Post/Author/DateTime	Post
ddnewbie 02-14-07, 12:31 PM	Hi, I know nothing about D&D but my (very advanced/smart) 7 year old son is expressing a great interest in learning about the game. Where do I start? I've seen that there is a Basic Game available....would you recommend we start there? I noticed on amazon, there are bad reviews for the 2006 version, but better reviews on the 2004 version. Any thoughts and suggestions would be greatly appreciated. I am extremely confused by the whole world of D&D and I need to be pointed to the best starting point. Thanks so much!
CantripN 02-14-07, 12:35 PM	Personally, I'd suggest you go together with your son to a hobby shop. The clerks will be able to better explain and accommodate you than any of us; Plus, it's fun. Now, if you insist on buying it online and starting from scratch, then the Basic Game is for you. However, all gamers I've ever known started playing by joining an already existing group, like an after-school activity... You could check at local schools and daycare centers.
FntsyWlkr 02-14-07, 12:56 PM	This is great for kids growing up. They learn a lot from this game. (math, strategy and you can even put them in positions to make moral choices) Going to the nearest game shop that specializes in this is the best. You have someone guiding you through the steps and the process. Maybe even hitting the game boards (enworld.com) where you can join existing games ... or ask one of the existing games, if a member would be interested in explaining it to you. How about a xeroxed flyer up at a local college? As far as books ... if you're pretty savvy with games in general all you need are: Player's hand book, Dungeon Master's guide and Monster Manual. This is known as 3.5e. (e = edition) the basic principals are: 1) he designs a character 2) you design a storyline 3) he decides what his character does in that story Dice rolling comes into play to determine the randomness of events. You control all the bad guys ... and if you two have a good imagination it can be a lot of fun! This website is a GREAT resource for any questions you have after that!
Seeker95 02-14-07, 01:17 PM	I do not recommend the Basic Game for anyone. It is too basic for the person that intends to go on to "be a D&D player" and it is too advanced for the person who intends to play "just this once". Grab the Player's Handbook, and walk through building a standard race and class PC together. Then just play a "rules lite" version of the game. As he is ready for more rules, he will request them. You will also want the Dungeon Master's Guide for yourself (and eventually he will want it instead/in addition.) Use the free adventures on this website for a while.
Bruunwald 02-14-07, 01:57 PM	Hold on, everybody. We're not talking to a hardcore, dedicated gamer here, or somebody who has expressed an interest in making this a lifelong obsession. This seven-year-old may be very advanced and smart, but he's still only seven. And the parent has admitted to being extremely confused. I think this is a job for the basic set. Most of us started the game at about eleven or twelve. Some started earlier. But speaking as the parent of a six-year-old who loves playing basic Heroscape and occasionally plays basic D&D with us, a lot of what is being offered here is not the right advice. Parents of children under ten are likely to find the people playing online a bit violent-minded and at times unfair. The language they speak is difficult to decipher. Regarding online resources, I recommend only coming here for advice, for the beginner. Likewise, you don't want to post or answer ads for college groups. Those people are looking for people their own age to play, not a parent and child to teach. Schools generally do not have games going until about the junior high level. And likely, if there is one at a grammar school, it's going to be filled with fifth and sixth graders. Now, I don't know about the rest of you, but I remember kids in grammar school. Let's just say they like to create a pecking order. A seven-year-old might find himself picked on - especially if he's smarter-than-average. Going to a hobby shop is a great idea. Likely, the people there are going to be able to demonstrate to some degree what the game is about. The confused parent will be able to see the sorts of games there are, and talk with people who can give further advice or who might know about any younger games going on. The core rulebooks are not going to clarify things for a parent with no experience and some confusion. And spending $120 on books the kid might never use again, if he decides he doesn't like it, is every parent's cliched nightmare. The basic set is a good stepping stone to beginning for both of the people in question. Its major weakness is that it doesn't have much of an adventure and gives no tips on creating new ones. It also doesn't give you a lot of creatures to choose from when designing your own. Still, I recommend it at first. Add those other, more expensive books (like the Monster Manual), as - and if - you need them.
Seeker95 02-14-07, 03:14 PM	This seven-year-old may be very advanced and smart, but he's still only seven. And the parent has admitted to being extremely confused. I think this is a job for the basic set.The suggested ages for the Basic Set are the same as the suggested ages for the regular game. If he can't understand the PHB, he can't understand the Basic Set. As the DM for a group of nephews age 8 to 14, I can attest that it is not the rule set that determines child enjoyment of the game. It is the DM. And since this kid's DM is going to be his father, I do not recommend a stripped-down but not dumbed-down game set that costs the same as a PHB. The Basic Set is a good idea gone wrong. And if you spent $120 on your core rulebooks, you got robbed.
Bruunwald 02-14-07, 04:37 PM	The suggested ages for the Basic Set are the same as the suggested ages for the regular game. If he can't understand the PHB, he can't understand the Basic Set. As the DM for a group of nephews age 8 to 14, I can attest that it is not the rule set that determines child enjoyment of the game. It is the DM. And since this kid's DM is going to be his father, I do not recommend a stripped-down but not dumbed-down game set that costs the same as a PHB. The Basic Set is a good idea gone wrong. And if you spent $120 on your core rulebooks, you got robbed. Somehow I knew I'd be in trouble. I guess actually BEING somebody's FATHER doesn't count for anything, right? That's fine. I was merely thinking of the fact that the core books are spilling over with paragraph after paragraph of long-winded rules, many of which are unnecessary to actual play for newbs. It's easy to tell the parent to leave out stuff or play a dumbed down version of core, but how's he going to know which to leave out or how to dumb down three complex books with which he has no previous experience? The basic set is not perfect. It's definitely lacking, but it has taken care of the problem of stripping the game for the new player, instead of making him guess. And since I've been buying rulebooks since about 1981, from various sources, usually one or two at a time, each time a new edition came out, I honestly can't say how much my collection has cost me, altogether. But going by the price currently on the back of the books, as I see it when I visit the local hobby shop, yeah, a newb might end up paying upwards of $120, if he doesn't know better. Thanks for making me out to be a moron, though. I appreciate it.
StoneStokes 02-14-07, 05:16 PM	Hi, I know nothing about D&D but my (very advanced/smart) 7 year old son is expressing a great interest in learning about the game. Where do I start? I've seen that there is a Basic Game available....would you recommend we start there? I noticed on amazon, there are bad reviews for the 2006 version, but better reviews on the 2004 version. Any thoughts and suggestions would be greatly appreciated. I am extremely confused by the whole world of D&D and I need to be pointed to the best starting point. Thanks so much! The first thing I'd do is find out where your son learned about the game's existence. It is likely that he has friends that already play. If this is the case, ask to sit in on a session and play with them. There is also a book out there called Dungeons & Dragons for Dummies. I have only flipped through it, but it seemed to be a pretty good starting point for new D&D players, especially those who don't have access to an experienced group. You might look into that book as well (though this is additional cost, as you will probably still need to eventually by the three core books mentioned in an above response). Better yet, check the local library, as you will only need it for a few game sessions anyway. If it is not there, and you do buy it, pass it along to parents of your son's friends. They may want to learn about the game too! The game is designed to be played with miniature figures, but I would suggest skipping those for right now. Or, you could simply use coins and/or cardboard cutouts. LEGO figures, and other toys also work quite well. If you do use miniatures, I recommend having your son use crayons and/or colored pencils to draw the locations where the action takes place. It is a great art project, and an wonderful expression of imagination. Regular paper works fine, but illustration board is much more durable (and more costly). Another option is cut-and-paste construction paper. Cheers, and good luck, StoneStokes
Horseflesh 02-14-07, 06:59 PM	Only a few have grasped what the OP was originally asking ... the suitability of the Basic Game for his/her 7-year old. At this point, the PH, DMG, and MM are WAY beyond what this parent needs! After playing the basic game, they can determine IF they wish to continue. The Dungeons & Dragons for Dummies book would help make that decision, too. ddnewbie, go with the Basic Set. As to which version, I have both versions of the Basic Set ... my personal favorite is the newer edition. However, I bought these sets for the miniatures and cardboard tiles ONLY. I've been playing D&D since 1976, so I didn't need the rules-lite version(s) of D&D. That said, the rules in each edition appear to be very similar, so I'd buy whichever one you can get your hands on! The older version may be harder to acquire. Hope that helps.
bonethug0108 02-14-07, 07:05 PM	Only a few have grasped what the OP was originally asking ... the suitability of the Basic Game for his/her 7-year old. At this point, the PH, DMG, and MM are WAY beyond what this parent needs! After playing the basic game, they can determine IF they wish to continue. The Dungeons & Dragons for Dummies book would help make that decision, too. ddnewbie, go with the Basic Set. As to which version, I have both versions of the Basic Set ... my personal favorite is the newer edition. However, I bought these sets for the miniatures and cardboard tiles ONLY. I've been playing D&D since 1976, so I didn't need the rules-lite version(s) of D&D. That said, the rules in each edition appear to be very similar, so I'd buy whichever one you can get your hands on! The older version may be harder to acquire. Hope that helps. I second this opinion. Well, except for the fact that I wasn't born by 1976.:P ;)
Seeker95 02-14-07, 10:20 PM	Thanks for making me out to be a moron, though. I appreciate it.I suspect you are reading far more into my post than is actually written. As for "being a parent" -- did you have your child use the Basic Rules? I didn't think so.
StoneStokes 02-15-07, 01:54 AM	ddnewbie, There is now a similar discussion here (http://boards1.wizards.com/showthread.php?p=11492878#post11492878). You and Judd should compare notes.
Bruunwald 02-15-07, 01:13 PM	I suspect you are reading far more into my post than is actually written. As for "being a parent" -- did you have your child use the Basic Rules? I didn't think so. I use the basic rules for playing with my six-year-old, yes. In fact, though I own stacks of grownup books, and have dumbed down games for older newbs, I - with full intention - went out and bought the basic set expressly for playing a simple game with my son. But thank you for answering for me. And by the way, I AM a parent. And a good one. Your use of quotes does not apply nor change that fact.
Seeker95 02-15-07, 03:10 PM	And by the way, I AM a parent. And a good one. Your use of quotes does not apply nor change that fact.Again you read far too much into the post. The quotes are because I am quoting a very small portion of a larger post. There is no magic-index-fingers-in-the-air implication involved. Why are you taking every one of my posts as an insult?
CBallinger 02-15-07, 06:58 PM	Hi Folks, Instead of directly answering the thread question, I thought I might give you my children’s experience and reactions to D&D. At the time I introduced D&D to my kids they were 7 (boy) and 9 (girl). My friends and I hold a weekly game night at my house and the kids were curious about what we were doing. Now unlike DnDNewbie, I am familiar with the rules, but I tried to place myself in the shoes of a complete beginner. With this in mind I looked at the D&D basic set (Actually there are three of them, a small box with cardboard counters, and the 2004 & 2006 sets with actual minis). All of these sets demonstrated the core mechanic (roll a 20 sided die, add modifiers, and compare to a target number to determine success or failure), introduced skills and feats, and gave a basic framework for combat and magic use. To that end I would not hesitate to recommend it to the complete novice to get a taste of what D&D is all about, and that’s exactly what I did with my kids. Now a year later they know how to create and use characters with the complete rule set, but I do not think they would have come to that point without taking the small steps first. OK, so now that I've bored you all with why I've come to the following conclusions, here are my suggestions for DnDNewbie: Go ahead and pick up the Basic Game. Nothing fires up a kid’s imagination and will to learn the game than being able to see his or her hero stand toe to toe with the bad guys. Pick up D&D for Dummies. I have never seen a more simple yet elegant interpretation of the rules, and the authors deserve a lot of credit for their efforts. Even if your son decides that he isn't interested once you've played a few times, at $20 (can be found cheaper I'm sure) it's a small investment that offers a wealth of information. Like other posters have recommended, visit a hobby shop if one is near where you live. If not, keep cruising these and other forums. The majority of the people here want to see the hobby we play and love grow, and the old adage that no question is a dumb question should always hold true! That's my two cents worth. Hope it helps!
xandros2000 02-16-07, 03:08 AM	I think the basic set is a great place to start. Expand on it a little with the SRD which can be downloaded for free. I dont have the link to the SRD handy....Anyone?? I think that together those should provide you with both the flavor and all the rules you really need along with plenty of monsters. Game shops may be helpful, but you may get someone who just wants to sell you a whole pile of stuff. Good Luck and have fun!
Azar_of_Faerun 02-16-07, 03:20 AM	I second the Basic Game, it opened the way for my 10 year old cousin into the world of pencil and paper RPGing
Seeker95 02-16-07, 08:54 AM	It would appear that the opinions of others place me squarely in the minority with regard to the Basic Game. Give it a try. Once you're hooked, you'll step up to the Player's Handbook, love it, and wonder why you didn't jump into it right away. Then again, your buying the Basic Game first increases WotC revenue, and in the long run helps the value of my Hasbro stock. :tiphat:
DoveArrow 02-16-07, 12:28 PM	Hi, I know nothing about D&D but my (very advanced/smart) 7 year old son is expressing a great interest in learning about the game. Where do I start? I think one of the best things you could do first is to take a look at the online tutorial (http://wizards.com/default.asp?x=dnd/playdnd) that they have available on the website. It will walk you through the basics of the game, giving you a general sense of how the game mechanics work, and hopefully help you determine whether you think this is a game your son would enjoy. I've seen that there is a Basic Game available....would you recommend we start there? I think this would be an excellent place to start. The Basic Game has a ton of stuff- from prepainted miniatures, to full color dungeon layouts. The module is also designed so that it slowly introduces both you and your players to the rules and concepts of the game. Finally, it comes with a paperback version of the Player's Handbook, that contains additional rules about combat and creating characters. From there, it's really a matter of how much interest your son still has in the game. If he still wants to continue playing, you will need to purchase an additional copy of the Player's Handbook (http://wizards.com/default.asp?x=products/dndcore/175240000), a copy of the Dungeon Master's Guide (http://wizards.com/default.asp?x=products/dndcore/177520000), and a copy of the Monster Manual (http://wizards.com/default.asp?x=products/dndcore/177550000). I would also take a look at purchasing an adventure module that you can run for your son, that you can run for your son. For example, I know that Barrow of the Forgotten King (http://wizards.com/default.asp?x=products/dndacc/959767400) just came out, and it's about the right level for someone just starting out. It's also supposed to be the first adventure in a series, so if your son enjoys playing, you can keep purchasing the adventures as he progresses. One final thing: Dungeons & Dragons is designed to be a social game for 4-5 players. While it can certainly be played just between a father and son, I would recommend asking your son if he has friends that would also be interested in the game, and see if you can't get them involved as well. Good luck, and happy gaming! :)
KJW 02-16-07, 12:42 PM	Ddnewbie, I sent you a private message with my thoughts on this, which are different than most here, and I don't want to get into a debate on the matter. :D
DoveArrow 02-17-07, 11:47 AM	Ddnewbie, I sent you a private message with my thoughts on this, which are different than most here, and I don't want to get into a debate on the matter. :D And why don't you want to get into a debate with us? Huh? You think you're too good for us? You think your opinions are better than ours? IS THAT IT?!! Or maybe you're worried that we'll get overly paranoid and blow your opinions completely out of proportion. What would ever make you think something like that?
dnddreamer 02-17-07, 12:53 PM	A lot of good ideas here. I have another that you can possibly look into. When you seek out a gaming store...go without your son first and look to see if there are any gaming groups looking for an additional player. Get in a group yourself for a while (a couple months)so that you understand the basic foundation of the game then go ahead with the D&D basic set with your son. As for the down time while your learning the game yourself...have your son read the D&D for Dummies. I also recommand you read it yourself. I've browsed the book and it seems extremely useful. Another idea to learn the basic skills of playing a game like this is look into a game called Heroclix. It's a miniatures game but helps alot with the idea of HP, AC, damage, and miniature combat using comix book superheroes and villians. My son started playing HeroClix at 8 years old and now has grown into DMing his own D&D group of 3 other 6th grades at 12 years old.
bonethug0108 02-17-07, 02:38 PM	And why don't you want to get into a debate with us? Huh? You think you're too good for us? You think your opinions are better than ours? IS THAT IT?!! Or maybe you're worried that we'll get overly paranoid and blow your opinions completely out of proportion. What would ever make you think something like that? Maybe cause it's what we do.:P ;)
ddnewbie 02-17-07, 03:00 PM	Wow, thanks to everyone who offered advice...it was all very helpful! I appreciate everyone's input. Thanks again!
Jinnetics 02-17-07, 03:39 PM	So...what did you decide to do?