. I'd recommend taking a few sessions to see how well he/she fits in before making any offer to bring them on board as a regular. Good luck with the new player. :)
ashcat_lt 03-27-06, 12:00 PM	You mentioned using minis. If in fact you are talking about the new "official" D&D minis you might try giving up one of your regular sessions and just getting everybody together for a skirmish battle or two. Depending on the size of your group you may have to play teams, or even use more than one map. I think, though that it will not only give everybody a chance to get to know each other but will also give a crash course on the basics of 3.5 combat. The skirmish game is fun and easy to pick up. I know there are differences in the mechanics, but they are pretty easily explained.