Post/Author/DateTime	Post
pedigrew 06-19-05, 08:58 PM	hello, i have two questions. one is if there are any physical game boards for d&d and if there are any computer games of d&d that do not require an online subscription.
colonelthread 06-19-05, 10:29 PM	None are required, but many use a blank grid, such as the Chessex Battlemat (http://www.google.com/url?sa=U&start=5&q=http://paizo.com/store/gameAids/mats/v5748btpy74id&e=9711), to draw out the encounter scene and use miniatures to represent their characters and the monsters. Others use pre-printed map tile sections that fit together on the table, with the same miniatures. Some use nothing at all and just play out the encounters in their minds. If you start with the D&D Basic Game (http://www.wizards.com/default.asp?x=products/dndacc/966470000) it will come with the rules, maps, miniatures, and everything else you need to get started. After that you can upgrade to the "core books" (http://www.wizards.com/default.asp?x=dnd/er/20040801x) which will add a lot of complexity, but also a lot of detail and enjoyment to the game. There have been many D&D games over the years, both for computer and console, that do not require a subscription. One of the more recent, and probably my favorite so far, is Neverwinter Nights (http://www.google.com/url?sa=U&start=1&q=http://nwn.bioware.com/&e=9711). You can play it alone or online with hundreds of others. The Baldurs Gate (http://www.bioware.com/games/baldurs_gate/) series was a lot of fun too, and many seem to like the Icewind Dale series (sorry, can't find Interplay's website at the moment). By the way, welcome to D&D! It's a life long hobby that will be with you for a long time. Have fun! ct