Completely noob looking to start PBP

[Stowelly]

Hi. not sure if this is the right place for this. but I recently tried a very simplified pen and paper rpg with my kids and they loved it, I found it a little shallow and felt something like pathfinder would be much better! (obviously I will be house ruling the majority of the complexity away to begin with), so im sat here with the beginner box and preparing for my first adventure with them (as the GM)

having not really played any rpgs like this before, I would really like to experience playing it to see what kind of things can happen and also see how its meant to be played!

is there any kind of campaign im able to join where people wont get too annoyed with me not being completely versed in the rules? (and is potentially slightly more forgiving for newbies!)

thanks, apologies if this is the wrong place!

[Tavarokk]

Stowelly wrote:

(obviously I will be house ruling the majority of the complexity away to begin with)

Wouldn't that kind of defeat the point of switching to a more detailed system? Also, rebalancing the mechanics has potential to become a hellish task for the GM.

Stowelly wrote:

having not really played any rpgs like this before, I would really like to experience playing it to see what kind of things can happen and also see how its meant to be played!

It should be said that forum pbps have a very different feeling from live sessions. Massively more so than virtual tabletop games, especially those with voice chat.

Stowelly wrote:

is there any kind of campaign im able to join where people wont get too annoyed with me not being completely versed in the rules? (and is potentially slightly more forgiving for newbies!)

Pretty much any game in the 'recruitment' section that uses Paizo material only, with no third party content, homebrew or houserules of any sort. The upside of the format is that you have ample time to check the SRD before posting.

[Stowelly]

Tavarokk wrote:

Stowelly wrote:

(obviously I will be house ruling the majority of the complexity away to begin with)

Wouldn't that kind of defeat the point of switching to a more detailed system? Also, rebalancing the mechanics has potential to become a hellish task for the GM.

I do see your point, was more looking for more rich built in content, the game I tried with them was literally roll Xd6 for attach and Xd6 for defend, with very little story. figured I could at least try this with them!

Tavarokk wrote:

Stowelly wrote:

having not really played any rpgs like this before, I would really like to experience playing it to see what kind of things can happen and also see how its meant to be played!

It should be said that forum pbps have a very different feeling from live sessions. Massively more so than virtual tabletop games, especially those with voice chat.

. Yeah I thought as much, its mainly just a matter of time to be honest, I figured something like this would allow me to play a couple of turns a day when there is a spare 10 mins rather than try to schedule with several people a few hours to sit down and play every week!

Tavarokk wrote:

Stowelly wrote:

is there any kind of campaign im able to join where people wont get too annoyed with me not being completely versed in the rules? (and is potentially slightly more forgiving for newbies!)

Pretty much any game in the 'recruitment' section that uses Paizo material only, with no third party content, homebrew or houserules of any sort. The upside of the format is that you have ample time to check the SRD before posting.

thanks, will have a look in the recruitment section. what is an SRD? (sorry if this is covered elsewhere)

[Tavarokk]

SRD means 'system reference document'. d20pfsrd.com, archivesofnethys.com, paizo.com/pathfinderRPG/prd/ - pick whichever you like more.

[Jessica Catalan]

Tavarokk wrote:

Stowelly wrote:

(obviously I will be house ruling the majority of the complexity away to begin with)

Wouldn't that kind of defeat the point of switching to a more detailed system? Also, rebalancing the mechanics has potential to become a hellish task for the GM.

Hey, just wanted to throw in my two cents here in regards to streamlining Pathfinder for use with kids.

I 100% get where you're coming from, Stowelly, and it's easy. My kids have been playing since they were four and three years old, and although they're older now, Pathfinder with all the rules and intricacies is still too difficult for them. When they're young it's much more important they have fun, and realize that they can do anything and be anything. Hand waving rules and complicated aspects of the game are a great way to get your children into Pathfinder, and as they grow older (and as you learn it) you can always add more details and rules as you go.

Waiting for parents to double check rules, reference spell descriptions and say 'No, you can't do that' to whatever mad-cap schemes they come up with (and there will be A LOT of mad-cap schemes, let me tell you) is not fun. Letting them run wild with their imaginations, crazy strategies and convoluted tactics is much more important when young, even if it means guessing instead of double-checking rules, and letting them stretch the limits of what they could accomplish. If they have fun, you'll get more out of it in the long-run.

In short, the game can grow with them. Remember to focus more on fun, freedom and flavour, than the detailed rules and intricacies, and they'll be excited to learn more about the game. They'll pick up the mechanics in time if they're enjoying it. More importantly, they'll want to.