Back to D&D after 18 Yrs

[retem]

Recently found myself itching to pick up the dice again. I have contacted the "old group" and have one of them commited to coming back.

Last time I played was 18 years ago and I was by no stretch a know it all.

As we get closer to starting up myself and my other group member have had some questions that we cant seem to get answers on. Wondering if you guys can help us out a little.

1.) Would you suggest we go out and pick up 3.5 and start playing or wait for 4E ? or Should we pick up the "Basic Game" (Saw on Amazon for $29) ? Since it has been so long would the basic game be a good start until 4E?

2.) Is 3.5 single PC Friendly? If noone else from our group comes back we may be stuck with just a DM and PC

3.) Been reading up on 4E and saw that it will come with online tools. This could be a big draw for the other guys. However, I noticed it will come with a "Dungeon Map Tool" for the online gaming table. Will we be able to generate other areas besides Dungeons with this tool?

4.) If we do our work and read up on 3.5 (or 4E) how quickly can someone pick up and play? I know it is not an exact science but just curious to what you think an old 2E player who never played 3.0 or 3.5 will experience.

Any other suggestions will be appreciated, thanks for your help.

p.s. Are there still Succabus in the MM? Oh how I have missed them

 

[theredrobedwizard]

Recently found myself itching to pick up the dice again. I have contacted the "old group" and have one of them commited to coming back.

Last time I played was 18 years ago and I was by no stretch a know it all.

As we get closer to starting up myself and my other group member have had some questions that we cant seem to get answers on. Wondering if you guys can help us out a little.

1.) Would you suggest we go out and pick up 3.5 and start playing or wait for 4E ? or Should we pick up the "Basic Game" (Saw on Amazon for $29) ? Since it has been so long would the basic game be a good start until 4E?

2.) Is 3.5 single PC Friendly? If noone else from our group comes back we may be stuck with just a DM and PC

3.) Been reading up on 4E and saw that it will come with online tools. This could be a big draw for the other guys. However, I noticed it will come with a "Dungeon Map Tool" for the online gaming table. Will we be able to generate other areas besides Dungeons with this tool?

4.) If we do our work and read up on 3.5 (or 4E) how quickly can someone pick up and play? I know it is not an exact science but just curious to what you think an old 2E player who never played 3.0 or 3.5 will experience.

Any other suggestions will be appreciated, thanks for your help.

p.s. Are there still Succabus in the MM? Oh how I have missed them

First off, welcome back to the game. Now, some answers.

1) I would suggest waiting until May 20th to buy Keep on the Shadowfell (the 4e equivalent of Keep on the Borderlands). Give it a go. If you don't like the direction the game is going, check out some 3.5 stuff. Personally, I know a lot of long-time absent gamers that are chomping at the bit to try out the new edition.

2) 3.5 *can* be single PC friendly, but it works best with a group of at least 3. 4e is geared towards a group of 5 PCs, but supposedly comes with a bunch of advice for running larger and smaller groups.

3) Check out the interview at The MMO Report (click here) for more info about what can be done with the online stuff. It seems to be the most up to date info.

4) With the characters at D&DXP this March, people (some of whom hadn't played D&D in as long as you have) picked up the basics of the game in about 5 to 10 minutes. Just know that characters have many more options now (not just "I swing my sword", more like "I use this Exploit to attack him and possibly push him back with my shield") and that everyone kinda runs like a spellcaster. There's no one who doesn't have special abilities anymore.

Again, welcome back. I hope I've been helpful.

-TRRW

 

[Kesh]

1. Personally, I'd say wait for 4e. If you look at the books and don't like them, you can always pick up 3.5e later. If you want to play now, the Basic game is a good place to start, and you'll get some minis to boot!

2. No. Not in the least.

3. Yes, apparently outdoors will be made available, but it's not clear if that will be included in the tools at the start.

4. If you're an old 2e player, it'll take a little getting used to, as there are quite a few differences in either edition. Since you've got the basics down, though, it'll be a lot easier than someone new to RPGs entirely.

 

[Aus_Snow]

Hi there. Welcome to the boards, and congrats on getting back into some D&D. An excellent hobby, whatever the specifics.

Unless you want to go 'old school' (and there are a few options there) there is really: 3.5; Paizo's Pathfinder RPG (which is based on 3.5, and will be supported by them); and 4e.

It is probably worth your while checking each one out. If you don't have a store handy - or even if you do - where you can physically look at the 3.5 books, maybe have a look here for just the rules (well, most of the core rules.) The Paizo page linked to above has a PDF you can download, of the Pathfinder RPG's alpha release (v2). For 4e, there's nothing so complete of course, yet, but here is someone's compilation of most of the rules so far.

Hope that helps, and hope you find the right thing for your group.

 

[Darkwolf71]

1.) I would recommend waiting and givimg 4e a chance. It makes sense in your situation to pick up the version that will be supported going forward. If you decide you don't like it you can always go back later to 3.5 or even 1st / 2nd if you prefer.

2.) Totally doable, if you plan to make your own adventures. The problem you may have with 3.5 is the MASSIVE amount of material available. 50 or more rule books from Wizards of the Coast alone. You can fully run a game on just the 3 core books, but you have to ask 'Will I or my players want to buy more?' that could be a hassle.

3.) I'm sure the 'Dungeon' mapping tool is a generic name, if it doesn't support outdoor areas at launch, it surly will be updated to do so ASAP.

4.) Can't really speak for 4e, though from playtesters and sample players reports it is pretty easy to pick up, of course it has to be considered that nearly all of them were/are 3.5 players as well. You can learn the basics of 3.5 with a quick read through of the Players Handbook and Dungeon Masters Guide. Followed by lots of referencing during play. It's a rather complex beast, and many things will seem quite backwards depending on how much you remember from your TSR D&D days. Although the d20 system itself is very basic and makes sense.



Other suggestions: Bookmark this website. When you have questions ask 'em here. Most people here have likely already asked them and can give you quick and (maybe) helpful answers.

The WotC boards are a decent alternative, though I avoid them for the most part.


Most importantly, welcome back. The game has changed alot since you last rolled initiative, but it's still the same in many respects as well.

 

[dmccoy1693]

1) I would suggest waiting until May 20th to buy Keep on the Shadowfell (the 4e equivalent of Keep on the Borderlands). Give it a go. If you don't like the direction the game is going, check out some 3.5 stuff.

I second this. Keep in the Shadowfell has quickstart rules and pre-made characters. For a simple, inexpensive way to see if you like the new edition, this is about the best you're going to get.

If you don't like that, 3.5 is a good idea. With 4E coming out, you can buy players handbooks/dungeon master's guides and the 1st monster manual rather cheap. I'd also pay attenction to a company called Paizo. They're doing an open alpha test of a game (called Pathfinder RPG) that is close to the 3.5, close enough you can use a wealth of existing products with it, and other companies have expessed interest in supporting it.

If both of these don't float your boat and you want some good-ol' old-school 1st ed gaming, I recommend OSRIC. It is as close to 1st ed as a company can get without being illegal or officially licenced. BTW, OSRIC is free.

Also welcome back and happy gaming.

 

[FreeXenon]

Wait for 4E

I'm with the wait for 4E crowd. Keep up with this site and download the 4E Pre-release Rules Compilation which will also have links to the pregenerated characters as well as fan made modules.

 

[Akrasia]

Of course, you could simply play the version of D&D that you played 18 years ago! If you had a good time with the game then, there is no obvious reason why you wouldn't have a good time with it now.

This suggestion probably will not be too popular on these boards, but if you're looking for a place where older versions of D&D are actively supported I would recommend visiting dragonsfoot.org.

Maybe 4e will be right for you (although I prefer Classic D&D, I intend to check out this "Shadowfell" thingie myself). But if you're happy with the game you played 18 years ago there's no reason not to stick with it!

 

[Greg K]

First thing, I am not a fan of 4e based on what we have been told (which is not to imply that I think 3e is perfect). That said, I would recommend:

1) Get familiar with 3.5
a download and read the 3.5 SRD. Granted, you won't have the character generation rules, the Experience chart for leveling, names like Bigsby, Tenser, and Ottiluke in certain spells, and the art. You might also be missing some other options as well. But you will have enough to get a feel for the system.

b) look at some of the WOTC supplements in the store.

c) Get familiar with the third party publishers. Look at some third party websites and, if possible, check out previews ( or better actual products in game store) to see what some of the best support was like. Also check out the reviews on this site. Here are a few companies:

Green Ronin founded by Chris Pramas, a former WOTC employee. This is my favorite 3e company. They produce the Advanced Bestiary, The Psychic's Handbook, The Shaman's Handbook, and The Witch's Handbook and many other excellent supplements.

Malhavoc founded by Monte Cook, one of 3e's creators. Another really good company. Monte's preference for magic is a little too much for my tastes. Still, lots of good stuff and good ideas. Plus, there is the Book of Iron Might which, imo, greatly enhances combat without resorting to per encounter abilities.

fantasy flight games To the best of my knowledge, they no longer produce d20 products except for possibly a setting (which is supposed to be fantastic). Usually, really good reviews on their products. A few early ones may have had some issues (I can't recall). Checkout the review section for more info on individual products

alderac The initial products were not so the best (mechanically), but neither were most companies (including WOTC). Still lots of good stuff and even their early products are great for inspiration. Checkout the review section for more info on individual products

mongoose publishing Another company with some early problems (especially editing which plagued them for a while). However, they did revise the Quintessential fighter and much of their stuff has a good reputation. Checkout the review section for more info on individual products

Also, go to the store on this site and look at EN Publishing's Elements of Magic: Revised. This is a an alternate magic system that completely does away with the standard D&D magic system.

2) Checkout Paizon's Pathfinder as people have recommended. The alpha version 2 is free.

3) If it doesn't have to be specifically DND, Check out Green Ronin's True20

4) Checkout the 4e previews on WOTC's site, the unnofficial info page on this site, and the starter product

5) Make your decision

 

[Greg K]

2.) Totally doable, if you plan to make your own adventures. The problem you may have with 3.5 is the MASSIVE amount of material available. 50 or more rule books from Wizards of the Coast alone. You can fully run a game on just the 3 core books, but you have to ask 'Will I or my players want to buy more?' that could be a hassle..

It's primarily only a hassle, if either a) he blindly lets in any anything without considering the consequences; or b) he lacks the "cajones" to say no to players, who buy books assuming the DM will let them be used just because it is a WOTC product or sports the d20 logo.