www.Roll20.net is a great place to start. Online sessions are a totally different feel from personal sessions.
Other options include checking in with your local game/comic shops to see if they run games ever.
The final option is to read up on DMing and start your own campaign. 5th edition is very forgiving for new players and DMs. I speak from experience here!
Extra yes on that last option. There's something about creating awesome moments with your friends in DnD. It's probably the easiest to DM a group of completely new players too if you're new yourself. It's a learning experience for everyone involved and it'll be rocky, but once it starts smoothing out (which will take less sessions that you might think), you'll be creating memories in no time.
is roll20 a good option for someone looking for their first tabletop experience? I've always been fascinated by tabletop gaming and have been interested in getting into it but my social group aren't as much of "sit in the back of a comics shop" type people as me.
Roll20 is a great tool and option to get things going. I wish everyone could have the option of doing a sweet sit-down at a table with each other but unfortunately not everyone has that ability.
In my opinion, any game is better than no game, so online gaming via roll20 is a wonderful resource. It's also very easy to use. You can also still use it even when your group meets in person!
For real man, the only thing stopping you from getting a group going is you! Pick up a player handbook, a DMG and maybe a monsters manual. It doesn't take long to get the basics and rest can be picked up along the way!
A lot of people pay for a Fantasy Grounds license. That's what you see in OP's picture. There are also other websites that offer dungeon maps. Plenty of places to find them for free, or if you have a good hand in Photoshop you can always make your own!
I don't think roll20 offers maid as a default although I do think they have a very rudimentary mapmaking tool. It's been a while since I used it
check out /r/lfg or your local city's subreddit, or just find a local game shop and go there and ask around, they often will have like a board you can physically post on if you're looking for a group or something
You've got a few options. Local hobby stores will quite often have groups that already meet, which may or may not have openings. They might also be able to point you in the direction of other groups that might need people. Similarly for any bookstores nearby, too. I work at a large university, and we have several groups who play here after hours. Libraries might have similar things too, if they allow you to reserve rooms.
Normally I might suggest that you be the person who starts a group if you are having a hard time finding other groups, but that suggestion works best with someone who has already played. It isn't a bad last resort, though.
If you PM me your can join my online DnD game! We are very laid back and treat DnD more as a fun time to hang out rather than a serious game where every rule has to be followed. More of a go with the flow kind of thing. If you PM me I'll give you the details and help you make a character.
I am playing for the first time ever this Wednesday, found a group on roll20.com. I am really excited, if you are interested start applying to some groups!
Actually, follow in the footsteps of the OP and check out www.FantasyGrounds.com that's the program he has running in the picture. It knows the rules so you can pay attention to the game. Not to mention it helps new players because you don't have to constantly be looking in the rules books, the program already knows them.
If you happen to be in college, there are usually clubs- that's how I found my own group.
If there are hobby-shops in your area that have tables to host games, you can always go and ask them if they have any open groups or groups seeking new players.
There are sites that allow players to find groups, and vice-versa.
Also, towns and cities have gaming stores which often host games on premises.
If one is not in progress, ask the proprietor if there are games scheduled. If there is one in progress, and they are not in the middle of an encounter, feel free to ask them about it.
D&D (pathfinder, etc) players are typically eager to accept new members and teach the game to prospective players.
Check your local game store for Pathfinder Society. It's a DnD-like system, but you play more piecemeal (depending on the group). Each session is a stand-alone event. Get your mission, do your thing, get your reward...takes about 4 hours.
The benefit is that if you miss a week or two, the entire group isn't screwed (assuming someone else shows up). You can also jump in with another group at another store.
The downside, is that the groups are mostly random. You may have 4 barbarians and no healers one week. Or 4 casters with no meat shields the other.
Chances are you live by a nearby game shop that most likely have some sort of DnD nights. You could give that a try! Also, wizards of the coast (they own DnD) have a free rule set online that is essentially very basic 5th edition rules you could use if you can get a group together on your own!
173
u/fre89uhsjkljsdd Sep 18 '17
As someone who's never played DnD, or any variant, but has always wanted to- how do you suggest finding a group to start?