How to Start Your First RPG Campaign

What started as a small pen-and-paper game in 1974 now hits every existing media with applause. People dedicate movies, series, novels, video games, and even music to this beloved genre. More than ever, new RPGs are coming to life. They bring new systems, new classes, and new adventures for old settings. More dedicated content creators are also teaching about this hobby. Because of that, it is the perfect moment to start your first RPG campaign. Get ready to discover where to start, what channels to watch, and what to consider to find the perfect RPG.

Choose the RPG System

There are plenty of TTRPG systems on the market. These range from weird, underground masterpieces to mainstream favorites with complex rules. Choosing one may not be quick. Sometimes the verdict is just a matter of appeal. If it looks cool or fun, try it out. Don’t feel chained to a system that isn’t fun to play. You also don’t have to play D&D just because it’s the most popular TTRPG. Many incredible systems are simpler and easier to learn than D&D. A good example is Cairn. It’s a quick adventure with random classes and a light-rule setting, focusing on fast play and storytelling.

Some people play RPGs to see their characters evolve, gear up, and feel their achievements. Other people are just there for the roleplay. They want to experience a fun story and be on an adventure with friends, without caring much about loot. Content creator Dicebreaker does an amazing job at summarizing this. He explains how to choose a TTRPG system in his video, “How to Pick a Tabletop RPG That’s Right for You.”

Content creator Alexandrian also covers in great detail how to approach a first campaign, from both the player’s and the DM’s perspective, in his video Learning a New RPG:

With all of that said, remember to enjoy the process of discovering a new game and trying out new mechanics.

Keep at Hand

These are the most basic items that almost all RPG systems require to be played. Regardless, a few cool 3D printed miniatures, battle maps, and some ambient music are always welcome to help with the mood.

Core rule book: After choosing the RPG system, it’s important to keep the core rule book at the table. Nobody is obliged to memorize all of the rules or all of the effects. Even veteran players and DMs need to consult the rule book every now and again, especially when trying to outsmart the game itself.

Character sheet: these paper sheets compress all the crucial information about a playable character, their hit points (i.e., health), items, gear, skills, and experience level. DMs can also use character sheets to keep track of the many NPCs they have to narrate during the story.

Dice set: but not any dice set! RPGs use different types of die, with the most famous being a d20 (i.e. a die with 20 faces). Dice are responsible for combat results and skill checks, adding an element of chance and surprise to the game. There are plenty of dice sets that come with d3, d6, d8, d12, and d20, which should cover any RPG system’s needs.

Pen and paper: taking notes is always useful. It allows players to gather their thoughts. They can remember details from NPCs or parts of a puzzle. DMs should also have lots of notes behind their screen. This helps them keep track of the plot, that session’s enemies, NPC stories, and other important information.

No Party, No Problem

Some people have a hard time finding others to play TTRPGs in person or matching schedules with friends. Others may feel embarrassed to join a party of more experienced players. Some people prefer to play a short adventure at their own pace first. This is like a tutorial to test their character before joining a party. For all these problems, there’s a special book category called CYOA (choose-your-own-adventure). These books sometimes incorporate popular RPG mechanics, like D&D, into a non-linear story. Players can gain experience, level up, and get items, just as in a normal RPG campaign. All of this is possible without a party or a DM.

Pre-made Campaigns

Roughly speaking, when someone wants to be a DM, it usually means they have a great idea for a really cool world or campaign. They want to narrate a story for their friends and share this exciting world that exists only inside their heads. However, a lot of new DMs fall in love with the worldbuilding aspect of RPGs, drown in a pit of endless creation, and never get to the action part. It’s easy to get overwhelmed when preparing a campaign, be it long or short, or even preparing the next session when the base plot is not well-planned ahead of time. To prevent this, leave the magical world creation for later and start by mastering the basics of being a DM with pre-made campaigns.

Being a storyteller is more about learning how to tell a story rather than thinking about which story should be told. There are plenty of pre-made, official campaigns that DMs can use to find their creative voice before creating their own custom campaigns or worlds. These official adventures and complementary books can be found at Drive-Thru RPG’s website. A hub of TTRPG content for all kinds of systems and with content created by both industry professionals and hobbyists. Running pre-made and tested campaigns is a great lesson for any DM to understand what works and what doesn’t in an adventure, and is even a great way to learn what their players enjoy the most. Now that starting a first RPG campaign is not a mystery anymore, check out RPG: Character Creation for Dummies to create memorable characters and start the adventure.

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