Brand new player? Returning player who has been out of the hobby for a long time? This page is for you.

It can be intimidating to jump into a hobby that seems complicated with a bunch of people you don't know. This page gives you practical advice on both the gaming part and the socialization part of the group:

• Table Etiquette 101
• Joining a Game
• Establish Table Rules Before the Game
• Respecting the Game's Flow
• Know the Rules
• Be a Creative Partner
• Playing in Public & Community Games

Being a considerate and friendly party member is the single most important part of being at a table. People won't care how good your roleplay is, how interesting your stories are, and how skilled your character is in combat if you aren't fun to play with. So here's the basic breakdown:

Table Etiquette 101

• Show up on time, every time - Game runners work hard to set up games, all the other players are putting off their lives to show up and make this work. A player who is there half the time is worse than no player.
• Pay attention at the table - This is no time for phone games or doomscrolling. Make sure you know what's going on and are ready to act or reply when the action stops on you.
• Respect people's boundaries - Don't push people's buttons, don't be antagonistic. If you can tell something is making someone uncomfortable, stop doing it. If you're using boundary tools like Lines and Veils, X-cards, etc., make sure to respect them. And use common sense. Being vulgar, insulting, or rude is a sure way to get kicked from a group.
• Keep the drama in character - At the same time, this is a game, not a therapy session. Don't bring your personal baggage or your politics to the table.
• Keep it clean - The stinky nerd is a dying trope, so don't be one. Shower, deodorant, and clean clothes are really the minimum standard for four to eight people packed around a table. Don't eat messy, smelly food that might get grease or food on expensive books, minis, or mats.
• Don't be a creep - This should go without saying, but no one is playing to get harassed. Hands off other people's stuff and other people. Don't make condescending or sexual remarks. Not sure if it's ok? Then it isn't. This kind of thing will not only get you thrown off a table, it'll get you thrown out of the community. See our Community Standards.

Joining a Game

There are a couple of ways to join tables through TVG. You can browse the LFG board, or you can participate in the Discord group chat. If you're interested, make sure you follow a few simple rules to ensure you're a good match:

• Read the campaign description before you request to join - The expectation is you'll want to be a part of the game offered...be honest with yourself if you're a good fit and can meet the schedule/days being offered.
• Write a real join request - Give the GM something to work with! Tell them what you want to play, how you play, and any expectations for play. Don't be dishonest about who you are or what you want to do.
• Reply and Message in a timely manner - Games that linger in creation usually fade away. Respond quickly to keep the hype alive.

Establish Table Rules Before the Game

Determine the table rules before you play. A lot of this can be established during Session 0, or pre-game communications.

• Determine Allowed Rule Content - Clarify what books/rules you can use for your character. Verify any Homebrew or unofficial content with your GM in Session 0.
• Determine Table Rating - Find out if the GM is using a table rating. (G, PG-13, R) Determine if the table is comfortable with profanity, drinking, or other vices.
• Determine Allowed/Disallowed Topics - Discuss whether there are any topics the campaign will be specifically addressing or disallowing, and if mature themes are going to be included. A Boundary Consent form may be used before the game so GMs can adjust content or players can opt out if not comfortable. If topics are NOT discussed beforehand, consider whether you are comfortable with that - it generally means that uncomfortable topics MAY be broached.
• Check your Character Concept - Does the table allow evil alignments or disruptive, chaotic characters? Is PVP allowed? Hash that out now with both the other players and GM. Respect a no - this is usually something only long-time friend groups can successfully manage.
• Opt out gracefully if there is a mismatch - Not every table is a good fit. If after talking with everyone you feel like maybe the game is not for you, use your intuition! Graceful exits will get you future invites. There are plenty of games out there.

We highly recommend a session 0 so the whole group can discuss rules and boundaries.

Respecting the Game's Flow

• Dice must be seen to count - All dice rolls have to be in front of the gamemaster to count. Don't hide them, pick them up, or otherwise obscure results until the GM and other players can confirm. Cocked and off-table rolls should be rerolled. If using a digital roller, ensure the screen can be seen at the table or is in shared chats for online games.
• Respect GM Rulings - Remember the Gamemaster is ALSO the referee. State your opinion, let the GM make a call, and accept it and move on. Don't argue at the table, bring it up later if you think it is needed.
• Plan your turn while you wait - Pay attention when it's not your turn so you can make quick decisions. Know what you want to do before you have to do it.
• Don't cheat - This goes for fudging dice, "forgetting" to mark damage or resource use, or doing things your character can't. People notice, even if they don't immediately call you out. Games are collaborative - cheating just makes them less fun. You can't "win" TTRPGs.

Know the Rules

The sweet spot for rules is knowing what to do without being a pill about it. Try to:

• Know your own character sheet - You should know what your character can do, how their abilities work, and track your character stats at the minimum. You don't have to start there, but strive for it, and make yourself cheat sheets, print out abilities and spells, and otherwise be prepped if you don't.
• Optimize your character for the table - The right power gaming is to aim for the table's power level. One player who is miles above the rest quickly turns stale and boring, and is a nightmare to balance. Work with your GM to find the right balance.

Be a Creative Partner

• Share the spotlight - Notice who hasn't said anything in a while and pull them into the scene.
• Maintain the Scene Tone - Try to build on the scene the GM is building - if it is tense, or dramatic, try to build on that, not crack jokes to break immersion. If it's lighthearted, keep it lighthearted. Try to match the current vibe.
• Run a Character Who Fits - Edgy loners and fish out of water characters are fun - but only if you put in the work to make them fit in the story. If a character wouldn't be part of the story - why did you make them?
• Let your character fail - A character who fails builds tension and gives the story stakes. Lean into failures and mistakes, because bad rolls can be the most memorable moment of a session. You don't have to treat a failure as a joke, focus on what physical or situational hurdle caused the failure, and how your character reacts to the setback.
• Be Invested in Other Characters - Pay attention to the other player's successes and failures. Try to build on them and integrate with them.
• Take notes - GMs spend hours naming NPCs, building factions, and planting clues. Staying informed tells them their work is useful and keeps everyone drawn in.
• Respect Character Decisions - In the end, each player decides their character's actions, strategies, and personality. Let them make those decisions, even if you think they aren't optimal. Especially if it involves keeping their character out of a scene they aren't enjoying, what their story arc consists of, or fading to black on a certain scene.

Playing in Public & Community Games

Local game stores, conventions, and events like our Quickshot nights come with their own constraints: hard time limits, a wide range of skill levels, and a table full of people who've never played together. A few things help here specifically:

• Build a character that fits any table - Skip concepts that are disruptive, moral codes so rigid they block the plot, or fiddly, complicated game mechanics that slow down combat.
• Keep roleplay tight - A public table might have eight to ten players and a hard clock. A twenty-minute rambling conversation probably cuts off the end-game encounter, so try to do more with less.
• Help newcomers without making it a thing - Public tables introduce a lot of people to the hobby. Make it easy and fun. Offer help, be patient with rules confirmation, and build characters suited to supporting others so the new players get to feel like the heroes.
• Show up ready - Unless specifically noted, you want your character locked and loaded and dice ready at session start.
• Ask before spectating - Spectators can be incredibly distracting for some players and GMs. If you want to watch a public game, please get permission from the table first.

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Have questions or need help? Talk to the community on Discord! Ready to find a private table? Head to the LFG board.