The Dungeon: Table Top Gaming

The World of RPGs, Table Top Gaming and Importance of Friends

Gaming has been such a big part of my life, and has changed me for the better. Escaping into a fantasy world of adventure or horror makes coping with the real world easier. Whether it was playing in person, or now to the online switch with D&D Beyond with Roll20, gaming with friends is my weekly highlight. Below are some general advice that I as the Dungeon Fox have to give to others. You will also find links to some of the TTRPGs that have made it to my tables or I have reviewed for your pleasure.

Steps to learning a TTRPG

Read the Player Handbook/ Basic Rules Guide for the game (many big publishers have the basic rules for free)
Ask Questions!
Build a Character (I usually look at a pre-made character with first time builds to make sure I understand where things go)
Start or Join a Campaign (My recommendation is between a level 1-3 start)
Play and have Fun!
1. Don’t be afraid to learn more as you go
2. Ask QUESTIONS!!!
3. Remember that you don’t need to know everything to play. What matters is that you are having fun with friends

Advice to new DM/GMs

I recommend starting with a pre-made adventure/campaign before jumping into your own homebrew world. Pre-made will give you a feeling for what works/needs tweaking for encounters, how combat works with your players and a solid world before diving deep into content creation of your own.
Listen to what your players want and add their thoughts into your own creations.
Try a variety of TTRPGs. Different game plays can bring out styles and themes that you may not have realized you were good at running or more passionate about.

Players Advice from the Fox

Read the Players Handbook for which ever ttrpg you play at least once. This helps you get a feeling for the rule and where things are in case you need to look things up at a later time.
Know what your character can do! Even if you don’t know everything, your character sheet is the second most important thing next to your brain. Know what your character is capable of from racial traits, skills, feats, actions, etc.
Be open and honest with your DM/GM and the other players at the table. Honesty is important to make sure that you and everyone at the table is having fun.

This is a collage of 4 photos. The top left is the picture of a lit fireplace. The top right is an image of the dm screen with character information charts hanging off of it. The bottom left is a dice tray full of dice of many colors. The bottom right picture is my Dm set up with the view of the dm screen, ipad, dm box with hitpoint counter and my glass of Apothic wine.

Why I TTRPG

A way to connect with friends
Escapism
A dedicated way to build a story with others
Many facets affect the game- not just ones and zeros that someone programmed choices into. Many times your party will choose the path that would not have been thought of previously. It's more cooperative and free formed than video games.
Can be for a variety of ages and/or groups. My Little Pony to 5e heroes to the dark horror of Cthulhu even expanding into adventuring into space. I can run for my pre-K class or adult friends groups.