Newbie to D&D Looking for a group and trying to get started. - Downloaded from the Wizards Community, all coding removed by Solauren

Newbie to D&D Looking for a group and trying to get started.

Post/Author/DateTime Post
#1
chaoscrusaderz
Sep 08, 2010 14:38:32 Hi, I consider myself a newbie to D&D, as I haven't played it in years. In High School we had groups after school where we played.

Unfortunately things didn't go quite too well. Our DM was alright, though things like throwing a Hydra at us low level and getting most of our party killed because of it was meh. Another friend of mine was a distinct power-gamer, though I can't complain about that either since he got us past a lot of the DM's impossible challenges. Another friend played in a very silly manner, usually starting off in a Brothel, running around naked, and generally getting us killed admittedly trying to end the campaign early. Then another was horrible fanboy, called himself Sephiroth and had a Samurai that fired Kamehameha waves. . .

. . .Yeah, needless to say it was facepalmingly bad. . . I tried to play semi seriously, being an avid Roleplayer and usually rolling the Cleric responsible for keeping the group alive more often then not with healing spells. I remember earning an enchanted mace once for praying to Pelor at the right time and for the right reasons, ah roleplaying rewards.

Next few years up until graduation I hadn't really cared too much, and after high school we stopped altogether.

However, recently I'd been listening to vocal D&D campaigns, reading D&D campaign tales (Like the best lines thread), and reading D&D webcomics like Goblins and Order of the Stick, so I want to get back into it.

However, I have the distinct problem of finding a group. My friends have since moved all over the place, I think I want to find people more experienced in the game anyway to play with so I can learn to do it right.

That being said, what's the best way to find a D&D group in your local area? Furthermore, is it possible to play D&D online just in case there are no players in the local area and I need to find people further away? If so, how does one go about doing that?

Just some mild questions from someone who wants to get into D&D. Sorry if this is the wrong forum for this question, tried looking around and couldn't find a 'newbie' area. Thanks for hearing me out.
#2
mellored
Sep 08, 2010 16:06:33 Your best bet is to go to a friendly local gaming store (FLGS) and ask there. Usualy it's the story with commics and boards games too.
#3
harsgault
Sep 08, 2010 16:45:49 For local, yep it's the gaming store. Which may yield great results or disasterous, but like most things you won't know what exactly will come of it till you try.

Meanwhile online is a very nice option for people as well. Whether it is using virtual tabletops with or without voice chat, or Play-by-Post games via forums. I believe there are a few PbP games that are run from forums from this very website. Elsewhere, places like RPtools.net, MyDnDGame, or Mythweavers have solid communities where you can find anything from a one-night pickup game to full campaigns. Those sites listed are but a few of the possibilities, many many good places are out there, good luck hunting!
#4
chaoscrusaderz
Sep 08, 2010 19:49:31 Thank you both kindly, I'm looking at my online options and offline options right now. I think I may go online for now. . . I had another question, being most of my friends had the D&D books, I had none of them, and furthermore since the game's proceeded onto 4rth Ed, I was wondering what books are neccicary for a new player?

I see I need Player's Hanbook 1, but upon looking at it in the catalog, it says it's one of 3 books I need, but I'm not sure what those books are. Does that mean to play, I need Player's Handbook 1 2 and 3? Even though I'm probably only playing the core race and class? (I'm considering Halfling Cleric right now)

Just a question i thought I'd tack onto the thread. Thanks for the help, really, I appreciate it.
#5
SoulCatcher78
Sep 08, 2010 21:00:46
Depending on the group you end up with you might have to hold off on choosing a book to buy. If they are playing full on D&D the Players Handbook is a good place to start (especially given your class/race choice). If they are playing Essentials you might want to look into the Rules Compendium and Heroes of the Fallen Lands (check amazon but you can pick up both for about the cover price of the PHB).

Either way you go, welcome to the tribe.
#6
TelinArtho
Sep 09, 2010 7:44:07 For some additional online options, feel free to check out some of the Play-by-post groups here within the community. I have links to several of them in my signature.

If you have any questions about them, feel free to send me a PM.

Post/Author/DateTime	Post
#1 chaoscrusaderz Sep 08, 2010 14:38:32	Hi, I consider myself a newbie to D&D, as I haven't played it in years. In High School we had groups after school where we played. Unfortunately things didn't go quite too well. Our DM was alright, though things like throwing a Hydra at us low level and getting most of our party killed because of it was meh. Another friend of mine was a distinct power-gamer, though I can't complain about that either since he got us past a lot of the DM's impossible challenges. Another friend played in a very silly manner, usually starting off in a Brothel, running around naked, and generally getting us killed admittedly trying to end the campaign early. Then another was horrible fanboy, called himself Sephiroth and had a Samurai that fired Kamehameha waves. . . . . .Yeah, needless to say it was facepalmingly bad. . . I tried to play semi seriously, being an avid Roleplayer and usually rolling the Cleric responsible for keeping the group alive more often then not with healing spells. I remember earning an enchanted mace once for praying to Pelor at the right time and for the right reasons, ah roleplaying rewards. Next few years up until graduation I hadn't really cared too much, and after high school we stopped altogether. However, recently I'd been listening to vocal D&D campaigns, reading D&D campaign tales (Like the best lines thread), and reading D&D webcomics like Goblins and Order of the Stick, so I want to get back into it. However, I have the distinct problem of finding a group. My friends have since moved all over the place, I think I want to find people more experienced in the game anyway to play with so I can learn to do it right. That being said, what's the best way to find a D&D group in your local area? Furthermore, is it possible to play D&D online just in case there are no players in the local area and I need to find people further away? If so, how does one go about doing that? Just some mild questions from someone who wants to get into D&D. Sorry if this is the wrong forum for this question, tried looking around and couldn't find a 'newbie' area. Thanks for hearing me out.
#2 mellored Sep 08, 2010 16:06:33	Your best bet is to go to a friendly local gaming store (FLGS) and ask there. Usualy it's the story with commics and boards games too.
#3 harsgault Sep 08, 2010 16:45:49	For local, yep it's the gaming store. Which may yield great results or disasterous, but like most things you won't know what exactly will come of it till you try. Meanwhile online is a very nice option for people as well. Whether it is using virtual tabletops with or without voice chat, or Play-by-Post games via forums. I believe there are a few PbP games that are run from forums from this very website. Elsewhere, places like RPtools.net, MyDnDGame, or Mythweavers have solid communities where you can find anything from a one-night pickup game to full campaigns. Those sites listed are but a few of the possibilities, many many good places are out there, good luck hunting!
#4 chaoscrusaderz Sep 08, 2010 19:49:31	Thank you both kindly, I'm looking at my online options and offline options right now. I think I may go online for now. . . I had another question, being most of my friends had the D&D books, I had none of them, and furthermore since the game's proceeded onto 4rth Ed, I was wondering what books are neccicary for a new player? I see I need Player's Hanbook 1, but upon looking at it in the catalog, it says it's one of 3 books I need, but I'm not sure what those books are. Does that mean to play, I need Player's Handbook 1 2 and 3? Even though I'm probably only playing the core race and class? (I'm considering Halfling Cleric right now) Just a question i thought I'd tack onto the thread. Thanks for the help, really, I appreciate it.
#5 SoulCatcher78 Sep 08, 2010 21:00:46	Depending on the group you end up with you might have to hold off on choosing a book to buy. If they are playing full on D&D the Players Handbook is a good place to start (especially given your class/race choice). If they are playing Essentials you might want to look into the Rules Compendium and Heroes of the Fallen Lands (check amazon but you can pick up both for about the cover price of the PHB). Either way you go, welcome to the tribe.
#6 TelinArtho Sep 09, 2010 7:44:07	For some additional online options, feel free to check out some of the Play-by-post groups here within the community. I have links to several of them in my signature. If you have any questions about them, feel free to send me a PM.