7 Tips for First-Time LARPers!

Tips for your first time, from a first timer!
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Storyline is a video series documenting my creative journey as a storyteller and my efforts to bring more stories to life.
Experience Gain is a video series of tips for Game Masters on how to get the most out of their roleplaying games.
In general I love making videos about art and creativity - whether the medium is comics, Dungeons and Dragons, or anything else! I upload a new video every Friday.
I also make custom content for Dungeons & Dragons available on the DM's Guild here: www.dmsguild.com/browse.php?author=Jeremy%20Melloul
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You can also find me online here:
imaginaryjeremy
jeremymelloul
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[@Vinyl-Syrup]

Hi. As someone who's family runs a larp system I want to say thank you for making this as a lot of new players don't realise how draining and prep-intensive events can be. And the Brit in me must say CHEERS LOVE

[@ImaginaryJeremy]

Hey! Thanks! I appreciate it :)

[@Vinyl-Syrup]

@@ImaginaryJeremy no no I appreciate you making this video!

[@ayecarlie]

Great video! I was looking for this kind of video earlier this year when I just started LARPing, so this is definitely perfect for other people new to the hobby!

[@ImaginaryJeremy]

Thank you! Glad you like it and think it will be useful!

[@Chocopyro1]

I basically RPed my character initially as "I've been adventuring for a while now, but I haven't ever dipped my toes into the heroic side of adventuring" to explain his lack of levels. I had the RL skills to back up a lot of things I designed my character to do, but I really wanted to play him as that guy who played it safe initially, and only started getting more confident recently. Boy, I had no way of knowing what a wake up call my character would be getting in those first two events. I had the unfortunate privilege of discovering the secret Big Bad Evil Guy who was kinda manipulating things behind the scenes of the first event, and often found myself locked in combat with enemies that could oneshot me if they landed a hit. Making a lot of his battles more of a rescue mission to pull the other low levels out of harms way and retreat by the skin of his teeth. The result? All the NPCs started to think I was one of the higher leveled PCs, so when one of their spies learned my name, they ended up sending thugs regularly to town to try and root me out. So by the end of the first event, my character was kinda huddled in a corner like "Maybe I should retire from this gig, this is getting crazy!" By the start of my second event, my character was humbled a second time when he took the front lines and got blasted by an AOE fire spell, thus he spent most of his second day drunk in the tavern like "I can't HANDLE THIS! *hic*" But he won back his confidence later that day when he played a major role in uncovering a hidden treasure stash in a trapped chest. All the 2020 events were cancelled due to covid, but we've been getting XP for the anyways, so my character's physical and mental scars have probably had a chance to sink in, but I gotta say, never skip the low level RP. They really define what kind of adventurer you are going to be later on down the road. It just so happened that my character ended up being the rough and tumble sellsword in the corner with his hood up, carefully surveying and taking stock of everyone who enters the room. Not because I wanted to play him that way. But because he learned those lessons the hard way. The less remembered you are for the good you put into the world, the safer you will be. And if you're stuck in a situation where you NEED to be the hero? Wear a mask.

[@iprobablyforgotsomething]

"Not because I wanted to play him that way. But because he learned those lessons the hard way." . That's a pretty true-to-irl backstory for your character, right there! My condolences, and glad you (both) survived the learning of the lessons!

[@TheRPGDaily]

Hey! I found your channel while looking for twin mask stuff, I'll be at the November game! Thanks for these tips they both justify and make me think more about my character! Keep it up!

[@ImaginaryJeremy]

Hey! Glad you found the channel & that the videos are helping you! Thanks for the encouragement & looking forward to seeing you in November!

[@AzraelThanatos]

For must buys for a first larp, one of the big things to aim for purchasing would be less character specific and more general ones along with what you need to handle things. A few decent tunics, pants, and such work well for an early set of purchases, same with things like pouches/belts/cloak broaches that can be used with multiple character ideas as a need.

[@villelahetkangas6833]

Superb, very useful information! Thanks :)

[@boonga585]

5:42

[@katmandoo223]

Thank you for this information My family is going to the Twin Mask larp in a few weeks. These tips are helpful. If there are any families that larp please encourage them to be on your channel and give tips and info. There is no information on how families should prepare or what to consider when doing this with kids.

[@ImaginaryJeremy]

This is a great idea! I'll definitely keep it in mind - it's definitely not something I know anything about. I hope you have a great time at the LARP! See you there.

[@biankah]

VERY helpful. Thanks so much!

[@ImaginaryJeremy]

You're welcome! Glad I could help!

[@CalvinKlown]

Sounds like there should have been some fires. But great ideas, well done, it seems like you really "get" lrp. I'd say you can buy a load of kit instead of relying on others, that shows willing and will ingratiate yourself, you can always sell it if you change character.

[@LaylahniJade]

Your videos are super helpful BTW :)

[@ImaginaryJeremy]

Thank you! Glad to hear it!

[@justvalentino12341]

I had my first laps jester day

[@gabi_bird]

Thanks for the tips!! I love what you say at 6:45

[@ImaginaryJeremy]

No problem! Happy to help!

[@tobealostwanderer]

Gonna go to my first one next month!

[@ImaginaryJeremy]

Awesome!

[@wyattlevine8380]

Hey there! Just wondering what LARPs you would recommend for teens.

[@ImaginaryJeremy]

Hey, Wyatt! Definitely not an expert on the subject. I've still only attended to Twin Mask! That said Twin Mask is friendly to younger players, too, though there are some rules on being accompanied by parents depending on age.

[@elised7915]

I just discovered LARP last night. I really want to do it, but I’m afraid I won’t be able to become my character(as in being able to act and play them) any tips you have to help?

[@ImaginaryJeremy]

I think that fear is totally normal! And very common. One tip I know a lot of people follow is to make music playlists for your character to listen to on your way to game. I find having clear goals is also a very helpful one. And picking three key traits (and finding ways to express them). So if you want to play a coward, you should think about what they're afraid of & why. Seems simple, but I think being deliberate about it is huge. My last tip, which might be the most important, is not to be too hard on yourself. It takes time to "find" your character at LARP. Your character will (and should) change based off your actual experiences at game. You'll see what you're comfortable with doing and what you enjoy spending time on. There's nothing wrong with using your OOC interest to find IC justification for the things you want to spend time doing. Hope that helps?

[@elised7915]

ImaginaryJeremy That helps a lot. Thank you so much! Means a lot that you took time out of your day to reply 😊

[@ImaginaryJeremy]

@@elised7915 No problem!

[@tobealostwanderer]

Some LARPs, especially the smaller ones, also have a check in moment where you and the group of people you are placed with basically introduce eachother in character. There are workshops as well on how to devolop your character most likely the first day. If you have struggles with creating a character, you can mail the event and they (most of the time) are glad to help you! If you are afraid to be/go alone (introverts unite) you can look on social media for others that are going to the event and maybe get a chat group together :)

[@elised7915]

to be a lost wanderer Thank you so much!! 🙏🏻

[@jetjames420]

About that first tip...It's kinda hard to hear you from tx

[@MrCab236]

IS THIS A BATTLE?

[@MrCab236]

Hmm must be something suspicious🚶🏿‍♂️🚷

[@Ram-xs3hg]

LARPING

[@ImaginaryJeremy]

Indeed!