D&D General v3 - Games - Facepunch Forum

[QUOTE=Funktastic Dog;41682442]I disagree, but digitally is still loads of fun. The main thing for me regarding non-digital play is when you're all huddled around a table, it's more like an experience within itself, whereas with digital, it's just the game. Another thing is, due to chat and IM people are less likely to actually roleplay. In my pathfinder group, we have to type everything out, including dialogue (which rats, if you're reading this, is retarded), as opposed to in real life, where we act out our characters with voices and such. Also, with regards to the punching thing, there's an easy remedy for that, don't get crazy angry in your group and don't act like a dickhead.[/QUOTE] From what I've seen, when it comes to virtual people prefer to type everything out cause they don't see themselves as the best with using voice. It feels more awkward and not something that is grown into easily. You'd have to be in physical group and really understand what it's like to use voice and gestures and having people see your face to become situated with roleplaying to that degree. Text is fun because players can take a bit of time to think of what they want to say and include narrative into their posts for flavor. Also, I recall the PF group has decided to type cause they're comfortable with it rather than Rats forcing it upon anyone. And cool kids let people do what makes them comfortable and allows them to have a good time. :dance:

I like text for dialogue so I can make sure to put it how my character would say it, or just add extra fluff. I can't do accents or voices, so that would be a bother for me. But I think I like in person more just because then you are hanging out with friends instead of just being on the computer.

God, I can't find the book for Battlesystem anywhere! It's like it disappeared from the face of the earth, and I need it for a large scale battle I'm cooking up in AD&D! I would use Heroes of Battle, but I'd prefer not to. Help?

So it seems I'll be DMing a game in real life pretty soon (so far I DM'ed one game once over Roll20, that's it). Guys help, what do I do? Improvising, story, and such is my strongpoint. However I'm not quite sure [B]how[/B]. I know not to railroad, use common sense, and I'll probably go more for roleplay than rollplay. However how I do it is another thing. No-one else can do it because I'm the one with the best understanding of rules and the only one that wants to do it. Also what should I have? Rulebook, dices, pen and paper, and DM screen I know. Anything else? [editline]2nd August 2013[/editline] [QUOTE=Newbienice99;41685553]I like text for dialogue so I can make sure to put it how my character would say it, or just add extra fluff. I can't do accents or voices, so that would be a bother for me. But I think I like in person more just because then you are hanging out with friends instead of just being on the computer.[/QUOTE] This is also a problem. I guess I'll narrate like "X says he..." rather than "X exclaims: "..."".

[QUOTE=acds;41685734]So it seems I'll be DMing a game in real life pretty soon (so far I DM'ed one game once over Roll20, that's it). Guys help, what do I do? Improvising, story, and such is my strongpoint. However I'm not quite sure [B]how[/B]. I know not to railroad, use common sense, and I'll probably go more for roleplay than rollplay. However how I do it is another thing. No-one else can do it because I'm the one with the best understanding of rules and the only one that wants to do it. Also what should I have? Rulebook, dices, pen and paper, and DM screen I know. Anything else? [editline]2nd August 2013[/editline] This is also a problem. I guess I'll narrate like "X says he..." rather than "X exclaims: "..."".[/QUOTE] If you intend to do combat you should make a map to use on the table, then use minis (or whatever) for ease of flow and to properly determine where people are. Other than that, you seem to have it down. Just do what you would do on roll20, tell the players where they are, what they experience, and let them lead the way. Your job is mainly to describe the effects of the players choices, not force choices on them. Pushing them along a bit doesn't hurt (A bartender telling stories about a nearby cave having treasure deep in it's depths) but you don't want to, for example, arrest the party then force them through a dungeon with no chance of avoiding arrest.

[QUOTE=Chronische;41685820]If you intend to do combat you should make a map to use on the table, then use minis (or whatever) for ease of flow and to properly determine where people are. Other than that, you seem to have it down. Just do what you would do on roll20, tell the players where they are, what they experience, and let them lead the way. Your job is mainly to describe the effects of the players choices, not force choices on them. Pushing them along a bit doesn't hurt (A bartender telling stories about a nearby cave having treasure deep in it's depths) but you don't want to, for example, arrest the party then force them through a dungeon with no chance of avoiding arrest.[/QUOTE] Yeah I won't do such things unless they waste days in the whorehouse. Also will have to buy a heavy stick for when the neckbeards get agitated and start hitting each-other with cheeto bags.

Is anyone playing a digital game in the near future that has the time for a complete newbie like me? I'd love to try it out and playing with another facepuncher would at least make the experience slightly less awkward as I'd at least semi-know someone.

[QUOTE=Chronische;41685820]. . . [B]then use minis (or whatever)[/B] . . .[/QUOTE] The 'or whatever' is usually cheaper, you can buy [url=http://newbiedm.files.wordpress.com/2010/11/dsc08439-e1289890421286.jpg]cardboard tokens[/url] with images on them. But even then I wouldn't get them until you get more involved in D&D and know it won't be a wasted purchase (AKA, the group will actually stay together, and be fun to play with) Miniatures seem, to me at least, for the players that enjoy painting and customizing miniatures and have a bunch of extra time and money to spend.

[QUOTE=Funktastic Dog;41682442]I disagree, but digitally is still loads of fun. The main thing for me regarding non-digital play is when you're all huddled around a table, it's more like an experience within itself, whereas with digital, it's just the game. Another thing is, due to chat and IM people are less likely to actually roleplay. In my pathfinder group, we have to type everything out, including dialogue (which rats, if you're reading this, is retarded), as opposed to in real life, where we act out our characters with voices and such. Also, with regards to the punching thing, there's an easy remedy for that, don't get crazy angry in your group and don't act like a dickhead.[/QUOTE] Having been to plenty of in-person games, I can tell you that typing is arguably one of the most liberating ways of roleplaying. There are just some characters you can never do right, and typing allows you to not worry about silly accents and intonations in your voice. also, typing allows you to get incredibly detailed with what you want to do, and completely destroys the barrier of character voice and non-character voice, seeing as most of the time you use VOIP for non-character anyhow. also hearing people try and fail at voices is the worst fucking thing, funktastic you remember all the times fausty tried to do that fucking snake voice right [editline]2nd August 2013[/editline] in my honest opinion I think digitally is the best way to do it. in person just leads to a load of giggling at eachother due to how rediculous it all is and unless you're a super mature srs rp group (which NONE of us are), you're defo not gonna get very far by any degree digital gives you just a large enough sense of anonymity to be able to slip into character without worrying "omg do i look like a fucking idiot"

[QUOTE=No Party Hats;41687363]Having been to plenty of in-person games, I can tell you that typing is arguably one of the most liberating ways of roleplaying. There are just some characters you can never do right, and typing allows you to not worry about silly accents and intonations in your voice. also, typing allows you to get incredibly detailed with what you want to do, and completely destroys the barrier of character voice and non-character voice, seeing as most of the time you use VOIP for non-character anyhow. also hearing people try and fail at voices is the worst fucking thing, funktastic you remember all the times fausty tried to do that fucking snake voice right [editline]2nd August 2013[/editline] in my honest opinion I think digitally is the best way to do it. in person just leads to a load of giggling at eachother due to how rediculous it all is and unless you're a super mature srs rp group (which NONE of us are), you're defo not gonna get very far by any degree digital gives you just a large enough sense of anonymity to be able to slip into character without worrying "omg do i look like a fucking idiot"[/QUOTE] Overall it still won't beat a laid-back physical group chilling around the table and having a good time. But virtual is definitely second-best since you get so many people who have distant friends rather than close by. Especially if you plan on doing a decent amount of roleplaying.

I personally find playing online is the only real way to go primarily because I don't live near anyone that runs an RPG.

[QUOTE=Trooper-guy1;41687522]Overall it still won't beat a laid-back physical group chilling around the table and having a good time. But virtual is definitely second-best since you get so many people who have distant friends rather than close by. Especially if you plan on doing a decent amount of roleplaying.[/QUOTE] The way I first got into roleplaying was when my family (parents, myself, and my brothers) would get together and play with their friends, the party was about 9 people big. It was basically an 8 hour long party, and it would take about that long to get through combat. So many people spending only the time AFTER it was their turn to decide what they want to do. Spellcasters are the worst, because they fuck around during everyone else's turns then have to go through their entire spell list, wasting time. Still, it was always a lot of fun, and we kept playing for 12 years on one campaign. Got to super badass levels of awesome on my halfling cleric.

Playing in person: [img]http://i43.tinypic.com/x0o27n.gif[/img] [editline]2nd August 2013[/editline] do what's right. play online

[QUOTE=RearAdmiral;41687642]Playing in person: [img]http://i43.tinypic.com/x0o27n.gif[/img] [editline]2nd August 2013[/editline] do what's right. play online[/QUOTE] I don't see how this reaction would be any different if it was over VOIP.

[QUOTE=Newbienice99;41687668]I don't see how this reaction would be any different if it was over VOIP.[/QUOTE] Because ordering someone to leave the room in person is better than simply kicking them from a mumble room. [editline]2nd August 2013[/editline] also hardcore roleplay [IMG]http://i41.tinypic.com/2mzckxu.gif[/IMG]

[QUOTE=RearAdmiral;41687682] [IMG]http://i41.tinypic.com/2mzckxu.gif[/IMG][/QUOTE] This comic, hahahaha [url]http://www.chick.com/reading/tracts/0046/0046_01.ASP[/url]

[QUOTE=Newbienice99;41689062]This comic, hahahaha [url]http://www.chick.com/reading/tracts/0046/0046_01.ASP[/url][/QUOTE] What a shitty GM. Instant death traps, banishing players rather than telling them to roll one up while they keep going.

Personally I would love to try to playing in real life, it would be easier to play when I don't need to type out everything and I can encorperate more theatrics in my roleplay. Too bad this place is devoid of other RPG players and I'm a shit thespian.

[QUOTE=Newbienice99;41689062]This comic, hahahaha [url]http://www.chick.com/reading/tracts/0046/0046_01.ASP[/url][/QUOTE] this is the true dungeons and dragon experience

[QUOTE=DiscoInferno;41689622]Personally I would love to try to playing in real life, it would be easier to play when I don't need to type out everything and I can encorperate more theatrics in my roleplay. Too bad this place is devoid of other RPG players and I'm a shit thespian.[/QUOTE] There's probably lots of games hosted at game shops if there are any in your area, there's probably one within 20 minutes drive. There always seems to be for me, at least. Your best bet is to read the rules thoroughly so that you understand them, then get your friends to play with you as the DM. From there, if they like it, you can persuade one of them to take over.

A couple of my friends and I were planning on trying D&D (in person), and I was thinking of getting the red box starter set. Is this a good choice? If not, could someone point my way towards a better (but just as affordable) set for a bunch of newbies? Also, I was wondering what a DM cover is for, what does the DM need to hide from the other players?

[QUOTE=supersocko;41690029]A couple of my friends and I were planning on trying D&D (in person), and I was thinking of getting the red box starter set. Is this a good choice? If not, could someone point my way towards a better (but just as affordable) set for a bunch of newbies? Also, I was wondering what a DM cover is for, what does the DM need to hide from the other players?[/QUOTE] I'd recommend NOT 4E, first off. 3.5 is a good start, but pretty complicated. 2E is simple for players, really hard on the GM, and less customization. The DM screen is to hide rolls from the players, and to hide notes and other things. It also often has useful info tables printed on it so that you can look up to see, for example, the Save vs. Polymorph of a 5th level fighter.

[QUOTE=supersocko;41690029]A couple of my friends and I were planning on trying D&D (in person), and I was thinking of getting the red box starter set. Is this a good choice? If not, could someone point my way towards a better (but just as affordable) set for a bunch of newbies? Also, I was wondering what a DM cover is for, what does the DM need to hide from the other players?[/QUOTE] Notes, dice rolls, his face when he thinks up some horrible deathtrap of doom. [editline]2nd August 2013[/editline] u fukkin ninja ass cunt

[QUOTE=Chronische;41689849]There's probably lots of games hosted at game shops if there are any in your area, there's probably one within 20 minutes drive. There always seems to be for me, at least. Your best bet is to read the rules thoroughly so that you understand them, then get your friends to play with you as the DM. From there, if they like it, you can persuade one of them to take over.[/QUOTE] There is no game store near me.

[QUOTE=DiscoInferno;41690141]There is no game store near me.[/QUOTE] :C You're going to have to rope your friends into it then. That's what I ended up doing.

[QUOTE=Chronische;41690150]:C You're going to have to rope your friends into it then. That's what I ended up doing.[/QUOTE] I have no rl friends.

[QUOTE=DiscoInferno;41690199]I have no rl friends.[/QUOTE] :CCCC Now I just feel bad.

[QUOTE=DiscoInferno;41689622]Personally I would love to try to playing in real life, it would be easier to play when I don't need to type out everything and I can encorperate more theatrics in my roleplay. Too bad this place is devoid of other RPG players and I'm a shit thespian.[/QUOTE] I wouldn't want to be seen doing in-character acting/rp stuff in front of other people, it just seems a bit awkward to me.

[QUOTE=Chronische;41690054]I'd recommend NOT 4E, first off. 3.5 is a good start, but pretty complicated. 2E is simple for players, really hard on the GM, and less customization. The DM screen is to hide rolls from the players, and to hide notes and other things. It also often has useful info tables printed on it so that you can look up to see, for example, the Save vs. Polymorph of a 5th level fighter.[/QUOTE] 4E's not bad for newer players, really.

[QUOTE=DiscoInferno;41689622]Personally I would love to try to playing in real life, it would be easier to play when I don't need to type out everything and I can encorperate more theatrics in my roleplay. Too bad this place is devoid of other RPG players and I'm a shit thespian.[/QUOTE] I find text RPGs impossible. Feels like nobody is playing, but nobody wants to do voice either.