Dungeons & Dragons
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My 11 year old son has become obsessed with D&D and has roped me into being the Dungeon Master for him and his buddies. I had never played as a kid so I didn’t know my ass from an elf when we started (and I still don’t). We’ve played 3 times and the only reason they put up with me is because I can “do good voices”. Mostly I’ve been making up random battles so they can just have fun rolling dice and fighting shit. I’ve been following a beginner’s adventure my son gave me so it’s given us a little structure. So my question is where can a dad go to learn up and make it a little “less-lame” for the players? Help appreciated
Also it’s so complicated…like overwhelmingly so for me.
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If you're serious about learning how to play/run a game, the Player's Handbook is absolute necessity.
Although I must warn you, there's a lot to take in, and unless you have a genuine desire to learn/enjoy the game, you might find it all a bit too much...
You could probably pick up the basics within a few hours by watching YouTube videos though, if you'd rather take a more casual approach!
Best advice I can give you as Dungeon Master is to make it clear that what you say rules. There's bound to be a least one smart ass kid that will learn the rules inside out if your son's friends interest in the game continues to grow, but as game master, you have the final say in EVERYTHING.
Typically speaking, 'house rules' are present in most groups, so feel free to implement/simplify any rules that you feel will benefit your sessions.
Most importantly though, just try and have fun. There's a fantastic D&D comedy podcast called Dungeons & Daddies (not a BDSM podcast) that tells the story of 4 hapless dad's sucked into a fantasy world. It's voiced by professional actors and is really well produced. If you wanted some inspiration on how to run your game, and many examples of how fun these games can be it could be fun listen for you and your son on car journeys (if he's mature enough to handle some mild adult themes)
Hope this help
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@T4920 Thanks for the reply. And yes there is already a smart ass kid who knows all the rules and it’s my son…ha! Seriously though I’m glad he has asked me to participate and it’s one more way to bond with him. I want to learn as much as I can and do a decent job for him and his friends. I’ll dive into the book and some videos too. And thanks for the heads up about the podcast, it sounds hilarious.
His obsession comes to him honestly…sort of like IH!
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@SKT if he really gets into it and starts asking for all the books/accessories/miniatures it could become as expensive as an Iron Heart obsession...
I never played as a child, but picked it up in my 20s! I don't enjoy it as much as I used to, but I appreciate that it acts as a metaphorical glue of sorts, giving reason for my friends and I to take time out of our adult lives to get together, roll some dice and be silly.
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I would suggest to your son that he should run a game! If he and his friends want have you DM sometimes so that he can play his own character, that’s cool—but if he’s really into it it would seem to be a no-brainer for him to DM.
Check and see if your local library has gaming books. Our library system has a lot—and it may cut down on the amount of stuff you have to buy if he can check out some books.
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This is such a great way to have fun with your kid @SKT
I never got in TOO deep, but people I've known over the years who play RPGs have trended toward being good, and very intelligent, people.
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@sabergirl I have mentioned DMing to him but he was so excited about playing his new character that he balked. I think ultimately he will love running a game though. Thanks for the idea about the library…hadn’t thought of that.
@mclaincausey Thanks man! I really am looking at it as just another way to be closer to him. Although it would be a LOT easier to just pick up a glove and ball and head to the yard to play catch
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@SKT I've been DMing for a group of friends for the last 3-4 years, I'm by no means a pro and there's lots I'm always learning new stuff about the game, but I'm quite happy to give you any help I can.
Just as a few things I learned:
- the books are worth every penny (most of the time), while you absolutely can just look up the information online it's honestly quicker to just pull out the book in most cases, they're also just lovely things full of great art and lore stuff you wouldn't get from a stat-block on a website
- make use of app based character sheets where possible, D&D beyond is the most common but also can wind up expensive due to its monetisation model of buying module and stuff but there are alternatives out there which work just as well albeit a little less flashy. Most of these apps will do a lot of the 'maths' for you while levelling up and playing.
- Dive into the lore stuff with both feet, while it's a a lot to take in there's some great resources out there to help you out beyond the books - I love the videos by MrRhexx on YouTube for his concise and relaxing videos on certain creature and topics but there's plenty of other out there. Trust me, the more you allow it to soak in the more fun you're going to have.
- Notes are king! with for you and your players, I often start my sessions asking my players to give a little recap of what they're characters have done so far in their journey...there's nothing worse than a party picking up a key McMuffin and then forgetting they've got it at the critical moment haha
I've always found every DM is totally different in how they approach stuff and run games though, so I'm sure other people would give you totally different advice from what they've learned - I suppose that's half the fun, all the information is there, but up to you how you do things
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My manuals from the mid-to-late 80s, when the game transitioned from 1st to 2nd edition. Fond memories of poring over these things when I should have been doing my homework. So cool that kids are still playing, D&D always attracted interesting, imaginative types along with some personal hygiene issues.
DMing always seemed a noble sacrifice to me - someone putting in a feat of imagination so that others could have fun. In retrospect, it attracted a certain type of person who got a huge kick out of the group hanging on his every word and decision. The DM for my group was a bright but troubled kid with a really quick mind. Last I heard he was managing director of a cybersecurity firm in Singapore. Smart dude.
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@Ross thanks so much for your insights and suggestions. I’ve got to admit as a complete beginner it’s daunting to try and DM. Main saving grace is that my son and his friends are learning right along with me. Only down side (if you can call it that) is that my son is a voracious reader and once he locks into a subject he devours everything about it so he’s way ahead of me in every facet of D&D. He’s pretty encouraging and mostly just seems amused that I’m giving it a go. I’ll update when we play again and it may be this upcoming weekend.
@Oroccoco that’s awesome you still have your collection and carry such good memories of playing. I’m hoping that’s exactly what happens for us.
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@SKT I wondered if you played much with your son? Been playing Baldur's Gate III on the PS5 recently (which is essentially video game D&D) and it made me think of this thread.
“𝑁𝑒𝑣𝑒𝑟 𝑙𝑒𝑡 𝑡ℎ𝑒 𝑓𝑢𝑡𝑢𝑟𝑒 𝑑𝑖𝑠𝑡𝑢𝑟𝑏 𝑦𝑜𝑢. 𝑌𝑜𝑢 𝑤𝑖𝑙𝑙 𝑚𝑒𝑒𝑡 𝑖𝑡, 𝑖𝑓 𝑦𝑜𝑢 ℎ𝑎𝑣𝑒 𝑡𝑜, 𝑤𝑖𝑡ℎ 𝑡ℎ𝑒 𝑠𝑎𝑚𝑒 𝑤𝑒𝑎𝑝𝑜𝑛𝑠 𝑜𝑓 𝑟𝑒𝑎𝑠𝑜𝑛 𝑤ℎ𝑖𝑐ℎ 𝑡𝑜𝑑𝑎𝑦 𝑎𝑟𝑚 𝑦𝑜𝑢 𝑎𝑔𝑎𝑖𝑛𝑠𝑡 𝑡ℎ𝑒 𝑝𝑟𝑒𝑠𝑒𝑛𝑡.”
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@SKT said in Dungeons & Dragons:
My 11 year old son has become obsessed with D&D and has roped me into being the Dungeon Master for him and his buddies. I had never played as a kid so I didn’t know my ass from an elf when we started (and I still don’t). We’ve played 3 times and the only reason they put up with me is because I can “do good voices”. Mostly I’ve been making up random battles so they can just have fun rolling dice and fighting shit. I’ve been following a beginner’s adventure my son gave me so it’s given us a little structure. So my question is where can a dad go to learn up and make it a little “less-lame” for the players? Help appreciated
Also it’s so complicated…like overwhelmingly so for me.Try goign through this https://www.dndbeyond.com/sources/dmg
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@T4920 Yeah thanks for asking Tom. I DM’d about 5 sessions for him and his friends and it was really fun but I could tell they needed a more experienced person leading the campaign. Then he started 6th grade (middle school here) and had the great idea to start a D&D club at his school. He was excited that there had never been one before, so he got an energetic teacher to sponsor the club and put up flyers all over. He was nervous about the interest level but at the first meeting over 20 kids (6th,7th,8th graders) showed up. It’s been a huge success and I’m really proud of him for taking the initiative and getting the club going. They meet once a week before school and break into groups, one of which he dm’s. Only downside has been he hasn’t been able to just play as a character yet but I think he’s having a great time. And I’m glad he gets to share the game with other kids that have the same passion for it. I was in over my head for sure
And he has been asking to play Baldur’s Gate but that might be a few years away.
