Looking For an Intro strip

[Ornithologist]

So, I have been trying to pass on OOTS to several of my friends, but I'm having trouble choosing a good introductory strip, as Strip #1 isn't very good for that.

Any Ideas?

[Dr.Epic]

So, I have been trying to pass on OOTS to several of my friends, but I'm having trouble choosing a good introductory strip, as Strip #1 isn't very good for that.

Any Ideas?

What strip did you first read?

There you go.

[Cizak]

If they're not fans of DnD jokes, then maybe try starting with #13 and then skipping ahead to the first meeting with the Linear Guild, and go from there.

[Ted The Bug]

If you've got DCF, the intro strips for that are much better. If you don't, then maybe #13 (http://www.giantitp.com/comics/oots0013.html)? It intros Xykon and the plot and all that, but it's still so early that nothing get spoiled.

[rgrekejin]

To be completely honest, I really just think you should start with strip #1. I mean, really. Why start with strip #13? It takes all of six minutes, tops, to read comics #1-13, and that's if you have a slow internet connection. That's not enough of a time savings to really justify skipping ahead. Skip ahead any further, and they're just going to be lost. Just assure them that it gets good really fast, but that they may have to put up with a handful of strips they don't really get the punchlines of super well before it does.

[Shivore]

I realize this may not be much help, but what got my non DnD playing wife interested was playing the OOTS board game. If you have that, maybe get them involved in an OOTS game night.

[lio45]

To be completely honest, I really just think you should start with strip #1. I mean, really. Why start with strip #13? It takes all of six minutes, tops, to read comics #1-13, and that's if you have a slow internet connection. That's not enough of a time savings to really justify skipping ahead. Skip ahead any further, and they're just going to be lost. Just assure them that it gets good really fast, but that they may have to put up with a handful of strips they don't really get the punchlines of super well before it does.

Exactly! Well said.

(I was going to answer something like "#1, and tell them it quickly gets really good. If they're too dumb to invest a few minutes in reading more than only a couple of the ultra-early strips despite your assurance that it's worth it, then... too bad for them, I guess. And it sucks to be you, if that's the kind of friends you have.")

[NerdyKris]

If they're not fans of DnD jokes, then maybe try starting with #13 and then skipping ahead to the first meeting with the Linear Guild, and go from there.

Agreed. The Linear Guild is a perfect jumping on point. It's what hooked me after many, many false starts.

Specifically, a friend was posting the trials of the Oracle strips and then the Elan's bedtime strip where Nale shows up. At that point I wanted to read far enough in the begining to see Nale, having never gotten that far before.

At most the only thing they won't know is why Roy's dad is appearing. The Xykon plot in #13 is practically meaningless to the overall plot. It just says "Get Xykon", basically. I still think those rule joke heavy strips are some of the weakest.

Also, if you're looking for a good plot mid comic to hook them before starting, the tests of the Oracle and his prophecies, and the revelation about Nale's plot are pretty good examples of the strip without spoiling any major plot points. (Except that there are gates, but that's not really too spoilery)

[thereaper]

One strip isn't enough. You will have to show them multiple examples.

I recommend this one (http://www.giantitp.com/comics/oots0327.html), this one (http://www.giantitp.com/comics/oots0587.html), this one (http://www.giantitp.com/comics/oots0542.html), this one (http://www.giantitp.com/comics/oots0020.html), this one (http://www.giantitp.com/comics/oots0090.html), this one (http://www.giantitp.com/comics/oots0136.html), this one (http://www.giantitp.com/comics/oots0036.html), and/or this one (http://www.giantitp.com/comics/oots0029.html). Pick your favorites, and showcase them.

[Kid Jake]

Honestly 37 (http://www.giantitp.com/comics/oots0037.html) is the reason I'm reading to this day. Xykon's casual a'holery hooked me in and made me want to see how things turned out.

[dps]

Try the cast page.

[137beth]

One of my favorite (which does reference D&D rules, but not heavily) is the one where Nale is trying to send to Roy, and getting cut off by the 25 word limit. It won't spoil to much of the plot (possibly start with the one before it), and it really made me laugh.

[Dr. Gamera]

One of my favorite (which does reference D&D rules, but not heavily) is the one where Nale is trying to send to Roy, and getting cut off by the 25 word limit. It won't spoil to much of the plot (possibly start with the one before it), and it really made me laugh.

That's OOTS #337 (Brief and to the Point) (http://www.giantitp.com/comics/oots0337.html), and it was my intro strip. So it worked for at least one person!

[LuPuWei]

I've heard people suggest this strip (http://www.giantitp.com/comics/oots0199.html) before- where the OotS first meets Miko and I think that's a good one to use as an intro strip too. It's probably about when the plot started catching up with mechanics so it'll help ease into D&D jokes while keeping the story exciting, giving people a chance to get hooked so they can later go back and enjoy the first set of strips properly. But that's my two cents.

For me, I began reading at the Darth Vaarsuvius arc, finished that, went back to this strip read all the way till the end again and then read 1-198 like they were a prequel. Which is why I'm not suggesting my intro strip... :smalltongue:

[ZLordZ]

This is a great thread. I'm often considering how to introduce friends to this comic. As LuPuWei and other suggested, Miko's intro on#199 was one I was considering as the writing is tight and the eventual meeting of Lord Shojo in Azure City cements the plot. Looking further this may be a better alternative:
http://www.giantitp.com/comics/oots0195.html

Strip #195 to #204. 195 shows us Team Evil and 196 provides an exposition for their overreaching plotline, I mean villanous plot. This seges to the party and their meeting with miko with a bit of their humorous antics to end 204.
If they are interested, then they may consider reading from #1 .

[titan_monarch]

I'd go with Up a Level, Down a Level. (http://www.giantitp.com/comics/oots0012.html) Classic.

[Ron Miel]

Show them the Belkar pdf.

[Mr.Rictus]

I lent SoD to my friend, personally. (Yes it does have spoilers to the whole 'Snarl' bit, but I still think it works)

[skim172]

If they're into D&D, then they'll probably ease into it pretty quickly. If they're just into fantasy computer games, then they might have enough awareness of game mechanics so that the specific gaming mechanics don't alienate them.

Otherwise ... might be a bit difficult. If they're into medieval fantasy in general - enough to be able to enjoy the genre-related meta-humor - it would help.

While as a story, I think OOTS is definitely up there, I also think that the webcomic format and stick-figure artwork will gear the first-time reader against seriously treating it as a story-based comic. So it might not be a good idea to take that angle when introducing the comic to someone new.

Honestly, it wasn't until I read Start of Darkness that it really struck me how good the story actually is. I would recommend that any OOTS reader to read SOD - though not until after familiar with the main story.

[Onyavar]

In the online comics, there are many different ones that may be interesting, depending on whether your friends are loving dinosaurs (the allosaurus loose in the arena) or easily impressed with epic magic (choose the Darth Vaarsuvius arc, beginning with Qarr bothering V, it needs no background). If they like detective stories, show them the CPPD comics.

Once they are interested, point them to start at #1, though.


And consider to show them one of the books or other non-digital products you might own.

An english teacher might get hooked with "The Tragedy Of Greenhilt, Prince Of Denmark".
The coloring book is the signal for "Hey, it's kids friendly." - perfect for young parents.
The magnet collection on your fridge or the cup on your desk can be a hook where THEY ask YOU about the product, and you can show them a comic suited for their interests (see above).

Still, don't be depressed when it doesn't work out.

[asdflove]

I got my Non-D&D playing friends to try it by showing them #418 (http://www.giantitp.com/comics/oots0418.html)... but that's because they're really dirty minded... I would suggest #56 (http://www.giantitp.com/comics/oots0056.html). That's the first comic that was shown to me and it got me hooked.

[MeanMrsMustard]

I found the "Your approval fills me with shame" strip (www.giantitp.com/comics/oots0171.html) through TV Tropes. I started reading and showed my brother the one where Roy works with the tools he's been given (www.giantitp.com/comics/oots0022.html). Then we got our two other siblings hooked. :smallbiggrin: