Let me give you an Introduction
First of, what is Dangan Ronpa?
Dangan Ronpa is a Japanese game and anime series. The Scenario is as follows. 15 people get locked up in a school, and nobody knows why they're there. Then Monokuma shows up. Monokuma is a animatronic teddy-bear who loves death and despair. He explains that, if you want to escape the school, you'll have to kill someone without being found out.
So it's easy then. 50% lives and 50% dies?
No, because, if the others do not find a murderer, they all die, so the only way to live is to avoid any murder attempts and find the killer for every murder that does happen... Ooor kill someone yourself and make sure nobody suspects you,
and this is exactly what happens in the games. You try to survive, as every night someone gets killed by another student. You then investigate the murder and find out who the killer is.
Does this mean I have to watch the series or play the game in order to find out how to play?
No, not at all. because I'm here to help you out. although some people will make references to the anime or the games, you don't need that information to play.
So how do I play?
First of all, find a game that is in the sign-up phase, or sign up as a backup for an ongoing game.
Once the game starts, or someone needs to be replaced, you can start to actually play.
That doesn't say much. how does it work?
Every game will go over four phases: Night, Investigation, Trial and Intermission.
Phase 1: Night
Phase 1 is Night. During this time you PM actions to Monokuma. Monokuma is the gamemaster/host of the game. Night actions can be anything humanly possible, like "go to the library and read a book" or "parade through the hallways naked". Most of the legendary things done in DR are done during night, so go out and impress us. Or you can decide to kill someone...
But can't I just lock the door? There might be a killer out there!
You can, but a locked door never stopped a killer. Also, if you're in your room, there are no witnesses, so you're better off walking around. It might also provide the evidence needed to catch that night's very killer.
But what if I want to kill someone?
Great, then make a plan. It doesn't have to be complicated. However, here are a few simple and logical tips:
- Don't kill in a hallway. The body will be discovered almost immediately.
- A complicated plan usually leaves evidence. If you make one, make sure you don't leave an evidence trail and make it foolproof as much as you can.
- Try to think of an excuse about what you were doing at the time of the murder. A gap in an alibi may become pretty obvious.
- Don't say you met the victim right before he was killed or saw him wounded, unless you've ran out of options.
Phase 2: Investigation
Night is over once Monokuma decides it's over, or if a body is found. After that, everyone wakes up except for ... the player(s) that was/were either killed, locked up, or incapacitated during the night. If you were killed, the game ends for you, but in any other case, you live another day. However, there's a murderer on the loose, so go find him or her. Note that, if you were knocked unconscious or locked up, you can't post in the thread until the others discover you and free/wake you up.
How do I do things?
By using "/<action>" simply. If you do this, Monokuma will give you what happens by doing that action. For example, if you want to investigate the library, post "/investigate the library". Monokuma will then tell you there are books in the library and also, a chair with blood on it!!! *du du duuuuh!* ... This is done in the thread and is public. You can also discuss theories and ask people for alibi's during this phase.
If you think you have enough evidence, type "/trial". once 50% + 1 of all living people have posted this, we move to the trial phase. Monokuma can also trigger trial on his or her own if he or she feels like investigation is taking too long.
Phase 3: Trial
At this point, you are now in the trial room. You can't do any more actions. It's just you, your fellow students and a vote button. The goal of Trial is to vote who the culprit is, or getting away with murder. You can't investigate anymore, and if you didn't investigate enough, that's too bad. If you want to vote, type /vote <player>. once 50% + 1 of the living players have voted for the same person, that person is executed. Sit back and enjoy the show of the refined art of DR-deathtraps. If you were wrong and the killer got away,
Phase 4: Intermission
This is the time to relax. Either the culprit was caught or got away with it, you can now yell at them for manipulating you or gloat how easy you, or someone else, made it. And you can talk, freely. Even if you're dead too! During intermission, people usually talk about random things.
intermission also means: New maps! The area expands, more ground to murder in, more weapons, more stuff, more everything. And then... Night starts again.
I saw something about Ultimates? What's that for?
That comes from the tradition of the games. All the students there would be amazing at one very specific thing. This is their Ultimate. Usually, their execution is based on that Ultimate. and that's still true to this very day. In the forumgames Monokuma still writes out executions according to the Ultimates of the players (or is co-partnered for some specific executions).
Am I ready now?
Pretty much. DR is pretty enjoyable to play so go out, join a game and have fun.
Some Extra Tips:
- During investigation and intermission, you're allowed to whisper. You do this by PM'ing Monokuma your message and who you want to send it to. They will forward it for you, and you are not allowed to PM anyone directly. Every time you whisper, this will be announced, but it can be used to aid in murder or plan secret meetings during the night.
- You are allowed to have an accomplice, and they also get credited if the murder is successful.
- The best nights are the most random ones, so go do something random!
- Don't be afraid to murder, as that is what the game is centered about.
- Most DR rules always stay the same. However some are dependent on the game. Make sure you read all the rules before starting a game to be aware of these changes