Why D&D Should Be More Popular

Why D&D Should Be More Popular

D&D- a tabletop RPG created in the 70s and known among nerds worldwide. But why should it be limited to just nerds? Here's why the epitome of geek-ness should be played by more kinds of people.

kristyha42
kristyha42 Dec 6, 2018
200
views

D&D;, or Dungeons and Dragons, is a tabletop role playing game that was created by Gary Gygax and Dave Arneson in 1974. It revolves around fantasy and fantastical races, classes, quests, and missions. Kings, queens, betrayal, romance, comedy, action, combat; there's something in it for everyone, yet it is mostly played among "nerds" or "geeks."

For a fun, successful D&D; campaign, first you must find someone to be the DM, or "dungeon master." Their role is to create the campaign's story, the quest for the rest of the party to engage in. Some campaigns take only a few hours, and some can take years to finish. For example, the campaign I currently am involved in is about the rise of an evil, ancient dragon called Tiamat. My party's goal is to kill Tiamat and save the world. Our dungeon master is creative, patient, and willing to put up with our shenanigans- good qualities to have as a DM.

Now, my favorite part of my current campaign (and D&D; as a whole) is that anyone can be anything. Yes, anything. Humans? Sure. Elves? Heck yeah. Gnomes, dwarves, goblins, dragonborn, and Tieflings? Absolutely. You can pick any race! You can be something totally fictional! You can be something more realistic! The best part is that it's all up to you, the player! And, now that you have your race picked out, you get to choose a class. A class is what your character specializes in. A rogue, for example, is good at stealing and lock-picking, while a monk is good at fighting hand-to-hand, while a wizard is good at magic. You can choose any class with any race and no two characters are the same! Your character doesn't even have to have your personality (though for first-time players, it may be easiest if they do). You can be anyone. Anything. The only limit is your imagination.

So just why should D&D; be more popular? It fosters creativity, teamwork, cooperation, and group-thinking. It allows for a closer bond between friends. As my friend and fellow party member Abbi said, "It's a socially acceptable fantasy escape." Dungeons & Dragons is just that- a fantasy escape. I began playing about six months ago and, at the time, I wasn't in such a good spot mentally. Being able to create a character that was so awesome and badass and just about everything I want to be was a relief- being able to make choices as she would and use her abilities to save a world, even if it is not my real one, is a great, albeit a little strange at first, feeling.

I believe that anyone and everyone can benefit from playing Dungeons & Dragons, even if it's only once. Whether you enjoy the role playing, the combat, the mysteries, the comedy, or even just screwing around with the other party members- there's something in it for everyone.

kristyha42
kristyha42 Dec 6, 2018
At Shippensburg University

Popular Right Now

If Taylor Swift Songs Were Types Of Alcohol

Because what's better than a drink and some T-Swift?
Skylar Cleland
Skylar Cleland Sep 6, 2017
14397
views

With Taylor Swift's quick return to the music scene... and in a big way, might I add, I decided to associate some of the best Taylor Swift songs with alcohol.

I mean, who wouldn't want to drink to Taylor Swift's catchy melodies and perfect choruses to get over an ex or tell someone exactly how you feel about them?

Taylor Swift has been around for a decade at this point, and let's face it, pretty much all of her songs could go along with at least one type of alcohol.

1. "Welcome To New York" - Moscow Mule

It only makes sense. Visit the Big Apple and you have to indulge in the state's signature cocktail. Moscow mules are a New York classic, and if it's your first night in the city and you haven't bought yourself one, are you even in New York?

2. "Blank Space" - Everclear

Think about it... A night of drinking Everclear will leave you with a giant blank space the next day. You might also look like Taylor did in the music video.

3. "Tim McGraw" - Beer

Tim McGraw is a throwback to Taylor's high school love. What better way to reminisce than with a couple friends and a keg of your favorite cheap beer?

4. "Style" - Cristal Champagne

What's more stylish than with a glass of the most expensive bubbly you can find? Just like Taylor Swift, Cristal will never go out of style.

5. "Shake It Off" - Martini

Get it? Cause you shake a martini? I might be the only one who thinks that's funny but you might end up dancing a little bit with a martini in hand when "Shake It Off" come on the radio.

6. "Red" - Merlot


Red has to go along with a red wine. What else could go along with yet *another* T-Swift breakup song?

7. "22" - Margaritas

Let's face it, when you're 22, you really only drink margaritas. They're fun- and all the hipsters are probably drinking them too.

8. "Teardrops On My Guitar" - Southern Comfort

When your heart is broken, who are you going to turn to besides the only alcohol that gives you comfort...Southern Comfort that is.

9. "I Knew You Were Trouble" - Fireball

I can't say I've ever met anyone who spent a night with Fireball and didn't regret it the next morning.

10. "Look What You Mad Me Do" - Tequila

T-Swift's latest single is an angry one. What better to make you angry than tequila? Taylor basically just called out everyone who had ever talked about her behind her back and she did it in true Taylor fashion-by writing a song. She was probably drunk on tequila when she wrote it too.

11. ...Ready For It? - Bottomless Mimosas

Because it's just that good.

Cover Image Credit: YouTube
Skylar Cleland
Skylar Cleland Sep 6, 2017
At Kennesaw State University

Related Content

Connect with a generation
of new voices.

We are students, thinkers, influencers, and communities sharing our ideas with the world. Join our platform to create and discover content that actually matters to you.

Learn more Start Creating

Board Games Are More Important Than You Think They Are

They've become a defining part of my family.

Angelina Sakkestad
Angelina Sakkestad Dec 13, 2018
1748
views

Remember when you were a kid and you'd have a family game night? Or your friends would come over and you'd open the game cabinet and play at least three different games together?

Maybe it's just me, but those are some of my best memories from my childhood. My family loves games, board games, and electronic games.

Of course, as I got older, gaming consoles like PlayStation and Wii became more and more popular. That meant that the game cabinet was opened less and less, collecting dust.

Thankfully, I live in New Jersey near the shore and Hurricane Sandy left my family with no power for five days. Sure, it was scary not having power and walking around my neighborhood seeing fallen trees or roof shingles, but we were inland enough to not have had any flood water damage.

No power also meant no PlayStation or Wii games. The gaming cabinet was opened again, this time with vigor. Now, four years later, and I still think about sitting in the dark with a flashlight playing Scrabble with my family.

That was also the week I learned how to play Yahtzee and dominated my dad in every game. My sister constantly was looking for someone to play her to Battleship. We exhausted Rummikub.

The game was already a family favorite, and that's including extended family. Family barbeques had been ending with late night games of Rummikub for at least a year by the time Sandy hit.

We were ready to strategize and crunch numbers, but after day three, we never wanted to a number ever again.

This semester, there's been a surge of board game love again in my family. My sister bought Jenga, which we are currently trying to exhaust ourselves with. My favorite board game also had a comeback: Life.

I loved this game so much that I had the SpongeBob version as a kid. I would play it with my best friend, just the two of us, playing game after game of Bikini Bottom themed Life. Now, I have a car full of "kids" that I've started to make pets in my head. I can handle having five pretend dogs, but not five pretend kids.

I don't know what it is about board games, but my family has always had an affinity for them. We've gone through our cycles of playing video games and card games, but we always come back to the classics. Maybe it's more a defining part of my family than I originally thought.

Angelina Sakkestad
Angelina Sakkestad Dec 13, 2018
At Rowan University

Related Content

Facebook Comments