Any tips for a TT-RPG newbie?

[Saetha]

Dear fellow Escapists - I finally, actually found a table-top RPG group that's accepting new players. Specifically, they're running a game of Vampire: The Masquerade. They've been very accommodating and forgiving of my fuck-ups, but it's a BIG game (They accept all new players, and do a decent job of advertising themselves) and the GMs are stretched a little already. As I am unwilling to bother them further, I thought I'd turn to you, random forum-goer, for any advice you might have for a newbie who's never played a pen-and-paper RPG, much less a game of V:tM.

Tips on anything and everything are fine. What's the best way to role-play a character? What's a good character to start out for a newcomer? How would one go about befriending their fellow players out of game? So on and forth. Basically, anything you think a newcomer (And an shy, awkward introvert) should know about getting into the hobby.

(...Uh, also, would this go under gaming or off-topic?)

 

[nomotog_v1legacy]

I never played VtM before. I have a dash of general RP advice though. Don't go over board trying making your character. There is a tendency with some players to make these big long elaborate back stories, but all that really dose it tie a weight on your RP. You kind of don't have as many places to go and backstory is way less cool then the story you write from play. Start with a somewhat bare character and then flush them out as you play rather then starting with an already flushed out character.

 

[Irick]

Okay, so V:tM is a very lore heavy system. The core mechanics are pretty simple, but it'll be a good idea to keep a note on where to find your various abilities in the book. To help with roleplay I usually recommend sitting down and writing out a page or so of first person perspective in character. With Vampire, I'd recommend writing about the events leading up to your embrace.

So, go through the character creation and once you have your character done, use it as a guide to write out that page, send it to the GMs, it will give them stuff to work with for plot hooks. Read through the combat section and the ability section a couple of times. Checks are simple, relevant attribute plus relevant skill equals your dice pool. Combat gets a little less simple depending on the abilities you activate.

Prior to game, review the combat section. It will help you feel less lost in combat, then quickly review any of your special abilities. When you sit down and are getting ready for game, read over that page you wrote in character to help you get into the headspace.

If you want to get a grip on the seting and world, I'd recommend browsing the old World Of Darkness wikis. (old world of darkness is actually important, because there is a newer setting than what is is Masquerade)

 

[Saetha]

Okay, so V:tM is a very lore heavy system. The core mechanics are pretty simple, but it'll be a good idea to keep a note on where to find your various abilities in the book. To help with roleplay I usually recommend sitting down and writing out a page or so of first person perspective in character. With Vampire, I'd recommend writing about the events leading up to your embrace.

So, go through the character creation and once you have your character done, use it as a guide to write out that page, send it to the GMs, it will give them stuff to work with for plot hooks. Read through the combat section and the ability section a couple of times. Checks are simple, relevant attribute plus relevant skill equals your dice pool. Combat gets a little less simple depending on the abilities you activate.

Prior to game, review the combat section. It will help you feel less lost in combat, then quickly review any of your special abilities. When you sit down and are getting ready for game, read over that page you wrote in character to help you get into the headspace.

If you want to get a grip on the seting and world, I'd recommend browsing the old World Of Darkness wikis. (old world of darkness is actually important, because there is a newer setting than what is is Masquerade)

Thanks! I'm actually very aware that OWOD is lore-heavy - it's part of why I wanted to get into it in the first place. I already went on several wiki trawls, as well as reading the TvTropes page for good measure. I'm one of those nuts who loves getting knee-deep in the lore of a series.

I have to admit I've been really lost as far as the actual mechanics go, though, so thanks for the advice there. And writing out a character piece before hand... huh, never considered that. Thanks again!

 

[small]

general table top advice
dont be "that guy" there always tends to be the anally retentive player who is an apparently an expert on all things x, and has memorised all the manuals.

its worth checking with the GM's how close to the established lore your particular group is going to stick, as there might be some pretty serious deviations.

otherwise have fun, try to role play your character rather that playing the game rules and you should have a great time assuming the group is pretty laid back.