Basic Game Questions [Archive] - Wizards Community

Basic Game Questions [Archive] - Wizards Community

Post/Author/DateTime Post
Kane The Inquisitor
07-08-05, 07:42 PM I have just bought the D&D Basic game and I’m really pleased with it, this stuff is just awesome! I wish I’d discovered it sooner.
However, I have a couple of questions that I’d love to be answered…I just hope they don’t make me look to stupid.

1, Out of the Dungeon

Can I play in an outdoor setting and not in a dungeon with the basic game? Or do I need the other proper rulebook for that?
If I can, how does it work in regard to the tiles?

2, Illustrations on the Tiles

I guess the PC’s are to see the illustrations on the tiles (Treasure chest, mirror, etc.) but when I reuse them -in an adventure I’ve created in a new dungeon from a far off land- are the PC’s meant to ignore the illustrations and just ’see’ what I tell them?
For example, if I used tile 3A do I have to have the fungus on the floor? Or can I have ‘anything’ I want on the floor?

3, Doors
This kind of ties into the above question, If I want a room with 6 normal doors -there’s none illustrated like this in the tiles - can I have one? So I can have a store room, a weapons room, a toilet, a mini dungeon, a weapons store. Etc.
Wookie1120
07-08-05, 08:52 PM the rules work for anything you could ever possibly want to do. I highly recommend you pick up the full rule books. the basic box gives you a taste, but the real greatness is in the fact that you can make the game anything you want it to be. You can definately play out of the dungeon, in any kind of setting you like. You can have anything in a room you want to have in it, with as many doors/windows/paintings/(add a room feature) you like.
sspiroff
07-08-05, 10:01 PM Hello Kane, and welcome to the greatest hobby ever! I hope you get many years of enjoyment from it.

The simplest answer to your first question is yes, you can play in any location that your heart desires. Outdoors, indoors, underground, underwater, or in a floating city high above the landscape. If you can dream it up, you can make it real. I'm not familiar with the latest Basic set, but if it doesn't have the rules you need (overland movement, environmental modifiers, etc.) than you can either pick up the D&D Player's Handbook and Dungeonmaster's Guide (the Monster Manual comes in handy too) or utilize the many *free* online references for the latest edition (namely version 3.5). Here are the two that I use often:

http://www.d20srd.org
http://www.systemreferencedocuments.org/35/sovelior_sage/home.html

There are literally hundreds of websites that can help you with your game. Here is a message thread to help you find what you are looking for:
http://boards1.wizards.com/showthread.php?t=328817

Actually, the "What's a DM to Do?" forum here on the WotC boards is a great resource in general. Check out the sticky threads near the top:
http://boards1.wizards.com/forumdisplay.php?f=24

Regarding questions #2 & #3, it depends on the "style" of DMing that you want to have. I prefer to use tiles and/or hand drawn maps only for the important parts of the game, such as a combat encounter or when it will help the players visualize the scene for making tactical decisions, like sneaking into a castle or something. I actually use a Chessex Megamat (http://www.chessex.com/mats/Battlemats_MegamatsReversible.htm), which has a blank one-inch grid, and just draw out each encounter with wet-erase markers. There are many other pre-made tiles that you can purchase and/or download. Here are a few:

http://www.enworld.org/CrookedStaffProductions/page8.html (free download)
http://www.rpgnow.com/default.php?cPath=2_284& ($$ download)

I can recommend the e-Adventure tile sets, they are very well done. The beauty is you can print multiple copies of the most common tiles you will need and arrange the scene as needed.

I hope that's enough to get you started. Again, welcome!

Cheers,
Steven
Antioch
07-08-05, 10:30 PM However, I have a couple of questions that I’d love to be answered…I just hope they don’t make me look to stupid.

There are no stupid questions. All the same its best to ask and appear a fool than withhold your query and remain forever ignorant.

1, Out of the Dungeon

Can I play in an outdoor setting and not in a dungeon with the basic game? Or do I need the other proper rulebook for that?
If I can, how does it work in regard to the tiles?

Any setting can be considered a dungeon. A forest, a city block, or an island can all be considered "dungeons". Just map out the area and place the encounters as needed and you've got it.

2, Illustrations on the Tiles

I guess the PC’s are to see the illustrations on the tiles (Treasure chest, mirror, etc.) but when I reuse them -in an adventure I’ve created in a new dungeon from a far off land- are the PC’s meant to ignore the illustrations and just ’see’ what I tell them?
For example, if I used tile 3A do I have to have the fungus on the floor? Or can I have ‘anything’ I want on the floor?

I would avoid using tiles in preference of a dry-erase mat or whatever those newfangled doodads are (sspiroff makes note of them in his post). To reiterate, they are very, VERY useful though going into as elaborate detail as your tiles might portray is not advised. In these instances your players will have to rely more on your own verbal descriptions, but at least you wont have to adhere to the featured images or explain to your players what is and what is not really on the tile.
However to actually answer your question, no, you are not beholden to comply.

3, Doors
This kind of ties into the above question, If I want a room with 6 normal doors -there’s none illustrated like this in the tiles - can I have one? So I can have a store room, a weapons room, a toilet, a mini dungeon, a weapons store. Etc.[/QUOTE]

A room can have as many doors as can logically fit on its walls, just be sure to note where they are so your players dont get confused. Another benefit of the grid mats is that you just have to draw them on to help avoid confusion.
Kane The Inquisitor
07-09-05, 12:56 PM Thanks so much for all that info guys. Because of your help my D&D experience is really sailing along.

I've never been on a Forum where people are so friendly and helpful.

Thanks again.

Kane The Inquisitor.
Antioch
07-09-05, 01:18 PM Glad to be of service.

Post/Author/DateTime	Post
Kane The Inquisitor 07-08-05, 07:42 PM	I have just bought the D&D Basic game and I’m really pleased with it, this stuff is just awesome! I wish I’d discovered it sooner. However, I have a couple of questions that I’d love to be answered…I just hope they don’t make me look to stupid. 1, Out of the Dungeon Can I play in an outdoor setting and not in a dungeon with the basic game? Or do I need the other proper rulebook for that? If I can, how does it work in regard to the tiles? 2, Illustrations on the Tiles I guess the PC’s are to see the illustrations on the tiles (Treasure chest, mirror, etc.) but when I reuse them -in an adventure I’ve created in a new dungeon from a far off land- are the PC’s meant to ignore the illustrations and just ’see’ what I tell them? For example, if I used tile 3A do I have to have the fungus on the floor? Or can I have ‘anything’ I want on the floor? 3, Doors This kind of ties into the above question, If I want a room with 6 normal doors -there’s none illustrated like this in the tiles - can I have one? So I can have a store room, a weapons room, a toilet, a mini dungeon, a weapons store. Etc.
Wookie1120 07-08-05, 08:52 PM	the rules work for anything you could ever possibly want to do. I highly recommend you pick up the full rule books. the basic box gives you a taste, but the real greatness is in the fact that you can make the game anything you want it to be. You can definately play out of the dungeon, in any kind of setting you like. You can have anything in a room you want to have in it, with as many doors/windows/paintings/(add a room feature) you like.
sspiroff 07-08-05, 10:01 PM	Hello Kane, and welcome to the greatest hobby ever! I hope you get many years of enjoyment from it. The simplest answer to your first question is yes, you can play in any location that your heart desires. Outdoors, indoors, underground, underwater, or in a floating city high above the landscape. If you can dream it up, you can make it real. I'm not familiar with the latest Basic set, but if it doesn't have the rules you need (overland movement, environmental modifiers, etc.) than you can either pick up the D&D Player's Handbook and Dungeonmaster's Guide (the Monster Manual comes in handy too) or utilize the many free online references for the latest edition (namely version 3.5). Here are the two that I use often: http://www.d20srd.org http://www.systemreferencedocuments.org/35/sovelior_sage/home.html There are literally hundreds of websites that can help you with your game. Here is a message thread to help you find what you are looking for: http://boards1.wizards.com/showthread.php?t=328817 Actually, the "What's a DM to Do?" forum here on the WotC boards is a great resource in general. Check out the sticky threads near the top: http://boards1.wizards.com/forumdisplay.php?f=24 Regarding questions #2 & #3, it depends on the "style" of DMing that you want to have. I prefer to use tiles and/or hand drawn maps only for the important parts of the game, such as a combat encounter or when it will help the players visualize the scene for making tactical decisions, like sneaking into a castle or something. I actually use a Chessex Megamat (http://www.chessex.com/mats/Battlemats_MegamatsReversible.htm), which has a blank one-inch grid, and just draw out each encounter with wet-erase markers. There are many other pre-made tiles that you can purchase and/or download. Here are a few: http://www.enworld.org/CrookedStaffProductions/page8.html (free download) http://www.rpgnow.com/default.php?cPath=2_284& ($$ download) I can recommend the e-Adventure tile sets, they are very well done. The beauty is you can print multiple copies of the most common tiles you will need and arrange the scene as needed. I hope that's enough to get you started. Again, welcome! Cheers, Steven
Antioch 07-08-05, 10:30 PM	However, I have a couple of questions that I’d love to be answered…I just hope they don’t make me look to stupid. There are no stupid questions. All the same its best to ask and appear a fool than withhold your query and remain forever ignorant. 1, Out of the Dungeon Can I play in an outdoor setting and not in a dungeon with the basic game? Or do I need the other proper rulebook for that? If I can, how does it work in regard to the tiles? Any setting can be considered a dungeon. A forest, a city block, or an island can all be considered "dungeons". Just map out the area and place the encounters as needed and you've got it. 2, Illustrations on the Tiles I guess the PC’s are to see the illustrations on the tiles (Treasure chest, mirror, etc.) but when I reuse them -in an adventure I’ve created in a new dungeon from a far off land- are the PC’s meant to ignore the illustrations and just ’see’ what I tell them? For example, if I used tile 3A do I have to have the fungus on the floor? Or can I have ‘anything’ I want on the floor? I would avoid using tiles in preference of a dry-erase mat or whatever those newfangled doodads are (sspiroff makes note of them in his post). To reiterate, they are very, VERY useful though going into as elaborate detail as your tiles might portray is not advised. In these instances your players will have to rely more on your own verbal descriptions, but at least you wont have to adhere to the featured images or explain to your players what is and what is not really on the tile. However to actually answer your question, no, you are not beholden to comply. 3, Doors This kind of ties into the above question, If I want a room with 6 normal doors -there’s none illustrated like this in the tiles - can I have one? So I can have a store room, a weapons room, a toilet, a mini dungeon, a weapons store. Etc.[/QUOTE] A room can have as many doors as can logically fit on its walls, just be sure to note where they are so your players dont get confused. Another benefit of the grid mats is that you just have to draw them on to help avoid confusion.
Kane The Inquisitor 07-09-05, 12:56 PM	Thanks so much for all that info guys. Because of your help my D&D experience is really sailing along. I've never been on a Forum where people are so friendly and helpful. Thanks again. Kane The Inquisitor.
Antioch 07-09-05, 01:18 PM	Glad to be of service.