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Looking to start playing D&D
Darkhound642
Registered User new member
Registered User new member
My fiance and I are living together now and trying to come up with a hobby we can share. Now, I can almost feel them coming so no one tell me anything about how dangerous it can be to play games like this with your significant other. She is not going to jab me in my sleep because I killed her in a game, in fact she'll probably off my character first. Also... she has access to this account >.>
But I digress. Any experienced veteran players out there have any suggestions on where to start if we have no tabletop RPG experience? I started talking to a guy at my old job about it and heard a lot from him. In fact I almost joined his game, but then the lady and I moved to Cali and as I understand it playing D&D over the phone is quite difficult.
Let the suggestions roll
And if you have any epic stories about starting out feel free to share.
But I digress. Any experienced veteran players out there have any suggestions on where to start if we have no tabletop RPG experience? I started talking to a guy at my old job about it and heard a lot from him. In fact I almost joined his game, but then the lady and I moved to Cali and as I understand it playing D&D over the phone is quite difficult.
Let the suggestions roll
And if you have any epic stories about starting out feel free to share. Darkhound642 on
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Posts
Too bad you're not on the other side of the country, or you could join our group. :P
I'd recommend starting out with someone who does have experience. However, I've always found tabletop roleplaying fairly easy to pick up. It's especially easy now with the online tools that are available; the character creator that's out for 4th edition simplifies matters tremendously.
Really, it all depends on who you can find to DM. The story, prompts, and basic instructions are going to come from this person. If they can't tell an interesting story then you're going to have a miserable experience, no matter who else you're playing with. As for how you find someone: I'd put out feelers online, There are plenty of forums that discuss roleplaying and you're bound to meet someone in your area that way.
What do you already know? Have you played any non-tabletop RPGs? Do you have any of the books? If you just decide to start up a game with inexperienced friends then, ultimately, the books and a few dice are all you need; that and a great imagination.
But hey, if you feel like the drive down to San Jose next weekend...
Seriously though, the best way to start D&D is to find a group of people you already like (you'll be spending a lot of time with them so if you person irritates you, you may find yourself not enjoying the experience). It also helps to have one person who already knows the game pretty well in your group, they'll speed up the learning process of the game.
Oh, and get the Dungeon Master's Guide and the Players Guide. You won't have to memorize every single page, but look up everything you feel like you need clarification for. After the first few games, things should start becoming second nature.
Also, don't forget to have fun.
I joined the roleplaying society at my college once...I'd had a fun group through highschool and had hoped to repeat that experience.
Oh my, it was the most deathly dull experience ever. I used to dread Wednesday evenings (until I realised that no one was forcing me to go, and then I dropped out).
They were all competent, experienced roleplayers, but they were so serious about it. It was all very much by-the-rules and about creating the best type of character, etc.
Take regular breaks. Maybe have a few drinks. Socialise before or afterwards. And if something's funny, then hell, bend the rules for it. The best DM is one who can adapt.
If you're talking about getting a group of people together and playing on the phone, a better option is Ventrilo. Since Vent is voice and chat, you can see who's talking because their name lights up, plus you can go into a different room with people separately, send them secret messages...post dice rolls...whatever, it's up to you.
As far as books go, I suggest ordering a 3 pack off of amazon. I think my husband got the 3 core books for about $60 or 70, and then you'd want to get a subscription to D&D insider. It's 8 bucks a month, and you get 5 updates so you can essentially keep 5 computers or people updated with one account if you so wish since it only updates once a month. It gives you all the feats and items and classes and powers from the new books as they come out in a handy dandy little character generator...it's pretty awesome I must say. Then, your players can just send their sheets to whoever is running so the DM can have copies and keep track of things as well. That would be my recommendation.
If you just want to start Role Playing, and don't particularly care about what system....you might also check out whitewolf's games...but they are more RP and story oriented and have a very different vibe than D&D
Edit: Ah, I was mistaken. I thought you and your lady moved apart and wanted to play. Anyway, yes...same advice just...don't bother doing it over a phone or chat. Just find some people. I'm sure there are plenty of players out in Cali :-P
All of this is great advice.
Particularly allowing something funny to be done (a game that my friends and i did, we all fell down in a cravase while being attacked from above, so my friend tied his rope to the arrow and fired it at an enemy. Our DM couldn't stop laughing at the abusdity of the idea that he let him roll for it, he rolled a 20, so we climbed out of the cravase by using an arrow lodged in a guys intestines)
His weapon? Spoon of Stirring.
It was pretty awesome.
If anybody knows a group/community located in the area of Sacramento, California or wants to get in on one, post it here or ... idk contact me somehow? lol Thanks guys
Oh, and he warned me that if I played an undead rogue/thief his priest friend would mess me up x_x
I suggest sticking to the basic races and no evil characters at first, seriously. Roll a dwarf, human, high elf, gnome or halfling. Chaotic Neutral is also known as Chaotic Cop out.
I think you're in for a lot of fun. If you want to look the rules of the current (4th) edition before playing, you can go here to download the free D&D test drive - it's a set of quick-start rules, a sample adventure, and a demo of the character builder program.
I and several other players here have had good luck finding groups through Meetup.com. It looks like you're in luck there - the Sacramento group has over 450 players! :shock:
And be sure to drop in on our very own D&D thread in the Critical Failures forum here on PA. Everyone there would be more than happy to answer any other questions you might have.
I used to have a lot of fun doing basic rpg storylines through chatrooms on AIM. As far as I know, the "DM" didn't use dice or anything.
PlayDnD.com - should have a link to the above mentioned items (quick start rules pdf, adventure pdf, and character builder) right on the first page.
Of course there's probably lots of people here that wouldn't mind answering questions or giving a quick overview of some situations that will probably crop up in your first few games.