First of all, get yourself a starter set. If you've never ever played D&D, then start with the latest edition, which is 5e edition. You'll want these things:
A player handbook
A dungeonmaster guide
A monster manual
A set of dice (D4/D6/D8/D10/D12/D20 -specifically)
^ But most of these should be included in the starter set, along with a cool DM screen. Next you'll have to run your first campaign. The best way to start, is by running a pre-designed adventure module. Creating your own campaign and setting is quite challenging, so its best to first get a feeling for how a campaign is structured, before attempting to make one yourself. Adventure modules already provide you with maps, locations, characters and monsters, and an exciting story. So that's a lot of work that you don't have to do.
Lastly, get a group of friends together (usually you play in a group of between 2 and 6 players), and make sure everyone has a character sheet and dice. Character sheets are always provided with any player handbook. They are usually in the back, where you can photo copy them. The dungeonmaster guide will instruct you on how to get started as a DM, and the player handbook with instruct your players on how to create their first characters.
A lot of groups agree on a particular day of the week where they all meet up for a few hours of D&D. It helps to have a consistent day for this, so the campaign isn't on hold for like a month. Bring snacks and drinks, and have fun.
http://www.reality.net/dnd/pdf/
this is where I went to get info on D&D 3.5 when I wanted to play. The game is fun, and like many have told me on here make sure everyone knows what the rules are before you start.
For new folks, I would recommend the latest version. DnD 5.0
To get started there are 3 options.
1) Find a current group and join them: This is harder for a bunch of friends, since most groups don't have 4-5 openings.
2) Learn on your own: To do this I would advise buying the starter set. It has all of the basic rules, a really good starting adventure, and even some dice. You will want to get more dice....
Once you decide you like the game, and want more options, you can pick up the Players Handbook. Eventually you will want the Monster Manual and maybe even the Dungeon Master's Guide. But the Starter set has everything you need to start.
3) Adventurers League: Check the WotC site to find a store near you that hosts DnD games. ( be careful, because the list you get will include stores doing Magic and not DnD.) You can go to these stores on a drop in basis and they will have all of the material you need, and folks that can help you learn how to play. they will even have pre-generated characters to use while you decide what you want to do. You guys can then decide to stick around, or to create your own personal home game. (Technically, you could even do Adventure League at home... )
Hope that helps.
Please take notice though that 3.5 and 5e are two completely different editions. Its tricky to get your hand on 3.5 books nowadays. But it is compatible with Pathfinder. 5e edition on the other hand is the newest version of D&D, and it is far more easy to find books for this (but is not compatible with Pathfinder). You may want to agree with your players on what version you want to play.
I agree that the starter set for 5e is the best way to begin your D&D career. You can also download the beginners' rules for players and DMs on WotC D&D website. It's in the new to D&D section. It's limited, but has enough to begin working on characters and give you an idea of what you can do as a DM.
I'd advise you to check out the legal free 3.5 suppliments or pathfinder and see if you are into it. A lot of people prefer it to 5e. Its also free, so if you hate it the investment is very low.
3.5 free - http://www.d20srd.org/
PF free - http://www.d20pfsrd.com/
Pathfinder is still in print so very easy to get books for, and all its books are free in softcopy at that link. (legally). Thats generally what I tell people new to dungeons and dragons to play. The stuff mrogers linked to is not legal, but could be helpful.
I also say buying the Starter Set of E5 is the best way to start. At least the easiest way that leads to a good learning experience.
PS: If you are the DM make sure your friends don't read the adventure module (not even take a look). The basic rules are free for all, though.
IMHO 5e stands head and shoulders above the previous versions. I still miss THAC0 though.
Wizards has the basic players manual and DM guide in PDF form on their website. The books are good if you're really going into it, but if you want to get by on the cheap, print out the PDFs as they contain all of the basic information that is needed to start up the game. That is what I did, now everyone in our group has a players handbook of their own.
Here is another vote for the 5e starter box set. You'll want the Players Handbook, Dungeon Master's Guide and Monster Manual shortly after that, but you can live without it for a bit.
The starter set is a well written adventure and a great intro for new players or those returning after a long hiatus (like me).
I'll keep posting here with any/all questions I have in the future, and not to clog up the forums with every little question. I really appreciate the help!Hope you and your friends have fun with it. My advice for running a new game is: start small, keep the stories simple, keep the enemies beatable but plentiful. I also suggest advancing players to 2nd level at the end of the first session, for an immediate feeling of accomplishment and more abilities to use next time. The XP system is a lot of record-keeping, it may be easier to level up based on sessions played, or total encounters, combat and non-combat (10 encounters = 1 level is a good guideline). As DM, don't be afraid to alter things to make your job easier, or to make things more fun for the group. The goal is for everyone to have fun, including the DM! If you gotta bend the rules to do it, well, they're your rules to bend.
Harleen wrote:
There's no PDF version available of the PHB, so you don't really have a choice.
The free basic rules are in PDF form and they work perfectly fine, but you are limited to 4 classes, no feats and no multiclassing. If all your players are okay with that, you won't need to buy the PHB, though.
Its a matter of convenience really. I prefer having a physical book, because it allows me to easily look things up. Searching PDF's is something that I always find a bit cumbersome. If you want to, you can start with a PDF. But you'll probably want to get a physical book eventually.
If you live near a major city, there is a good chance that several of the holiday weekends have a gaming conventionb. Seacrh the city and gaming con on the computer, looking for one with role play games (as opposed to a computer game convention). There you can play games run by what are often times long time DMs. Learn the rules, get a feel for what players find fun and are prone to do by being one, and watch DMs and observe how they handle things.
Alright. If it necessary to have the three handbooks for starting a campiagn or are they just helpful as your players advance further and if you want to play with other D&D parties?
This is a pretty novice question to ask but could I have the character sheets explained? I don't have the character handbook yet so most of what is on the sheets is confusing
Harleen wrote:
Harleen wrote:
Imaculata wrote:
CCS wrote:
Harleen wrote:
@Harleen
The starter set comes with everything you need for the starter campaign, you don't need to purchase anything additionally. In fact reading through the lightweight rulebook that comes with the starter set is much more comfortable to get into D&D. Once you've finished the starter campaign and still think D&D is super awesome, you should purchase at least the PHB, though. DMG and MM is only really needed if you want to write your own adventurers rather than buying the official adventure modules.
As for your question about stats, that's pretty well explained in the basic rules (here - p.7 and following).
The starter set offers an even easier alternative by already providing 5 premade characters that work perfectly with the adventure. If you use these you won't need to bother with character building at all, just have everyone select the one he likes to play the most.
Though if someone wants to create his own character, you and the player will need to read the basic rules I linked above.