So, while I've never actually played a game of D&D before, I've resd up on past core mechanics (and sometimes much further) of 3.5e and 4e. I feel comfortable enough that I could create a character in either without too much trouble.
Here's my dilemma. My local store is finally getting D&D Encounters started back up again for re first time in a couple of years. This is excellent for me because their D&D night is on Wed, and I have a standing commitment for Wed nights that gets cancelled once every four to six weeks or so. I was 100% planning on going this past Wed, but I ended up just not being able to make it (pulled a muscle in my back).
But, I'd really like to go this week as I'm pretty sure I'm going to have Wed night free. Here's the dilemma. The DM running the campaign is running it in 5e which I know nothing about at all.
I know the basic rules can be gotten from the free PDF that WotC made available. But, is that going to be enough to get me started. This Wed could be the first and last time I may get to play for several weeks. So, I find it difficult to spend the money on the PHB for what could turn out to be a very one shot play night maybe once per month if not once every six weeks. But, without the PHB, I'm not sure there's ebough information in the basic rule set to be able to fully build out a character.
I'm a bit tight on money right now, so it's kinda questionable if I'd be able to afford a PHB or not. My question to you all is... do I need one to get started in Encounters? Can I create a character that is fleshed out ebough from just the basic rules? Since I don't know the DM nor do I know any of his contact info, getting in touch with him before game time on Wed may not be possible. So, should I do whatever I can to get a PHB ASAP? Or should I just show up to the game with a pad, pencil, and a blank character sheet and hope that I don't upset the DM or other players?
Thanks in advance!
There is definitely enough information in the Basic rules to build a character. The options are limited in number, allow complete character creation.
I'd recommend downloading and taking a look at the basic rules, and deciding if any of the character builds it allows appeal to you. If so, dilemma solved! If not you could perhaps still make a non-preferred character on a one-off basis and consider picking up the full PHB at a later date if the overall gameplay appeals.
http://dnd.wizards.com/articles/features/basicrules?x=dnd/basicrules
Thank you! That's what I needed to know!
Encounters has always had pre-gen characters to get players up and running with no effort at all on their part. As you may be aware, however, the pre-gens were never ... how can one put this politely ... they sucked. There. I said it. 
So consider this an enthusiastic second of the "download the Basic Rules PDF" motion. The "Core Four" races and classes are represented, and there's definitely enough there to let you make a very good character.
Enjoy! 