Looking for advice on starting a new group - Downloaded from the Wizards Community, all coding removed by Solauren

Looking for advice on starting a new group

Post/Author/DateTime Post
#1
gamerandrew
Jun 10, 2013 15:39:25 A few friends and I have been thinking of meeting up to play some D&D - but we have a problem. Of the group, I'm the only one who has ever actually played (though all are familiar with the fantasy genre in general). As for myself, I've only played some using the 2nd edition rules (and highly modified by the DM ones at that), so I'm far from an expert in the area. The thinking has been that I would fill the DM role in our adventure, but I'm concerned that we're setting ourselves up for one massive disaster. So the real questions that occur to me are:

1) Understanding that I need to really know the rules well, will study of the DM guide give me a good enough grasp of the task to get the job done well? (I've spent enough time on stage that I'm not worried about the storytelling aspects, but don't know about the rest)

2) Which edition rules should we use? I thought second edition, since that's what I'm familiar with, but considering the level of changes the DM I had made, I'm really just as close to knowing the real rules for any version. Also, my reading of various blogs and such seems to suggest that 3.5 was as good as it gets and has only gone down since then, and though I don't want to start another major discussion of this version vs that, what would you recommend?

3) Of the pre-made adventures, are there any that are really good for training both the players and DM at the same time? Are there any you'd recommend?

4) What am I missing?

I realize that the best way would be just to play a lot, then become DM, but that really isn't an option at the present time, so I'm trying to find a way that will still make this work successfully.

Thanks for your resposnes, I'm confident they will be very helpful.
#2
StevenO
Jun 10, 2013 16:36:51 1. Don't bite off too much. A lot of systems have advice on how to DM but if you're new and they're all new then just take things slow. If you want a crazy idea for some early "adventures" how about you just run what would effectively be training missions. These missions teach everyone how things work.

2. This is a hard one as there are no "right" answers. When it comes to DnD I prefer 3.5 but that does get to be a complicated system especially if you want complete mastery over it. I have never even looked at them but I believe the DnD Essentials may be a slightly streamlined/simplified version of 4e which may be easier to learn. Personally, I'd tell you to play StarWars SAGA Edition as that is by far my favorite RPG.

3. Good premade adventures first require you choose a system. You mentioned knowing some stage craft so you may be able to make things up as you go. As I hinted at earlier you could do your own little mini-adventure as a training course for you and your group.

4. RELAX. This is supposed to be fun for EVERYONE.

Your friends shouldn't push you too hard for not having everything down immediately and if they do maybe you suggest that they do it if they think you aren't doing a good enough job. If you take things slow and learn as you go you should be fine.
#3
gamerandrew
Jun 10, 2013 17:21:17 Thank you. To get to your last bit first, my friends would never push me in this regard as they know (as do I) that its all about fun. The more likely case would be me overpushing myself as I try to ensure they'll have a great time (which could ruin the event all by itself).

The question I'd have about essentials is whether it is a growing version. Meaning, once we've got that down, is it still in line with the major editions so we just add some new stuff to what we already know, or do the rules themselves change (I pesume the mechanics are much the same).

Finally, as to the training missions idea, I'm thinking that's not really a crazy idea at all. Even just a small campaign that is the combination of 2 or 3 that can be done in a day could go a long way to learning all the basics. I'll definately have to put some thought into that approach. Also, would be easy to wrap that into a bigger campaign when we're ready (i.e. our party knew of a need and trained up for it to be sure we could complete the task, etc).
#4
Neutronium_Dragon
Jun 16, 2013 17:50:02 If you start with Essentials you should be able to migrate to general 4E without much problem. The only major system difference is how treasure is handled, while everything else (accounting for errata) is pretty much identical on a system level.

4E is probably the best one to start with if the group is new to RPGs, since its systems are straightforward and standardized.

I believe that the Essentials box has a small introductory adventure. It's okay, quality-wise, and will serve well enough to familiarize people with the game before you move on to self-made material.

Post/Author/DateTime	Post
#1 gamerandrew Jun 10, 2013 15:39:25	A few friends and I have been thinking of meeting up to play some D&D - but we have a problem. Of the group, I'm the only one who has ever actually played (though all are familiar with the fantasy genre in general). As for myself, I've only played some using the 2nd edition rules (and highly modified by the DM ones at that), so I'm far from an expert in the area. The thinking has been that I would fill the DM role in our adventure, but I'm concerned that we're setting ourselves up for one massive disaster. So the real questions that occur to me are: 1) Understanding that I need to really know the rules well, will study of the DM guide give me a good enough grasp of the task to get the job done well? (I've spent enough time on stage that I'm not worried about the storytelling aspects, but don't know about the rest) 2) Which edition rules should we use? I thought second edition, since that's what I'm familiar with, but considering the level of changes the DM I had made, I'm really just as close to knowing the real rules for any version. Also, my reading of various blogs and such seems to suggest that 3.5 was as good as it gets and has only gone down since then, and though I don't want to start another major discussion of this version vs that, what would you recommend? 3) Of the pre-made adventures, are there any that are really good for training both the players and DM at the same time? Are there any you'd recommend? 4) What am I missing? I realize that the best way would be just to play a lot, then become DM, but that really isn't an option at the present time, so I'm trying to find a way that will still make this work successfully. Thanks for your resposnes, I'm confident they will be very helpful.
#2 StevenO Jun 10, 2013 16:36:51	1. Don't bite off too much. A lot of systems have advice on how to DM but if you're new and they're all new then just take things slow. If you want a crazy idea for some early "adventures" how about you just run what would effectively be training missions. These missions teach everyone how things work. 2. This is a hard one as there are no "right" answers. When it comes to DnD I prefer 3.5 but that does get to be a complicated system especially if you want complete mastery over it. I have never even looked at them but I believe the DnD Essentials may be a slightly streamlined/simplified version of 4e which may be easier to learn. Personally, I'd tell you to play StarWars SAGA Edition as that is by far my favorite RPG. 3. Good premade adventures first require you choose a system. You mentioned knowing some stage craft so you may be able to make things up as you go. As I hinted at earlier you could do your own little mini-adventure as a training course for you and your group. 4. RELAX. This is supposed to be fun for EVERYONE. Your friends shouldn't push you too hard for not having everything down immediately and if they do maybe you suggest that they do it if they think you aren't doing a good enough job. If you take things slow and learn as you go you should be fine.
#3 gamerandrew Jun 10, 2013 17:21:17	Thank you. To get to your last bit first, my friends would never push me in this regard as they know (as do I) that its all about fun. The more likely case would be me overpushing myself as I try to ensure they'll have a great time (which could ruin the event all by itself). The question I'd have about essentials is whether it is a growing version. Meaning, once we've got that down, is it still in line with the major editions so we just add some new stuff to what we already know, or do the rules themselves change (I pesume the mechanics are much the same). Finally, as to the training missions idea, I'm thinking that's not really a crazy idea at all. Even just a small campaign that is the combination of 2 or 3 that can be done in a day could go a long way to learning all the basics. I'll definately have to put some thought into that approach. Also, would be easy to wrap that into a bigger campaign when we're ready (i.e. our party knew of a need and trained up for it to be sure we could complete the task, etc).
#4 Neutronium_Dragon Jun 16, 2013 17:50:02	If you start with Essentials you should be able to migrate to general 4E without much problem. The only major system difference is how treasure is handled, while everything else (accounting for errata) is pretty much identical on a system level. 4E is probably the best one to start with if the group is new to RPGs, since its systems are straightforward and standardized. I believe that the Essentials box has a small introductory adventure. It's okay, quality-wise, and will serve well enough to familiarize people with the game before you move on to self-made material.