New to RPGs - need a rundown.

[BumblingBear]

I am looking for an RPG to play.  I've never played any table top game.

I am familiar with Rifts, D&D, Scion, Pathfinder, etc.

I am really interested in the DV RPG because I love the Dresden Files so much.

That said, I flipped through the book the other day and it was kind of daunting.  I was impressed by the production quality but it seemed a bit different than anything I was used to.

Could anyone give me a really simple rundown of how the mechanics/game works?  Try to keep in mind that I am a total noob.  Talk to me like I am an idiot - I promise I won't take offense.

Thanks.

[UmbraLux]

Here are a couple tutorials:

• 
  
• Combat
  
• Magical Theory
  
• Evocation
  
• Thaumaturgy
  
• Building Spells
  
• Specialties

Have to agree with you though...FATE may be 'light' but DFRPG isn't. 

[BumblingBear]

Here are a couple tutorials:

• 
  
• Combat
  
• Magical Theory
  
• Evocation
  
• Thaumaturgy
  
• Building Spells
  
• Specialties

Have to agree with you though...FATE may be 'light' but DFRPG isn't. 

Wow I've just checked out the combat section so far and that looks amazing!  Complicated and new, but amazing.

Thanks for the links.

[noclue]

Sure, easy peasy. But, do you have any questions on your mind at this point. I think you'll get more out of this if you ask questions and we answer, rather than just getting an info dump, which may or may not help.

You say you're familiar with D&D, etc. but have never played them. So, I don't think comparing DFRPG to those games will help you much. Do you have any particular questions that we can help clear up? Do you understand how you would punch a guy, to use a simple example?

If you understand that much, I'd suggest reading the "What's on your Character Sheet" section on Page 17 and seeing if that makes sense to you. If so, I'd move to the Creating your Character and City Creations Chapters and see if those bring up any questions.

[BumblingBear]

Sure, easy peasy. But, do you have any questions on your mind at this point. I think you'll get more out of this if you ask questions and we answer, rather than just getting an info dump, which may or may not help.

You say you're familiar with D&D, etc. but have never played them. So, I don't think comparing DFRPG to those games will help you much. Do you have any particular questions that we can help clear up? Do you understand how you would punch a guy, to use a simple example?

If you understand that much, I'd suggest reading the "What's on your Character Sheet" section on Page 17 and seeing if that makes sense to you. If so, I'd move to the Creating your Character and City Creations Chapters and see if those bring up any questions.

I've actually been impressed enough that I will probably go out and buy the book tomorrow.

[UmbraLux]

Glad I could help...found those links on RPG.net though, can't take any credit for them.

FATE itself is pretty simple.  It's really just the spellcasting rules which complicate things for me.  That said, DFRPG is the single best fiction to RPG conversion I've seen.  It does an excellent job of transferring the flavor of the books to the game.  Hope you enjoy it also!

Edit:  Here's a post on declarations I found very useful.  (Thanks mostlyawake!)

[mostlyawake]

Woot! I was helpful!

[BumblingBear]

Now I am just trying to find a group to play in the Austin area...

[deathwombat]

http://www.jimbutcheronline.com/bb/index.php/topic,20740.0.html