Big question [Archive] - Wizards Community

Big question [Archive] - Wizards Community

Post/Author/DateTime Post
superdog619
07-08-06, 09:45 PM Hello I'm really new at this D&D so as you read on I am a new player of D&D and a new DM. I just got both the basic set and the other set that gives you a mini booster pack. I have my human warrior created and have him all set to go and i did the solo mini game. I have no idea what i do next. Another thing is that I have a 7 year old brother that wants to do stuff i do like any little brother wants to do with there big brothers. Anywase since i got this i tryed do the basic game of d&d while i am a dm telling them the game ( my brother and sister). To me personally I am really bad as a dm so as i talk to the two little guys I feel like i loose there intrest half of the time.
Also i want to play with my human fighter but my brother and sister wouldnt have a clue on how to be a dm and also can i just fight any random monsters i have just to get xp because i only have the hand book not the dm book or monster manual. OH and what the heck does the dm book talk about does it just explain how to make a story or to tell what a dm does. and also is the monster manual just to tell you what monsters there? The last question i have is where can i find a list of items that the monsters drop when you kill a monster? I hope you understand this and can help me out because i really want to play d&d. If you guys can help me that would be awsome.

P.s. Oh and one more thing can i just play by myself or do i need someone to make up a story
Archangel_James
07-08-06, 10:03 PM The Dungeon Master's Guide has a lot of information, including how to run a successful game, expanded rules, core prestige classes, information on terrain types, a section on awarding XP and treasure, and information on making non-player characters, just to name a few.

The Monster Manual is 320 pages of monsters of all power levels to fight.

Generally you'll want a DM to make up the story and run the monsters, and 2-6 players who fight those monsters.
superdog619
07-08-06, 10:44 PM oh ok so basicly yes i ned all three books to start playing d&d. Also what should i do wait untill i get dm guide and monster manual or make a couple of other char. so if one dies when i get the stuff i have another char. rdy to replace the dead one? because i have the players hand guide.
Escef
07-08-06, 11:52 PM Along with what you got in the basic game, you can make do with the PHB (Players Handbook). You will just be fighting a bunch of monsters from the basic set and some hostile folk that happen to be of playable races (mind you, a smart wizard or cleric type with a few minions can prove nastier than most beasts). You can still "play" a character yourself, but it won't be easy, because the DMs job isn't to overshadow the other players. A fighter type can be good for that, though. He holds the line in combat, but can't deal well with magic or traps. This means when you build your own challenges for the younger ones you'll want to put in a few logic or word problems, something the warrior can't defeat with his blade. Of course, younger types also like action, so I also recommend small monsters, and increase the quantity of these small fry as their characters improve.

And be careful about giving them magic items. If they don't have enough, you can drop more in. If you give them too many it is difficult to take them away without causing problems.
Flack Jack
07-09-06, 03:09 AM Age seven players eh. They start young alright but so did I. Fortunatly the fighter is an easy class so no worries their. What you need more than anything is a good imagination no doubt. I wouldn't ask your little brother or sister to DM. It's like a lot of home work to DM. Ethical, geographic, and mathimatical home work.

If you want to play I would recomend finding another DM around were you live because you have some reading ahead of you. A player used by the DM should be like an NPC. The players should solve the puzzles and decide were to go. Of course they know as well as you know that the DM's character would know the right thing to do next.

Also playing by yourself is boring but if you want to you can. DMing can be an awarding experience when the players congradulate your efforts. Also its going to suck in the beggining it sure did for me.

My final note is to encourage role playing and not just "killing baddies with a rat-flail". It's something I regret neglecting.
DMwolf
07-09-06, 11:15 PM Having DMed for young children, I can advise you to maybe set a 2hr maximum time limit to your gaming sessions. This can be adjusted shorter or longer depending on interest shown. It seemed to me that after about 2 hours focus on the game becomes some what diminished. Also if your playing with younger children, it helps to maybe shape the story around things that interest them. What kind of movies or cartoon they like hold a lot of story possibilities. It can't hurt to throw in some object lessons as well like "Don't judge a book by its cover" or "Fighting isn't always the answer" but keep things fun as well.
superdog619
07-09-06, 11:19 PM so i can just play with my little mini's i have and just fight things just to get xp because if i do this i wont have a dm because i am basicly a dm at my house so can i just do that?
Flack Jack
07-10-06, 02:38 AM You could but its not as special then. DMing yourself is like playing yourself at chess. I personally only DM myself to test something for latter use with the group. I suppose you could use it for practice.

Post/Author/DateTime	Post
superdog619 07-08-06, 09:45 PM	Hello I'm really new at this D&D so as you read on I am a new player of D&D and a new DM. I just got both the basic set and the other set that gives you a mini booster pack. I have my human warrior created and have him all set to go and i did the solo mini game. I have no idea what i do next. Another thing is that I have a 7 year old brother that wants to do stuff i do like any little brother wants to do with there big brothers. Anywase since i got this i tryed do the basic game of d&d while i am a dm telling them the game ( my brother and sister). To me personally I am really bad as a dm so as i talk to the two little guys I feel like i loose there intrest half of the time. Also i want to play with my human fighter but my brother and sister wouldnt have a clue on how to be a dm and also can i just fight any random monsters i have just to get xp because i only have the hand book not the dm book or monster manual. OH and what the heck does the dm book talk about does it just explain how to make a story or to tell what a dm does. and also is the monster manual just to tell you what monsters there? The last question i have is where can i find a list of items that the monsters drop when you kill a monster? I hope you understand this and can help me out because i really want to play d&d. If you guys can help me that would be awsome. P.s. Oh and one more thing can i just play by myself or do i need someone to make up a story
Archangel_James 07-08-06, 10:03 PM	The Dungeon Master's Guide has a lot of information, including how to run a successful game, expanded rules, core prestige classes, information on terrain types, a section on awarding XP and treasure, and information on making non-player characters, just to name a few. The Monster Manual is 320 pages of monsters of all power levels to fight. Generally you'll want a DM to make up the story and run the monsters, and 2-6 players who fight those monsters.
superdog619 07-08-06, 10:44 PM	oh ok so basicly yes i ned all three books to start playing d&d. Also what should i do wait untill i get dm guide and monster manual or make a couple of other char. so if one dies when i get the stuff i have another char. rdy to replace the dead one? because i have the players hand guide.
Escef 07-08-06, 11:52 PM	Along with what you got in the basic game, you can make do with the PHB (Players Handbook). You will just be fighting a bunch of monsters from the basic set and some hostile folk that happen to be of playable races (mind you, a smart wizard or cleric type with a few minions can prove nastier than most beasts). You can still "play" a character yourself, but it won't be easy, because the DMs job isn't to overshadow the other players. A fighter type can be good for that, though. He holds the line in combat, but can't deal well with magic or traps. This means when you build your own challenges for the younger ones you'll want to put in a few logic or word problems, something the warrior can't defeat with his blade. Of course, younger types also like action, so I also recommend small monsters, and increase the quantity of these small fry as their characters improve. And be careful about giving them magic items. If they don't have enough, you can drop more in. If you give them too many it is difficult to take them away without causing problems.
Flack Jack 07-09-06, 03:09 AM	Age seven players eh. They start young alright but so did I. Fortunatly the fighter is an easy class so no worries their. What you need more than anything is a good imagination no doubt. I wouldn't ask your little brother or sister to DM. It's like a lot of home work to DM. Ethical, geographic, and mathimatical home work. If you want to play I would recomend finding another DM around were you live because you have some reading ahead of you. A player used by the DM should be like an NPC. The players should solve the puzzles and decide were to go. Of course they know as well as you know that the DM's character would know the right thing to do next. Also playing by yourself is boring but if you want to you can. DMing can be an awarding experience when the players congradulate your efforts. Also its going to suck in the beggining it sure did for me. My final note is to encourage role playing and not just "killing baddies with a rat-flail". It's something I regret neglecting.
DMwolf 07-09-06, 11:15 PM	Having DMed for young children, I can advise you to maybe set a 2hr maximum time limit to your gaming sessions. This can be adjusted shorter or longer depending on interest shown. It seemed to me that after about 2 hours focus on the game becomes some what diminished. Also if your playing with younger children, it helps to maybe shape the story around things that interest them. What kind of movies or cartoon they like hold a lot of story possibilities. It can't hurt to throw in some object lessons as well like "Don't judge a book by its cover" or "Fighting isn't always the answer" but keep things fun as well.
superdog619 07-09-06, 11:19 PM	so i can just play with my little mini's i have and just fight things just to get xp because if i do this i wont have a dm because i am basicly a dm at my house so can i just do that?
Flack Jack 07-10-06, 02:38 AM	You could but its not as special then. DMing yourself is like playing yourself at chess. I personally only DM myself to test something for latter use with the group. I suppose you could use it for practice.