Care to help a newbie out? [Archive] - Wizards Community

Care to help a newbie out? [Archive] - Wizards Community

Post/Author/DateTime Post
Dwarflord666
11-11-05, 11:51 AM I just got the baisic game and I imeddiatly fell in love with d&d!The only problom is... I NEED MORE!So I was wondering what should I get next?
DragonDeadite
11-11-05, 11:54 AM I suggest starting with the Complete Books if you want to focus on combat/skills/spells. Go with the Races if you want to focus more on actual character development. Both books have a bit of each, but that's how I see them more focused on.
atog_eater
11-11-05, 12:33 PM the core books would be good (players hand book, dungeon masters guid, monster manual) i dont think you get those in the box and they are kinda important - far more so than the compleate books (although id get them seccond as they are very good).
DrMorganes
11-11-05, 12:53 PM Focus first on learning the rules. While you got a taste in the boxed set, the table top "full version" of the game is far more involved. Your step into the larger world of D&D starts with the 3.5 Edition Player's Handbook.

From there, decide if you want to continue as a player or step into the big chair of the Dungeon Master. As a player, focus on the supplemental materials that deal with characters: the Complete series, Races, etc. Focus first on your favorite class and race combination. Ferinstance, as a lover of the human rogue, I'd get Complete Adventurer and consider Races of Destiny in addition to the Player's Handbook.

If running the game strikes your fancy, then the next two Core Rule books are your next stop: the Dungeon Master's Guide and the Monster Manual. These contain information that is generally considered "eyes only" for the DM; players who own and read these books generally have a harder time putting their knowledge aside and playing their characters in a believable manner. The Dungeon Master's Guide II is considered by many to be Core Rule Book #4. However, I don't own it and cannot comment further.

All in all, however, there is no "right" or "wrong" way to learn the game. Even folks like me who've been playing for more than 20 years find something new in every game we play. I do encourage you to find a group as soon as possible. D&D is a social game, and some nuances cannot be grasped until you actually "get together, roll some dice, and have some fun". ;)
Nate Jones
11-11-05, 02:15 PM Any one can never forget to read the System Reference Document (http://www.d20srd.org/).
DragonDeadite
11-11-05, 02:17 PM ..........ummmm... I thought the basic set had the three core books? Am I thinking of something else? If that's the case then yeah, you need the core books then worry about the others. Heh... sorry. :embarrass
Habronicus
11-11-05, 02:31 PM As pointed out before, buy the core books (Player's Handbook, Dungeon Master Guide and Monster Manual). Not that you need them, but it's pointless to buy most of the other books without these.

Next, use them. Play them. Explore them. And do yourself a favor and start using your imagination (that's the main element of a RPG). Buying books left and right won't do you any good if you don't gain some experience first. With any luck, you'll realize you don't *need* any books at all (YMMV).
Stardrake
11-12-05, 11:33 PM ..........ummmm... I thought the basic set had the three core books? Am I thinking of something else? If that's the case then yeah, you need the core books then worry about the others. Heh... sorry. :embarrass

Remember, there's also the D&D BASIC SET, with a lite version of the rules, minis, dice, tiles, and adventures. A good taste, but not the full meal.

As for the OP, DrMorganes said it as well as anyone (and possibly better than some :D ) Heed the Doctor's words, Grasshopper.

Post/Author/DateTime	Post
Dwarflord666 11-11-05, 11:51 AM	I just got the baisic game and I imeddiatly fell in love with d&d!The only problom is... I NEED MORE!So I was wondering what should I get next?
DragonDeadite 11-11-05, 11:54 AM	I suggest starting with the Complete Books if you want to focus on combat/skills/spells. Go with the Races if you want to focus more on actual character development. Both books have a bit of each, but that's how I see them more focused on.
atog_eater 11-11-05, 12:33 PM	the core books would be good (players hand book, dungeon masters guid, monster manual) i dont think you get those in the box and they are kinda important - far more so than the compleate books (although id get them seccond as they are very good).
DrMorganes 11-11-05, 12:53 PM	Focus first on learning the rules. While you got a taste in the boxed set, the table top "full version" of the game is far more involved. Your step into the larger world of D&D starts with the 3.5 Edition Player's Handbook. From there, decide if you want to continue as a player or step into the big chair of the Dungeon Master. As a player, focus on the supplemental materials that deal with characters: the Complete series, Races, etc. Focus first on your favorite class and race combination. Ferinstance, as a lover of the human rogue, I'd get Complete Adventurer and consider Races of Destiny in addition to the Player's Handbook. If running the game strikes your fancy, then the next two Core Rule books are your next stop: the Dungeon Master's Guide and the Monster Manual. These contain information that is generally considered "eyes only" for the DM; players who own and read these books generally have a harder time putting their knowledge aside and playing their characters in a believable manner. The Dungeon Master's Guide II is considered by many to be Core Rule Book #4. However, I don't own it and cannot comment further. All in all, however, there is no "right" or "wrong" way to learn the game. Even folks like me who've been playing for more than 20 years find something new in every game we play. I do encourage you to find a group as soon as possible. D&D is a social game, and some nuances cannot be grasped until you actually "get together, roll some dice, and have some fun". ;)
Nate Jones 11-11-05, 02:15 PM	Any one can never forget to read the System Reference Document (http://www.d20srd.org/).
DragonDeadite 11-11-05, 02:17 PM	..........ummmm... I thought the basic set had the three core books? Am I thinking of something else? If that's the case then yeah, you need the core books then worry about the others. Heh... sorry. :embarrass
Habronicus 11-11-05, 02:31 PM	As pointed out before, buy the core books (Player's Handbook, Dungeon Master Guide and Monster Manual). Not that you need them, but it's pointless to buy most of the other books without these. Next, use them. Play them. Explore them. And do yourself a favor and start using your imagination (that's the main element of a RPG). Buying books left and right won't do you any good if you don't gain some experience first. With any luck, you'll realize you don't need any books at all (YMMV).
Stardrake 11-12-05, 11:33 PM	..........ummmm... I thought the basic set had the three core books? Am I thinking of something else? If that's the case then yeah, you need the core books then worry about the others. Heh... sorry. :embarrass Remember, there's also the D&D BASIC SET, with a lite version of the rules, minis, dice, tiles, and adventures. A good taste, but not the full meal. As for the OP, DrMorganes said it as well as anyone (and possibly better than some :D ) Heed the Doctor's words, Grasshopper.