D&D for Dummies? [Archive] - Wizards Community

D&D for Dummies? [Archive] - Wizards Community

Post/Author/DateTime Post
WhiteRaven810
11-12-05, 01:47 PM Howdy. For a while I've wanted to learn to play Dungeons and Dragons, however the books are expensive.

To dodge the costs, I've thought of buying a Dungeons and Dragons for Dummies as well as some fancy box (for the life of me I cannot remember the name). It comes with a handful of miniatures, a map, and dice. I've asked my card shop guy if it was for Miniatures or RP, he said it's a starter for both (hopefully some kind present soul can spill the name of this Starter).

Anyways, would this be enough to at least learn to play D&D and keep me satisified before Christmas (when I should have the funding to buy the actual books).

P.S./EDIT - I forgot to mention I have the books as provided by Wizards under the Open Gaming Act. Incomplete, yes, useful for filling in the blanks, possibly possible.
Belgarath
11-12-05, 01:58 PM Try going to the home page of wizards and click on the "what is d&d?" link. This well explain in basic the bone-bare rules. This "d&d for dummies" set that you mentioned should last you for a fair amount of time after looking through the above section of the site. It explains the game pretty well In my opinion.
Next, what you need of course are players. Another player besides yourself is the minimal amount and the maximum, in my opinion, since you are new is around 4.

Hope I helped :)
WhiteRaven810
11-12-05, 03:12 PM Try going to the home page of wizards and click on the "what is d&d?" link. This well explain in basic the bone-bare rules. This "d&d for dummies" set that you mentioned should last you for a fair amount of time after looking through the above section of the site. It explains the game pretty well In my opinion.
Next, what you need of course are players. Another player besides yourself is the minimal amount and the maximum, in my opinion, since you are new is around 4.

Hope I helped :)

Thank you Belgarath. The second item I was talking about is the D&D Basic Game. I found it thanks to your suggetion.

Wizards suggests it. So it must be good. (lol)

As for players, my brother is going to learn, and we both have at least one friend that we know be partially intrested in picking up the sword.
Guryaa, Turtle Cat
11-12-05, 03:27 PM This "d&d for dummies" set that you mentioned

I think you have this confused with the Basic Game. D&D For Dummies is just a book in the For Dummies series (you know, with the yellow-and-black covers), not a set with booklets, dice and miniatures.
StinkinSith
11-12-05, 03:33 PM Stay away from the "Dummies" book, you'd do better with the basic box set. After all they are about the same price and you actually get the game in the box set, the "Dummies" book is not worth the effort it takes to open it up.

$.02
Belgarath
11-12-05, 03:46 PM I think you have this confused with the Basic Game. D&D For Dummies is just a book in the For Dummies series (you know, with the yellow-and-black covers), not a set with booklets, dice and miniatures.

Oh right ok, thanks for pointing that out
WhiteRaven810
11-12-05, 04:24 PM Thanks for the advice, one and all.

I'm going with the fancy Starter box.

Correct me if I'm wrong, but don't Miniature cards come with role playing stats on the back of the card?

If so I could pick up a handful of cheap commons and use those for monsters until I gather the reasources to buy the Monster Manuel.
rkr1970
11-12-05, 05:29 PM First, get the Basic set. The extra components are worth 80% of the cost alone. While it's not the actual game, it is enough to let you know whether you should invest more heavily in other products. It's sorts like a D&D Lite.

Second, if there are no groups to game with in your area, I highly recommend the D&D4D book. The best way to learn the game is at the table with seasoned vets. This is the best, albeit still rather poor, substitute. It will add another $20 to your initial investment in D&D books, but it will be worth it mainly because the rule books are a bit daunting and more than a bit confusing for folks who've never actually played. D&D4D will gently guide you through the early aspects of play. It's less intimidating than three big books full of D&D-speak.

Third, skip the cards and just use the monsters at www.d20srd.org (http://www.d20srd.org/). It'll be a lot more helpful than some stat card.
Kryms3n
11-13-05, 02:17 AM To dodge the costs, I've thought of buying a Dungeons and Dragons for Dummies as well as some fancy boxways, would this be enough to at least learn to play D&D and keep me satisified before Christmas

Don't forget Ebay. Lot's of deals there.. :D

Post/Author/DateTime	Post
WhiteRaven810 11-12-05, 01:47 PM	Howdy. For a while I've wanted to learn to play Dungeons and Dragons, however the books are expensive. To dodge the costs, I've thought of buying a Dungeons and Dragons for Dummies as well as some fancy box (for the life of me I cannot remember the name). It comes with a handful of miniatures, a map, and dice. I've asked my card shop guy if it was for Miniatures or RP, he said it's a starter for both (hopefully some kind present soul can spill the name of this Starter). Anyways, would this be enough to at least learn to play D&D and keep me satisified before Christmas (when I should have the funding to buy the actual books). P.S./EDIT - I forgot to mention I have the books as provided by Wizards under the Open Gaming Act. Incomplete, yes, useful for filling in the blanks, possibly possible.
Belgarath 11-12-05, 01:58 PM	Try going to the home page of wizards and click on the "what is d&d?" link. This well explain in basic the bone-bare rules. This "d&d for dummies" set that you mentioned should last you for a fair amount of time after looking through the above section of the site. It explains the game pretty well In my opinion. Next, what you need of course are players. Another player besides yourself is the minimal amount and the maximum, in my opinion, since you are new is around 4. Hope I helped :)
WhiteRaven810 11-12-05, 03:12 PM	Try going to the home page of wizards and click on the "what is d&d?" link. This well explain in basic the bone-bare rules. This "d&d for dummies" set that you mentioned should last you for a fair amount of time after looking through the above section of the site. It explains the game pretty well In my opinion. Next, what you need of course are players. Another player besides yourself is the minimal amount and the maximum, in my opinion, since you are new is around 4. Hope I helped :) Thank you Belgarath. The second item I was talking about is the D&D Basic Game. I found it thanks to your suggetion. Wizards suggests it. So it must be good. (lol) As for players, my brother is going to learn, and we both have at least one friend that we know be partially intrested in picking up the sword.
Guryaa, Turtle Cat 11-12-05, 03:27 PM	This "d&d for dummies" set that you mentioned I think you have this confused with the Basic Game. D&D For Dummies is just a book in the For Dummies series (you know, with the yellow-and-black covers), not a set with booklets, dice and miniatures.
StinkinSith 11-12-05, 03:33 PM	Stay away from the "Dummies" book, you'd do better with the basic box set. After all they are about the same price and you actually get the game in the box set, the "Dummies" book is not worth the effort it takes to open it up. $.02
Belgarath 11-12-05, 03:46 PM	I think you have this confused with the Basic Game. D&D For Dummies is just a book in the For Dummies series (you know, with the yellow-and-black covers), not a set with booklets, dice and miniatures. Oh right ok, thanks for pointing that out
WhiteRaven810 11-12-05, 04:24 PM	Thanks for the advice, one and all. I'm going with the fancy Starter box. Correct me if I'm wrong, but don't Miniature cards come with role playing stats on the back of the card? If so I could pick up a handful of cheap commons and use those for monsters until I gather the reasources to buy the Monster Manuel.
rkr1970 11-12-05, 05:29 PM	First, get the Basic set. The extra components are worth 80% of the cost alone. While it's not the actual game, it is enough to let you know whether you should invest more heavily in other products. It's sorts like a D&D Lite. Second, if there are no groups to game with in your area, I highly recommend the D&D4D book. The best way to learn the game is at the table with seasoned vets. This is the best, albeit still rather poor, substitute. It will add another $20 to your initial investment in D&D books, but it will be worth it mainly because the rule books are a bit daunting and more than a bit confusing for folks who've never actually played. D&D4D will gently guide you through the early aspects of play. It's less intimidating than three big books full of D&D-speak. Third, skip the cards and just use the monsters at www.d20srd.org (http://www.d20srd.org/). It'll be a lot more helpful than some stat card.
Kryms3n 11-13-05, 02:17 AM	To dodge the costs, I've thought of buying a Dungeons and Dragons for Dummies as well as some fancy boxways, would this be enough to at least learn to play D&D and keep me satisified before Christmas Don't forget Ebay. Lot's of deals there.. :D