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So how do you guys play? Do you have a group of people that get together or do you play with family/spouses? I would like to try a few games but don't want to go down to nerd central which is the local gaming store (the one close to me is kind of creepy.) How many people does it take to make a good game?
I play with a random group of people. Met a guy at an alumni function for a school I didn't even go to, actually, and from there I joined his group and became friends with his friends. We play once a week if we can, and we've played any given day with anywhere from 4 to 8 PCs at a time.
In the game I'm DMing it's me and four friends, the D&D Encounters sessions are with people I'd never met before.Quote:
Originally Posted by Timman_24
I've found that game store RPG nerds aren't really all that weird... for the most part they've been extremely sociable and very nice. If you're looking to get into things with minimal commitment, try to get into an Encounters session. It's very combat-heavy and will get you used to the rules pretty quick. Check out the website to see if any shops nearby are participating.
http://www.wizards.com/dnd/Event.asp.../dndencounters
I tried getting a group going with some friends but we only meet once. It was fun but its been impossible to to schedule a time when people can meet. It would be awesome to form a group that can meet regularly.
I went to a local gathering at game shop I found on meet-up.com that holds a big gaming session once a month. It was pretty easy going but the smell was intense. I'm not sure if I want to try going again.
Thanks guys. I am a complete noob with D&D. Do they have a rulebook that you have to pick up like Warhammer or is it an open source type thing? I've seen the books at the story but most looked like adventures to play. What do I get to learn the basics?
The only book you need to get started is the Player's Handbook. You also need a set of dice and a mini or token to represent your character.
If you want to DM I also recommend getting the Dungeon Master's Guide and Monster Manual.
PS: I've seen a lot of people claiming the DM Guide is unnecessary and several reviews on Amazon saying it's useless, but as someone who has never DM'd before, I found the book to be incredibly useful.
Thanks Kama, I may try to make it down to Barnes and Noble this week to pick up a copy. It seems like it would be a blast with the right group of people.
I didn't know several sharkies were DnD players. You guys should post your stories :D
Hmmmm, seems that there are 3 different handbooks for the 4th edition, each is around 20 bucks. Do I need all of them or do they just contain different adventures?
There are 3 core handbooks:Quote:
Originally Posted by Timman_24
Player's Handbook, Monster Manual, and Dungeon Master's Guide
With the exception of game modules (pre packaged adventures that DM can run), all the other books are just extentions of the core 3.
As Kama said, the players handbook is a must regardless of what role you are playing. This book outlines the core mechanics, player info, and game rules. The other two are only really needed if you DM, but many users like to go through them to get a better understanding of the D&D world.
FYI, I found each of the core books brand new for $12 to $13 on half.com.
I also purchased the module the Keep on Shadow Fell, which is a pre-made adventure that takes you from level 1 to about 5 or 6.
If your not DMing, I would suggest getting the player's handbook and starting from there. Check out a few games at your local game store and see how you like it. When you get the DM bug, you can move on from there.
For miniatures, I use Mini Mates. They are cheaper then the D&D pewter figures and they are more posable.
Our thief uses the green goblin figure, our cleric uses jet suit batman, and our warrior uses the Rhino.
http://www.minimatescentral.com/
EDIT: Player's Handbook 1 is a must. Player's Handbook 2 and 3 introduce additional classes, jobs and skills but they still build off 1. you might see some power books like Arcane power, martial power, divine power, and etc. these are supplements that add additional feats and skills to already established class. For example, divine power introduces new skills and feats usable by divine classes like cleric, paladin, and etc.
Start with Player's Handbook 1. Learn the system and then go from there. I think its more helpful to take your time and explore how you want to play the game.
The different Player's Handbooks each expand on things a bit and introduce new races and classes. They do not contain adventures. :PQuote:
Originally Posted by Timman_24
PHB 1 is the one that contains all the rules, the basics, and the standard races/classes. I say start off with PHB 1 and if you want to explore further races and classes, then consider getting the other ones.
Oh man those are awesome. I suddenly have the urge to use LEGOs as stand-in minis! Do they sell just LEGO minifigs without the bricks?Quote:
Originally Posted by taggart6
3 of the 4 players in my game use a fancy metal figure painted by my buddy Mike and the other is using a D&D plastic figure which is a pretty good representation of his character. When I play LFR games I use a plastic halfling rogue figure that came out of an old D&D box Mike had and in the current Encounters season I'm using a plastic bug mini that the DM had to stand in for my Thri-Kreen battlemind.
Mike actually had two old D&D boxes that happened to have about 8 Kobolds between them, so I've been making use of those in addition to these awesome little tokens that were included in the D&D 4e Starter Kit (we bought this just for the tokens, actually). The tokens include orcs, kobolds, beetles, skeletons, stirges and a few others, but most of the time I'm just using them as a placeholder and telling the players what they should really look like. As an example, the party currently has a horse-drawn cart to bring them around long distances and the horses are represented by a dragon, a gelatinous cube, a dire wolf and a large drake (we sometimes shorthand this to just one token per pair of horses).
http://www.sharkyforums.com/images/i.../2010/06/5.jpg
Here you can see the cart with one pair of horses leading it, the other pair were incapacitated. The paladin, Cyrus, decided to head out to investigate and found himself a few kobolds waiting in ambush. At the point this picture was taken, it was time for initiative to be rolled.
I will probably use my warhammer figures :D
Also, taggart can you link to the half.com handbook that you found for 12, I can't find it.
Our Ardent:Quote:
Originally Posted by Timman_24
http://www.sharkyforums.com/images/i.../2010/06/6.jpg
I use what I have lying around. The Lord of The rings Risk pieces are great for general enemies.Quote:
Originally Posted by Kamakazie
It's not there all the time. You just have to keep a look out since the sellers are independent.Quote:
Originally Posted by Timman_24
Ahhh, I mistook your post. I thought you meant you just saw them.Quote:
Originally Posted by taggart6
Ah naa...this was 8 months ago when I got mine for cheap. it was awesome.Quote:
Originally Posted by Timman_24
I had a cool idea. Have you guys ever heard of chat roulette? I've never done it, but I've heard how it works. You have a webcam and it randomly matches you up with someone else, then you talk. What if they did something like this with DnD? Have an app (java or something) that opens a video and audio chat. Flag yourself either DM or adventurer and hit match up. It will find a random match of people waiting and form a group. The DM would then start the campaign. An interactive display will show dice rolls and could even track level ups and such. Maybe it would even keep long term character sheets.
It could be really fun to get matched up with total strangers from other countries. You would have the random flasher showing you their penis... but if it had a ban feature to black list IPs then that could be taken care of.
Thats pretty cool though I think D&D insider has something that allows people to D&D remotely over a computer.
Either way it would be sweet to do a virtual D&D session with interested people. All you need is something to show the dungeon and what not.
There was a virtual game table program advertised for DDI but it's never come out and development has gone silent. There IS a program called MapTool with which you could play D&D online and have it handle the map and tokens. I think a combination of MapTool and Google Wave could be the best way to handle long term online D&D.Quote:
Originally Posted by taggart6
I've actually wanted to try running a game using MapTool or Wave but I have not found sufficient people to test it with me... would anyone be interested in trying this? It will be a test, just a quick run through a dungeon.
I'd be down for trying it out.
I know some folks who have had a lot of success with Fantasy Grounds II for online play.
That one is pretty classy, but it also costs $$ which makes things difficult.Quote:
Originally Posted by fluffmonster
I'd be up for trying it, I need to get educated on the game though. I acquired a copy of the handbook to tide me over until I can find a hardcopy.
I'm a big D&D geek and have been playing for years. I love the Eberron setting and have DMed it for the last few years. We have really enjoyed the changes 4th Edition brought to the table and have had lots of fun. Lately, we have been struggling to get sessions together, though. Something like what you guys are planning is intriguing. Let me know what days/times and if you have a spot for me.
Quote:
Originally Posted by Timman_24
LETS DO THIS!Quote:
Originally Posted by SewerUrchin
Kama can DM and with a group of 3-4 people we should be good. We can even do the Keep on ShadowFEll.
I also have 4.5 gigs of digital D&D 4th material for viewing on the go. Books, scenarios, and etc. Let me know if you need anything.