Getting Into Table Top Gaming

Broseidon

This is my first post on the Penny Arcade forums, so hey.

But, if anyone would so kindly give me some pointers on how to get into table-top gaming. I have other geek friends, but they're close minded and only play PC/Console games and think table-top gaming isn't there thing. So, without having a group for starting a game of D&D or a game like that would any of you have any suggestions in ways of finding players to play with.

Thanks.

Hahnsoo1

Unfortunately, most people get into Tabletop games through their friends, generally at a time when they have a lot of disposable free time. Which games are you interested in? Board games like Arkham Horror? Card games like Magic: the Gathering or Munchkin? Role-playing games like Dungeons and Dragons (which can be further split into Hack and Slash miniatures play and more freeform systems/styles)? Miniatures games like Warhammer?

Location is quite important. It's harder to find gaming groups in rural areas, for example, but it's relatively easy to find gaming groups in The Bay Area. You probably want to state where you live so people can give more accurate advice for particular areas.

You can also entice your friends with a pick-up fun board game or card game. Just getting people around the table is often enough to promote a serious discussion of doing more tabletop gaming. Things like Betrayal at the House on the Hill or Castle Ravenloft can really pique their interest. Or maybe Munchkin or Fluxx card games are more their speed (cheaper on the wallet, too).

Finding a group to play with often involves going into your friendly local gaming store (often abbreviated to FLGS) and looking on the bulletin board. You may not find exactly the game that you want to play, but in my experience, all of the posted groups are quite friendly and receptive to new people who want to learn. They typically meet at regular times, so you may have to try to squeeze your schedule to fit their posted time.

There are websites that assist with meeting other gamers. Places like meetup.com and nearbygamers.com. These can be spotty at best, but it's worth a shot if all else fails.

Broseidon

Thanks for the reply.

I live in Los Angeles County, and I'm a high school student. I've played MTG: Planeswalkers on XBLA and enjoyed that. And probably something like D&D because it seems to be the most popular and maybe easier to get into.

stever777

...or join in here! It's not exactly like face-to-face gaming but it ain't bad. Good group of people and a pretty good selection of games & well-run. Even as a noob to any particular game, you get pretty good support and info on how things go.
(Just don't edit a post in a Phalla game! Ouch!)
:?

MaxFrost

There seems to be a lack of games starting up though. I think the forum stability may be causing it, or people are trying to wrap up other games.

the truthseeker

Stupid-type question (regarding being new to the forums but not PbP gaming) but, is there a location that lists recruiting for games advertised? I see the games but they seem all meched together with IC, OOC and (currently closed) recruiting.

TheSuperWoot

I think your best bet would be playing a simple board game. D&D may be popular but it also requires a good DM to run everything smoothly and make the game interesting. I recently got a group of friends into Eurogaming by playing Power Grid with them. It has pretty simple rules and is really competitive and fun. The key is to not make things seem intimidating with a lot of rules/pieces/etc that will seem like a bore to learn.

Darian

the truthseeker wrote: »

Stupid-type question (regarding being new to the forums but not PbP gaming) but, is there a location that lists recruiting for games advertised? I see the games but they seem all meched together with IC, OOC and (currently closed) recruiting.

If you keep an eye on the main discussion thread for the system you want to play, DM's will often post there when they are recruiting players for a game. There's also a sticky that indexes all the Play by Post games, and I try to post announcements there for any new board game threads; anyone who wants to is welcome to use that thread to look for players for new games.

edit: Also, there are some fantastic board games out these days. Check the first page of our discussion thread and the old thread and see if anything looks interesting.

Terrendos

Well, I had a nice long post here but the "Server Sucks" message ate it. So here's the TL;DR version:

If you're more interested in card games like Magic: the Gathering, buy a Duel Deck set for like $20 and invite a single friend over to play. Although more serious MTG play can cost you $TEXAS, casual play shouldn't cost more than a single starter deck and a couple of booster packs, which you can probably find for about $20.

If you're thinking more along the lines of D&D or other tabletop games, look into the Castle Ravenloft or Wrath of Ashardalon board games. They're straightforward proto-D&D mechanics that can be played in a single session, plus they're very RP-lite, which may be part of what turns off your friends. Those games are a decent gateway game into something like the Red Box and from there into 4th Edition D&D.

Broseidon

Thanks for all the responses everyone.

Since my last post, I've purchased a MTG intro deck. A Light/Fire one, from the series called New Phyxeria or something like that. (I realize that last sentence was poorly constructed and full of noobery) One of my friends played a few games and he seemed to like a bit. We're going back to our local comic/card shop this weekend to buy some booster packs and he may buy a intro deck.

As far as the table top game thing, I think I'll be shopping around online and at the comic shop. Starting off with something more simple and less RP heavy would be a good idea.

Also, any tips or anything you'd like to share about MTG would be appreciated. i.e. good decks, deck building strategies or any information on Friday Night Magic. Sounds fun.

Darian

In general, MtG decks will be about 60 cards (though in "limited" tournaments where you play with brand new cards decks are usually 40 cards). For most decks, you want about 40% of your deck to be land cards (so 24 out of the 60, 16 out of the 40), you want to limit yourself to two colors (possibly with a splash of a third color), and you want cards that are spread out from 1 mana up to 5 mana cost (mostly 2-4 cost), possibly with just a few cards that cost more.

Friday Night Magic alternates between limited tournaments (drafting new decks or sealed events for new releases) and standard tournaments (where each player brings a 60+ card deck). The best place to read more about competitive decks and such would probably be the forums at mtgsalvation.com.

In addition to the limited and standard playstyles, a lot of people enjoy playing "Commander" format (also known as Elder Dragon Highlander) where you have a 99 card deck with every card different other than basic lands (there can be only one) plus a general, a legendary creature whom you can summon at will. The general determines the colors of the deck--every card in the deck must include only colors from the general's casting cost. If that format sounds interesting, there will be a series of decks released by WotC next month (June 17) that are preconstructed decks for the format. Commander is better with larger groups (3+ players) and is slower-paced than normal play.

Terrendos

A few things to keep in mind about MTG starter decks:

1. There are always going to be some "meh" cards. Those tend to be the ones you want to switch out first. As you play, try to keep track of cards that you never want or need to play.

2. Those intro packs tend to have a pretty solid mana curve built-in, so tinker with a bit of caution. When you switch out a card, make sure you replace it with something that's about the same total cost. In other words, if you want to remove a card that costs three total mana, make sure you replace it with something that costs about three total mana. Similarly, resist the urge to take out lands for other cards. Remember that a deck with 60 amazing cards and 0 lands will lose every game.

3. With that particular starter deck, you're going to find the most useful cards in the same "block" of cards. If you buy packs, look for Scars of Mirrodin, Mirrodin Besieged, or New Phyrexia ones. Which isn't to say you won't also find powerful cards in other booster packs, just that the ones with those names will probably be better for that deck.

There's a Magic thread here in CF.

Razorwired

I was lucky enough in my rural town to have friends that wanted to try D&D at the same time. But when I got a few friends in college into it I found that the rules light and stuff that could be played in a half hour were great for getting people interested. Most of my success was owed to the various Munchkin sets and Ninja Burger. Easy rules and before I knew it I had my buddy and his girlfriend writing down meticulously worded wishes for when they offed their god's rival's high priest. Basically show them that "Remember that time I totally sticky bombed Bill when he was in the tank?" easily turns into "Remember that time Bill was level 9 and I totally slapped him with a Wandering Monster Son of Cthulu and we took all his gear?"

SageinaRage

For getting started in rpg's, it's hard to beat using 4e's Keep on the Shadowfell adventure. It's free to download, has a simple adventure, and all the rules you need to run it. And D&D 4th edition is pretty newbie friendly. I'd recommend trying that for any actual roleplay. Adventure boardgames can also be a good gateway, but they're still very much boardgames, which are inherently different.

And on Magic, I'll say that it's a fun game, but keep in mind that it can turn into a giant money sink very easily, without you even noticing it. Everyone who plays it has some moment where it strikes them just how much they've sunk into it, and realizes how much it was or wasn't worth it. Just make sure you're only spending the money if it's worth it to you.