D&D Starter question [Archive] - Wizards Community

D&D Starter question [Archive] - Wizards Community

Post/Author/DateTime Post
spidoman
12-11-05, 09:21 PM My brother is a huge fan of D&D, so I thought I would get him something for christmas, as he has nothing at all. But I don't know anything about D&D, so I was wondering, what should I get him to get him started? I saw a "Dungeons and Dragons Basic Game", ah here it is: Link to D&D Basic game. (http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/0786934093/qid=1134351359/sr=11-1/ref=sr_11_1/002-9298225-6999256?n=171280) I don't know if this is a good start, or if it's kind of a noobish thing to get.

I don't know anything really, so any help would be awesome. He has the money and the means to get more stuff, but I just want to get him something that will kick start him playing again. Thanks again for any help.
The Weave05
12-11-05, 09:36 PM The Basic Game is just fine, but if you think it is too "noobish", then try one of these, or all of these, 3 books: The Dungeon Masters Guide, The Players Handbook, and The Monster Manuel.
Each of thses is one of the 3 books required to play the game...depending on how creative you are ;)
Im sure he'll love these, especially if he doesn't have anything on D&D yet
RogueScribner
12-11-05, 09:52 PM The 3.5 core book set would be a good start. Amazon has it for an okay price. (http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/tg/detail/-/0786934107/qid=1134356160/sr=8-1/ref=sr_8_xs_ap_i1_xgl14/102-8131205-4839351?v=glance&s=books&n=507846)
Seeker95
12-12-05, 08:46 AM If he has ever played D&D before, the Basic Game is not the right gift.
If you want to go all-out, the Core Box Set is good.
If money is an issue, get him just the Players Handbook.
spidoman
12-12-05, 01:08 PM If he is going to get a group together, and not just join a group of people playing would it be best to get him the complete set?
Seeker95
12-12-05, 01:18 PM Only if he is going to be the DM.
Magnetic_Pudding
12-12-05, 03:39 PM If he has nothing at all the core rulebook set would be fine. If thats too expensive, the basic box set would also be nice to give. As far as being too "noob" if someones going to worry about DnD making them look bad, perhaps they should find another more socially popular hobby.

Don't worry about what other people think.
Seeker95
12-12-05, 04:08 PM Magnetic_Pudding,

The "too noob" has nothing to do with how the owner looks. It is simply too basic for an experienced player. It would be like making an experienced skydiver take a tandem jump.
Magnetic_Pudding
12-12-05, 04:58 PM Seeker95

Way to misunderstand the gist of my post.

If his freind has nothing, then the basic set would be fine, even required don't you think?

The only reason for fearing looking noobish is a need for others approval.

And if one has a need for others approval...

perhaps DnD isn't the game for you.
Seeker95
12-12-05, 05:01 PM Way to misunderstand the gist of my post.
If his freind has nothing, then the basic set would be fine, even required don't you think?If that is the gist of your post, then you have mis-read the original post.

This is a gift for his brother. Who used to play D&D a lot. And hasn't played in a while.
The Basic Boxed Set would be a bad gift for his experienced-player brother.
Magnetic_Pudding
12-12-05, 05:19 PM My brother is a huge fan of D&D, so I thought I would get him something for christmas, as he has nothing at all.

Right.

Brother, freind, whatever.

The point is that his brother has nothing.

Regardless of how experience someone is you can't play with nothing can you?

And just because someone is experienced doesn't mean they can't benefit from the basics.

The basic set would make a fine gift, especially if cost is a factor. At least you'd get to play, right?

I have been playing Dnd for roughly 28 years and one of the biggest problems I see is people who think they are above the fundementals of Dnd. These people don't think they need to bother with the basics because they think it makes them look noobish. Fear of looking noobish is just another way of needing others approval.
MiloDaGreat
12-12-05, 05:25 PM I think you two should just fight it out. Roll initiatives.

The box set is far too expensive for your brother because he has not put forth the commitment in playing again. Get him the Players Handbook, if you wish to spend more money you should buy him the PH and (a) DVD(s) or CD(s). I would advise buying him a copy of "Requiem for a Dream", "Kids" or "Battle Royale" because all three of those are solid movies. If you are buying him a cd, get him "Revolver" by the Beatles or like, Floyd's Darkside.

- Milo

OR you could buy him a song!! www.songstowearpantsto.com
Arrowhen
12-12-05, 06:09 PM Right.

Brother, freind, whatever.

The point is that his brother has nothing.

Regardless of how experience someone is you can't play with nothing can you?

And just because someone is experienced doesn't mean they can't benefit from the basics.

The basic set would make a fine gift, especially if cost is a factor. At least you'd get to play, right?

I have been playing Dnd for roughly 28 years and one of the biggest problems I see is people who think they are above the fundementals of Dnd. These people don't think they need to bother with the basics because they think it makes them look noobish. Fear of looking noobish is just another way of needing others approval.
The "basics of D&D" are the Player's Handbook, the Monster Manual, and the Dungeon Master's guide. The D&D Basic set is a simplified introductory version designed (poorly, in my opinion) to teach the absolute basics of gaming to those who have never played before.
You say you've played for 28 years, so I'm sure you remember the red box Basic set of the early 80s, right? Well, the current Basic Set is not like that at all. It's basically a board game with some simplified D&D mechanics thrown in. If he's ever played D&D before, he doesn't need it.
A Player's Handbook and a set of dice would be a good gift; it's all he'll need to bone up on the rules and join a group.
Magnetic_Pudding
12-12-05, 06:25 PM The box set is a board game?

Screw that.

Get the DMG or the PHB.

And for the record, I really have no issue with Seeker. We just disagreed is all. Resonable people can do that. I respect his view.
Fargren
12-12-05, 06:28 PM If money is an issue, you probably should try Ebay.
http://cgi.ebay.com/Dungeons-and-Dragons-Players-Handbook-3-5-RPG-D-D-PHB_W0QQitemZ8735864599QQcategoryZ44112Q QssPageNameZWDVWQQrdZ1QQcmdZViewItem
MiloDaGreat
12-12-05, 06:30 PM I still would've liked to have seen a fight... My money is on Seeker because he's been on these boards forever. His experience pt.s must be through the roof.

- Milo
Magnetic_Pudding
12-12-05, 06:32 PM :rolleyes:
MiloDaGreat
12-12-05, 06:39 PM Well,

I actually don't know anything about you...so maybe you could take him...being mysterious does have the advantage of the unknown.

- Milo
Magnetic_Pudding
12-12-05, 07:08 PM Yes I'm very mysterious. Like the Sphinx. Terribly mysterious.

And I can cut guns in half with my mind. :D
MiloDaGreat
12-13-05, 01:17 AM WELL THEN!

If you can cut guns in half with your mind then you might be able to take Seeker, but I hear that Seeker can actually use BOTH his left and right hand when typing.

It's quite the challenge. I dare not predict the outcome.

- Milo
Seeker95
12-13-05, 08:39 AM Seeker95 respectfully declines the invitation to fight it out. Magnetic_Pudding amended his understanding of what the Basic Game is, mitigating his objection to my comments. My error in this entanglement was in assuming that he knew the content of the Basic Game when he offered it as a solution to the OP.

As for typing with both hands... I can neither confirm nor deny such allegations.
spidoman
12-13-05, 02:12 PM Thank you all for all the help and advice you've given, I would love to get him the boxed set, but as I have 6 family members I'm buying presents for, and have around 200 bucks to spend on christmas, anything above 50 bucks for one person is a little much, so I'm probably just gunna go with the players handbook.

Post/Author/DateTime	Post
spidoman 12-11-05, 09:21 PM	My brother is a huge fan of D&D, so I thought I would get him something for christmas, as he has nothing at all. But I don't know anything about D&D, so I was wondering, what should I get him to get him started? I saw a "Dungeons and Dragons Basic Game", ah here it is: Link to D&D Basic game. (http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/0786934093/qid=1134351359/sr=11-1/ref=sr_11_1/002-9298225-6999256?n=171280) I don't know if this is a good start, or if it's kind of a noobish thing to get. I don't know anything really, so any help would be awesome. He has the money and the means to get more stuff, but I just want to get him something that will kick start him playing again. Thanks again for any help.
The Weave05 12-11-05, 09:36 PM	The Basic Game is just fine, but if you think it is too "noobish", then try one of these, or all of these, 3 books: The Dungeon Masters Guide, The Players Handbook, and The Monster Manuel. Each of thses is one of the 3 books required to play the game...depending on how creative you are ;) Im sure he'll love these, especially if he doesn't have anything on D&D yet
RogueScribner 12-11-05, 09:52 PM	The 3.5 core book set would be a good start. Amazon has it for an okay price. (http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/tg/detail/-/0786934107/qid=1134356160/sr=8-1/ref=sr_8_xs_ap_i1_xgl14/102-8131205-4839351?v=glance&s=books&n=507846)
Seeker95 12-12-05, 08:46 AM	If he has ever played D&D before, the Basic Game is not the right gift. If you want to go all-out, the Core Box Set is good. If money is an issue, get him just the Players Handbook.
spidoman 12-12-05, 01:08 PM	If he is going to get a group together, and not just join a group of people playing would it be best to get him the complete set?
Seeker95 12-12-05, 01:18 PM	Only if he is going to be the DM.
Magnetic_Pudding 12-12-05, 03:39 PM	If he has nothing at all the core rulebook set would be fine. If thats too expensive, the basic box set would also be nice to give. As far as being too "noob" if someones going to worry about DnD making them look bad, perhaps they should find another more socially popular hobby. Don't worry about what other people think.
Seeker95 12-12-05, 04:08 PM	Magnetic_Pudding, The "too noob" has nothing to do with how the owner looks. It is simply too basic for an experienced player. It would be like making an experienced skydiver take a tandem jump.
Magnetic_Pudding 12-12-05, 04:58 PM	Seeker95 Way to misunderstand the gist of my post. If his freind has nothing, then the basic set would be fine, even required don't you think? The only reason for fearing looking noobish is a need for others approval. And if one has a need for others approval... perhaps DnD isn't the game for you.
Seeker95 12-12-05, 05:01 PM	Way to misunderstand the gist of my post. If his freind has nothing, then the basic set would be fine, even required don't you think?If that is the gist of your post, then you have mis-read the original post. This is a gift for his brother. Who used to play D&D a lot. And hasn't played in a while. The Basic Boxed Set would be a bad gift for his experienced-player brother.
Magnetic_Pudding 12-12-05, 05:19 PM	My brother is a huge fan of D&D, so I thought I would get him something for christmas, as he has nothing at all. Right. Brother, freind, whatever. The point is that his brother has nothing. Regardless of how experience someone is you can't play with nothing can you? And just because someone is experienced doesn't mean they can't benefit from the basics. The basic set would make a fine gift, especially if cost is a factor. At least you'd get to play, right? I have been playing Dnd for roughly 28 years and one of the biggest problems I see is people who think they are above the fundementals of Dnd. These people don't think they need to bother with the basics because they think it makes them look noobish. Fear of looking noobish is just another way of needing others approval.
MiloDaGreat 12-12-05, 05:25 PM	I think you two should just fight it out. Roll initiatives. The box set is far too expensive for your brother because he has not put forth the commitment in playing again. Get him the Players Handbook, if you wish to spend more money you should buy him the PH and (a) DVD(s) or CD(s). I would advise buying him a copy of "Requiem for a Dream", "Kids" or "Battle Royale" because all three of those are solid movies. If you are buying him a cd, get him "Revolver" by the Beatles or like, Floyd's Darkside. - Milo OR you could buy him a song!! www.songstowearpantsto.com
Arrowhen 12-12-05, 06:09 PM	Right. Brother, freind, whatever. The point is that his brother has nothing. Regardless of how experience someone is you can't play with nothing can you? And just because someone is experienced doesn't mean they can't benefit from the basics. The basic set would make a fine gift, especially if cost is a factor. At least you'd get to play, right? I have been playing Dnd for roughly 28 years and one of the biggest problems I see is people who think they are above the fundementals of Dnd. These people don't think they need to bother with the basics because they think it makes them look noobish. Fear of looking noobish is just another way of needing others approval. The "basics of D&D" are the Player's Handbook, the Monster Manual, and the Dungeon Master's guide. The D&D Basic set is a simplified introductory version designed (poorly, in my opinion) to teach the absolute basics of gaming to those who have never played before. You say you've played for 28 years, so I'm sure you remember the red box Basic set of the early 80s, right? Well, the current Basic Set is not like that at all. It's basically a board game with some simplified D&D mechanics thrown in. If he's ever played D&D before, he doesn't need it. A Player's Handbook and a set of dice would be a good gift; it's all he'll need to bone up on the rules and join a group.
Magnetic_Pudding 12-12-05, 06:25 PM	The box set is a board game? Screw that. Get the DMG or the PHB. And for the record, I really have no issue with Seeker. We just disagreed is all. Resonable people can do that. I respect his view.
Fargren 12-12-05, 06:28 PM	If money is an issue, you probably should try Ebay. http://cgi.ebay.com/Dungeons-and-Dragons-Players-Handbook-3-5-RPG-D-D-PHB_W0QQitemZ8735864599QQcategoryZ44112Q QssPageNameZWDVWQQrdZ1QQcmdZViewItem
MiloDaGreat 12-12-05, 06:30 PM	I still would've liked to have seen a fight... My money is on Seeker because he's been on these boards forever. His experience pt.s must be through the roof. - Milo
Magnetic_Pudding 12-12-05, 06:32 PM	:rolleyes:
MiloDaGreat 12-12-05, 06:39 PM	Well, I actually don't know anything about you...so maybe you could take him...being mysterious does have the advantage of the unknown. - Milo
Magnetic_Pudding 12-12-05, 07:08 PM	Yes I'm very mysterious. Like the Sphinx. Terribly mysterious. And I can cut guns in half with my mind. :D
MiloDaGreat 12-13-05, 01:17 AM	WELL THEN! If you can cut guns in half with your mind then you might be able to take Seeker, but I hear that Seeker can actually use BOTH his left and right hand when typing. It's quite the challenge. I dare not predict the outcome. - Milo
Seeker95 12-13-05, 08:39 AM	Seeker95 respectfully declines the invitation to fight it out. Magnetic_Pudding amended his understanding of what the Basic Game is, mitigating his objection to my comments. My error in this entanglement was in assuming that he knew the content of the Basic Game when he offered it as a solution to the OP. As for typing with both hands... I can neither confirm nor deny such allegations.
spidoman 12-13-05, 02:12 PM	Thank you all for all the help and advice you've given, I would love to get him the boxed set, but as I have 6 family members I'm buying presents for, and have around 200 bucks to spend on christmas, anything above 50 bucks for one person is a little much, so I'm probably just gunna go with the players handbook.