Clueless Newbie DM Needs Help [Archive] - Wizards Community

Clueless Newbie DM Needs Help [Archive] - Wizards Community

Post/Author/DateTime Post
SolracOrim
03-22-06, 10:08 AM Okay, here's the deal. Years and years ago, I played a few games and read the Player's Handbook. Well, over the years, all that has faded from memory.

I recently gave my son the DND Adventure Game for Beginners. Now, I find myself DMing for my three kids -- arrgh! I can't grasp the rule system! Is there anywhere that I find a very simple explanation how to use the dice and so forth for a novice DM?

I've read the basic setup stuff included in the game, and I've ordered the DM's Handbook. But is there anywhere else I can go right now to get sort of the basics for a geezing and dim newbie DM? :thinks:

Thanks!
Illion the Red
03-22-06, 10:23 AM The most essential book to read is the Player's Handbook. Second would be the Dungeon Master's Guide, and third would be the Monster Manual. Those three are the core books and have everything you need to learn/relearn the game.

You could try this:

D&D Demo (http://www.wizards.com/playdnd/playdnd.asp)

There is also a D&D for Dummies book out there that others have recommended. I have no experience with it, so I also have no opinion on it.
Seldriss
03-22-06, 10:30 AM Hello there,

Well, first, the basic game (the big box) presents a very light version of the rules, easier to grasp.

Then, if you want, there is Dungeons & Dragons for Dummies (no offense, that's the title of the book). It goes through most of the aspects of the game, but that's a lot of reading. The good point is that it was written by experts.

Theory is nice, but practice is always better.
So i would recommend you to get in touch with a group of players.
You might want to play a few sessions with them, reviewing the main rules of the game (character creation, skills, feats, spells, combat, and so on...). This can be done in a regular game, with a patient DM and helpful co-players, who would teach you the strings.

Or, you can simply contact a DM, and ask him questions, by e-mail, forums...

Good luck ;)
Alac Luin
03-22-06, 11:03 AM Dungeons & Dragons For Dummies
http://www.wizards.com/default.asp?x=products/dndacc/0764584596

It's just one of the ".......for Dummies" series if your familiar with those.
it's written by Bill Slavicsek and Richard W. Baker

(just giving a link to the product others have already suggested)
SolracOrim
03-22-06, 12:08 PM You could try this:

D&D Demo (http://www.wizards.com/playdnd/playdnd.asp)
Thanks! I just tried it, and it helps a bit to understand the mechanics of gameplay.
SolracOrim
03-22-06, 12:09 PM Thanks, all, for your help. :)
SolracOrim
03-22-06, 12:24 PM I do have one follow-up question. I'm a little confused about the various editions.

I bought Dungeon Master's Guide: Core Rulebook II (Edition 3.5). IS that the right one?

Thanks again!
Tyrasius
03-22-06, 12:45 PM Just for reference next time, I recommend you post threads such as this one on the whats a DM to do forum, as that is the proper place to get DM advice. Also don't be so self belittling to your self, everyones a newbie at some time.

As for the DMG your really supposed to by DMG 1 then two once your good at using 1.
Puca
03-22-06, 12:52 PM 3.5 is the most current edition.
Its probably best to have that because most of the rules information you are able to get will consistent with it.

As far as learning, just play. As long as you have some of the most basic things (how to hit something, what the damage is) down, it will be fun.

As you keep playing and reading, you will figure out that you were doing "everything" "wrong" but its just you and your kids, so who cares as long as its all fun?

As you keep playing, youll figure out what to do "correctly" or at least youll figure out what you dont know, which makes it far easier to ask.

As for the DMG your really supposed to by DMG 1 then two once your good at using 1.I dont think he has DMG II.

Im pretty sure that the regular Dungeon Masters Guide is called Core Rulebook II. Players Handbook is Core Rulebook I. Monster Manual is Core Rulebook III.
Seldriss
03-22-06, 12:58 PM I do have one follow-up question. I'm a little confused about the various editions.
I bought Dungeon Master's Guide: Core Rulebook II (Edition 3.5). IS that the right one?
Thanks again!

Edit : Puca is right...
Diet_Sunkist
03-22-06, 02:38 PM Well, there is a lot you could do. Get premade maps from the internet, and let em play. This will give you pleanty of time to learn.
Alac Luin
03-22-06, 06:04 PM There are a few free adventures on this page...
http://www.wizards.com/default.asp?x=dnd/oa/20030530b

To run untill you learn how to do more. Some are 3.0, but should run fine with 3.5.
Yo can always ask here is something seems "wrong" due to edition change.
TundraBlue
03-22-06, 09:55 PM The starter DnD Minatures box is an excellent way to ease into learning the DnD combat system. The minatures game gets kids right into the action and dealing with something more tangible than pure role playing.

Post/Author/DateTime	Post
SolracOrim 03-22-06, 10:08 AM	Okay, here's the deal. Years and years ago, I played a few games and read the Player's Handbook. Well, over the years, all that has faded from memory. I recently gave my son the DND Adventure Game for Beginners. Now, I find myself DMing for my three kids -- arrgh! I can't grasp the rule system! Is there anywhere that I find a very simple explanation how to use the dice and so forth for a novice DM? I've read the basic setup stuff included in the game, and I've ordered the DM's Handbook. But is there anywhere else I can go right now to get sort of the basics for a geezing and dim newbie DM? :thinks: Thanks!
Illion the Red 03-22-06, 10:23 AM	The most essential book to read is the Player's Handbook. Second would be the Dungeon Master's Guide, and third would be the Monster Manual. Those three are the core books and have everything you need to learn/relearn the game. You could try this: D&D Demo (http://www.wizards.com/playdnd/playdnd.asp) There is also a D&D for Dummies book out there that others have recommended. I have no experience with it, so I also have no opinion on it.
Seldriss 03-22-06, 10:30 AM	Hello there, Well, first, the basic game (the big box) presents a very light version of the rules, easier to grasp. Then, if you want, there is Dungeons & Dragons for Dummies (no offense, that's the title of the book). It goes through most of the aspects of the game, but that's a lot of reading. The good point is that it was written by experts. Theory is nice, but practice is always better. So i would recommend you to get in touch with a group of players. You might want to play a few sessions with them, reviewing the main rules of the game (character creation, skills, feats, spells, combat, and so on...). This can be done in a regular game, with a patient DM and helpful co-players, who would teach you the strings. Or, you can simply contact a DM, and ask him questions, by e-mail, forums... Good luck ;)
Alac Luin 03-22-06, 11:03 AM	Dungeons & Dragons For Dummies http://www.wizards.com/default.asp?x=products/dndacc/0764584596 It's just one of the ".......for Dummies" series if your familiar with those. it's written by Bill Slavicsek and Richard W. Baker (just giving a link to the product others have already suggested)
SolracOrim 03-22-06, 12:08 PM	You could try this: D&D Demo (http://www.wizards.com/playdnd/playdnd.asp) Thanks! I just tried it, and it helps a bit to understand the mechanics of gameplay.
SolracOrim 03-22-06, 12:09 PM	Thanks, all, for your help. :)
SolracOrim 03-22-06, 12:24 PM	I do have one follow-up question. I'm a little confused about the various editions. I bought Dungeon Master's Guide: Core Rulebook II (Edition 3.5). IS that the right one? Thanks again!
Tyrasius 03-22-06, 12:45 PM	Just for reference next time, I recommend you post threads such as this one on the whats a DM to do forum, as that is the proper place to get DM advice. Also don't be so self belittling to your self, everyones a newbie at some time. As for the DMG your really supposed to by DMG 1 then two once your good at using 1.
Puca 03-22-06, 12:52 PM	3.5 is the most current edition. Its probably best to have that because most of the rules information you are able to get will consistent with it. As far as learning, just play. As long as you have some of the most basic things (how to hit something, what the damage is) down, it will be fun. As you keep playing and reading, you will figure out that you were doing "everything" "wrong" but its just you and your kids, so who cares as long as its all fun? As you keep playing, youll figure out what to do "correctly" or at least youll figure out what you dont know, which makes it far easier to ask. As for the DMG your really supposed to by DMG 1 then two once your good at using 1.I dont think he has DMG II. Im pretty sure that the regular Dungeon Masters Guide is called Core Rulebook II. Players Handbook is Core Rulebook I. Monster Manual is Core Rulebook III.
Seldriss 03-22-06, 12:58 PM	I do have one follow-up question. I'm a little confused about the various editions. I bought Dungeon Master's Guide: Core Rulebook II (Edition 3.5). IS that the right one? Thanks again! Edit : Puca is right...
Diet_Sunkist 03-22-06, 02:38 PM	Well, there is a lot you could do. Get premade maps from the internet, and let em play. This will give you pleanty of time to learn.
Alac Luin 03-22-06, 06:04 PM	There are a few free adventures on this page... http://www.wizards.com/default.asp?x=dnd/oa/20030530b To run untill you learn how to do more. Some are 3.0, but should run fine with 3.5. Yo can always ask here is something seems "wrong" due to edition change.
TundraBlue 03-22-06, 09:55 PM	The starter DnD Minatures box is an excellent way to ease into learning the DnD combat system. The minatures game gets kids right into the action and dealing with something more tangible than pure role playing.