Almost everybody plays games.Jason Carl, Brand Marketing Manager for the World of Darkness.
This guides meant to take you from zero knowledge (what is Dungeons and Dragons?)
to ready to roll some dice without wasting any of your time or money.
Tabletop RPGs can be an expensive hobby.
Even most starter kits run about $20.
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Just because everyone likes The Lord of The Rings doesnt mean you will.
In this case, the big dog in the TTRPG world isDungeons and Dragons.
But if fighting goblins with swords and magic isnt your thing that world might not appeal to you.
Maybe youd prefer the sci-fi world ofCyberpunk 2020or the modern horror ofVampire: The Masquerade.
Every gaming universe has its own flavor and parameters.
The biggest consideration for me, when it comes to a TTRGP, is its setting.
But the world is amazing.
Its set in the World of Darkness, a monster-filled reflection of the real world.
You wont spend much time fighting goblins and hunting down +1 swords of destruction in this game.
Instead, youll likely become embroiled in vampire politics and the internal struggle for your own humanity.
3:Dungeons and Dragons
This ones a given.
But D&D doesnt have one specific setting.
Its actually comprised of several campaign configs, that players and Dungeon Masters can choose from.
For the most part, they exist separately due to different types of rules and scope of adventure.
If none of those strike your fancy, Id suggest heading over toDriveThruRPGand checking outthis page.
Its the landing spot for Core Rule Books.
However, I recommend against impulse purchases until youve finished this article.
Step Two: But is it fun?
Just like video gamers stream their games, these days TTRPGers often stream theirs.
Both are linked above in YouTube videos.
I got you covered.
First, you oughta get the freeD&D Basic Rule Set.
Next you need a dice-rolling app.
Yep, thats right: you’re free to roll RPG dice right in the Google Search box.
Next you need character sheets.
If those dont come in the starter kit youve obtained, you might usually find them on Google.
Also, keep in mind, most RPG makers have these kinds of resources available directly on their website.
Next you need people to play with.
Which, all things considered, isnt as hard as you might think.
If you know people who want to play in person: great.
Again, Googles your friend, but you’re able to also find groups on social media.
And thats basically it.
Step Three: Play time?
And that means youll be the one convincing everyone else to give these games a try.
Ive found that you get to pretend to be a wizard and kill goblins doesnt always work on everyone.
The low-hanging fruit is always great.
But what if theyre just really into sports, or they only read non-fiction books?
Well, theres a game for them too.
My favorite RPGs of 2020 arent listed above because they arent TTRPGs.
Theyre video games, and they arent even in the RPG genre.
Im talking about Madden 2021 and UFC 4.
Last yearmy favorite RPG was NBA2K20.
In other words: You roll up a character and control their lives on and off the field.
Either one of these games could easily be represented in tabletop rules.
And, if they were, you couldreallyfind out who your athlete was.
But in your version, maybe everyone would have cybernetic legs or telescopic vision.
If you ask me, a TTRPG is to a video game what a book is to a movie.
And thats especially true when its a collaborative social experience.
The bottom line is: everyone plays games and theres a game out there for everyone.
