If you're looking to get friends into Dungeons & Dragons and they're new to tabletop RPGs like it, there are a few things you can try. One of them is to make the game look like a board game. We've all sat and learned the rules and then played through a board game until it's done.
Imagine doing the same thing for D&D and turning everything into a step-by-step board game that helps you and your players transition to playing the whole thing. Here are some tips to turn D&D into a board game for newcomers, even new dungeon masters, from movement to Hit Points to turn taking and even roleplaying.
Explain the rules
Be specific and direct
One of the scariest things that happens when newcomers sit at a Dungeons & Dragons table is that they are intimidated by the notion that they can do anything and everything. Framing the game in this way can be incredibly overwhelming and also unhelpful, especially if they don't understand the limits of the game and what it really means.
To combat this, explain the rules like any other board game. During session zero, start with the player's expectations and goals. What is the end goal? How will you and the party get there? What are the limits of the adventure? Make sure you let them know what they Can do, then let them stretch it as they play and understand the rules.
Create a cheat sheet
Teach players what they can do on their turns
When playing a board game that requires you to act independently, one of the most useful pieces in the box is a little cheat sheet that describes what you can do on your turn. Similar to the cards in games like Coup, which give you each card's description and ability, an action economy cheat sheet during D&D will save you time and be super helpful.
Having players refer to this sheet and giving a simple overview of what they can do will help make things feel like a board game instead of a free-for-all where you don't know what to do next. There are tons of online cheat sheet references that you can print out to help you with this as well.
Create and use maps
It doesn't have to be pretty
Whether you draw them yourself or pick up a generic map from an online store, one thing that helps give D&D that board game feel is a map for tactical play that players can see and feel. Of course, theater of the mind is as valid a way to play as any, but for players trying out the system for the first time, a tactile experience helps it feel like a board game.
This can also be done with online options for free. Throw the map at a TV or a table and you have everything you need to run the game as a board game. Players know their movement speed and can move as they would any other game.
Use tokens
For gold, potions and characters, etc.
Each board game comes with tokens and pieces that players can use. When you move yourself on a board game map, you need a figure or something to represent yourself. Likewise, having visual and tactile options to represent your gold, Hi Points, potions, or other collectibles makes it much more board game-like than just looking at a sheet.
Here you can really use anything. Bullets, printable cutouts, erasers, or even other dice can all replace whatever stats you want to include. Really, whatever you have around the house is perfect to represent the collectibles on your character sheet.
Create small scenarios with win conditions
Clear goals that teach you how to succeed
Before jumping into a full campaign, have the party go on starter missions with a clear goal and objective. Profit conditions can be created that are within reach and can be achieved in a single session. Clear goals and expectations will help teach new players the flow of the game while outlining exactly what they are expected to do, like a board game.
As the game progresses, the quests can become increasingly difficult and abstract until they evolve to a position where players feel comfortable embracing the ability to do whatever they want.
Include a Randomizer
Introducing The Random Element Of Play
While several board games have some sort of randomizer, D&D does this with almost every interaction. Make sure the quests you do have an element of randomness. Whether you choose the randomizer from a table in a D&D book or create your own for multiple situations, there are plenty of randomized options when it comes to combat and other encounters.
Let players see the randomized options so they know how it works and where the encounters can come from when they first learn the game. This will make each encounter unique, get them used to how things work and still be similar to a board game where each encounter is randomized, like Betrayal at House on the Hill.
Customize character sheet
Create easy-to-read player cards
There's actually no reason to start the game with a full-on character sheet; instead, you can start with the basics. Create a simplified character card for each player that only contains their hit points, movement speed, a simple weapon, and a few small bits of information.
Even if you only use flash cards, this simplified information will make it feel more like a board game and less like you need to read a full page textbook to learn about your character.
Level Up Lite
Expand the game gradually
D&D is already very board game friendly, with combat being turn based and the tactics part playing out the same way a board game would. Once you've got all of that down, gradually reveal more rules to the players and lift previous restrictions.
As games like Little Alchemist provide more and more options the more you complete them and unlock new levels, you will do the same with your D&D campaign. As players level up, the game opens up and they unlock more options on their character sheets and in-game until they eventually become experts.
- Original release date
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1974
- Number of players
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2+
- Age recommendation
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12+ (although younger can play and enjoy)
- Length per game
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From 60 minutes to hours straight.
- Franchise name
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Dungeons & Dragons
- Publishing Co
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Wizards of the Coast
