Hi everyone 
I havent ever played D&D in my life , all I know is that some computer games like Baldur's Gate are based on it. I was reading up a D&D for dummies book and came across something that I cant understand- this is more of a doubt about english language than a D&D query. (I'm an Asian and English isnt my first language, so do forgive any mistakes). The D&D for dummies said something like:
Each round, a dying character has a 10 percent chance of becoming stable, meaning that the character is no longer losing hit points, but he or she is still unconscious. To roll a percentage, you roll two ten-sided dice, indicating before hand which is the first digit (the ten's place) and which is the second digit (the one's place). (Some ten-sided dice have two numbers on each side, from 00 to 9 0, to indicate that die is to be used for the ten's place when rolling a percentage.) For example, a result of 0 (or 00) on the first die and 8 on the second die generates 08 percent, indicating that the character stabilizes.
I read that and in my mind, I am thinking- there is only 10% chance of stabilizing so it means there is 90% chance of remaining unstable. So any roll upto 90 would be a failure, I can only stabilize if I get 91 or more. In that case, how can 08% indicate the stabilization of the character? Maybe the book looks at the numbers as 1-10 standing for the 10% chance and 11-100 as the 90% failure chance?
*Again, apologies if I have worded my question in a muddled up way*
But all is not lost!
If you are going to be playing D&D 4th edition, it would probably help to read the quick start rules found on wizards.com
This question actually came up quite often even among native English speaking newbies (because the Percentile dice is a Foul Abomination) basically you've got it right. Anynumber from 1-10 is the number you will stabilize on.
In 4th Edition this mechanic has been greatly improved upon. Roll a d20, get an 11 or better and you stabilize.
Cpt_Micha: I like percentile rolls. It seems so simple and easy to relate.
Yeah, for percentages, you can chose to go high (91-100%) or go low (1-10%). Typically, going low is the default because people don't want to do any math, but often times I'll make it clear if it should be high or low.
Cpt_Micha: I like percentile rolls. It seems so simple and easy to relate.
my hate of the thing comes in part from the fact that there was so much of the previous editions that used it for seemingly no reason (especially when the percentages used on it, could easily be represented with a simple d20 roll /frothing rant of making everything different just because they wanted it to be more complicated than it should have been)
That and I can't tell you how many times I was asked the question the Op has asked, over the last decade.
"Roll two d10, declaring ahead of time which one you will ignore completly..."
I'm still slowly reading that outdated 'for dummies' book, I think some of the basic characteristics of the game would be the same as the new 4th Edition? Or would it be a completely useless exercise to read the old book?Than you everyone, for taking the time to reply to my noob question
4th Edition is a completely different game, mechanically speaking. Almost all the important rules are different. Reading a book about a previous edition will only confuse you when you try to learn the new edition. It's not only useless, but will make it harder.
You dont need expensive map makers if you know how to use Microsoft Word on your PC.
@yellowdingo: well sir, does a player have to be adept at making maps? Isnt that more of a DM thingy?
Oh! Well Novacat, I guess I will get rid of the old book, and read the new rules. The rules are hard enough as it is, without me getting myself confused. Ty for posting,sir.
@yellowdingo: well sir, does a player have to be adept at making maps? Isnt that more of a DM thingy?
You can pretty much ignore yellowdingo. He sometimes makes... odd posts.
Mapmaking is a good skill for a DM to have, but certainly it isn't required for anyone.
@yellowdingo: well sir, does a player have to be adept at making maps? Isnt that more of a DM thingy?
DM thing. Though you don't need to do anything too fancy.
--
imaginaryPlay blog
I was really hoping that 4E would be a combo of 3.X meets the SAGA system used for WotC SW's. SAGA is my favorite system, outside of the Storyteller system from White Wolf, it would have been a kickass combo to work with. As is, 4E is great. Not my favorite, nor my preferred system. But, 4E is easy to run, easy to GM for and easy to build. Not always the easiest to keep track of at times, but a pencil and a pad of paper does wonders to alleviate that speed bump.
Oh! Well Novacat, I guess I will get rid of the old book, and read the new rules. The rules are hard enough as it is, without me getting myself confused. Ty for posting,sir.
@yellowdingo: well sir, does a player have to be adept at making maps? Isnt that more of a DM thingy?
Certainly under certain conditions the Player might never draw a map but I also enjoy rotating all Players through the Job of Dungeon Master so that they all pick up and develop greater gaming skills.
Ummm, may I ask another question please? I was browsing through WotC pages and there is a player's hand book, a PHB 2 and a deluxe PHB. I cant understand the difference between them though. I think PHB 2 expands the options from PHB1 so do I need to buy both? or does PHB 2 have all the contents of PHB 1? (That would be unlikely right? I mean in that case they wouldnt be selling PHB1 by itself?). I also saw something about a PHB 3- but couldnt find such a thing on WotC site though. Could someone kindly reply please?
What's even a better option is to become a D&D Insider. That's a pay service that gets you, with your paid subscription, access to everything published - including stuff that never makes it into books (Insider Only stuff). It also includes a character builder and some other neat stuff. I don't have it myself, but I've used it and it's really nice. So that's something to consider as well. With DDI, you get all the info (sometimes in advance of book release, too) without needing to buy every book. So yeah.
@Zombie_Babies : Ty for that big reply sir. Sadly though, I wont be able to get D&D Insider.
I'm in Asia and I havent seen D&D stuff where I live, and I am sure there is no WotC office here so if I wanted D&D Insider I'd have to get myself a Credit Card to subscribe to it, and I am not comfy using a credit card at all. (Where I live, there are plenty of people who dont use a Creditcard- kinda scared that it can be misused by other people I guess.) Sir do you mean there is a puter program called Character builder? Thats sounds great, I suppose its not a freeware though right?@Lhockee : lol @ what you said,sir. You must be playing Chaotic evil characters dont you? :p
To do it, just start a character and click the Manage button at the top. That will open the Manage screen, then you just click the Level Up tab and your are there. Choose the level you want the character to be and click Level up below the level you chose and bingo, your all set to choose the feats, powers, and ability scores for your character.
Now, they do come out with more Player's Handbooks, Dungeon Master's Guides, and Monster Manuals but you only need the first three.
Buy those books and you're ready to go. You don't have to memorize them. Some people do, of course but you don't have to to play.
If you get into a game bring those three books with you and you can use them to refresh your memory when you can't remember the rules.
@Lhockee : lol @ what you said,sir. You must be playing Chaotic evil characters don't you? :p
Nah, I prefer Chaotic Neutral myself, more options to spread around. 'sides, it matches close enough with my own personality that I'll play it.
Which reminds me, would you like to be slow roasted or flash fried? I'm quite hungry today...
Ah! Ty sir, for the reply. I was browsing through the WotC pages and ended up seeing so many extra books and stuff related to D&D. I mean stuff like Eberron Campaign setting, Eberron player's guide etc. Frankly, it is scary to see so many books that one needs to know thoroughly to play competently. I also ended up looking into the product catalogue and honestly, there are a million books and other thingies there, a guy is supposed to read all that and learn it? *shudder* I fear that playing this game is going to cost plenty of $$$. And plenty of hard work trying to gather in all that info by heart.*gulp*
As Idolis said, you really only need the Player's Handbook, Monster Manual, and Dungeon Master's Guide.
Actually, you really only need all three books if you're the DM. You only need a Player's Handbook if you're a player. However, other books provide a lot more options. For example, Martial Power gives you more build options for Fighters, Warlords, Rangers, and Rogues. If you're playing one of those classes, you might think about picking it up.
Player's Handbook II contains eight more classes, so if you're not satisfied with the classes in the first Player's Handbook, you can buy the second one.
Finally, characters generally start at level 1, but that's the DM's choice. If the DM wants, he can have you start the game at any level. Also, the Character Builder can be used to create a digital copy of your character sheet, which is handy to have at any level. Personally, I don't use it, but I know a lot of people like it.
I'll just get the main books and see if I can play without annoying anyone with my lack of knowledge.@Lhockee : Well if it is all the same to you sir, I'd like to be pickled in Vodka. *I used to be an alcoholic and these days I am starting to drink again :p* But I probably will taste awful, I am addicted to tobacco and if you eat me you'll prolly get a yucky baccy taste with the first mouthful. *Gosh I cant come up with a better excuse to save my own skin
*@Dark_Stryke : Well sir, I think I'll just try the PHB 1 first and try to get to be able to play with atleast an average efficiency before I try PHB 2. I'll have to find someone who plays the game online coz as far as I know, where I live, nobody plays D&D
@ Idolis : Thank you sir, for replying
I think you're worrying too much about it. The game is supposed to be fun not a chore. The rules are more like guide lines than actual rules. You can use them all or none of them. If you want to play a character that rules say isn't how its supposed to be played, meaning you like a feat or power and you want your character to start with that feat or power then you can discuss it with your DM or decide yourself if your the DM to give your character that feat or power.
If you're not the DM, you should give a reason why you think that feat or power would make your character. Maybe its something that fits well with his/her background.
I'm going to try not to get too technical because you don't have the books but an example would be:
Maybe you want to play a fighter but you look at the wizard and see that they have minor spells they can cast called cantrips. These cantrips are really low powered but supremely useful like making objects glow or moving them around with a thought.
Well, you can maybe choose one or possible two of them and say: Well, my character is a fighter but he started out wanting to be a wizard but didn't have what it took to make a good spell caster.
The cantrips are At-Wills but maybe to demonstrate your lack of practice you can only use them once per encounter.
Something like that is a house-rule. (However, there are rules available for just that instance in PHB3 and its called Hybrid classes.) The point I'm making is that you don't need the books to decide you want something in your game.
(I am trying to contact a cousin who lives abroad to get me a set of D&D dice hehe.) I get your point about looking at the game as something fun rather than as a chore. It is just that I am not much imaginative and consequently am really worried about how I would manage to be competent when in the company of others. I hope to get involved in a group with players like you who would help me to play effectively.The game is pretty simple. There are two teams. Each team is fighting to put a brother in command of a tiny barony. You pick a team you want to play for and the two teams fight it out with each other on different battlefields.
For the full rules, see the "Succession Wars- Rules, OCC, Signup" thread here in the Off Topic Tavern. If you have any questions after reading the rules simply ask them in that thread.
There is also a roleplaying thread if you want to give that a try.
We're looking for more players and you are more than welcome to join us.
Actually, we're playing a D&D-like game right here in the Off Topic Tavern. It's called the Succession War and if you just want to play around with some people your welcome to join us.
The game is pretty simple. There are two teams. Each team is fighting to put a brother in command of a tiny barony. You pick a team you want to play for and the two teams fight it out with each other on different battlefields.
For the full rules, see the "Succession Wars- Rules, OCC, Signup" thread here in the Off Topic Tavern. If you have any questions after reading the rules simply ask them in that thread.
There is also a roleplaying thread if you want to give that a try.
We're looking for more players and you are more than welcome to join us.
The only thing D&D like is the RP.
The rules are more like guide lines than actual rules.
Hiss! Repent foul demon! Defiler of all that is sacred!
On the topic of Insider and Credit Cards: Have you thought about a PayPal account? I belive you can tie it to a checking account, and use it like a credit card for online transactions.
On the Topic of playing online: Many people play D&D on these forums, call "Play by Post" games (Typically call PbP for short).
Check Here: community.wizards.com/play-by-post_haven
and Here: community.wizards.com/realadventures
to see if they have any open games that you are interested in.
Most people who play online do not use real dice, so if that is how you are primarily planning on playing, you might not want to worry about aquiering some. Most people use online dice rollers, particularly this one: invisiblecastle.com/
The only thing D&D like is the RP.
Well that's what I meant. It is a roleplaying game after all. Or am I wrong?
The only thing D&D like is the RP.
Well that's what I meant. It is a roleplaying game after all. Or am I wrong?
Lacks game.
The only thing D&D like is the RP.
Well that's what I meant. It is a roleplaying game after all. Or am I wrong?
Lacks game.
This.
However, I seem to be in a catch-22. I won't start without players, players won't join unless the game starts.
I am looking at the different games as has been suggested, but I need to find the PHB first and learn. About using paypal tied up to the bank account, I think you have to have an American bank account. I asked the banks where I live and they dont even know about paypal and mostly advice me to not link an account to online things due to the high chance of being scammed. Also, there was a restriction about sending money out of the country- sending money in is allowed, but sending it out was restricted, I dunno why. I'm trying to find out the situation now but the bankers are generally cautioning me about doing online transactions *shrugs*. Paypal would link to a debit card I think, but it needs to be an international debit card which the bank is sort of reluctant to give. The bank site says you can get it for a fee, but the actual people that I have to deal with say it is only for those who live abroad!! Ty for the links to the online games.