New to DnD

claxton · September 2006

Some friends that I play FFXI with are about to start a forum game of DnD, and I would like to play with. What books will I need to buy? Is there a beginners book that explains the basics? Such as that explaines the classes and races, how to add stats et cetera.

Rankenphile · September 2006

Get the Player's Handbook. That should contain everything you need to start.

Scooter · September 2006

Might want to check out the LEARN ON thread. The games are full but you can watch in.

You can get most of the stuff for free off WotC's site.

Tallahasseeriel · September 2006

Well there are a few ways you can start, if you wanna dive right in you can get the three core rulebooks, the Players Handbook, the Dungeonmaster's Guide and the Monster Manual. If you go this route I might also suggest you try to find a bginers game and get into it, there are usually some beginer friendly games going on that will be posted at your local hobby/tabletop store.

If you wanna start out slower there is the D&D Basic Game that will teach you the rules with and how a tabletop RPG is supposed to play. Plus it comes with some nice miniatures you can use to represent your characters if you chose to use miniatures in the full game.

DMAC · September 2006

Dungeons & Dragons for Dummies is actually a pretty good introduction to the rules for new players (although you'll still definitely want to pick up a copy of the Player's Handbook 3.5).

I would actually stay away from the Basic Game box set if you're planning on playing with the official 3.5e rules. The version of the rules it presents is pretty dumbed down and different enough that it could be more confusing than helpful.

Werewolf Gamer · September 2006

Once you get the swing of things you might check out Ebberon too. I have been playing for nearly 2 years with a group and we have a blast. I like the Ebberon setting much better.

Speaking of new to D & D. We're buying my daughter her first Dice set (the oversized so she doesn't try to swallow them size). I'm so pround of my mini nerd!

Nerissa · September 2006

Werewolf Gamer wrote:

Once you get the swing of things you might check out Ebberon too. I have been playing for nearly 2 years with a group and we have a blast. I like the Ebberon setting much better.

Speaking of new to D & D. We're buying my daughter her first Dice set (the oversized so she doesn't try to swallow them size). I'm so pround of my mini nerd!

Aww... now I'm gonna have to do that. How big are the dice? Big enough for a toddler < 2 years? (since you mentioned swallowing, I'm guessing yes) Did you get them at your local game store or order them from somewhere?

Rankenphile · September 2006

http://shop.rpg.net/product_info.php?products_id=36456&

Werewolf Gamer · September 2006

Werewolf Gamer wrote:

Once you get the swing of things you might check out Ebberon too. I have been playing for nearly 2 years with a group and we have a blast. I like the Ebberon setting much better.

Speaking of new to D & D. We're buying my daughter her first Dice set (the oversized so she doesn't try to swallow them size). I'm so proud of my mini nerd!

Yeah they are big enough for a toddler. We saw them at Lone Star Comics by the house but they are online. My daughter is 1 1/2. We let her help roll during our last session when we couldn't get a sitter. She did good, she rolled a natural 20 3 different times! Course they were for initiative :P

There's big plush ones too. We spotted those at Animefest in the dealers room.

Nerissa · September 2006

Werewolf Gamer wrote:

Werewolf Gamer wrote:

Once you get the swing of things you might check out Ebberon too. I have been playing for nearly 2 years with a group and we have a blast. I like the Ebberon setting much better.

Speaking of new to D & D. We're buying my daughter her first Dice set (the oversized so she doesn't try to swallow them size). I'm so proud of my mini nerd!

Yeah they are big enough for a toddler. We saw them at Lone Star Comics by the house but they are online. My daughter is 1 1/2. We let her help roll during our last session when we couldn't get a sitter. She did good, she rolled a natural 20 3 different times! Course they were for initiative :P

There's big plush ones too. We spotted those at Animefest in the dealers room.

Cool, I'll have to look next time I'm out buying miniatures, my daugther is about the same age, but I suspect she'd much rather pick up a pencil and draw all over my character sheet if I let her near the table while we are playing.

WeZil · September 2006

Also, for a basic run down and quick access to the rules, check out the d20 SRD. It's got most of the core rules seen in the Player's Handbook, Monsterous Manual, DM's Guide, Expanded Psionics Handbook, Epic Levels and the Unearthed Arcana.

Now it doesn't have everything. It's still missing a lot of the explenation, flavor and informative funions, so I highly HIGHLY HIGHLY recommend you don't try to substitute ANY of the three core rule books with the SRD. Also, there seem to be some minor, but annoying bits of core rules missing. I can't remember specific examples, but I remember when trying to build a character while at work I was frustrated endlessly by missing tidbits. I think it was starting money, or something. I dunno. Pissed me off. All the same, it makes a great quick reference when you want to look up a quick rule or two.