New player, kind of lost . . . - Downloaded from the Wizards Community, all coding removed by Solauren

New player, kind of lost . . .

Post/Author/DateTime Post
#1
Joewrightgm
Jan 25, 2013 7:03:24 So, I'm a brand new player to D and D, and I'm trying to make sure I'm A) getting off on the right foot and B) Not wasting my time/money on books/etc that I don't need.

I have the Red box beginner box, the Monster Vault, and the Players hand book for Arcane, Divine, and Martial Heroes.

What else should I be looking for at this point? Or should I be looking for anything? To aquaint myself with the monsters more, is there any more books in that vain I should be looking for?

Also, I see there is play testing out there; is that indicating that a new edition is on the the way?

Any help would be great guys!

#2
Centauri
Jan 25, 2013 12:40:57 You have everything you need. I'd recommend the Dungeon Masters Guide as your next purchase, as it has a lot of good advice, including general roleplaying advice.
#3
Tech-Priest
Jan 25, 2013 12:44:15 DMG's a definite must. After that, DMG2 if you're looking for some other goodies for that side of the screen, or perhaps essentials and/or the PHBs.

A Campaign setting may be nice as well, Neverwinter's pretty good.
#4
jplay36
Jan 25, 2013 12:47:43 Ok, my personal opinion is that first off, unless you plan on being a DM I wouldn't worry about the Monster Manuals. Also as a new player I would stick to the basic classes and races presented in the PHB until you get a handle on the game itself.

You don't have to stick to just those things but that's just my opinion. As far as necessary materials for a beginning player I would just say to have the PHB and some dice and you're really good to go. There's no use in spending a ton of money or overwhelming yourself with too much information until you've decided that you really like it and that you've got a handle on the basics and are ready to branch out to more possibilities.

#5
Onikani
Jan 25, 2013 16:35:23
You'll be better off with the Rules compendium than the dmg. You only need the DMG specificially if you want to be a dm, and have no idea of how to be a dm.
As a rules source, the RC blows every other 4e book out of the water. And it's one of the cheapest books out there ($12 on amazon), it's imperative that you get that next.
Afterwards, instead of buying more books you should get a DDI subscription; you'll learn more in 10 minutes on the builder than 5 hours ruffling through a pile of source books.
#6
ghost007
Jan 25, 2013 21:46:30 So to get off in right foot with your charactor without wasting time, read up or post your question in charactor optimization forum. To not waste time & money for DMing a game, read up or ask the question in What's a DM to do forum. If you get stuck as a player, read up or ask in this forum.
So if want to purchase a Monster Manuel, stick with Monster Manuel 3.

Did I miss anything? lol.

#7
baldhermit
Jan 26, 2013 6:59:18 Actually, don't buy any books. Get DDI.

That gets you a half way decent character builder, and contains most errata. With books, you really cannot be sure that what you read is how the power actually still works.
#8
Joewrightgm
Jan 26, 2013 19:27:00 Thanks for the feed back guys, I appreciate the info; I'm looking to be versatile enough to be able run my own adventures and play as a character if I want to (obviously not at the same time!)

#9
Sea-Envy
Jan 26, 2013 23:52:32
Thanks for the feed back guys, I appreciate the info; I'm looking to be versatile enough to be able run my own adventures and play as a character if I want to (obviously not at the same time!)

Not that obvious.
If we asked I am sure we could get dozens of horror stories about DMs running a character along side the other players hogging all the glory and story
And some storys of parents runing games with their kids with a guide/mentor NPC that were familly fun and bonding.
#10
Joewrightgm
Jan 27, 2013 7:26:59
Thanks for the feed back guys, I appreciate the info; I'm looking to be versatile enough to be able run my own adventures and play as a character if I want to (obviously not at the same time!)

Not that obvious.
If we asked I am sure we could get dozens of horror stories about DMs running a character along side the other players hogging all the glory and story
And some storys of parents runing games with their kids with a guide/mentor NPC that were familly fun and bonding.

Interesting; that was the first thing I thought would be a no-brainer no-no, ha!
#11
CliveDauthi
Jan 29, 2013 15:52:28
First of all; WELCOME TO DND, you’ve made a great choice.

I’ll just give some pointers.

-Yes 5e is in the works; but I’d stick firm to 4the, there are people who still play 3.5 and 2e and I ASSURE you that people will primarily be playing 4e for awhile even after 5e comes out.

-Since you’re new, I wouldn’t try being the DM, being the DM means you have to learn all the rules and takes up a lot of work making a fun campaign.

- Think of a character type you’d like to play (ex. The Noble Knight, or the Evil Wizard!) Find the class which is closest to this character idea.

- Not a Must, but I’d suggest after you know what character class you’d like to play, looking over at the Optimization forum for an idea of how people have played the class in the past.

-If you Must be the DM, gather a group of players (5 is the standard party but you only need 2)

-If your DM and Must play a character, instead of making a PC I’d go more along the lines of choosing a monster (a lvl lower than your party to keep it fair) to tag along, let the monster die and switch it out every now and then. This way you can still partake in the team effort but won’t steal the show.

-Improvise, the Golden Rule to this game is use what works and if it does not, then don’t use it.
#12
Son_of_Khoron
Feb 07, 2013 11:38:50
So, I'm a brand new player to D and D, and I'm trying to make sure I'm A) getting off on the right foot and B) Not wasting my time/money on books/etc that I don't need.

I have the Red box beginner box, the Monster Vault, and the Players hand book for Arcane, Divine, and Martial Heroes.

What else should I be looking for at this point? Or should I be looking for anything? To aquaint myself with the monsters more, is there any more books in that vain I should be looking for?

Also, I see there is play testing out there; is that indicating that a new edition is on the the way?

Any help would be great guys!

Welcome to D&D!
Hope your experience is filled with many sessions of memorable gaming times!

If you are a player, then what you have is all you need for now.
If you are looking to be a GM, be a player first so that you can get the feel of the game and of the rules.

Best teacher is experience in playing and experience from others.

Post/Author/DateTime	Post
#1 Joewrightgm Jan 25, 2013 7:03:24	So, I'm a brand new player to D and D, and I'm trying to make sure I'm A) getting off on the right foot and B) Not wasting my time/money on books/etc that I don't need. I have the Red box beginner box, the Monster Vault, and the Players hand book for Arcane, Divine, and Martial Heroes. What else should I be looking for at this point? Or should I be looking for anything? To aquaint myself with the monsters more, is there any more books in that vain I should be looking for? Also, I see there is play testing out there; is that indicating that a new edition is on the the way? Any help would be great guys!
#2 Centauri Jan 25, 2013 12:40:57	You have everything you need. I'd recommend the Dungeon Masters Guide as your next purchase, as it has a lot of good advice, including general roleplaying advice.
#3 Tech-Priest Jan 25, 2013 12:44:15	DMG's a definite must. After that, DMG2 if you're looking for some other goodies for that side of the screen, or perhaps essentials and/or the PHBs. A Campaign setting may be nice as well, Neverwinter's pretty good.
#4 jplay36 Jan 25, 2013 12:47:43	Ok, my personal opinion is that first off, unless you plan on being a DM I wouldn't worry about the Monster Manuals. Also as a new player I would stick to the basic classes and races presented in the PHB until you get a handle on the game itself. You don't have to stick to just those things but that's just my opinion. As far as necessary materials for a beginning player I would just say to have the PHB and some dice and you're really good to go. There's no use in spending a ton of money or overwhelming yourself with too much information until you've decided that you really like it and that you've got a handle on the basics and are ready to branch out to more possibilities.
#5 Onikani Jan 25, 2013 16:35:23	You'll be better off with the Rules compendium than the dmg. You only need the DMG specificially if you want to be a dm, and have no idea of how to be a dm. As a rules source, the RC blows every other 4e book out of the water. And it's one of the cheapest books out there ($12 on amazon), it's imperative that you get that next. Afterwards, instead of buying more books you should get a DDI subscription; you'll learn more in 10 minutes on the builder than 5 hours ruffling through a pile of source books.
#6 ghost007 Jan 25, 2013 21:46:30	So to get off in right foot with your charactor without wasting time, read up or post your question in charactor optimization forum. To not waste time & money for DMing a game, read up or ask the question in What's a DM to do forum. If you get stuck as a player, read up or ask in this forum. So if want to purchase a Monster Manuel, stick with Monster Manuel 3. Did I miss anything? lol.
#7 baldhermit Jan 26, 2013 6:59:18	Actually, don't buy any books. Get DDI. That gets you a half way decent character builder, and contains most errata. With books, you really cannot be sure that what you read is how the power actually still works.
#8 Joewrightgm Jan 26, 2013 19:27:00	Thanks for the feed back guys, I appreciate the info; I'm looking to be versatile enough to be able run my own adventures and play as a character if I want to (obviously not at the same time!)
#9 Sea-Envy Jan 26, 2013 23:52:32	Thanks for the feed back guys, I appreciate the info; I'm looking to be versatile enough to be able run my own adventures and play as a character if I want to (obviously not at the same time!) Not that obvious. If we asked I am sure we could get dozens of horror stories about DMs running a character along side the other players hogging all the glory and story And some storys of parents runing games with their kids with a guide/mentor NPC that were familly fun and bonding.
#10 Joewrightgm Jan 27, 2013 7:26:59	Thanks for the feed back guys, I appreciate the info; I'm looking to be versatile enough to be able run my own adventures and play as a character if I want to (obviously not at the same time!) Not that obvious. If we asked I am sure we could get dozens of horror stories about DMs running a character along side the other players hogging all the glory and story And some storys of parents runing games with their kids with a guide/mentor NPC that were familly fun and bonding. Interesting; that was the first thing I thought would be a no-brainer no-no, ha!
#11 CliveDauthi Jan 29, 2013 15:52:28	First of all; WELCOME TO DND, you’ve made a great choice. I’ll just give some pointers. -Yes 5e is in the works; but I’d stick firm to 4the, there are people who still play 3.5 and 2e and I ASSURE you that people will primarily be playing 4e for awhile even after 5e comes out. -Since you’re new, I wouldn’t try being the DM, being the DM means you have to learn all the rules and takes up a lot of work making a fun campaign. - Think of a character type you’d like to play (ex. The Noble Knight, or the Evil Wizard!) Find the class which is closest to this character idea. - Not a Must, but I’d suggest after you know what character class you’d like to play, looking over at the Optimization forum for an idea of how people have played the class in the past. -If you Must be the DM, gather a group of players (5 is the standard party but you only need 2) -If your DM and Must play a character, instead of making a PC I’d go more along the lines of choosing a monster (a lvl lower than your party to keep it fair) to tag along, let the monster die and switch it out every now and then. This way you can still partake in the team effort but won’t steal the show. -Improvise, the Golden Rule to this game is use what works and if it does not, then don’t use it.
#12 Son_of_Khoron Feb 07, 2013 11:38:50	So, I'm a brand new player to D and D, and I'm trying to make sure I'm A) getting off on the right foot and B) Not wasting my time/money on books/etc that I don't need. I have the Red box beginner box, the Monster Vault, and the Players hand book for Arcane, Divine, and Martial Heroes. What else should I be looking for at this point? Or should I be looking for anything? To aquaint myself with the monsters more, is there any more books in that vain I should be looking for? Also, I see there is play testing out there; is that indicating that a new edition is on the the way? Any help would be great guys! Welcome to D&D! Hope your experience is filled with many sessions of memorable gaming times! If you are a player, then what you have is all you need for now. If you are looking to be a GM, be a player first so that you can get the feel of the game and of the rules. Best teacher is experience in playing and experience from others.