Help getting a new player into the game. [Archive] - Wizards Community

Help getting a new player into the game. [Archive] - Wizards Community

Post/Author/DateTime Post
masterdieff
04-10-05, 02:33 AM I'm what you would call a newbie, although I'm not really a "new" player. I played a little D&D a year back, but it didn't last for long. To make a long rant short, I had a horrible DM that had the craziest house rules you could think of. The worst part was that the rules were so inconsistent; it was little more than a glorified "make believe" time than a full-fledged game with rules and a consistent world in which I could immerse myself. After about four sessions with him, and even one in which I made a terrible attempt at DMing, I gave up in frustration. It simply wasn't fun. Now, nearly a year later, I find myself wondering what would have happened if my DM was better.

The whole concept of D&D has intrigued me for years; I enjoy computer RPG's such as KOTOR (based off the d20 ruleset) and thought it would be great to have more flexibility than a pre-programmed game offers you. Alas, my limited experience was less than desirable. Living in a rural area and going to a small school doesn't help either. One thought that has always been in the back of my mind was the concept of playing online- a limitless amount of people with which to play is a fantastic idea. It would give me the time to decide if I want to further invest in the world of D&D.

Although I have access to the rulebooks from said DM, I would like to have copies of my own if I was into the game. Does anyone have any tips on how to get started? My best solution yet is participating in a few online games via MSN or AIM or what have you. Then, if I feel like D&D is going to be something I want to spend my time on, I can get the books, go to hobby shops in other cities to look for players, etc.

Any suggestions as to starting into D&D would be greatly appreciated, as well as offers of playing in an online game.
KismetRose
04-10-05, 04:24 AM The first D&D game I was in was with a very mismatched group. We started with a fairly bad DM who at least wanted us to have fun, and ended with a much worse, different DM who we all couldn't stand. And then the game was done.

I am happy to say that I moved on to other D&D experiences that worked out so much better it isn't even funny; it's made my first D&D game experience rather laughable by comparison. I'm still glad the bad bit happened, though, because it taught me some things and hooked me up with a great gamer, friend, and boyfriend. :)

But I digress. One of the people in that first, bad group never did get back into D&D and I always felt bad about it. She was so turned off because of the bad experience that she didn't want anything to do with it, even when other experiences were offered to her. I knew her for a long time and I know she would have loved gaming, if only it hadn't been ruined for her.

Go ahead and try D&D again. If you can, find a store that sells gaming books but also allows you some time to look through them (some Barnes and Nobles or Borders bookstores are great for this). Pull down the core books and have a gander. Take a look at the other books too. Then, if you like them, you can either buy them there or look online for some discounts.

You might also want to go web surfing for different sites. You might find online games through their web sites, or other message board communities. You could join games from sites or post requests to know about games on other boards. At the very least you should find some info to enlighten yourself with.

Keep an eye on the boards here. They are very useful and they get a lot of traffic. If you've got a question, ask it, and chances are even if no one has the ideal answer, they'll at least respond and give you the best answer they've got. In gaming this can be invaluable.

Good luck. Hopefully gaming will work out for you; it's a great hobby to have.
Ssussunriyh
04-10-05, 04:42 AM You can also check out the online System Reference Document, which is basically the entire set of core rules for 3rd Edition, made available under the Open Gaming License. (Minus a few odds and ends... For example, you won't find Mind Flayers or Beholders listed in the monster section, since they are the exclusive intellectual property of WotC/Hasbro.)

Click here --> SRD (http://www.wizards.com/default.asp?x=d20/article/srd35)
Torack
04-10-05, 06:45 AM All you really need to start playing is the Players Handbook. If you intend on buying anything, start with that.

Then move on to the Dungeon Masters Guide and the Monster Manuals.

After that, its anybodies game.

I would advice you to try out message board RP'ing in favour of playing through the likes of MSN as the times are much more relaxed.
The games may take longer, but aren't as hectic IMO.
mikevw2
04-10-05, 08:38 AM There's also the gamer classified on the Wizards board here. I'm fairly new myself, my wife and I have been playing BG 1 and 2, and Icewind Dale. We loved the computer games and wanted to try it live. So we got some books, and got some players via the classified's on the boards. There's nothing like sitting down with people, roleplaying, actually speaking.

Gamer classifieds (http://boards1.wizards.com/forumdisplay.php?f=347)

They also have things for the online games, but live is going to be so much better if you find a decent group.

Post/Author/DateTime	Post
masterdieff 04-10-05, 02:33 AM	I'm what you would call a newbie, although I'm not really a "new" player. I played a little D&D a year back, but it didn't last for long. To make a long rant short, I had a horrible DM that had the craziest house rules you could think of. The worst part was that the rules were so inconsistent; it was little more than a glorified "make believe" time than a full-fledged game with rules and a consistent world in which I could immerse myself. After about four sessions with him, and even one in which I made a terrible attempt at DMing, I gave up in frustration. It simply wasn't fun. Now, nearly a year later, I find myself wondering what would have happened if my DM was better. The whole concept of D&D has intrigued me for years; I enjoy computer RPG's such as KOTOR (based off the d20 ruleset) and thought it would be great to have more flexibility than a pre-programmed game offers you. Alas, my limited experience was less than desirable. Living in a rural area and going to a small school doesn't help either. One thought that has always been in the back of my mind was the concept of playing online- a limitless amount of people with which to play is a fantastic idea. It would give me the time to decide if I want to further invest in the world of D&D. Although I have access to the rulebooks from said DM, I would like to have copies of my own if I was into the game. Does anyone have any tips on how to get started? My best solution yet is participating in a few online games via MSN or AIM or what have you. Then, if I feel like D&D is going to be something I want to spend my time on, I can get the books, go to hobby shops in other cities to look for players, etc. Any suggestions as to starting into D&D would be greatly appreciated, as well as offers of playing in an online game.
KismetRose 04-10-05, 04:24 AM	The first D&D game I was in was with a very mismatched group. We started with a fairly bad DM who at least wanted us to have fun, and ended with a much worse, different DM who we all couldn't stand. And then the game was done. I am happy to say that I moved on to other D&D experiences that worked out so much better it isn't even funny; it's made my first D&D game experience rather laughable by comparison. I'm still glad the bad bit happened, though, because it taught me some things and hooked me up with a great gamer, friend, and boyfriend. :) But I digress. One of the people in that first, bad group never did get back into D&D and I always felt bad about it. She was so turned off because of the bad experience that she didn't want anything to do with it, even when other experiences were offered to her. I knew her for a long time and I know she would have loved gaming, if only it hadn't been ruined for her. Go ahead and try D&D again. If you can, find a store that sells gaming books but also allows you some time to look through them (some Barnes and Nobles or Borders bookstores are great for this). Pull down the core books and have a gander. Take a look at the other books too. Then, if you like them, you can either buy them there or look online for some discounts. You might also want to go web surfing for different sites. You might find online games through their web sites, or other message board communities. You could join games from sites or post requests to know about games on other boards. At the very least you should find some info to enlighten yourself with. Keep an eye on the boards here. They are very useful and they get a lot of traffic. If you've got a question, ask it, and chances are even if no one has the ideal answer, they'll at least respond and give you the best answer they've got. In gaming this can be invaluable. Good luck. Hopefully gaming will work out for you; it's a great hobby to have.
Ssussunriyh 04-10-05, 04:42 AM	You can also check out the online System Reference Document, which is basically the entire set of core rules for 3rd Edition, made available under the Open Gaming License. (Minus a few odds and ends... For example, you won't find Mind Flayers or Beholders listed in the monster section, since they are the exclusive intellectual property of WotC/Hasbro.) Click here --> SRD (http://www.wizards.com/default.asp?x=d20/article/srd35)
Torack 04-10-05, 06:45 AM	All you really need to start playing is the Players Handbook. If you intend on buying anything, start with that. Then move on to the Dungeon Masters Guide and the Monster Manuals. After that, its anybodies game. I would advice you to try out message board RP'ing in favour of playing through the likes of MSN as the times are much more relaxed. The games may take longer, but aren't as hectic IMO.
mikevw2 04-10-05, 08:38 AM	There's also the gamer classified on the Wizards board here. I'm fairly new myself, my wife and I have been playing BG 1 and 2, and Icewind Dale. We loved the computer games and wanted to try it live. So we got some books, and got some players via the classified's on the boards. There's nothing like sitting down with people, roleplaying, actually speaking. Gamer classifieds (http://boards1.wizards.com/forumdisplay.php?f=347) They also have things for the online games, but live is going to be so much better if you find a decent group.