Post/Author/DateTime	Post
#1 DM1757 Sep 30, 2014 7:25:29	So I play d&d with my brother sometimes, but I DM and he is the only player. I love the game, but my friends aren't too motivated to play. Is there any way I could explain the game to them or talk to them so that they would want to set up a gaming group? They seem to be a little confused and don't know much about the game and that is making them leery to start playing.
#2 AaronOfBarbaria Sep 30, 2014 8:14:31	You say something like "Hey guys, want to play some D&D?" and you answer any concerns they express in the most positive way that you can (i.e. don't get sad or angry if they aren't immediately into it, or are unwilling to try it out at all).   Let them know that it isn't actually all that hard, it's easiest learned by playing it, and it doesn't matter if somebody goofs up a bit because its just a game.   Then, walk them through whatever it takes to get them ready (i suggest using the quick build suggestions, if not putting together an assortment of pregenerated characters that they can select from).   In my experience, all it takes to get people to try out games is to sound like you genuinely believe they'll enjoy it, and super confident that you know what you are doing well enough that they don't need to know anything at all.
#3 DM1757 Sep 30, 2014 8:30:24	Okidoke thank you very much!
#4 Timborama Sep 30, 2014 13:23:12	Have a friend Be a friend Bring a friend to DnD   It's the simplest way, really!   Edit: (also, handling the majority of the rules yourself is a BIG help. If they like it, they'll take up more rules as time goes on. Starting simple with "Describe what you wanna do, I ask you to make a roll, then you roll a d20, look on your sheet, and gimme a total number." Albeit, phrased more elequently, but still concisely!)
#5 Yunru Sep 30, 2014 14:10:46	Hire them each an escort if they do. Have the escorts play too :P
#6 Direach Sep 30, 2014 14:16:31	Especially with new players, try to say "yes" to what they want to do, or work with them to find a way to accomplish it. If you have to say "no" to something, explain why, and offer alternatives. It's easy for new players to get frustrated with the rules, or feel self-conscious about actually roleplaying a character; those are normal things, and can be gotten past with time and patience.   Generally, a straightforward "beat the bad guys" adventure is a good way to start things off for new people. Good people are in danger, bad monsters are threatening them, players have to go to the bad monster base and clear them out. Leave the grey area stuff (the "good people" moved into the monsters' territory and violently evicted them, the monsters are trying to get their ancestral land back) for later. When players get a few clear-cut victories under their belt, their confidence increases, they're having fun, and they'll be back for more.   I used to work with a bunch of gals, all of whom were very beautiful, and none of whom you would think would be interested in roleplaying. My "secret hobby" was eventually exposed, and even though they thought it was funny at first, they agreed to participate in a game for the hell of it. It was the only all-female game I've DMed (excepting myself), and while it was not necessarily MY idea of a superb game, they all had a lot of fun with it. None of them ended up being regular players, but they all ended up being good friends of mine, and that's as good a second prize as anyone could hope for!
(Reply to #5) AaronOfBarbaria	Yunru wrote:
#8 Gerard_Lee Sep 30, 2014 20:09:31	AaronOfBarbaria wrote:
(Reply to #8) AaronOfBarbaria	Gerard_Lee wrote:
(Reply to #6) Timborama	Direach wrote:
#11 Redbeard2 Oct 01, 2014 7:08:24	DM1757 wrote: