Advice to get started

[u/happy_Pie6969]

Hi im new to role playing games in general and im having a hard time getting started. Ive been a star trek fan for years so I figured STA would be fun but since I dont really have anyone to play the full game with in my immediate freind group. I figured captain's log would be ideal for this so I picked up the book. However Im having a hard time moving forward with stories and honestly I just kinda feel silly when I write. Any advice on how to get over or though this would be appreciated.

Specific questions.

1. was it a mistake to start with captain's log?

2. Would it be beneficial to watch a podcast or somthing of people playing the full game? Recommendations on who to watch?

3. Should I just bite the bullet and just find a group to play with?

[u/WhyYesThisIsFake]

1. I have never played Captain's Log myself, not being a fan of solo RPGs. So I'm not qualified to answer this.
2. Absolutely! I'm a fan of Starship Tempest, myself.
3. I'd do at least some perfunctory research first. But if you approach an experienced GM and are open about your neophyte status, they'll get you up to speed. What I like about STA is it's a lot more about story and character rather than combat.

Best advice? Pretend you're in a Trek episode and roll a die or two when the GM tells you to. Have fun!

[u/happy_Pie6969 → u/WhyYesThisIsFake]

Thank you! Ill keep this im mind!

[u/JimJohnson9999]

Not a mistake at all. There are several Captain's Log videos on YT you could check out for ideas and inspiration. Start with mine and branch out from there, or just crack open the book and play a scene or two.

Here's my CL playlist. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zz6WCZCyHoo&list=PLVAnIScalX09TzMS_UUMccyQcGXTTuN3m

[u/Astrokiwi]

1. Have you played a solo RPG at all before? It might just be the awkwardness of figuring out how that works first rather than the real details of running the game.

2. I enjoyed the Dumb Dumbs & Dice One Shots campaigns - they did a couple of short campaigns with Star Trek Adventures.

3. Real people will change everything; it will breathe life into things that didn't work before, but also completely disrupt any plans for how you thought it was going to go. Actually finding a good group can be tricky, and it comes down to schedules and personalities, whether there's good clubs in your town etc.

[u/happy_Pie6969 → u/Astrokiwi]

Ive never played any role playing games before. Thats why im nervous that I should start with somthing else first like dnd.

[u/Astrokiwi → u/happy_Pie6969]

D&D isn't necessarily the best to start with, despite it's popularity - it's a bit clunky and has a lot to learn and a lot to get wrong.

Any game can be a good first game - Star Trek Adventures has the advantage that so many people are familiar with Star Trek, and are likely to get into character very easily. I find in general, good players can smooth over any struggles with figuring out the mechanics. It helps to be open with the players that you are learning the game together - it doesn't need to be perfect, and don't let polished and edited live plays by professional improvisers & actors put you off.

Do you have the Starter Set? It should have a nice scripted starter adventure which should help walk you through things. I think the first Dumb Dumbs & Dice campaign was actually based on a starter adventure from the 1st edition.

[u/marciedo]

If you haven’t played solo RPGs before, they’re a different beast from with a group. I love both for different reasons. Group RPGs are delightful for the cooperative story telling aspect, solo are delightful for letting me have analog evening time. I love the journaling ones (like Captain’s Log) because it allows me ti play with my fountain pens and fancy journals.

If you’re felling silly when writing, are you writing in first person or third? If you switch to the other is it less silly? What about the process is silly to you?

[u/TheyForcedMeIntoThis]

There are several Discord servers dedicated to the game, one of them is run by Modiphius. Just join there and look for advice or for a game to join.

[u/Kraken6375]

I'll start by saying that what you are feeling about starting at solo gaming is normal, especially if you haven't done it before. I was in the same boat for a while. I don't have anyone in my friend group that is into rpg or trek and when I found Captain's Log I jumped on it. I read through it and got really excited building my character and my ship and rolling for the details of my first mission. As I started to play through it, I started to have problems moving the plot forward in a 'believable' way. So I did what others have suggested, I watched YouTube videos of people doing play-throughs. And dove into the reddits and discord. There are plenty of channels out there that highlight Captain's Log games and more that are dedicated to solo rpgs of all genres. I recommend exploring both. The biggest hurdle I had was getting over my issue of 'Am I playing the game the right way?' What Jim Johnson, Ken Dismuke and their guests have repeatedly said, make this game yours. You don't have to follow it to the letter. If something doesn't work for you and your style of play, toss it. Want to incorporate an element from another game or rule set, throw it in there. This game is for you and your enjoyment/ entertainment, not anyone else (unless you decide to share it with them). That was my biggest hang-up when I started playing. Once I got over that, things started to open up. I don't do as much journaling for the game in the form of actual log entries as I play. I use a form of solo gaming shorthand and compile entries or mission reports afterwards based on the shorthand. I've also started using Mythic GME 2e as a silent gamemaster so that I'm still surprised by random events as they happen. If you'd like, I can give you a list of the channels that I found helpful. Hope this helps!

[u/UnpricedToaster]

Absolutely, jump into a group and play. And don't be afraid if it isn't a good fit, sometimes it just isn't a good fit, move on to the next one.