Post/Author/DateTime	Post
Springbuck 09-17-05, 07:21 PM	Hi all! I'm getting back into the game after a 10 year hiatus, and I was wondering about the best way to get back into the game. Should I just get the Player's Handbook, or would the new Basic Game set be a better route? The Basic Game set looks like a good way to get going, but will I need to get the Player's Handbook anyway? Or will the basic set get me up and running from the get go? Thanks for the help :) !
weasel fierce 09-17-05, 07:30 PM	The basic game is a very stripped down version. I'd get the players handbook, particularly if you are already familiar with roleplaying games in general
Escef 09-18-05, 01:06 AM	Honestly, I'd recommend the basic game. If you decide you like it, download the SRD (System Reference Document) HERE (http://www.wizards.com/default.asp?x=d20/article/srd35). Look over the SRD, it has the games rules (minus XP charts and a lot of time-saving stuff), and most of the spells and monsters. If you still think the game is for you go ahead and grab the books. (I recommend shopping around online, you can dig up some good deals.) If the new edition doesn't do anything for you, the older edition books can usually be picked up for barely more than a song and a dance, if you know where to look.
Trixten_The_Kender 09-18-05, 01:54 AM	I never tried the basic game so I don't know it would be good or not, I've heard the combat mechanics are good, but for the full rules I'd get the PHB. I borrowed one from a friend and read the first three chapters and then bought one of my own. (of course I went nuts over books for the next three years and spent a fortune)
Seeker95 09-18-05, 01:54 PM	Honestly, I'd recommend the basic game.For someone who *has* played D&D, I would view this advice as being similar to asking someone who wants to get a motorcycle to first get a 10-speed and see if they like it. The Basic Game, in my opinion, is great for teaching your very young kids how to play. Go straight to the PHB for yourself. And consider D&D for Dummies for your not-as-young-as-the-kids friends.
Escef 09-18-05, 02:10 PM	For someone who *has* played D&D, I would view this advice as being similar to asking someone who wants to get a motorcycle to first get a 10-speed and see if they like it. Motorcycles haven't changed in 10 years the way D&D has. I made the recommendation I did because I figured if he ended up not liking the d20 rules it would minimize his loss compared to if he had purchased the core 3 rulebooks and then decided he didn't like the new rules.
Springbuck 09-18-05, 02:22 PM	Well, the last time I played, we were still using first edition rules. I thought the basic set might be nice because you get minis, dice and basic mechanics. I figure it might be a good way to cover the bases for playing with minis also. What do you guys think?
Seeker95 09-18-05, 02:24 PM	Escef, fair enough. It's just that he has played D&D before, and the part that he doesn't have experience with (the rules) is the one part that the Basic Game doesn't deliver enough of. The Basic Game is really good in exposing someone to *roleplaying* in general. It is rules-lite, making it easy to get into. But for someone who already has a basic understanding of roleplaying games, the Basic Set won't give enough insights into the rules set to help decide if D&D is the roleplaying game s/he should use. (All of the above is "in my opinion")
psionichamster 09-18-05, 02:38 PM	Basic set = good for total newby people as in, completely unfamiliar w/ RPG's in general since you have gamed before, the only thing the basic is going to give you is a "crash-course-refresher" to DnD 3.5 and some minis. now, if those specific mini's are why you're getting the set, go for it... otherwise, pick up the PHB online at discount, get a box or 5 of the mini's (if you are so inclined) and proceed from there at the most, you're out a few bucks... i wouldn't get the DMG and MM until you are sure you like the new ruleset. that's what the SRD (www.d20srd.org) is for! namaste' the hamster