The question is: Why will they like this game?
What game? Weird question…
If it’s the introductory game — which in my case was Advanced Fighting Fantasy — then I think they’ll appreciate a simple game that’s easy to grasp and lets you throw a lot of dice with purpose. Throw to swing. Throw to soak up damage. Throw for your SKILL. Throw for your LUCK. And in the midst of this, you get a solid and enjoyable game — assuming I’m running it, I’m keen to offer you that much!
I have run games for a full three or four-hour convention slot, or something as short as about an hour — which means I could get the whole experience from start to finish in something close to a relaxed lunch break!
If the game in question is the one I got introduced to, that’s no problem either. Old red box Basic D&D was a pretty simple and straightforward game, too, and would offer a not too dissimilar experience.
I think it’s important to make the first game memorable and not overwhelm anyone with mechanics. It’s the difference between teaching someone Snap or Poker. They both involve the same essential tools to play the game, but the complexity of one could leave the new player reeling, while the other is straightforward fun.
You might not linger with Advanced Fighting Fantasy for too long — any more than you might stick with Snap in the long term – but it offers a flying start and gets everyone involved.
RPGaDay is a prompt-driven experience in tabletop roleplaying, initiated by Dave Chapman of Autocratik, and powered by me and you.
The prompts for this year are as follows — and you can find out more on Dave’s website.
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