Baiting the Hook [Archive] - Wizards Community

Baiting the Hook [Archive] - Wizards Community

Post/Author/DateTime Post
BloodDragon
11-27-06, 11:12 AM Hey there.

I'm not much of a DM but I believe you fine "world crafters" would have a better shot at answering this than other players.

I have a friend, I'd like him to at lest TRY D&D. If he doesn't like it so be it thats his choice. (I'll be sad but I'm not about to force things on people)

He's got a great imagination and he's REALLY fast on his feet when it up to thinking of courses of action. It's why I'd like him to join our adventures, we need someone that doesn't lose his head.

But dispite his cleverness, he says doesn't know if he could handle D&D because the 'Math' scares him... the math of all things.
Additionally he doesn't quite grasp how the game is run. He doesn't understand how one person decides the course of all the NPCs and keeps it fair.
And he's probably scare about the RPing too but that should follow once he gets a few games under his belt.
He's an advid video game player. RPGs being his favourite, not Final Fantasy (Thank god) just RPGs as a whole.

So I'm looking for an adventure hook to help him get into the game, and mabye a easy step by step way to introduce him to the mechanics.

Any help very much appericated. Thanks.
Tharivol_Nailo
11-27-06, 12:03 PM Has he read the core books? If not have him some of the PHB and DMG.
BloodDragon
11-27-06, 04:53 PM That shouldn't be hard, but I'm not sure just shoving a bunch of books at him and telling him to read them is the best approch.
TwiddleStootch
11-27-06, 05:03 PM well I have found that the best way to teach someone a game, DnD or any other, video games included, is to have them play.
Help him roll up a simple character, fighter or barbarian would be best and have him join in. Let him learn the rules as he goes and once he has a good grasp o the game, let that character leave the group and help him make a long-term one.

The only parts of the PHP he needs to read are on his race and class, a few feats and skills and the combat chapter, and then only the things his character can do.

In fewer words, take it slow and let him learn at his own pace.
DarkNick
11-27-06, 05:14 PM well I have found that the best way to teach someone a game, DnD or any other, video games included, is to have them play.
Help him roll up a simple character, fighter or barbarian would be best and have him join in. Let him learn the rules as he goes and once he has a good grasp o the game, let that character leave the group and help him make a long-term one.

The only parts of the PHP he needs to read are on his race and class, a few feats and skills and the combat chapter, and then only the things his character can do.

In fewer words, take it slow and let him learn at his own pace.

I agree with TwiddleStootch. Recommend some choices to him, but let him make the final decisions so he feels like he owns the character. Maybe give him some simple options - would you like an archer like robyn hood or a fighter like conan? - then create a character that matches his idea an walk him through it. Let him learn things as he needs them in the game - tell him not to worry about the mechanics and just think about the character - picture his sword, his size, what he looks like etc.. and just get him to join in the game. He might sit back for awhile and thats cool. there is a lot to take in. Make sure a player is on hand to help.
TwiddleStootch
11-27-06, 05:22 PM Darknick has got it right.
Put together a list of 'Archtypes', Archer like Robin Hood, Warrior like Conan, Axe Fighting Dwarf like Gimley, a Shield and Sword wielding Knight ETC.

And then put together a list of classes, feats, skills and equipment that go with each and let him build his character just from those, so he doesn't have to worry about all the other stuff there is to choose from.
RK)13
11-27-06, 06:31 PM Try inviting him to watch a session. If he enjoys watching, then invite him to try character creation and play in the next session.
Regular_K
11-27-06, 06:37 PM Try inviting him to watch a session. If he enjoys watching, then invite him to try character creation and play in the next session.

No. Do not invite him just to watch. I've watched plenty a session, and trust me, it gets boring FAST!!!:zzz: I mean, I love D&D. I do. It's one of my favorite activities other than acting, but, just watching D&D isn't fun.

I know you asked for an adventure hook to get him to play. I would suggest going to the articles page on Wizards and looking at Steal This Hook! That's the first place I go if I can't think of anything. I know none of my friends come here, and if your friend doesn't even play yet, he'll never know it came from Steal This Hook.
LiefKarakse
11-27-06, 06:41 PM he says doesn't know if he could handle D&D because the 'Math' scares him... the math of all things.

well really for players the math part is very simplistic just basic addition, subtraction, multiplacation, etc. and if that is what he is most scared of show him the easy-ness of the math and try and show him what all he could do with his character.
hope that helps
Regular_K
11-27-06, 06:42 PM Yeah, there's not even any division, and very little Multiplication and subtraction.
LiefKarakse
11-27-06, 06:44 PM indeed
RK)13
11-27-06, 07:05 PM No. Do not invite him just to watch. I've watched plenty a session, and trust me, it gets boring FAST!!!:zzz: I mean, I love D&D. I do. It's one of my favorite activities other than acting, but, just watching D&D isn't fun.

True, it can be boring, but the Math is what scares him away from D&D, so showing him that there isn't much math beyond basic addition and subtraction may help allieve his fears.

Afraid of the math probably isn't the real reason, anyway. By saying that, it gives your friend a way of saying that he doesn't want to appear foolish by not knowing what to do and such. Its performance anxiety. He is afraid that he will show up, not know what to do, and will be made fun of for it. By allowing him to see what goes on in a normal session, it allows him to see that people that play D&D are usually foolish, which is what makes it fun.

There is also the possibility that your friend really doesn't want to play D&D, and is using math as a convenient excuse without hurting your feelings. In some circles, there is still a social stigma attached to being a D&D-er, and maybe your friend has been influenced by this. An invite to session is a non-threatening way of showing that most D&Ders are just slightly off, not clutched in the grips of el diablo.:D
Messer
11-27-06, 08:01 PM In my experience, and this is the good part.

You get new peple to play by walking them through charactor creation, I usually get the whole group involved so that, in the end, the player feel comfortable with all the people.... anyways....

From that point on, I give them examples of 'pose' type sentences, and we start DnD.... I leave all the math out of it, and they pick it up.

I turned a guy who played Playstation Non-stop to a dude who can't anymore because "there aren't as many cool options as RP"

so, (I also live in a strange place with many new comers to the game who are really worried about the geekyness factors) all things put aside, the new players who are intimidated usually make thier bluff check, roll with the punches a while, and start to enjoy adding "Profession, Actor" to thier personal stat sheet....

BTW, never, and I mean never play the rules lawyer 'uber-geek' ... never quote the rules unless you have opened the book to them, and dont every show that you know anything in your head that isn't in the book right in front of you... this is the 'geek factor....'

Post/Author/DateTime	Post
BloodDragon 11-27-06, 11:12 AM	Hey there. I'm not much of a DM but I believe you fine "world crafters" would have a better shot at answering this than other players. I have a friend, I'd like him to at lest TRY D&D. If he doesn't like it so be it thats his choice. (I'll be sad but I'm not about to force things on people) He's got a great imagination and he's REALLY fast on his feet when it up to thinking of courses of action. It's why I'd like him to join our adventures, we need someone that doesn't lose his head. But dispite his cleverness, he says doesn't know if he could handle D&D because the 'Math' scares him... the math of all things. Additionally he doesn't quite grasp how the game is run. He doesn't understand how one person decides the course of all the NPCs and keeps it fair. And he's probably scare about the RPing too but that should follow once he gets a few games under his belt. He's an advid video game player. RPGs being his favourite, not Final Fantasy (Thank god) just RPGs as a whole. So I'm looking for an adventure hook to help him get into the game, and mabye a easy step by step way to introduce him to the mechanics. Any help very much appericated. Thanks.
Tharivol_Nailo 11-27-06, 12:03 PM	Has he read the core books? If not have him some of the PHB and DMG.
BloodDragon 11-27-06, 04:53 PM	That shouldn't be hard, but I'm not sure just shoving a bunch of books at him and telling him to read them is the best approch.
TwiddleStootch 11-27-06, 05:03 PM	well I have found that the best way to teach someone a game, DnD or any other, video games included, is to have them play. Help him roll up a simple character, fighter or barbarian would be best and have him join in. Let him learn the rules as he goes and once he has a good grasp o the game, let that character leave the group and help him make a long-term one. The only parts of the PHP he needs to read are on his race and class, a few feats and skills and the combat chapter, and then only the things his character can do. In fewer words, take it slow and let him learn at his own pace.
DarkNick 11-27-06, 05:14 PM	well I have found that the best way to teach someone a game, DnD or any other, video games included, is to have them play. Help him roll up a simple character, fighter or barbarian would be best and have him join in. Let him learn the rules as he goes and once he has a good grasp o the game, let that character leave the group and help him make a long-term one. The only parts of the PHP he needs to read are on his race and class, a few feats and skills and the combat chapter, and then only the things his character can do. In fewer words, take it slow and let him learn at his own pace. I agree with TwiddleStootch. Recommend some choices to him, but let him make the final decisions so he feels like he owns the character. Maybe give him some simple options - would you like an archer like robyn hood or a fighter like conan? - then create a character that matches his idea an walk him through it. Let him learn things as he needs them in the game - tell him not to worry about the mechanics and just think about the character - picture his sword, his size, what he looks like etc.. and just get him to join in the game. He might sit back for awhile and thats cool. there is a lot to take in. Make sure a player is on hand to help.
TwiddleStootch 11-27-06, 05:22 PM	Darknick has got it right. Put together a list of 'Archtypes', Archer like Robin Hood, Warrior like Conan, Axe Fighting Dwarf like Gimley, a Shield and Sword wielding Knight ETC. And then put together a list of classes, feats, skills and equipment that go with each and let him build his character just from those, so he doesn't have to worry about all the other stuff there is to choose from.
RK)13 11-27-06, 06:31 PM	Try inviting him to watch a session. If he enjoys watching, then invite him to try character creation and play in the next session.
Regular_K 11-27-06, 06:37 PM	Try inviting him to watch a session. If he enjoys watching, then invite him to try character creation and play in the next session. No. Do not invite him just to watch. I've watched plenty a session, and trust me, it gets boring FAST!!!:zzz: I mean, I love D&D. I do. It's one of my favorite activities other than acting, but, just watching D&D isn't fun. I know you asked for an adventure hook to get him to play. I would suggest going to the articles page on Wizards and looking at Steal This Hook! That's the first place I go if I can't think of anything. I know none of my friends come here, and if your friend doesn't even play yet, he'll never know it came from Steal This Hook.
LiefKarakse 11-27-06, 06:41 PM	he says doesn't know if he could handle D&D because the 'Math' scares him... the math of all things. well really for players the math part is very simplistic just basic addition, subtraction, multiplacation, etc. and if that is what he is most scared of show him the easy-ness of the math and try and show him what all he could do with his character. hope that helps
Regular_K 11-27-06, 06:42 PM	Yeah, there's not even any division, and very little Multiplication and subtraction.
LiefKarakse 11-27-06, 06:44 PM	indeed
RK)13 11-27-06, 07:05 PM	No. Do not invite him just to watch. I've watched plenty a session, and trust me, it gets boring FAST!!!:zzz: I mean, I love D&D. I do. It's one of my favorite activities other than acting, but, just watching D&D isn't fun. True, it can be boring, but the Math is what scares him away from D&D, so showing him that there isn't much math beyond basic addition and subtraction may help allieve his fears. Afraid of the math probably isn't the real reason, anyway. By saying that, it gives your friend a way of saying that he doesn't want to appear foolish by not knowing what to do and such. Its performance anxiety. He is afraid that he will show up, not know what to do, and will be made fun of for it. By allowing him to see what goes on in a normal session, it allows him to see that people that play D&D are usually foolish, which is what makes it fun. There is also the possibility that your friend really doesn't want to play D&D, and is using math as a convenient excuse without hurting your feelings. In some circles, there is still a social stigma attached to being a D&D-er, and maybe your friend has been influenced by this. An invite to session is a non-threatening way of showing that most D&Ders are just slightly off, not clutched in the grips of el diablo.:D
Messer 11-27-06, 08:01 PM	In my experience, and this is the good part. You get new peple to play by walking them through charactor creation, I usually get the whole group involved so that, in the end, the player feel comfortable with all the people.... anyways.... From that point on, I give them examples of 'pose' type sentences, and we start DnD.... I leave all the math out of it, and they pick it up. I turned a guy who played Playstation Non-stop to a dude who can't anymore because "there aren't as many cool options as RP" so, (I also live in a strange place with many new comers to the game who are really worried about the geekyness factors) all things put aside, the new players who are intimidated usually make thier bluff check, roll with the punches a while, and start to enjoy adding "Profession, Actor" to thier personal stat sheet.... BTW, never, and I mean never play the rules lawyer 'uber-geek' ... never quote the rules unless you have opened the book to them, and dont every show that you know anything in your head that isn't in the book right in front of you... this is the 'geek factor....'