My friend posted a comment at the weekend on this blog that expressed eloquently why they were not enjoying D&D.
I’m sharing here some of those points bought up not to dismiss them but to help others also feeling the same way. Maybe one or two of the points made will resonate with you. I’m also going to mention some things we are trying to see if they make a difference at our next session.
“There are so many different numbers that I’m simply confused. As I’ve mentioned in the past, if it was simply Skill, Stamina and Luck, and perhaps Magic (the classic Fighting Fantasy traits)…”
In D&D there are only six abilities that describe the character. I think what adds to the confusion is the skills. All of a sudden you have 18 additional stats to worry about.
And to be fair looking at the “classic” character sheet (left hand side of the image below) you can see where they are coming from. You can’t as a new player not look at it and be overwhelmed by all the different numbers on it. Particularly the abilities and skills.
So before reinventing the wheel I went looking for a simplified character sheet. And I found one. Here is the link to drivethrurpg for one I found, and sent to my friend to try (right hand side of the image below).
There is an additional simplified page for spells by the same author at that link.
Another thing to try and help with this is covered in the next point.
“I can’t make head or tail of the Player’s Handbook!”
Despite being on it’s 5th Edition the Player’s Handbook can be overwhelming, and not the easiest of things to navigate. Luckily WotC do have an alternative that distils the information needed by a new player to a more less cluttered format in the guise of the Starter Set Rulebook.
On the original post my friend did on bgg about their experience they were given the following advice. Which also ties in with the first point raised.
“…we try to make it easier for a new player by asking them to describe what they would like to do and then the DM walks through the rules for their description.”
Which is a very good suggestion also. One that I will try and do. It will be hard as I’m finding my feet as a DM as well. But it is something I should do.
“I don’t like the role play aspect the same as one or two others really enjoy (I’m not willing to get into character; that’s just not me)…”
I think I’ve said something similar about being a DM and the voices. I’m also on record about how I think internet RPG shows like Critical Roll et al with their professional voice actors, comedians etc give a false impression about what playing a RPG is like for the majority of players. Not only that but false expectations. What they do is provide great entertainment (for a lot of people, I sadly find them hard to watch). Which is their intent.
This wouldn’t be a D&D post if I haven’t mentioned Matt Colville. And his latest (at time of writing) video in his Running the Game series on this subject. I hope this helps folks out there.
My advice play the way that you feel comfortable. Don’t let others influence the way you play. It’s about having fun. Not everyone is into “Roleplay” (me included). That’s the beauty of the an RPG, it allows all types of play.
What advice would you give to these valid points?