Gaming may be a weekly or even daily ritual that groups of friends observe as a way of bonding. Finding ways to bond with friends is amazing, even if it’s through a screen. However, even with this tradition among your circle of friends, you have to admit that playing video games exclusively can get monotonous and even boring at times. How about trying something entirely new?
You might have heard about some examples floating around, like Pathfinder, World of Darkness, Call of Cthulhu, and the big daddy, Dungeons & Dragons, but never had the chance to dip your toes into exploring this different world. If you’ve been searching for a sign to check out tabletop RPGs (TTRPGs), well, here it is!
Read The Rules Then Make Your Own
Some may find learning a game from scratch very daunting, especially if it’s a TTRPG. It’s like learning a new language, with all the jargon and mechanics to remember. However, like learning a language, once you’ve understood it, you can start working your way through shortcuts and whatnot.
All you have to do is learn the basic mechanics of your chosen TTRPG, and you’re all set, but you are not limited to that alone. If you find a rule that doesn’t make sense or that you simply dislike, you can always change it to something that better suits your needs. Additionally, if you don’t feel like browsing through 300 pages of rules, there’s always a healthy community that explains the rules online at your disposal. These are more guidelines to help you better understand the game, but you still have the final say.
Create A Unique Adventure: Be Mortal Or Play God
TTRPGs aren’t limited to just killing monsters and exploring ruins — they’re about the story, the adventure, and the friends you make along the way. If you’re new to the hobby and don’t know where to start, you can simply refer to your favourite stories or novels. If that’s a bit too on the nose, then there are adventure books that detail the adventure from start to finish.
However, you are welcome to make your own world, complete with its own system and history. Create a story for your players to explore, and give them an experience that no other game master can replicate. You can take on the role of God and dictate the consequences of your players’ actions, or take control of a character and weather away all the challenges thrown at you.
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There’s Always A Different Flavour Of TTRPG For You To Try
Just because it’s the biggest name in the industry doesn’t mean you have to default to Dungeons & Dragons. There are so many variations to explore and try out that you’re limiting yourself if you only choose one.
D&D and Pathfinder are great if you’d like a standard fantasy game. However, if you lean more towards a realistic setting with dark overtones and supernatural creatures, there is “World of Darkness.” The aptly named “Call of Cthulhu” is great for those who love Lovecraftian horror. Or if you’re more keen on dating that eldritch entity or that emo vampire at the back of the classroom, why not try Monsterhearts? There is a plethora of games to choose from, and these are only the tip of the iceberg, and there’s one that is bound to suit your niche.
Uniting Friendships Across The World… Through Chaos
As the name states, these games are best played in front of your friends, in person, as they can lead to some unforgettable memories. A game is enough to bring people together and be a reason to reestablish or strengthen relationships among a group of friends. Oftentimes, it could leave players asking for more, making them excited for the next session. Depending on your group of friends, theses games can be the most chaotic you’ve ever played yet, and that’s the best part. Each session is unpredictable, that keeps both players and the game master on their toes. So say goodbye to monotonous grinding and hello to actual rewarding, cooperative experience.
However, just because you can’t be with your friends in person doesn’t mean you can’t be with them in spirit. Because of the popularity of this game genre, there has been an increase in support for online play, allowing people to connect regardless of time zones. Scheduling your sessions will be a pain, but the memories and laughs it will create are well worth it.
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