Archived Hey /v/RPG. I've never really played any kind of RPG, and I'd really like to start. (RPG)
submitted ago by Slug
Posted by: Slug
Posting time: 6.2 years ago on
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Archived on: 2/12/2017 1:51:00 AM
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Archived Hey /v/RPG. I've never really played any kind of RPG, and I'd really like to start. (RPG)
submitted ago by Slug
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[–] im_back 0 points 1 point 1 point (+1|-0) ago (edited ago)
I would play face-to-face if at all possible. Even if you are tech-savvy, all of your players may not be. If they can't receive a file, the internet drops, etc. -- it can spoil the fun. So your siblings would be a great resource. Plus, you can learn the rules, make mistakes, and have fun together.
If online is your only choice, Roll20 is a site where you can play games online, although for beginners, skype or Google Hangouts might be easier (if you're confortabke with Google Docs, you could share maps etc.)
Whoaverse needs a LFG (looking for group) subverse, but as it's small, that may not be feasible yet.
There are a plethora of inexpensive games you really only need some polyhedral dice (example), paper, pencils, and maybe a calculator.
I started back in 1979 with a the first Basic D&D box. It's simpler than modern D&D, although from what I've seen, the latest edition looks very approachable from a new player's perspective. You could check out the games for yourself and make your own decision. You can download what WOTC has graciously offered and check out 5e:
No game store required. If you can go here on the Internet, presumably, you can go there.
Whether you like 5e or not, you may want a change of pace:
If it helps, you can visit SRD sites (System Reference Documents - all words and [few to] no pictures, but you get the "meat" of the game system) and get some games rules. Example:
http://www.d20pfsrd.com/ Pathfinder, a clone of third edition, and a very popular game at the moment.
http://www.dungeonworldsrd.com/ Dungeon World - Less tactics, more storytelling. Plays like a book.
http://www.traveller-srd.com/ Traveller - Science Fiction
http://www.d20swsrd.com/ Swords & Wizardry
http://opend6.wikidot.com/ d6 System
and some sites allow a game to be downloaded legally:
http://www.dungeonslayers.com/ Dungeon Slayers - A German game translated into English. You can download the game (as published). The forums are helpful.
http://goblinoidgames.com/labyrinthlord.html Labyrinth Lord - A clone of Moldvay Basic and Expert D&D. With the Advanced Edition Companion, it plays mostly like first edition Dungeons & Dragons, and with Mutant Future, play is like the Post Apocalyptic fantasy game Gamma World. LL, AEC, and MF are all free downloads that contain no artwork.
http://basicfantasy.org/index.html Basic Fantasy. A re-envisioned Basic.
http://www.knights-n-knaves.com/osric/ OSRIC - a clone of first edition AD&D
http://talislanta.com/?page_id=5 Talislanta. A game system that's out of print, but the downloads are beautiful.
http://www.gratisgames.webspace.virginmedia.com/ Dark Dungeons, a clone of the Rules Companion D&D
There's new games and you don't need a local store to try them (and your GM/Players can get copies of the rules).
You don't have adventures, well for Old School Games (OSRIC, Labyrinth Lord, etc), you can visit:
And some games have downloadable adventures (such as the Talislanta site and Basic Fantasy RPG).
In fact, why stop at the few above? Here's a list of 500:
Some games won't be your cup of tea, but if you've got a rules set that you enjoy -- that's all you really need.
[–] Slug [S] 0 points 1 point 1 point (+1|-0) ago
Wow, what an informative, well constructed answer! I'll definitely be looking into Roll20, and the pen and paper games. I am really excited to start playing. Thanks for putting so much time into this!