Post/Author/DateTime	Post
maraa08 04-11-08, 05:14 PM	Hi everyone, I am both new to this forum and to the world of D&D. My mother grew up when d&d first came out and i guess she had a friend that played and it took over his life and changed him for the worse. I am 18 now and have finally gotten permission to play and i have a few questions. I ahve a group of friends taht wants to paly also and they want to make me the DM, which is fine with me. So here are my questions, and thank you everyone in advance. 1. Should i go ahead and buy the core rulebooks for 3.5 and play with that for now or should I wait untill June and buy 4e? 2. I have seen 4e teaser books or something like that, should i buy those or are they a waste of money? 3. I honestly have no idea what to do, or how to be a DM. Is there a website that will explain it very well or will the book do that plenty well? 4. Is there a place I can go, a website or a blog or something in which I can read mock game runs written out so i can get a since of what i will be doing before i buy anything? Once again i thank you all for your answers! ~Aaron
Sareld 04-11-08, 05:26 PM	1) At any rate, you shouldnt buy any 3.5 or 4e books right now. 3.5 books are possibly completely obsolete in a few months, but no one know if 4e will hit or miss. Play the waiting game for a few months. Also, most 3.5 rules are open source, so use the online version from www.d20srd.org until 4e becomes avaliable. 2) I suppose that those has a good chance of becoming collecters items in due time, but personally I woulndt bother buying them. 3) See the 'What is a DM to Do?' forums. It is right below 'General D&D'. Also, download a few of the preconstructed adventures from WotCs homepage and read them through, they are a fine introduction to the game. 4) Hmm... not to my knowledge.
Jaxgaret 04-11-08, 05:59 PM	1. Should i go ahead and buy the core rulebooks for 3.5 and play with that for now or should I wait untill June and buy 4e? You can check out the SRD (http://www.d20srd.org/index.htm) for free (it has about 95% of what you need to start playing) before you take the plunge and buy the 3.5 core books. It's up to you for how much of a financial investment <$100 is... if it's not so much, just buy them. You can always sell them later and you're only out a couple bucks. 2. I have seen 4e teaser books or something like that, should i buy those or are they a waste of money? They're a waste of money. Just go to Enworld's 4e compilation page (http://www.enworld.org/index.php?page=4e) for all of that information plus much more, for free. 3. I honestly have no idea what to do, or how to be a DM. Is there a website that will explain it very well or will the book do that plenty well? The DMG is pretty good at it, actually. Or you can always ask around on this site. Be careful, though, there a fair number of bitter/ignorant people on these boards. Only listen to the reasonable posters :) Also, there is always Dungeon Master for Dummies (http://www.amazon.com/Dungeon-Dummies-Dungeons-Dragons-Roleplaying/dp/0471783307/ref=pd_bbs_2?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1207951123&sr=8-2). ;) 4. Is there a place I can go, a website or a blog or something in which I can read mock game runs written out so i can get a since of what i will be doing before i buy anything? Yes, try the giantitp.com play-by-post boards (http://www.giantitp.com/forums/forumdisplay.php?f=3). They're essentially D&D games all typed out for you to look at. You won't get much of the rules, but you will get lots of flavor. Once again i thank you all for your answers! ~Aaron You're welcome :)
Renown0 04-11-08, 06:01 PM	1. Well, I'd suggest first, you get a gaming group. Once you do, just get the basic game set. It has several miniatures, premade charies, and a full adventure for you to do that should keep you busy for a while. 2. No. Plain and simple. 3. Everyone in the previously mentioned forum can help you. A lot. 4. Ehm... they have one IN the 3.5 DMG, but I guess that won't help, will it? AHA! I know where! On Youtube, if you look all over the place, you can find several. I suggest doing a search for "D&D Session". EDIT: Good one here, it spans for a LONG time, but that's good, right? http://youtube.com/profile_videos?user=bigjr20&p=r
Jaxgaret 04-11-08, 06:11 PM	Here is a link to a most excellent thread on how to be a good DM: http://www.giantitp.com/forums/showthread.php?t=76474
thefarouk 04-11-08, 09:55 PM	AHA! I know where! On Youtube, if you look all over the place, you can find several. I suggest doing a search for "D&D Session".[/url] Renown0 you are truly evil... you have NO idea how much time you just made me spend on youtube. :devil: /Thef
Renown0 04-12-08, 12:21 AM	Yesss! I do tend to have random evilgasms... and I LIKE 'em...
Etarnon 04-12-08, 02:36 AM	If you want to get into D&D really cheaply, go to Ebay, and look for 1e or 2e. Less cheaply, 3.0 books, can be had cheaper than 3.5 4.0 isn't out yet, not till june/july or so. Good luck, welcome to DMing.
twad 04-12-08, 02:59 AM	Hi! 1. Should i go ahead and buy the core rulebooks for 3.5 and play with that for now or should I wait untill June and buy 4e? I would wait for 4e edition if i were you. 2. I have seen 4e teaser books or something like that, should i buy those or are they a waste of money? Wait for the 4e core to be launched, see if you like it, then its up to you. 3. I honestly have no idea what to do, or how to be a DM. Is there a website that will explain it very well or will the book do that plenty well? like others have said, pay a visit to the "Whats a DM to do" forum, lots of usefull information. Dont overplan. Have fun. 4. Is there a place I can go, a website or a blog or something in which I can read mock game runs written out so i can get a since of what i will be doing before i buy anything? cant help you here.
Captain_Madrick 04-12-08, 11:09 AM	Personally I would say wait for 4e. Problem is if you wanna start gaming now... Maybe check used book stores, and pick up the three core. (Players Handbook, Dungeon Master's Guide, and Monster Manual). Play this system, see how you like it. Try 4e when it comes out (highly recommend this) If you like 3.5 just fine, start buying the extra books.
darrell_uk 04-12-08, 12:26 PM	It may be worth getting hold of the 3.5 D&D Basic set http://www.wizards.com/default.asp?x=products/dndacc/966470000 as a stop-gap, if you have the spare cash. It will give you the basics of the system, and a few items (i.e. minis & dice) that are edition proof. Unfortunately the 4E basic set isn't slated for release until November. http://www.wizards.com/default.asp?x=products/dndacc/217120000 As to whether to dive in and buy the full 3.5E rules or wait until the 4E release, I'm afraid that you guess is as good an anyone's. The deciding factors should probably be how much you can afford to spend, and just how desperately you want to start playing.
RedWizard 04-12-08, 02:24 PM	If you want to get into D&D really cheaply, go to Ebay, and look for 1e or 2e. Less cheaply, 3.0 books, can be had cheaper than 3.5 4.0 isn't out yet, not till june/july or so. Good luck, welcome to DMing. Honestly I couldn't agree more. If you just want tips on how to run an interesting game smoothly and handle the players, you need look no further then the 1st Edition Dungeon Masters Guide. It can be found cheap online and Gygax really layed out some great guidelines on how the role was meant to be handled. Oh and having a 1st Edition DMG (the one with the efreet on the cover) makes you look really cool in the eyes of your fellow gamers. I mean, look at me:bravo:
Flamegrape 04-12-08, 03:46 PM	I recommend that you do not buy the 3.5 edition books. Wait until the 4th edition is released. Perhaps in the future you might buy older books if you are in search of inspiration for your campaigns.
Etarnon 04-12-08, 10:45 PM	Here's what a small excerpt of a Recent SW SAGA game that I ran a week ago looked like on OpenRPG. This is not using the 3.5 rules but the Star Wars Saga Edition rules, however, the principles are the same. The Setting is Star Wars, in my Outer Rim Campaign, Set two years before the Events of the Original Star Wars Movie (from 1977). DM: Etarnon Reef Explorer: A Mon Calamari Scout Ship, given to the Rebellion, when the Planet Mon Calamari was recently overrun by the Empire. Orrin Rom : A Human Scoundrel gunfighter, working for a Hutt Crime Lord's Rodian Minion Ossa Kin: A Gungan Jedi Apprentice of Hando Esta, Jedi Knight. Slarth of Ithor: A Scoundrel Human with Force powers. Mithran the Droid: An old Czerka droid of the Old Republic, whose memory has mostly been wiped, discovered in an abandoned ship in the episode prior. Sadie: A Human woman with some force ability, on the run from the Empire. Most of the group met her on Tatooine, as a stowaway aboard the Reef Explorer. Jaden: A Human woman whose father was a Jedi. Alran Cyn: A young Human Lieutenant in the Rebillion. Jubei Cyn: A hot shot young Human Soldier/Pilot Ensign, who flies a Z-95 fighter. The whole game was run with openRPG, a live chat program, though it could easily have been done as a tabletop/face to face game, or as a play by email or play by forum game, also. Etarnon: EPISODE XIII, THE OUTER RIM CAMPAIGN Etarnon: Orrin Rom, Ossa Kin, Slarth of Ithor, and Hando Esta have gone missing, seemingly swallowed up by the burning sands of Tatooine. Mithran the Droid and Sadie depart Tattooine, the mission to deliver the critically needed supplies a failure. Etarnon: "Now, arriving at Planet Barab, the small but growing Rebel Fleet stands poised to engage in their first critical attack upon the forces of the Empire, attempting to strike a blow for freedom on the Galaxy... Etarnon: Mithran the droid and Sadie arrive on the Reef Explorer, and dock with this Mon calamari Cruiser. Etarnon (as Rebel Officer): "Well met. I'm glad to see that the ship was not captured." The Rebel Officer looks at sadie. Rebel Officer: I've been informed that you were aboard this ship, and seek to maintain your distance from the Empire? Sadie: Sadie steps on board, looking around. "Yeah...i'm just happy to be off it. Not the sturdiest ship around really." Rebel Officer: Yes, it's an Older Mon Calamari Scout. Sadie: "Well lets just say I disagree with some of their.....politics" Etarnon: The Rebel Officer stands in a cavernous landing bay with small Z-95 headhunter ships being warmed up in the distance behind him. The Rebel Officer looks at her, assessing her. Sadie: "What? Whats with that look?" Rebel Officer: I confess, I've never met someone so.. enchanting. Forgive me. LT. Kyle Leven's the name. Sadie crosses her arms looking him over, and shifting positions uncomfortably "Sadie. So who do I owe for this little ride anyway?" LT. Kyle Leven: Well the ship was en route to the fleet anyway. We had expected two of our agents upon it. LT. Kyle Leven: I don't quit know how to put this...but We're about to go into battle...In less than an hour. Mithran walks out of the ship. "Oh thank the maker, the ship held in one piece" LT. Kyle Leven notices the 'droid. Sadie: "What? Great timing..." LT. Kyle Leven: We'll need to scan your core for the mission debriefing. Report to Maintenance section when we're done here. Em-one. Mithran: "Em-on? But I am M1-THRN." Sadie: "I take it you and your crew will be handling the battle?" LT. Kyle Leven: (to the droid) Yes, yes, of course you are. LT. Kyle Leven: (to Sadie) Yes, we are to attack a repair depot, where a light cruiser has sustained engine damage. Mithran: "My what disrespect for droids." turns to Sadie "If you don't mind mistress Sadie, I must go be debriefed." LT. Kyle Leven takes a look like "Disrespect for droids?" LT. Kyle Leven seems amused. Sadie shrugs at Mithran "Im not stopping you" Mithran walks away.. Sadie: "Since you seem to have this fight thing under control im going to go meditate in my room if you dont mind." Mithran stops after about walking 5 or 6 meters then examines the outside of the scout ship... "I do hope they repair her, it would be a shame if they left her in that condition..." LT. Kyle Leven: Yes, Aboard the ship? LT. Kyle Leven: I mean. Hm. I'm not sure what status you have with us, Miss. Mithran then resumes walking to the maitenance bay. LT. Kyle Leven looks confused, and flustered, it's obvious he's attracted to her, but suppressing it...somewhat. Sadie tilts her head to the side a bit "Well am I a guest here or arent I?" The DM, Etarnon passes a note to Alran Cyn, to prepare him for the next scene: "Okay you are on board this ship, the mon cal cruiser Rebel Alliance. You are nearby a comms console when you hear some technicians talking about a ship of some kind." The DM then returns to the original Scene. LT. Kyle Leven: Aboard the Cruiser, if you like. I .. (lost for words.) I'll have to contact the Captain. LT. Kyle Leven: Perhaps...perhaps how about stay aboard the ship you arrived aboard, until I get further clearance. Sadie takes note of the reaction, deciding she could probably get a free ticket for a little while if she played it up a bit "Talk to the captain? Could you? Thanks, traveling on that little ship makes me nervous.....if its all the same to you could I grab something to eat first? All they have over there are those tasteless space rations... LT. Kyle Leven: Yes, ah, follow that Droid Em-one he'll pass the messdecks as he heads to maintenance. Mithran: My Droid is walking fairly slowly... probably has sand in his leg joints. Sadie: "Em-one? I dont think thats...I mean, thanks!" LT. Kyle Leven seems relieved that she's out of his presence, yet watches as she walks away. Sadie bows a bit and smiles at him, winking as she turned to follow Mithran at a quick pace to catch up Etarnon: Okay, change of Scene. CUT TO: Etarnon: The Communications center of the Large Cruiser. Technicians man consoles and the static of radio chatter overheard form loudspakers and headphones fills the room. Etarnon (As Rebel Crewman): Lieutenant Cyn, You'll want to hear this... Rebel Crewman: and likely Miss Arden, also. Alran Cyn: what's going on? Jaden looks over at the crewman, "hmm?" Rebel Crewman: Ma'am here's a comms signal from Imperial Substation Z-X-9, on Tatooine. We seem to be picking it up, here... Rebel Crewman: Which is.. impossible. Jubei Cyn is half asleep at his station Jaden: "Impossible? Well obviously your getting something from them" The Rebel Crewman turns up the volume, and sends the signal to the overhead speaker system: .....static....ship escaped Mo.......static...Rel.n..ess..n..oute... .staic est...te.two....ur..o...nterc...t..pl... t..b.rab...static...Repeating... Rebel Crewman: It's hard to make out. Jaden: "Any way to clear that up?" The Difficulty Class of the Roll needed is set by the DM at 20, meaning the character needs to roll a total of 20 or above to suceed. The DM Decides that the Rebel Crewman is relatively new, as the Rebellion is still only about three months old, so the DM assesses that the crewman's Skill level will add +2 to the roll. Rebel Crewman: [1d20+2] = (20+2) = (22) Thew Crewman (run by the DM rolls a 'Natural 20' on the d20 die roll, the best possible roll. + 2 added to it, means the Crewman, suceeds. The DM plays out the result in-game. Rebel Crewman: Ah, there it is, cross filter the Hyperwave carrier signal, yes, here...just like at the Electronics course. Jaden: (( just as long as he rolls 20s on skills and not on atks, )) The Rebel Crewman adjusts the signal for all to hear, blaring from the speaker: BARAB Dock, FLASH ACTION TRAFFIC FOLLOWS. Mon Calamari Ship escaped Mos Eisley Dock. Relentless en route. Estimated arrival in Two hours to planet Barab. Reinforcements en route, Repeating... Alran Cyn: (good call) The Rebel Crewman looks up in fear. Jaden: "Well that can't be good" Rebel Crewman: I.. This isn't.. I mean. We can't normally intercept imperial traffic like this. Alran Cyn: should we go rescue them? Jubei Cyn: (hehehe, he's picking it up from my droid who's still eavesdropping on imperial signals) Rebel Crewman: (bingo) Jubei Cyn: (that is one usefull droid) Rebel Crewman looks down at the console as mnumbers and symbols in script scroll by. Rebel Crewman: The Mon Calamari ship is the Reef Explorer, Just docked within the Hour at Bay # 2. Jaden: "Well if the transmission is correct we have an opputunity to either get out of dodge or to fight back." Alran Cyn: does that mean they are comming after us right now? Rebel Crewman: But the relentless is an Imperial Heavy Cruiser. Alran Cyn: check the scanners. The DM Assess the difficulty and says: (use computer check DC 15) Alran Cyn: Use Computer [1d20+6] => [3,6] = (9) Alran Cyn: (these online dice hate me :( ) The DM knows that no hostile ships are there, but explians the failed roll in game terms: DM: Scanners show clear but it's cluttered by the fleet some 15 ships total, ranging from small freighters to this large single cruiser. Jaden: "Who were the passengers on the Reef Explorer? It might be them the Empire is persuing" Rebel Crewman: Ah, manifest. Rebel Crewman types rapidly on his console. Jaden: "either that or cargo." Rebel Crewman: Ossa Kin, and Hando Esta, Padawan and Jedi, sent from Naboo to tatooine to get medical supplies, and bring them here to barab. they were supposed to have arrived over a week ago.. Rebel Crewman: That's all we have, on the alpha level classification. Jaden: (whispering to DM): would i know there were other Jedi around? Rebel Crewman: The supply ship that took them to Tatooine hasn't been heard from. Rebel Crewman checks the comms log. Rebel Crewman: Yes, that ship hasn't been heard from, since it landed on Tatooine from Naboo. DM Whispering to Jaden (whispering): yes Still some in hiding a half dozen total. Though not sure where. Ossa Kin was noted as training his padawan on Naboo. Jaden: "Have they checked in yet?" Rebel Crewman: Not yet as this record shows. Landed, but crew status unknown. Rebel Crewman: It DID just arrive, though. Perhaps the Deck officer... Jaden: "What bay did they land in and who is deck officer?" Rebel Crewman: Bay # 2, Deck Three, LT. Ah...Leven, I think, has the duty. Alran Cyn: let's go see this Leven Jaden looks at the others. Jaden then nods in agreement. DM As OVERHEAD SPEAKER: ATTENTION ALL HANDS...Z-95 MAINTENANCE CREWS BEGING LOADING CONCUSSION MISSILE AMMUNITION. BEGIN LOADING. ATTACK CHRONOMETER TIME SET: 45 MINUTES, AND COUNTING. Jaden overhears the speaker and becomes a bit more surlier than usual. Alran Cyn heads towards the lift to deck three. Etarnon: CUT TO: The group of Rebel officers plus Jaden heading into bay # 2, from the turbolift. Jaden follows Alran, muttering incoherently. Lt. Kyle Leven directs from a listing of ammo loadouts to maintenance chiefs. Alran Cyn: we're looking for Lt. Leven Lt. Kyle Leven: Okay put 6 of the marker drones into three four, and then okay.. Scrap five niner, she's unable to fly... Alran Cyn: (to Jubei: sleeping off a hangover?) Jaden: (( lol )) Lt. Kyle Leven: (Well i thought you were near your brother, but up to you, jump in here.) Jubei Cyn: (maybe catching some z's in a fighter cockpit) Lt. Kyle Leven: (Sounds good.) Jubei Cyn: (nah, being in ops wouldn't be my characters position...he's a pilot) Lt. Kyle Leven: And give Cyn a holller, he hasn't checked in for flight status. Alran Cyn: I take it your Lt Leven Lt. Kyle Leven: Okay you three guys, grab something to eat, once it starts, we're not gonna get a chance to rest... Lt. Kyle Leven: What? Lt. Kyle Leven whips around. Alran Cyn walks up to Lt. Kyle Leven. Lt. Kyle Leven: Oh, Yes, I... Am. Jubei Cyn is sleeping soundly in a Z-95's cockpit. Lt. Kyle Leven looks flustered. Alran Cyn: we're looking for information on the freighter that recently docked here Lt. Kyle Leven: Need something? Lt. Kyle Leven: Ah, Yes. Lt. Kyle Leven points. Ah.. Reef Explorer. Mon Cal ship, just landed. Alran Cyn: and the crew that was onboard? Lt. Kyle Leven: A dorid, and a ...woman.. aboard. Droids in maintenance, and she's in the galley, I believe. Jaden: "Doesn't sound like the Jedi... WHere did they go?" Jubei Cyn slowly has his head move to the side and then hits the cockpit's transparasteal canopy with a loud thunk... "Damnit" ** Lt. Kyle Leven: They weren't on the ship. Lt. Kyle Leven looks up, across two fighters. Lt. Kyle Leven: Ah, there's Cyn. Alran Cyn whispers to Leven "what was that about my brother?' Lt. Kyle Leven marks off an electronic checkmark. ** Lt. Kyle Leven: He hadn't checked in. Jubei Cyn looks around half asleep then gets out of the fighter. Lt.. Kyle Leven: I've got him as present and accounted for, now. Alran Cyn shakes his head in disgust. Jaden: "Isn't the galley on the way to mainenance from here?" Alran Cyn nods at Jaden. Jubei Cyn walks up to the others. "I knew I shouldn't have spent that much time tweaking the engines last night" OVERHEAD SPEAKER: ATTENTION ALL HANDS...Z-95 MAINTENANCE CREWS BEGIN ENGINE PRE-START CHECKS. ATTACK CHRONOMETER TIME SET: 40 MINUTES, AND COUNTING. Jubei Cyn: spotting his brother. "What the hell is going on here?" Alran Cyn: trouble, now get back there and make sure your ship is ready for action Jaden: "Someone attracted Imperial attention, that's what." Rebel Crewman picks up the pace in preparing for the coming engagment. ** Jubei Cyn: "perfect.. just perfect." Sadie winces from the blaring announcement "Do they HONESTLY have to do that every 5 minutes?" (cameo moment :p ) ** Alran Cyn: let's go check out our new 'passengers' Jaden motions to Alran. "If we're going to find out who we should go." ** Jubei Cyn says with a grumbling stomach "I'll be glad to get back to work, after getting something to eat.... spent an extra 5 hours last night tweaking my ships engines.. Lt." salutes Leven ** Jubei Cyn runs off to the mess hall. Alran Cyn starts walking for the galley. Jaden sighs and follows. ------------------------------------------------ More followed after that. My game is heavy role-playing, light skill use, not much combat, so far. I wanted to get the characters established, before throwing them into serious difficulty. Good luck.