Couple of n00b questions. [Archive] - Wizards Community

Couple of n00b questions. [Archive] - Wizards Community

Post/Author/DateTime Post
I-Sod
05-17-05, 08:58 AM Hello everyone.

I'm new to dungeons and dragons and pencil and paper rgp's in general. I have a couple of friends and we want to start a group, but we have a few questions first. I figured this would be agood place to look for answers. Here they are:

1) I've heard bad things about 3.5. Should we just buy the 3e books or get the 3.5e books anyway wince we don't know what the changes from 3e are?

2) None of us feel that we have the adequate skills to be the DM since none of us have ever played. Are there any pre-written adventures that start at level 1, so someone could DM off of that until we get the idea of whats going on?

3) Are we getting in over our heads?

Thank you in advance for your time and any advice you have to offer.
Neerie
05-17-05, 09:16 AM 1) I've heard bad things about 3.5. Should we just buy the 3e books or get the 3.5e books anyway wince we don't know what the changes from 3e are?
There will always be people who say bad things about everything. I'd say go for 3.5 right away. I love it, I never even looked at 3.0 since I made the jump from 2E to 3.5 after a 5 years absence from the game. 3.5 is easy to learn, very fun, and it's the current edition, so all the books that come out now are in 3.5.

2) None of us feel that we have the adequate skills to be the DM since none of us have ever played. Are there any pre-written adventures that start at level 1, so someone could DM off of that until we get the idea of whats going on?
You could start by buying the Basic Game set, which contains a compacted set of rules, which is a nice introduction. This way, you can all get a feel of what the game is all about, and one of you will need to DM, but with a premade adventure and not too many rules.

There are also premade adventures on the main D&D page, under downloads. Some of them were made in 3.0, but they are easily convertible, or you can just use them since the changes needed are minimal.

3) Are we getting in over our heads?
How is wanting to learn a new game getting in over someone's head? I'd say, just take things easy, buy a set of books for the group first (one Player' Handbook, one Dungeon Master's Guide and one Monster Manual) and start by reading out the PHB. The prefab adventures on the website don't necessarily need you to have read the DMG as they contain pretty much everything you need to know to run the adventure.

Take things one step at a time, and have fun along the way. Remember that you are all new to this and that making mistakes is a normal thing, and you're all set! :D

Thank you in advance for your time and any advice you have to offer.
Very welcome, and welcome to this great hobby.
Sinon
05-17-05, 09:19 AM Start with 3.5.
First, any newly-published material that comes out will be compatible with it. Second, what you heard is most likely biased anyway, and regardless, if you have nothing to compare 3.5 to, you'll have nothing to complain about. For my part, 3.5 is great.

There are pre-made adventures. There are quite a few on the home page. I'll add a link in the edit. (Here: http://www.wizards.com/default.asp?x=dnd/oa/20030530b)

I don't know how the game compares to other RPG you've played, or how that is going to affect your ability to learn and master the game. It is hard, and it is best to learn from an experienced group, but I think you can figure it out as a group. Come here and ask questions if and when you get stuck.
Good luck.
TrothgardtheMad
05-17-05, 09:27 AM Hello everyone.

I'm new to dungeons and dragons and pencil and paper rgp's in general. I have a couple of friends and we want to start a group, but we have a few questions first. I figured this would be agood place to look for answers. Here they are:

1) I've heard bad things about 3.5. Should we just buy the 3e books or get the 3.5e books anyway wince we don't know what the changes from 3e are?

Actually, as it is easier to get 3.5 material, and there is lots of support for it, being the "current rules edition." I'd say get the 3.5 books, at least a few PHB's (one for every player would be most excellent), a DMG or 2 to share amongst the group, and a MM or 2, again to share amongst the group.

2) None of us feel that we have the adequate skills to be the DM since none of us have ever played. Are there any pre-written adventures that start at level 1, so someone could DM off of that until we get the idea of whats going on?

There are several modules, I'm sure there are people here who can give numerous input on their favorites and such. If you can swing a copy of Sunless Citadel, that was a fairly enjoyable adventure. If you cannot, might I suggest the Basic Game, as it takes the mechanics of the game and puts them in easily digestible bits.

3) Are we getting in over our heads?

Depends on how well you swim, I guess. I would suggest maybe all going in on the Basic Game to begin, as it can save you a $60~ish purchase of all three core books at the 'zon. Without someone to hold your hand and lead you by example, I suggest reading the PHB and DMG thoroughly, PHB more so. In fact if you can read it (the PHB) 2 to 3 times, all the better. The DMG needs on good solid reading, and perhaps another good skim over if someone wants to take the helm of being DM.

Hope this helps,
Trothgard the Mad
I-Sod
05-17-05, 11:49 AM Thanks for everyons input.

We plan to get one set of the core books to start. $16 for the basic games doesnt sound like a bad thing either. I guess we'll go with 3.5e since the general concesous is that it is easier to understand. I read over a couple of teh adventure off the main page and those seem slike they will be a nice way to get one or two of us familiar with being DM.

Thanks again.
Escef
05-17-05, 08:32 PM If you decide to stick with the game shop around online for rulebooks. Many online vendors sell them at significant discount.
The 8th Samurai
05-17-05, 11:37 PM I haven't had a chance to look at this book because I'm here in Japan, but what about Dungeons and Dragons for Dummies that just came out for using as an introduction to D&D. Like I said I haven't seen the book myself and maybe someone else who has can put their two copper's worth in.
I-Sod
05-18-05, 04:11 PM If you decide to stick with the game shop around online for rulebooks. Many online vendors sell them at significant discount.

I ordered the core books off amazon yesterday, odd thing was they were cheaper seperate than bundled :confused: .

what about Dungeons and Dragons for Dummies that just came out for using as an introduction to D&D

They have a copy of it in stock at my local borders books. I might go check it out if I dont understand the core books well enough.

Post/Author/DateTime	Post
I-Sod 05-17-05, 08:58 AM	Hello everyone. I'm new to dungeons and dragons and pencil and paper rgp's in general. I have a couple of friends and we want to start a group, but we have a few questions first. I figured this would be agood place to look for answers. Here they are: 1) I've heard bad things about 3.5. Should we just buy the 3e books or get the 3.5e books anyway wince we don't know what the changes from 3e are? 2) None of us feel that we have the adequate skills to be the DM since none of us have ever played. Are there any pre-written adventures that start at level 1, so someone could DM off of that until we get the idea of whats going on? 3) Are we getting in over our heads? Thank you in advance for your time and any advice you have to offer.
Neerie 05-17-05, 09:16 AM	1) I've heard bad things about 3.5. Should we just buy the 3e books or get the 3.5e books anyway wince we don't know what the changes from 3e are? There will always be people who say bad things about everything. I'd say go for 3.5 right away. I love it, I never even looked at 3.0 since I made the jump from 2E to 3.5 after a 5 years absence from the game. 3.5 is easy to learn, very fun, and it's the current edition, so all the books that come out now are in 3.5. 2) None of us feel that we have the adequate skills to be the DM since none of us have ever played. Are there any pre-written adventures that start at level 1, so someone could DM off of that until we get the idea of whats going on? You could start by buying the Basic Game set, which contains a compacted set of rules, which is a nice introduction. This way, you can all get a feel of what the game is all about, and one of you will need to DM, but with a premade adventure and not too many rules. There are also premade adventures on the main D&D page, under downloads. Some of them were made in 3.0, but they are easily convertible, or you can just use them since the changes needed are minimal. 3) Are we getting in over our heads? How is wanting to learn a new game getting in over someone's head? I'd say, just take things easy, buy a set of books for the group first (one Player' Handbook, one Dungeon Master's Guide and one Monster Manual) and start by reading out the PHB. The prefab adventures on the website don't necessarily need you to have read the DMG as they contain pretty much everything you need to know to run the adventure. Take things one step at a time, and have fun along the way. Remember that you are all new to this and that making mistakes is a normal thing, and you're all set! :D Thank you in advance for your time and any advice you have to offer. Very welcome, and welcome to this great hobby.
Sinon 05-17-05, 09:19 AM	Start with 3.5. First, any newly-published material that comes out will be compatible with it. Second, what you heard is most likely biased anyway, and regardless, if you have nothing to compare 3.5 to, you'll have nothing to complain about. For my part, 3.5 is great. There are pre-made adventures. There are quite a few on the home page. I'll add a link in the edit. (Here: http://www.wizards.com/default.asp?x=dnd/oa/20030530b) I don't know how the game compares to other RPG you've played, or how that is going to affect your ability to learn and master the game. It is hard, and it is best to learn from an experienced group, but I think you can figure it out as a group. Come here and ask questions if and when you get stuck. Good luck.
TrothgardtheMad 05-17-05, 09:27 AM	Hello everyone. I'm new to dungeons and dragons and pencil and paper rgp's in general. I have a couple of friends and we want to start a group, but we have a few questions first. I figured this would be agood place to look for answers. Here they are: 1) I've heard bad things about 3.5. Should we just buy the 3e books or get the 3.5e books anyway wince we don't know what the changes from 3e are? Actually, as it is easier to get 3.5 material, and there is lots of support for it, being the "current rules edition." I'd say get the 3.5 books, at least a few PHB's (one for every player would be most excellent), a DMG or 2 to share amongst the group, and a MM or 2, again to share amongst the group. 2) None of us feel that we have the adequate skills to be the DM since none of us have ever played. Are there any pre-written adventures that start at level 1, so someone could DM off of that until we get the idea of whats going on? There are several modules, I'm sure there are people here who can give numerous input on their favorites and such. If you can swing a copy of Sunless Citadel, that was a fairly enjoyable adventure. If you cannot, might I suggest the Basic Game, as it takes the mechanics of the game and puts them in easily digestible bits. 3) Are we getting in over our heads? Depends on how well you swim, I guess. I would suggest maybe all going in on the Basic Game to begin, as it can save you a $60~ish purchase of all three core books at the 'zon. Without someone to hold your hand and lead you by example, I suggest reading the PHB and DMG thoroughly, PHB more so. In fact if you can read it (the PHB) 2 to 3 times, all the better. The DMG needs on good solid reading, and perhaps another good skim over if someone wants to take the helm of being DM. Hope this helps, Trothgard the Mad
I-Sod 05-17-05, 11:49 AM	Thanks for everyons input. We plan to get one set of the core books to start. $16 for the basic games doesnt sound like a bad thing either. I guess we'll go with 3.5e since the general concesous is that it is easier to understand. I read over a couple of teh adventure off the main page and those seem slike they will be a nice way to get one or two of us familiar with being DM. Thanks again.
Escef 05-17-05, 08:32 PM	If you decide to stick with the game shop around online for rulebooks. Many online vendors sell them at significant discount.
The 8th Samurai 05-17-05, 11:37 PM	I haven't had a chance to look at this book because I'm here in Japan, but what about Dungeons and Dragons for Dummies that just came out for using as an introduction to D&D. Like I said I haven't seen the book myself and maybe someone else who has can put their two copper's worth in.
I-Sod 05-18-05, 04:11 PM	If you decide to stick with the game shop around online for rulebooks. Many online vendors sell them at significant discount. I ordered the core books off amazon yesterday, odd thing was they were cheaper seperate than bundled :confused: . what about Dungeons and Dragons for Dummies that just came out for using as an introduction to D&D They have a copy of it in stock at my local borders books. I might go check it out if I dont understand the core books well enough.