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I've not played a single game yet and I was wondering if I should play a non-official game first or if I should just jump in. I hate to be new at things because honestly I might really, really suck; the character I created can only be "envisioned" but because I've never played, even with watching other people play and reading forums and studying skills and synergies, I'm sure there are things I just won't get until I'm the one doing the Perception checks myself. I learn via experience sometimes best.
I really, really want to find a place to play that I won't bog them down simply because I feel that if I am just "in the way' as some level one character, even if everyone has to begin somewhere, I'm wasting the time of the other players and that's rude.
My suggestion?
Either 1) Start with the Beginner Box with a GM to get the mechanics down, or 2) join a group and just sit-in and observe for the first couple of sessions. If it doesn't break flow, ask other PCs questions about their decisions, but try not to interrupt the GM while he's managing combat. He's got enough to do.
You're truly free to jump in anywhere--be it a Pathfinder Society game, play by post, or an online game available via a good number of tabletop gaming websites. Most players will understand you don't know every rule, bylaw and FAQ and they'll be adult enough to help you learn (or at least let you learn yourself, if you're the kind that needs a corpse before chalking it up to experience and moving on). And the Forum is your friend: be it with building your character, getting clarification on rules, or if you just need to vent a lil' because that guy did that one thing.
Know that most groups will expect you to have a basic knowledge of what's going on, though. Reading the Combat and Magic sections a few times in the Core Rulebook won't hurt you, same with the Classes. (Note: If you don't own a Core Rulebook, consider investing in one or bringing your computer with you so you can reference the PRD). Otherwise, just have fun, pay attention, and roll with it. You won't be a hindrance unless you actively refuse to learn.
I concur with Nimblewit that, if all else fails, you can run the Beginner Box (maybe even as GM) to get the basics down. Who knows, might even find a group worth sticking with.
You might have missed this, but we're trying to grow as a hobby, and that means new people. Welcome aboard, and just jump in. We all started where you are.
You might have missed this, but we're trying to grow as a hobby, and that means new people. Welcome aboard, and just jump in. We all started where you are.
This, a thousand times this.
I'm guessing you will find other players to be super helpful towards you. If you need help putting numbers on that character sheet, just explain the concept you want, the role you envision yourself filling, and ask them to suggest things for you, or feel more than welcome to put something like that on these forums (you found us and that's a good thing!!) and there will be many helpful replies.
I haven't used the Beginner Box but it's a very solid product from everything I've heard from players who have used it. A great introduction to the PF system.
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I really enjoy PFS for a lot of reasons. If you sit down at a Level 1-2 table, you can expect to be only one of the new people there. Everyone understands what it is like to be you. Most people are very supportive and helpful. You will make mistakes, but that is what being new is all about. It's okay to fail skill checks, make poor tactical decisions, and misunderstand the conversation. At the earliest levels every L1 character is pretty much the same as every other. You get few bonuses to anything in particular, all of your penalties seem enormous, and a critical hit from a greataxe will leave pieces of you all over the street. Just look for a venue, sign up for the game, and sit down at the table. Everything after that will be a helluva ride.
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For the most part, I'd recommend just jump in. As long as you have the most basic understanding of some rules - and any decent GM will guide you here - you'll likely be fine.
And you'll get your rewards as well :)
You can change any part of your character throughout level 1, so it's really designed for allowing you to make mistakes when you're new. Everybody does it.