From Video Games to Tabletop: How to Hook Gamers into D&D

If your friends are obsessed with RPGs like Baldur's Gate III, Skyrim, The Witcher, or Dragon Age, there's a good chance they’ll love Dungeons & Dragons (D&D). While video games provide immersive worlds and storylines, D&D offers an even richer experience—one where players can completely shape the world and narrative. Here’s how you can hook your gamer friends into playing D&D.

1. Focus on Character Customization

One of the biggest draws of RPG video games is character creation, and D&D takes this to the next level. In games like Skyrim, you can tweak your character’s race, class, and abilities, but D&D offers unlimited possibilities. Want to be a dwarf wizard with a pet owl who can teleport? Or a half-elf rogue with a tragic backstory? D&D lets you create exactly that.

Example: Show your friends the D&D Beyond character builder. Walk them through creating a character with all the customization options. They’ll love having complete creative control over their alter ego.

Resource: D&D Beyond Character Builder – A free and user-friendly tool to build your first D&D character.

2. Highlight the Open-World Freedom

In video games like The Witcher 3, players love exploring vast open worlds. But every game has limits—locked doors, invisible walls, or areas that can't be accessed. In D&D, the only limit is the Dungeon Master's imagination. Want to scale a mountain, fly across the sea, or infiltrate a secret cult? You can do it.

Example: Set up a one-shot (a single-session game) where they must infiltrate a villain’s lair. Unlike video games where the choices are preset, in D&D, they can choose how they want to proceed—sneak in, disguise themselves, or even talk their way through.

Resource: Lost Mine of Phandelver – A popular beginner adventure perfect for introducing new players to the limitless possibilities of D&D.

3. Showcase the Tactical Combat

Gamers familiar with combat mechanics in Dark Souls or Divinity: Original Sin II will appreciate the strategy involved in D&D combat. It’s more than just swinging swords and casting spells. Players have to consider positioning, resource management, and teamwork to overcome challenges.

Example: Set up a simple battle encounter where your friends can see the strategy unfold. Use tools like Roll20 or physical battle maps and miniatures to make combat come alive visually.

Resource: Roll20 – A free online platform to play D&D virtually, complete with maps and battle grids to enhance combat.

4. Emphasize Storytelling and Player Agency

Video game RPGs tell compelling stories, but in D&D, the players write the story as they go. The Dungeon Master (DM) sets the stage, but player decisions shape the outcome. This appeals to gamers who love influencing the narrative in games like Mass Effect or Cyberpunk 2077.

Example: Give your friends a taste of player-driven storytelling by running a session where their choices have immediate and meaningful consequences. For example, a decision to save an NPC could affect the outcome of an entire town.

Resource: Critical Role – Watch an episode of this popular D&D show where professional voice actors role-play. It's a great way to see how much storytelling freedom D&D offers.

5. Ease Them In with Familiar Mechanics

D&D may seem daunting with its rulebooks and dice, but it’s not too different from the RPGs your friends already love. If they’ve managed stats, gear, and leveling in video games, they’re more than ready for D&D. You can even start with simplified rules (like the D&D Starter Set) to avoid overwhelming them.

Example: Compare D&D stats like Strength or Dexterity to video game attributes they’re already familiar with, like Stamina or Agility in Skyrim or Elden Ring.

Resource: D&D Starter Set – A beginner-friendly set with pre-made characters, rules, and an introductory adventure.

Final Thoughts

Convincing your gamer friends to try D&D might seem like a challenge, but the key is to show them how the game mirrors (and enhances) the things they already love. From character customization to tactical combat and world-building, D&D offers endless opportunities for creativity, adventure, and fun. Once they’ve had their first taste, they’ll be hooked.

References:

• D&D Beyond – The go-to site for D&D tools and resources.
• Roll20 – An online platform for playing tabletop RPGs virtually.
• Critical Role – A streaming show that showcases professional D&D gameplay.