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Joined: 18 Dec 2007 Posts: 54 Location: Indiana, PA USA
Posted: Thu Jan 10, 2008 7:21 pm Post subject: D&D Rookie
So, I've been asked to join a D&D group and have never played the game before. What do I need to get started? What can I do so that I don't look like a complete moron at my first meeting?
Joined: 16 Nov 2007 Posts: 584 Location: Lebanon, Virginia, USA
Posted: Fri Jan 11, 2008 3:24 am Post subject:
My advice is to meet with the Dungeon Master in advance of playing and go over the basics with him. Some of the best D&D I've ever played involved characters who didn't know anything about the mechanics of the game, or about the fantasy genre in general. Just bring an open mind and an active imagination, and be don't try to be a character from Tolkien.
_________________ ***
Bruce H. Russell, II
bhr3s@yahoo.com
-Quote of the moment:
--“If you have a milkshake and I have a milkshake and I have a straw and my straw reaches across the room and starts to drink your milkshake, I drink your milkshake! Thhhhht! I drink it up!” -Daniel Day-Lewis as Daniel Plainview in There Will Be Blood.
Joined: 18 Dec 2007 Posts: 54 Location: Indiana, PA USA
Posted: Fri Jan 11, 2008 7:15 am Post subject: No Tolkien, I'll remember that.
Thnaks for the advice. Do I need to buy dice or a book to help me create a character? I really have no clue about how to even start playing the game. I onluy know that a few of my friends play and they say that they have jars of dice that they use for D&D. Do I have to be a female character since I happen to be one myself? I guess I'll just play along and try to keep up with everyone else. I'll be sure to remember to not use anything from Tolkien. Thanks for the heads up!
Joined: 15 Nov 2007 Posts: 101 Location: Sheffield, England
Posted: Fri Jan 11, 2008 1:22 pm Post subject:
Well, not played so much lately (practically no 3rd Ed...) but I'd probably advise you check the following with the DM:
1) what version of rules i.e. 3, 3.5, etc
2) how many players handbooks the group has between 'em - you might get away with not buying one (with the right rev. of rules, obviously!)
3) same with dice - you may get away with borrowing for the first session or two.
4) if there is a particular character in fantasy you like, don't be scared to model yours on that - everyone else does! So many dwarven axemen, elven archers, enigmatic rangers ... it doesn't grow old, so go for it.
5) mages/clerics are trickier to get used to, I wouldn't recommend playing those as a first character. First one I played was a rogue (thief), and to my knowledge, the Colonels first character was a fighter; he subsequently progressed to rangers and paladins (all fighter based). At one point, I almost convinced him to play a non-human (although he may have pretended to be interested to pacify me)
6) how serious is the group you're joining, what style of play? Some groups roleplay in 3rd person (we arrange for a room in the inn with the innkeeper), some play it out (innkeeper, we need 3 of your finest rooms and flagons of your best ale - and yes, we have gold) - some just stomp the innkeeper and take his inn. Last one is not recommended - one group I know of tried this only to find out the innkeeper was a mage 10 levels higher than anyone in the group, and the situation went downhill rapidly for them.
Theres probably other stuff I could say, but its been ages since I played. Don't be too self-conscious, just have fun.
_________________ This is not war, this is pest control!
Joined: 18 Dec 2007 Posts: 54 Location: Indiana, PA USA
Posted: Fri Jan 11, 2008 10:57 pm Post subject: Thanks Mr. Sith!
WOW! Thanks for all of the great inside info. on D&D. I have so much to learn, but all young padawans do I guess. Your wisdom is greatly appreciated. Thanks to you I'm thinking about turning to the dark side now!
Joined: 03 Nov 2007 Posts: 163 Location: Cork City, Ireland
Posted: Sun Jan 13, 2008 1:26 am Post subject:
Oh how I envy you Val, just starting out on the magnificent adventure that is D&D. I learned D&D under the expert tutelage of Sithy, as he said before. I did have some basic understanding of what Roleplaying was having dabbled a little with it in college but not the D&D system, that was new to me.
Thankfully however the Dungeon Master was a patient sort (well he learned this skill if he didn't have it before) and worked with me for a couple of hours to create a character and a "beginners" scenario to get a feel for the game, so hopefully you'll encounter the same mentoring. After all it's in the groups interest to allow you to become the greatest player possible - just like me
Don't be worried if you've got no stuff of your own. They shouldn't expect you to have anything at this stage. If you get a feel for the game and think you may continue to enjoy it; then do indeed purchase dice and books etc.
Most of all, have fun! And let us know how it goes.
_________________ Lt. Colonel "Whopper" Creedon
"Lead me, follow me, or get out of my way!"
- Gen. George S. Patton Jr. USA
Joined: 16 Nov 2007 Posts: 584 Location: Lebanon, Virginia, USA
Posted: Sat Jan 26, 2008 1:11 am Post subject:
So how did it go?
_________________ ***
Bruce H. Russell, II
bhr3s@yahoo.com
-Quote of the moment:
--“If you have a milkshake and I have a milkshake and I have a straw and my straw reaches across the room and starts to drink your milkshake, I drink your milkshake! Thhhhht! I drink it up!” -Daniel Day-Lewis as Daniel Plainview in There Will Be Blood.
Joined: 18 Dec 2007 Posts: 54 Location: Indiana, PA USA
Posted: Sat Jan 26, 2008 6:35 am Post subject: still waiting
I'm still a rookie. The DM was on vacation for a while and then there were some scheduling conflicts so I'm still waiting.
I recently found out that the DM is a pretty good friend of mine. I thought he was just a player, not a master, so now I'm pretty excited and less nervous about playing.
Don't worry, I'll be sure to turn in a full report as soon as possible!
Joined: 16 Nov 2007 Posts: 584 Location: Lebanon, Virginia, USA
Posted: Sat Jan 26, 2008 11:55 am Post subject:
Yeah, keep us posted.
Didn't you love the portrait of Rodney, the little girl princess, and Shephard at the end of Stargate: Atlantis last night?
_________________ ***
Bruce H. Russell, II
bhr3s@yahoo.com
-Quote of the moment:
--“If you have a milkshake and I have a milkshake and I have a straw and my straw reaches across the room and starts to drink your milkshake, I drink your milkshake! Thhhhht! I drink it up!” -Daniel Day-Lewis as Daniel Plainview in There Will Be Blood.
Joined: 18 Dec 2007 Posts: 54 Location: Indiana, PA USA
Posted: Sat Jan 26, 2008 4:23 pm Post subject: I'm behind
I work nights so I have to TIVO the episodes and watch them over the weekend. All hail TIVO!
Remember the episode when Sheppard and Mckay were using a planet as a game? That was pretty funny. All of the people on one side of the planet worshipped Rodney, there were paintings of him everyhwhere. He loved it!
That's why I love SGA - they can mix in a line about Rodneys citrus allergy when they're in the middle of blowing up a Wraith hive ship. That's quality Sci-Fi at it's best!
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Do I have to be a female character since I happen to be one myself? I guess I'll just play along and try to keep up with everyone else. I'll be sure to remember to not use anything from Tolkien. Thanks for the heads up!
