Post/Author/DateTime	Post
Alneair 04-10-07, 07:32 PM	I haven’t played D&D in sometime, but I came across my D&D books and some old modules and decided I’d try and play again. My first problem was finding people who might actually be interested in playing; suffice to say I have one or two people willing to humor me (among them my significant other – but that’s a thread in itself). I have a friend who has had minimal experiencing DMing, but would be willing to run something simple like the Sunless Citadel Module. The party may consist of 3 (or possible only 2 – see humoring me above) and we’re just looking for some good clean fun for a few evenings. I’m by far the most experienced (perhaps even only experienced) player of the group I’m trying to pull together and I’m worried about group dynamics between me, a inexperienced DM, and players who are inexperienced as well. I want to really stress role-playing and character interaction, and I’m trying to think of a way that I can still use my previous experience while not dominating the game. I initially had thought that playing a somewhat guilty army deserter (fighter) hesitant to interact with local authorizes and with a somewhat mysterious past would be both a both interesting role-playing spring board and possible provide the DM with room to add in more material. However I’m wondering if I should be saving the fighter role for newer players, as strong melee and role-playing experience might make me too dominate in game. Any suggestions on picking a character that fits well with newer players?
Daydreamer 04-10-07, 07:41 PM	Definately save the combat heavy roles for new players. If your indulding people are not the religious fearful type might i suggest you play a cleric of Pelor or something. Introduce them to idea of roleplaying by displaying passion and depth on this realm, also be supportive in combat and versatile so you can compensate for them. Obviously dont play the over the top or dogmatic type of priest. Defiantely save the figther for someone new, the smashing things and they fall down attracks alot of new players to d&D.
Prator_the_Legendary 04-10-07, 07:43 PM	Play a bard. You won't outshine the newbies (thus making them feel like crap), but bards are excellent characters for training other people, as they can serve as an example for any kind of party role. They can do a little bit of everything, and they also make excellent party leaders thanks to the charisma that is their trademark. I think they're easy to roleplay, too, but that's just me, and it really depends on how you make your bard.
Alneair 04-10-07, 07:46 PM	That was my initial thought, but then I wondered if they are inexperienced in RPing maybe the added level of spells might make things more interesting - the sort of 'oh what can i do with these' sort of things, as opposed to feeling limited in being introduced to a fantasy environment where you are limited to interacting in only mundane ways.
Zankue 04-10-07, 07:47 PM	Well... if you're the only experienced person, I really think you should be the DM. That way you're in charge of the rules and can prompt role playing by having NPC's come up to the until the players do it themselves.
Mystic Theurge 04-10-07, 07:48 PM	Personally, I would select a character that is more of a support role, perhaps a Bard even. As for playing with inexperienced gamers, I would suggest stressing fun more than anything. Roleplaying and character interraction is fine, but I suspect what they really wanna know is what the big deal with D&D is. Chances are, I don't think you're going to be blowing any socks off unless there's something in it to make it fun. I wouldn't stress rules a whole lot. The reason why I suggest the Bard is that new players are going to be looking to you for leadership. With a bard, I think you could gently guide new players without making it seem like you are the one playing them. I would definitely ask what sort of character (in books, movies, whatever) they find fascinating and try to tailor a character off of that. After that, I would suggest introducing rules very slowly. Ask a player what they want to do in a situation and run with it. I think new players get intimidated with actions because they don't really know what they can or can't do according to the rules. In fact, I would suggest throwing the phrase "you can't do that" out of your vocabulary for a while.
Dazzer 04-10-07, 08:01 PM	Alright, I'll try and give advice (but remember, that's all it is, I'm not telling you to do anything!) Here's how I think it should run, Firstly, ask the new people what they would like to play! If you get an answer like "I want to play a really cool mage type!" DO NOT suggest wizard. Suggest Sorceror. They have limited spells, so the player doesn't have to remember all the spells, just the ones they know. You could even write them down on cue-cards since they really don't have many at that level. Fighter's are good, simple, easy. Give that to someone who will have a hard time with the rules, and wants to play something simple. As for role-play elements, he doesn't have many charisma based skills, but suggest that he takes ranks in say ride, or handle animal, and that he plays an animal liking fighter (since they do have those skills!) Bard is a good choice for the experienced player, as it mixes skills, with some limited combat ability, and best of all...party wide buffs. Sing alot, choose only spells like haste, and things that you cast on OTHERS to make THEM better. As for socialising, max out your social skills like bluff and diplomacy, and show people what it's like to do well at those things. BUT! You don't want to outshine people, so instead of sending you up against every talking encounter, play your bard in a way that makes him think this "Well I did it last time, so it's your turn...sorceror" and let them get in on it even if they aren't good Good simple classes are Fighter, Sorceror, Favoured Soul (as opposed to cleric). I realise that some of those have spellcasting, but spellcasting although a bit complicated in comparison to fighting, can add to the whole experience, and it teaches people alot of things. Besides, once the fighter starts tripping, disarming, grappling (oh dear...) and using anything but the standard Hit vs. AC followed by damage. It becomes a little more complex (but still pretty simple!) Have fun, Don't get discouraged! The key-rule is to ask them what they want to play, and once they've decided, pick something that compliments them but doesn't over-ride. Let them look at the descriptions to the classes (but not the abilities!! If you want to emphasis role-play, only let them read descriptions until they choose, then let them know what they can in-game do). Sorc is good, it is charisma based, gets bluff (you could easily give it diplomacy for free, or gather information!) Bend the rules, the sorc is supposed to be charismatic, give him some more charisma based skills! Thing to remember, Rules are Tools, they aren't law! If you think role-playing should be an aspect and someone wants to play a smart fighter, allow him to take some int based things like knowledges...why not. Have fun!
FntsyWlkr 04-11-07, 11:22 AM	I say, if you're trying to sell this to newbies; sell the fun. My suggestions: > play a "stereotypical", drunken, brash, dwarf cleric. You can still tank and heal while other people see the fun sides of it. Play up the personality a lot, and highlight the fact that you can take a lot of damage. > play the aristocrat, outlandish, flamboyant mage with his overly spoiled familiar. > play the huge dumb half-orc barbarian, who likes to jump into the middle of things. People will take their cues off of you. I wouldn't expect them to develop too much of a character for the first session until they A) feel safe enough to play a character B) see how fun it is to play an outlandish character. Now, we've all seen these characters played into the ground ... but there's a reason why they're classics. And newibes haven't seen them yet so they can discover all the fun of being such an eccentric character!
Man in the Funny Hat 04-11-07, 01:43 PM	I initially had thought that playing a somewhat guilty army deserter (fighter) hesitant to interact with local authorizes and with a somewhat mysterious past would be both a both interesting role-playing spring board and possible provide the DM with room to add in more material. However I’m wondering if I should be saving the fighter role for newer players, as strong melee and role-playing experience might make me too dominate in game. Any suggestions on picking a character that fits well with newer players?You're probably right about picking a combat-heavy, combat-dominating class. Try to leave that for the newbs so that they have their moments to shine. But don't limit your characters interactivity - REVEL in it. Show the other players that the fun of the game doesn't rely on having fat combat stats, or at least not all of it :). Pick a weak class. Bard. Monk. Stick to the PH classes and races. Don't even look at a prestige class and avoid multiclassing. But LIVE for roleplaying your PC. Actually, except for not avoiding combat-dominators as a matter of course, that is how I play anyway.
Harkle 04-11-07, 01:58 PM	Definitly play a bard. I've never had more fun being usless. You'll get lots of chances the show off roleplaying (I never rolled a dice without at least some minimal ammount of RP as a Bard) and the rest of the party gets to really shine because no matter what your character does ingame the rest of the party will probably be doing it better. Plus it will allow you to fill in for or help support any role that the party is lacking in. You could also encourage roleplaying by having the Bard force shy players to overcome thier fear of RPing by making them take the lead in a conversation.
Cariyaga 04-11-07, 05:54 PM	Whoa, whoa. Did you just say that a monk sucks? Sure, they aren't the best at your first levels, but by level 10, they could beat a level 10 fighter, easily.
Cifer 04-11-07, 09:06 PM	Whoa, whoa. Did you just say that a monk sucks? Sure, they aren't the best at your first levels, but by level 10, they could beat a level 10 fighter, easily. By level 10, almost everything could beat a level 10 fighter as long as both are on the same level of optimization. That's what people complain about for a long, long time. However, I'd go along with others here: Play a supporter. That can be a bard, that can be a transmutation wizard (I haven't seen a fighter that doesn't kiss one's feet for Enlarge Person) or a cleric. Just don't become too active in combat until the others are convinced they too can be decisive. Oh, and remind them of the bonuses you grant them - I know they're quite easy to forget sometimes.
Sphyre 04-11-07, 10:39 PM	Play a bard. You won't outshine the newbies (thus making them feel like crap), but bards are excellent characters for training other people, as they can serve as an example for any kind of party role. They can do a little bit of everything, and they also make excellent party leaders thanks to the charisma that is their trademark. I think they're easy to roleplay, too, but that's just me, and it really depends on how you make your bard. I'd have to disagree with this. If you're experienced and everyone else is new, the bard will totally dominate the game. You'll fight nearly as well as the fighter due to your experience in the game. You'll heal just as well as a cleric or druid would due to your experience of knowing when to heal. You'll sneak just as well as the rogue due to your experience. You'll be able to do every role just as well, or better than the classes that specialize in them as a bard. Why? Because you'll know what to do. While the numbers aren't as high as a specialist, who's to say the new players will know to max out what they need to max out? While it is completely upto how inexperienced the other players are, and how experienced you are, the bard has the potential to be the most game-dominating class due to it's jack of all tradeness not requiring another class to fill a role it can at can do. Then again, if you play your cards right, you can help everyone with their roles, so when the opportunity for the rogue to go sneak somewhere, you can go with him/her and give your input too.
danielinthewolvesden 04-12-07, 03:38 AM	Dragon Shaman. Cool RPing, fun and a super-support PC. Can keep those newbies alive with his fast healing.