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New [Archive] - Wizards Community

Post/Author/DateTime Post
Andalain
07-28-06, 12:25 PM Yes, very often in my life can I consider myself a n00b...right now, I am one...and othertimes too...well, I've read lots of the forgotten realms books...not all of them, yet...but it will be done, finished 6 in the past 6 days and 2 yesterday, I've been reading them for quite awhile, that and star wars and dragonlance, i counted yesterday, I've got 72 books...Ok, enough of that, makes me feel...weird. :P Well, I've never actually played DnD except for Online, but that doesn't count and I dont play that anymore, but I'm wondering...how is the best way to get started and what is the Forgotten Realms Setting in DnD like when you play, I mean are there connections to the story, etc...I'm a n00b, dont forget that, so...like I said, can just someone point me in the right direction to get started with all this?
Faraer
07-28-06, 01:25 PM Welcome!

The Realms is a setting for both prose fiction (since 1967) and RPG play (since 1975 in Ed Greenwood's private campaign). D&D in the Realms takes place in the same places featured in the fiction, and may feature some of the same characters as incidental non-player characters (NPCs), but it's about the story of (generally) a company of adventurers played by your group, forging their careers amid a world of myriad other events.

The currently published version 3.5 of the game is the latest in a series of editions, each of which has its adherents, and each of which offers advantages and disadvantages in representing the Realms -- which incorporates elements of D&D (like the spells and monsters) but doesn't work exactly according to D&D rules. To DM the current edition you need the Player's Handbook, Dungeon Master's Guide and Monster Manual. You could start with just the Player's Handbook and the Forgotten Realms Campaign Setting (see below) and see how you like them. (You would be using the D&D rules to play in the Realms setting -- so not all the advice in non-Realms books about how to play and DM would necessarily apply.)

I would read the current Forgotten Realms Campaign Setting book and also the original 1987 Campaign Set, which can be bought as a .pdf file here (http://paizo.com/store/brand/forgottenRealms/roleplayingGames/1stEdition/v5748btpy7mcw) -- a more compact work that better conveys the core feeling of the central lands of Faerūn. The best short introduction to the Realms is published at the start of The Best of the Realms Book II: The Stories of Ed Greenwood, and I'd read, if you haven't already, at least one of Ed's novels -- I'd recommend Swords of Eveningstar, which comes out in just over a week.

If you have three friends who'd be interested in trying D&D in the Realms, you're in some ways better off than those of us who play with 'gamers', who often pick up habits that get in the way of good roleplaying.
Andalain
07-28-06, 03:30 PM Thanks a lot, I've got 2 friends that read and are interested in DnD and Forgotten Realms, one is moving off though, so that leaves 1...and well, I've got a twin brother who isn't interested at all in it, but might be able to get him to play once or twice...well, I'll look into it...Thanks again oh and I have read some of Ed's books, I've read over 30 or so books in FR so I'm at least familiar with the setting
Faraer
07-28-06, 03:56 PM RPGing can work with only one or two players but it's usually personally intense or, alternatively, boring. 3-5 allows a good group spirit. 6 is more people than I enjoy keeping track of.

Personally, I'd wait until you can get a core of players who really want to try it; some people who don't will take to it nevertheless, but others can drag the atmosphere down. But there's much to be said for just going ahead and doing it, too.
Caledan
07-28-06, 04:08 PM If you have read 30 FR books than you are more than just familiar with the setting. I think that most players or DM's haven't read so much novels and stilll are able to run an very interesting and detailed campaign.
Andalain
07-29-06, 11:45 AM Thanks both of you, yes...I'm familiar with Forgotten Realms and Dragonlance (but not so much Dragonlance as much as Forgotten Realms) I've been trying for quite some time to get my brother to read the books, I know he'd like them...but he has a thing against doing things I do...I dont know...well, next time I am ordering books I'll get what I need to be familiar with the game...but will wait to play it, thanks again
Caligula
07-29-06, 01:12 PM I think you have the perfect background and possibilities to start an awesome campaign!

D&D the roleplaying game is not only for people who have read the books, even if that can heighten the experience. Your brother would probably love to play the game, taking the role of a might warrior, wizard or druid - fighting bad guys all over Faerun!

I will make it a bit simpler than the other guys....Just buy Players Handbook! Read it and enjoy it! Then talk to 2 of your friends and brother, and set up a mini-campaign. 2 players and you as a DM is just fine! Show them the classes in PHB and ask them what they would prefer to play!

Eventually when you have tried it out a couple of times, you can buy Dungeon Masters Guide, Monster Manual, and Forgotten Realms Campaign Setting.

If you know straight away that you will like it and that you have interested players - buy them all as soon as possible because you will need them sooner or later anyway!

Good Luck and have great fun!

And remember, the DM has always right!! ;)
Andalain
07-29-06, 02:31 PM Thanks Caligula, I know I will most certainly like it...so I'll go ahead and buy all of that. Also, one of my teachers was an avid dungeons and dragons player a few years ago, which i think is really cool since he's one of the coolest people I know and has OCD and ADD (he's a calc teacher and on tests if you dont know what you are doing, just draw a picture and he winds up grading the picture and forgets it was a calc test...i haven't done it but a friend of mine did) right, so I'll go buy those right now I guess...no reason not to. Thanks again.
Faraer
07-29-06, 02:52 PM Here's the potential problem with starting with the PH and without a detailed background: new players will tend to gravitate to something to hang on and structure the unfamiliar experience. In the absence of a definite setting that's liable to be what they have in front of them: the book and their character sheets, the rules part of the game. Once that connection is made, once the game is seen as being about books and character sheets, it can be difficult to wean them over to the game about characters and stories. This, I think, is part of what's responsible for the widespread misconception among 'gamers' that you start with the rules and then move on the more 'advanced' roleplaying.
Andalain
07-29-06, 02:58 PM My gosh! the total is $176.10 sure...should I or should I not? I haven't hit the submit button on it yet...but still...i've got D&D Basic Game, FR Campaign Setting, Monster Manual IV, and DM Guide II, Vol. 2...if anyone suggests I shouldn't do that, I wont...*edit* I'm looking to figure out how to best start out in to playing...so maybe I will just get the handbook first before I get everything, 176 dollars seems a bit much for me to jump into something without knowing for sure *end edit*
Faraer
07-29-06, 03:03 PM MM 4 and DMG 2 are extra, optional volumes of the MM and DMG. Get the first ones, and maybe get the others later: remember that Wizards makes money by putting out a lot of product for a finite audience, and while some people love all the extra D&D books, many others easily do without them.

I'm not familiar with the latest Basic Game, but I'd get either that or the PH, plus the FRCS, to start with.
Andalain
07-29-06, 03:08 PM ok, thanks, I guess I'll do that then, it'll knock off quite a bit of money, so...lets see
*edit* So for D&D Basic game, FRCS, and Player's Handbook II it is 92 dollars, quite a step*end edit*
Kenzi
08-05-06, 11:10 AM If u wanted to find a dnd group in ur area to join they have a web search for it.....if u join a group they generally have the books so u dont have to buy them, but having a players handbook comes in handy.....when i joined my dnd group i didnt even have to buy dice :D good luck in starting a group up.if u post it on the web, u might connect w/ other ppl in ur area who might want to play...
dragonheart
08-05-06, 11:45 AM Frankly all I would buy right now are the Players handbook, the Campaign setting (and the 2e setting in pdf for about 5$ from Paizo or other sources) and maybe the players guide to DR (the 3.5 update). I've been playing and DM ing since 1e and I would strongly suggest using the find a game sight here at WotC and start off by simplying being a player in a campaign or three to get the feel of playing. if you like playing then get the DMG and start on other FR source books
UmbralKnight
08-05-06, 01:36 PM For anyone wanting to get to know the realms, may I suggest taking a step into computer gaming to play the Baldur's Gate games. Sure, its 2E, and its not the same as pen and paper play, but it is an awesome piece of the Realms' legacy, and is a great way to get a feel for Faerun.

Post/Author/DateTime	Post
Andalain 07-28-06, 12:25 PM	Yes, very often in my life can I consider myself a n00b...right now, I am one...and othertimes too...well, I've read lots of the forgotten realms books...not all of them, yet...but it will be done, finished 6 in the past 6 days and 2 yesterday, I've been reading them for quite awhile, that and star wars and dragonlance, i counted yesterday, I've got 72 books...Ok, enough of that, makes me feel...weird. :P Well, I've never actually played DnD except for Online, but that doesn't count and I dont play that anymore, but I'm wondering...how is the best way to get started and what is the Forgotten Realms Setting in DnD like when you play, I mean are there connections to the story, etc...I'm a n00b, dont forget that, so...like I said, can just someone point me in the right direction to get started with all this?
Faraer 07-28-06, 01:25 PM	Welcome! The Realms is a setting for both prose fiction (since 1967) and RPG play (since 1975 in Ed Greenwood's private campaign). D&D in the Realms takes place in the same places featured in the fiction, and may feature some of the same characters as incidental non-player characters (NPCs), but it's about the story of (generally) a company of adventurers played by your group, forging their careers amid a world of myriad other events. The currently published version 3.5 of the game is the latest in a series of editions, each of which has its adherents, and each of which offers advantages and disadvantages in representing the Realms -- which incorporates elements of D&D (like the spells and monsters) but doesn't work exactly according to D&D rules. To DM the current edition you need the Player's Handbook, Dungeon Master's Guide and Monster Manual. You could start with just the Player's Handbook and the Forgotten Realms Campaign Setting (see below) and see how you like them. (You would be using the D&D rules to play in the Realms setting -- so not all the advice in non-Realms books about how to play and DM would necessarily apply.) I would read the current Forgotten Realms Campaign Setting book and also the original 1987 Campaign Set, which can be bought as a .pdf file here (http://paizo.com/store/brand/forgottenRealms/roleplayingGames/1stEdition/v5748btpy7mcw) -- a more compact work that better conveys the core feeling of the central lands of Faerūn. The best short introduction to the Realms is published at the start of The Best of the Realms Book II: The Stories of Ed Greenwood, and I'd read, if you haven't already, at least one of Ed's novels -- I'd recommend Swords of Eveningstar, which comes out in just over a week. If you have three friends who'd be interested in trying D&D in the Realms, you're in some ways better off than those of us who play with 'gamers', who often pick up habits that get in the way of good roleplaying.
Andalain 07-28-06, 03:30 PM	Thanks a lot, I've got 2 friends that read and are interested in DnD and Forgotten Realms, one is moving off though, so that leaves 1...and well, I've got a twin brother who isn't interested at all in it, but might be able to get him to play once or twice...well, I'll look into it...Thanks again oh and I have read some of Ed's books, I've read over 30 or so books in FR so I'm at least familiar with the setting
Faraer 07-28-06, 03:56 PM	RPGing can work with only one or two players but it's usually personally intense or, alternatively, boring. 3-5 allows a good group spirit. 6 is more people than I enjoy keeping track of. Personally, I'd wait until you can get a core of players who really want to try it; some people who don't will take to it nevertheless, but others can drag the atmosphere down. But there's much to be said for just going ahead and doing it, too.
Caledan 07-28-06, 04:08 PM	If you have read 30 FR books than you are more than just familiar with the setting. I think that most players or DM's haven't read so much novels and stilll are able to run an very interesting and detailed campaign.
Andalain 07-29-06, 11:45 AM	Thanks both of you, yes...I'm familiar with Forgotten Realms and Dragonlance (but not so much Dragonlance as much as Forgotten Realms) I've been trying for quite some time to get my brother to read the books, I know he'd like them...but he has a thing against doing things I do...I dont know...well, next time I am ordering books I'll get what I need to be familiar with the game...but will wait to play it, thanks again
Caligula 07-29-06, 01:12 PM	I think you have the perfect background and possibilities to start an awesome campaign! D&D the roleplaying game is not only for people who have read the books, even if that can heighten the experience. Your brother would probably love to play the game, taking the role of a might warrior, wizard or druid - fighting bad guys all over Faerun! I will make it a bit simpler than the other guys....Just buy Players Handbook! Read it and enjoy it! Then talk to 2 of your friends and brother, and set up a mini-campaign. 2 players and you as a DM is just fine! Show them the classes in PHB and ask them what they would prefer to play! Eventually when you have tried it out a couple of times, you can buy Dungeon Masters Guide, Monster Manual, and Forgotten Realms Campaign Setting. If you know straight away that you will like it and that you have interested players - buy them all as soon as possible because you will need them sooner or later anyway! Good Luck and have great fun! And remember, the DM has always right!! ;)
Andalain 07-29-06, 02:31 PM	Thanks Caligula, I know I will most certainly like it...so I'll go ahead and buy all of that. Also, one of my teachers was an avid dungeons and dragons player a few years ago, which i think is really cool since he's one of the coolest people I know and has OCD and ADD (he's a calc teacher and on tests if you dont know what you are doing, just draw a picture and he winds up grading the picture and forgets it was a calc test...i haven't done it but a friend of mine did) right, so I'll go buy those right now I guess...no reason not to. Thanks again.
Faraer 07-29-06, 02:52 PM	Here's the potential problem with starting with the PH and without a detailed background: new players will tend to gravitate to something to hang on and structure the unfamiliar experience. In the absence of a definite setting that's liable to be what they have in front of them: the book and their character sheets, the rules part of the game. Once that connection is made, once the game is seen as being about books and character sheets, it can be difficult to wean them over to the game about characters and stories. This, I think, is part of what's responsible for the widespread misconception among 'gamers' that you start with the rules and then move on the more 'advanced' roleplaying.
Andalain 07-29-06, 02:58 PM	My gosh! the total is $176.10 sure...should I or should I not? I haven't hit the submit button on it yet...but still...i've got D&D Basic Game, FR Campaign Setting, Monster Manual IV, and DM Guide II, Vol. 2...if anyone suggests I shouldn't do that, I wont...edit I'm looking to figure out how to best start out in to playing...so maybe I will just get the handbook first before I get everything, 176 dollars seems a bit much for me to jump into something without knowing for sure end edit
Faraer 07-29-06, 03:03 PM	MM 4 and DMG 2 are extra, optional volumes of the MM and DMG. Get the first ones, and maybe get the others later: remember that Wizards makes money by putting out a lot of product for a finite audience, and while some people love all the extra D&D books, many others easily do without them. I'm not familiar with the latest Basic Game, but I'd get either that or the PH, plus the FRCS, to start with.
Andalain 07-29-06, 03:08 PM	ok, thanks, I guess I'll do that then, it'll knock off quite a bit of money, so...lets see edit So for D&D Basic game, FRCS, and Player's Handbook II it is 92 dollars, quite a stepend edit
Kenzi 08-05-06, 11:10 AM	If u wanted to find a dnd group in ur area to join they have a web search for it.....if u join a group they generally have the books so u dont have to buy them, but having a players handbook comes in handy.....when i joined my dnd group i didnt even have to buy dice :D good luck in starting a group up.if u post it on the web, u might connect w/ other ppl in ur area who might want to play...
dragonheart 08-05-06, 11:45 AM	Frankly all I would buy right now are the Players handbook, the Campaign setting (and the 2e setting in pdf for about 5$ from Paizo or other sources) and maybe the players guide to DR (the 3.5 update). I've been playing and DM ing since 1e and I would strongly suggest using the find a game sight here at WotC and start off by simplying being a player in a campaign or three to get the feel of playing. if you like playing then get the DMG and start on other FR source books
UmbralKnight 08-05-06, 01:36 PM	For anyone wanting to get to know the realms, may I suggest taking a step into computer gaming to play the Baldur's Gate games. Sure, its 2E, and its not the same as pen and paper play, but it is an awesome piece of the Realms' legacy, and is a great way to get a feel for Faerun.