Post/Author/DateTime	Post
#1 aging_cleric Apr 20, 2012 22:09:00	This player from long ago wants to say hello to all of you and I hope this is the right place to do that. It has been many years since I have played, and so I am here to re-learn this great game once again and join in on the fun. Browsing the main website, it seems that new versions or generations of the game have been released since I last played. May this aging cleric ask for your patience and help as I re-join the ranks of D&D? I can't tell you how excited I am to have re-discovered Dungeons and Dragons! I want to ask how people are playing today in the modern age. Can anyone remind me what I need to get started once again? Is the original version of the game and the original AD&D still around to play? What has changed over the years? Do I still need to find a game shop to buy game supplies from, or can I find the books and supplies on-line? Can I play on-line? Thanks for such a great place, everyone!
#2 RedSiegfried Apr 21, 2012 6:32:12	Welcome back to the game from an aging Paladin. Well, AD&D isn't around anymore so those 1st and 2nd edition books are getting harder to find.  You might still be able to find some at the usual auction sites though.  However, coincidentally, WoTC is getting ready to rerelease new editions of the 1st edition PH, DMG and MM as a Gary Gygax memorial in July.  Keep an eye out for those, they'll probably fly off the shelves. 1st and 2nd edition AD&D don't get a lot of discussion around here and even 3rd edition gets little love.  3e is still popular enough but has been relegated to subforums for discussion.  It's mainly 4e now. Take it from a 30 year player, as far as 4e goes, if you've never played it before, throw out everything you know about D&D.  This is not a bad thing, you'll be glad you did.  4e is a very different game, in a good way, and a vast improvement in my opinion. If you want to get started on 4e, there are basically two (fully compatible) tracks you can follow:  Core (the hardcover PH, DMG and MM, etc.) Essentials (the redbox set, the Heroes Of .. books, Rules Compendium, DM Kit, Monster Vault, etc.) The main difference between the two tracks is just the number of options.  Esssentials was more or less designed to give you fewer PC options to ease you into the game.  But both tracks use exactly the same rules so they are fully compatible.  Lots of folks will give you lots of opinions on which way to get started.  My own opinion is that if you haven't played D&D in ages, you may want to get the redbox set to start.  It's VERY simplified, but it will ease you into the new rules.  Then you can get the Heroes Of ... books and the Rules Compendium, etc.  Once you got a feel for how those work you could pick up more of the Core rulesbooks that use the same rules but have many, many more options and game elements. You can get all the D&D materials online, at bookstores, at your friendly local game shop ... lots of places.  As for online play, WotC does have a subscription service for 4e called D&D Insider.  You get a suite of e-tools including a character builder, monster builder, online compendium, online editions of Dungeon and Dragon magazine and a virtual game table (still in beta officially, but works great). Finally, you may hear some talk about D&D Next.  A fifth edition of D&D was announced a few months ago, but that is still in development and won't be released for at least another year yet, maybe more.  Nerdrage abounds.  For myself, I don't think too much about the next edition of D&D when there's so much 4e around to play. Hope that kinda brings you up to date.  Have fun!
#3 Krusk Apr 23, 2012 15:05:25	Welcome back.  -Tons of people still play. I'd say its safe to say more play some version of DND than ever. -Original and 2nd edition are still around. Less players than they had, but you can find groups. Easier if you've got your own books.  -gameshops still exist and its best to get from them. They can help with all sorts of questions and often direct you towards groups. That said amazon will sell books for way less money. i recomend checking out 4e and 3.5, but exist and are worth a read. They are both very different than your games of old, but I think both are generally more solid. 3rd edition is available for free (in limited form) at d20srd.org if you want to check it out. 4e has a quickstart ruleset somewhere.  Online play is possible, but there really aren't any good maptool programs for it. If you have to play online, your old school ascii mapping is the way to go. Eh, im pretty negative about online play though, I'm sure someone can give a better run through of it.  I'd also recomend not buying lots of splatbooks untul 5e comes out. Its announced and might be the best thing since sliced bread. It might be horrible. Get the main books for the system you like and wait and see.