I want to run Blades for my RPG group, but none of us have ever played before. I’d be the GM, since I own the book and PDF (and I DM our normal D&D game).
What’s the best way to introduce my players to this game? We’re really most comfortable with D&D, though I’ve played (but not GM’d) many other systems.
Like, is there an introductory score already set up, or quickstart somewhere to help get up to speed? I want this to be as successful as possible with my group, and I’m afraid if we all go in as newbies, and I’m the only one driving it (also being a newbie), that it’ll flop.
There’s a really good starting situation in the Blades book. Pg. 204 – Starting Situation: War in Crow’s Foot. It involves a war between rival gangs who each have ties to other organizations. Going into your first session with that situation in mind is a great start.
Make sure the players have access to the rules reference sheets, since those give a good run down on how the major mechanics works.
For me, I tend to explain the Position/Effect system first, since that drives most of the rolls in the game, and helps break down how Blades is different than other RPGs. Then I go into stuff like Resistance, Armor, Downtime, etc. when they come up during the game, rather than trying to front load all the rules at once. Blades is a very comprehensive system with lots of little rules, so I find it’s best to explain things to players on the fly when the situation arises.
Definitely good to start with Position/Effect. Our GM has the rule “No one touches dice until the GM says.” Too often the new player will grab the dice and “I roll vs Skirmish!” without the ‘conversation’ first. It really is a different way of doing things than D&D. Some don’t realize a whole fight can be resolved in one roll. Or that the GM_doesn’t roll_!
(The other two tough concepts for new players are the “skip the planning step” and Load. Be prepared to slow things down and explain a lot around those.)
The book has a sample starting situation that is pretty good. The blades SRD online has some more as well as many other helpful files.
I have run blades at store drop in events q few times and would suggest for an introduction bring pregens and pick a gang sheet with relatively direct motivations. Bravos may be a good for folks used to D&D playstyle.
In the pregame help the party define a strong goal or driver they want to accomplish as a team.
When in doubt about a rule or a plot point make a call a move on there are a number of game elements that are intentionally ambiguous.
Ahh, thanks, I missed that starting situation. I’ll read through it. And thanks for tips on what to teach first. There’s a lot to re/unlearn from other RPGs.
I’m totally with what Arne Jamtgaard said about rolling dice to early. Had a hard time (and still have) in my group with “old-school” players trying to roll quick/often. That’s a big change for them.
I’d also say don’t be afraid to layer on concepts as you go. I’ve been slowly introducing some of the more advanced mechanics in Blades with each play session as my players get a better grasp on the core system. So we are 4 sessions in and they have just now gotten really used to position and effect so next session I’m going to talk through how they can manipulate that themselves by trading position for effect. It can be a great way to gain xp and make a situation more exciting but I wanted them used to the fiction first gameplay and invested in their characters before they started messing with it to just boost stats.