Wanting to try D&D, other tabletops, but no idea where to start

[Jotun Guy]

So I've been wanting to try out tabletop rpgs for a while. I want to do stuff with GURPS and maybe Call of Cthulhu, but I think I ought to join a group first to get a feel for how this all works. How do I work this out? I want to find a group of D&D players and see if I can join, and I could really use some advice on how to go about with this.

After I do this, some friends and I want to start developing content for us to play with in GURPS.

[FalseAesop]

Well see if there is a bulletin board at your local geek store advertising games looking for more.

If that doesn't work look online for a local gaming group at sites like Meetup.com or penandpapergames.com.

If you still can't find a local group you can try an online game with virtual tabletops at sites like obsidianportal.com or my preferred Google+ hangouts based virtual tabletop roll20.net

[sumdawgtwigg]

Well see if there is a bulletin board at your local geek store advertising games looking for more.

If that doesn't work look online for a local gaming group at sites like Meetup.com or penandpapergames.com.

If you still can't find a local group you can try an online game with virtual tabletops at sites like obsidianportal.com or my preferred Google+ hangouts based virtual tabletop roll20.net

 

This. 

 

I don't play much but have ran a Star Trek game in the past and the others play in a couple groups. Seems like they mostly found others to play with through the local comic shop that hosts games pretty regular. 

[27angel]

I agree, the first place to try is your local comic book store. Many run games in their stores. A lot of pre-generated mods can be played in a four hour block. Though, Wizards of the Coast (the company who owns Dungeons & Dragons) has something called D&D Encounters. They say that each encounter takes 1-2 hours. I haven't tried this because I don't like the new version of D&D. Here is a link to the D&D Encounters Webpage, where you can find a place to try a game.

[Duck Dropping]

If you're looking for D&D tabletop like games I would start with a fun little one called Gamma World.

 

You can see it here: https://www.wizards.com/dnd/Product.aspx?x=dnd/products/dndacc/254600000

 

It is based off of D&D 4th edition, which is arguably the easiest one to get into, but is fairly streamlined.  You can be super goofy and gaming aloof because it is somewhat hard to take a Giant Yeti Mindbender seriously... especially when he rides around in a bombed out Cadillac. 

 

The straight D&D editions can be a little intimidating because you have to create your own character or you play a pre-gen character that is very vanilla.  Due to the random character creation element of Gamma World, you will always have a unique character.

[JessOfAllTrades]

I second using Meetup. That's how I've found most of my games post-college.

[Harleytrypp]

Just a word of caution.... don't invest any money in anything untill you find out what is being played in your area.  If you dump a bucket load of cash on D&D only to find that everyone in your local gaming comunity plays Pathfinder, or viciversa, that can put a hurting on your wallet.

[Syrio Forel]

I found that Pathfinder is a nice accessable d&d clone, a bit cheaper and closer to 3.5 than the "streamlined" 4th edition. (Not that it was all bad in 4th, I did enjoy the sorcerer I played)

As for meeting people, I try to wrangle people I already know. Still tough though.

Anyone in Ireland up for Way of the Wicked?

[RedircSiuol]

Always try friends first. When I picked up interest in the game a year ago, I was surprised to find out that one of my friends already played once a week. So we put together our own group. If you can't find anything like that, just follow the advice above.