My friends and I have decided to get into rpgs.
1. What are the basic books I need to buy (players handbook, DM guide, and Monster Manual?) and
2. Which edition (or game) is the easiest to start on for beginners?
Thanks
As for easiest... I don't know. 3e is a bit older, so you might be able to pick the books up for cheap, but they're also harder to get supplements for and there won't be any new adventurers.
4e is newer, so you can get it in all the stores and it's easier to get players (and personally, I find that the rules are easier, too) but it'll also cost a few bucks extra probably to get started.
You could always kick off with the free starter (google it) but it's rumoured to be tough to beat.
4e, the newest edition, is often said to be the eaisiest and it also will continue to get support from wizards.
You need the player's handbook becuse it has the character creation rules and other game rules. Once could be shared but it helps if several peaple have it.
You need the Monster manual becusr it has monsters that you can fight. (though once you get familiar enough with the system you can create your own. you only need one in the group.
The Dungeon master's guide would probaly be helpful to you. the 4e edition tries to help new dms build stable groups and how to handle issues. it also has traps/monster templates to upgrade them/ and evil dieties. If you have an experenced dm i would say you dont need it at all, but if everyone is new it would help if one person owned it.
Those are the core three. Once you get familiar enough with the system you can buy other books, like the monster manual 2 (more monsters) or player handbook 2 (more classes and races)
Also wizards has something called DDI. with that it negates the need to buy books for monsters/races/classes/feats/ ect becuse of the compedium. it also has a character builder that an really help you guide your character to completion (though it isint perfect yet). it also gets you access to all sorts of articles to help improve your game.
Hope this helps.
Also wizards has something called DDI. with that it negates the need to buy books for monsters/races/classes/feats/ ect becuse of the compedium. it also has a character builder that an really help you guide your character to completion (though it isint perfect yet). it also gets you access to all sorts of articles to help improve your game.
Can someone link me more info on this?
And thanks that does help alot.
If you just want to try it out, www.wizards.com/dnd/TryDnD.aspx
easiest to learn? 4th ed. various reasons, but it's just more streamlined and you don't need to "relearn how to walk" when changing classes
see my sig for pretty much everything you need to test out D&D for the cost of printer paper+ink.
download the test drive + character builder. it has the important rules you need to know for starting play, a few pregen characters and once you're comfortable you can make low level characters & level them up with the builder, as well as play the Keep on the Shadowfell module.
there are a few tools that you might want to look at and fool around with: the token maker for making PCs and monsters, the graph paper for making a 1x1inch battlemat, online dice roller if you're too cheap to buy a set, ect...
Also if you get DDI you'll have access to the adventures in dungeon magazine of which you guys could use.
First, it will help everyone understand the rules better.
Second, it gives everyone a clear taste to how monsters work.
Third, you never know who will like being DM and who won't nor do you know who will be best at it. Everyone taking a shot at it gives everyone an idea of whats going on and what is expected.
Even if you each just take a turn running a basic combat encounter as DM, even just rotating through different premade or throwaway characters at the same time. (ex: 5 people need 4 characters, 4 people play one DM's, then the DM takes one of the characters to play and that player DM's the next encounter, repeat till everyone has DMed) I think its a good way to just get everyone on the same page with how RPG's work.
If everyone in your group is completely new to RPG's, then I highly suggest that you each take a turn as DM.
This is a good idea. But to add another reason, it reduces the "DM vs PC" aspect when everyone's been on both sides. Remember, the game should be fun for everyone.
If you find the game not quite to your taste, you thought RPG's would be different - come back here and share experience see if some advice can help - though there are lots of other RPG's and message boards that talk about all of them and their pros and cons.
Some general guidelines in terms of play:
1) Show up on time, and be honest about scheduling issues ahead of time. Don't leave an empty seat by surprise.
2) Know the rules relevant to your role at the table - when learning don't fuss being perfect, you'll make lots of mistakes and still have loads of fun, but over time don't depend on others to tell you the rules (you know you're going to want to bull rush and push people around lots, read up on those rules).
3) Colour Inside the Lines, playing a character appropriate to genre, past events, and tone. Don't be "Fred the Samurai" in a group of "we're trying to be realistic quasi-Arthurians". Each table will have its balance of seriousness/goofiness, there's no one right tone but there will be a tone for each table.
4) Be Descriptive and Play With Colour; speak in character when it fits, add descriptive details to mechanical actions, "struck howling in rage" rather than just declare Power Attack - in 4e look at the flavour text on actions. Play with it, revise it to fit your character and use it! The game is not declaring a series of mechanical game actions, those are there to simulate the fun narrative cinematic stuff.
5 (A) Be interesting to watch. Interesting isn't a scottish accent or a limp, it's flaws, conflicts and issues to resolve. Characters who never stumble and have nothing in themselves to overcome are boring.
5 (B) Be really interesting - create a mystery or a conflict. Why is your character scared of goblins? What is your compulsion with that particular weapon type about? Where does that 10% of your income constantly vanish? Will you keep faith with your current god or convert to the heretic sect? These are hooks for the GM that will let the GM (DM in D&D) run a game that fits the PC's.
6) Be a good audience: Know what's going on, what happened, who's who, and support others' play with your attention. Don't spend all the time that's not your turn surfing web or playing with iphone apps - though 4e does a good job of creating events that you act/react to not on your turn.
7) Make Choices in Play that Support Other Players, help them have their fun, respect their "colouring", allow the themes they are interested in to be explored.
8) Make the stuff that happens at the table the story – try to fit the narrative and drive play forward. Play into the conflicts on purpose, bite when you see a hook – and if you don't bite, do it in a way that makes the whole situation more interesting. Don't say "my urban rogue wouldn't be interested in going into the mountains", say, "My uncle the prospector went missing in those mountains, didn't he Mr. DM?"
Rob
(Warning: there are certain groups that are 'toxic': they are groups of players who play at a game store because they've all been booted from regular groups for various antisocial behaviors. If the entire session revolves around them trying to jerk each other around, you've stumbled across one of these tar-pit groups. You should treat that session as a valuable learning experience, and a chance to see what happens when gaming goes wrong.)
That said - most game-store groups consist of decent players who just can't arrange a regular schedule. They're accustomed to an ever-rotating cast of characters, so they won't be too surprised if you are only around for a few weeks. It's good experience, and you might find an extra player to tow back to your in-house group.
If you're fortunate enough to have a local game store (with playing areas) in your area, you should ask the clerk whether any groups regularly meet there. A session or two sitting in with an experienced DM is usually a good way to get a basic education in the system.
(Warning: there are certain groups that are 'toxic': they are groups of players who play at a game store because they've all been booted from regular groups for various antisocial behaviors. If the entire session revolves around them trying to jerk each other around, you've stumbled across one of these tar-pit groups. You should treat that session as a valuable learning experience, and a chance to see what happens when gaming goes wrong.)
That said - most game-store groups consist of decent players who just can't arrange a regular schedule. They're accustomed to an ever-rotating cast of characters, so they won't be too surprised if you are only around for a few weeks. It's good experience, and you might find an extra player to tow back to your in-house group.
QFT on both counts. I DM'd a "toxic" game for about a year, and once I stopped DM'ing, the party apparently went completely insane. I'm normally too nice for my own good, but I realized I needed to be a hard ass to keep them in line. On the bright side, I met two of my current players at the game, and as soon as I realized they weren't complete asshats, I invited them to my normal game. :D
Has anyone heard fo this? I tried to google it but I came up with some very interesting guitar mags and sites but not a rpg.
Also I still have a copy of Dragon Lance Chronicals I let her take to read (Hoping it isnt too old that it will turn into dust as she opens it). Do you think DLC will confuse her? too outdated???
GAH! I feel old now.
In advance , Thank you for your input.
Oh and if anyone knows of a place that I can find local gatherings or if your in my area....???That would be awsome too.
Zann
Mother, drug dealer, taxi driver, personal atm and all around old fart. Its very nice to meet you!
My daughter whom is now almost 17 approched me with intrest in playing a game that sounded exactly like D&D by her description but she called it something else like "Rift" or something.
Has anyone heard fo this? I tried to google it but I came up with some very interesting guitar mags and sites but not a rpg.
RIFTS. Not at ALL like D&D - the premise of the game is that all realities have bled into each other and the world is now one giant hodge-podge of vampires, giant robots, evil corporations, aliens, magic, etc... The mechanics of the game are pretty different as well.
My daughter whom is now almost 17 approched me with intrest in playing a game that sounded exactly like D&D by her description but she called it something else like "Rift" or something.
Has anyone heard fo this? I tried to google it but I came up with some very interesting guitar mags and sites but not a rpg.
RIFTS. Not at ALL like D&D - the premise of the game is that all realities have bled into each other and the world is now one giant hodge-podge of vampires, giant robots, evil corporations, aliens, magic, etc... The mechanics of the game are pretty different as well.
I've tried running a Rifts character, I can honestly say it's a far-cry more complicated then any D&D system, new or old. (I've tried them all to.) and the settings themselves tend to be extremely hit or miss on some things. (As in there are times that the PCs are just made of paper compared to the environment.) Though if she's looking at it for the more mech/advanced aspects, I am sure the bright minds here can find a better gateway for it. If she's looking at it for the P&P drama/acting out of it. then try to sway her to D&D, because Rifts really is a big headache. At least in my opinion.
Edit:
Actually this might be a nice place to post this, since I'm new to this site and a bit lost. I live in the middle of nowhere. (Half of the people in this town have never heard of D&D or P&P, the other half "don't play stupid kid games"
) So past the three members of family I have here who do play. (With conflicting schedules that can sometimes only happen once every few weeks.) I was wondering if anyone knows any decent place to try and work out an online game, or sometng similliar.Next is the Monster Manual, which is very important. Although you don't need to read the entire thing, skimming over various monsters so you can get a good grasp on how monsters work is a great idea.
Thirdly, if someone in your group plans on being the DM, the Dungeon Master's Guide. I read it, although you may nnot have to if you have someone willing to DM for you.
Lastly, I would pick up a copy of a Player's Guide to a campaign setting. Use a wiki to look up what each one is like, and then, after really grasping the Core Player's Handbook, dig in and learn what you can.
-Uglii
I was wondering if anyone knows any decent place to try and work out an online game, or sometng similliar.
RolePlay onLine
Myth-Weavers
Plothook
Adventruers vault would be the other book that would get 4th or 5th place.
Seriously. Why is there no love for the Adventure Tools?
If you are a dungeon master who enjoys creating realistic, interesting encounters with a touch of personal flair, the Monster Builder is by far the most important resource that you can have at your fingertips. For everyone else, the character builder has everything you could possibly need. In other words, forget the books, save your money, and get a DDI subscription. One person with a laptop completely replaces the need for books.