Tabletop Role Playing Games
Created | Updated Jul 27, 2010
Statistics
A tabletop RPG is game, basically, where players create a group of characters, then take the role of a particular character. The DM, or GM, tells what is happening. The players control only their actions, and the DM controls the world around them. In most Rpg's, the characters are represented with statistics.
The main statistics in most RPG's are sometimes called attributes. Their scores in these attributes determine how smart, strong, likeable, etc., they are. All characters have every attribute, though some are better in certain attributes than others. Most RPG's have a die or point based determination system.
The secondary statistics in most RPG's are skills. These work like attributes, but not everyone has the same skills. Sometimes, skills can be affected by attributes. The also may go up when you use them. Skills are sometimes determined by a point based system, or just by attributes. It is uncommon for an RPG to have die based skills.
Many RPG's have a system of improving abilities called levels. When a character gains XP, their level goes up, and their statistics improve. Some games find this arbitrary, and have skills and attributes go up when you use them enough. Some games make your abilities finite.
Classes and Races
Classes and Races are the common terms for a role and species. The class is a character's role, and determines skills, and occasionally attributes, as well as giving special abilities. Alternate names are career and order. Race is used mainly in fantasy settings, and usually determines attributes, sometimes skills, and often abilities. Sometimes race is called species. Class and race are not always in a game.
Getting a Ride
When approaching role-players for a ride, bring them a die as a peace offering. As a rule of thumb, a d100 will get you to another star system, a d20 to another planet, a d6 to another location on the planet, a d8 to another city, a d4 to another area in the city, and a d12 to hell. A d12 is a rarely used die, and is considered a sign of disrespect. Mountain Dew acts as a d4. Do not mock their obsession. When in the ride, compliment the pop culture additions to it. It they have fuzzy D20 dice, complement that. Never use the term geek, and you will get to your destination mostly unharmed.
A tabletop RPG is game, basically, where players create a group of characters, then take the role of a particular character. The DM, or GM, tells what is happening. The players control only their actions, and the DM controls the world around them. In most Rpg's, the characters are represented with statistics.
The main statistics in most RPG's are sometimes called attributes. Their scores in these attributes determine how smart, strong, likeable, etc., they are. All characters have every attribute, though some are better in certain attributes than others. Most RPG's have a die or point based determination system.
The secondary statistics in most RPG's are skills. These work like attributes, but not everyone has the same skills. Sometimes, skills can be affected by attributes. The also may go up when you use them. Skills are sometimes determined by a point based system, or just by attributes. It is uncommon for an RPG to have die based skills.
Many RPG's have a system of improving abilities called levels. When a character gains XP, their level goes up, and their statistics improve. Some games find this arbitrary, and have skills and attributes go up when you use them enough. Some games make your abilities finite.
Classes and Races
Classes and Races are the common terms for a role and species. The class is a character's role, and determines skills, and occasionally attributes, as well as giving special abilities. Alternate names are career and order. Race is used mainly in fantasy settings, and usually determines attributes, sometimes skills, and often abilities. Sometimes race is called species. Class and race are not always in a game.
Getting a Ride
When approaching role-players for a ride, bring them a die as a peace offering. As a rule of thumb, a d100 will get you to another star system, a d20 to another planet, a d6 to another location on the planet, a d8 to another city, a d4 to another area in the city, and a d12 to hell. A d12 is a rarely used die, and is considered a sign of disrespect. Mountain Dew acts as a d4. Do not mock their obsession. When in the ride, compliment the pop culture additions to it. It they have fuzzy D20 dice, complement that. Never use the term geek, and you will get to your destination mostly unharmed.
