Getting Started

[Dannager]

D&D Insider : This is a paid subscription service from WotC, you pay a monthly fee and get access to a Character Builder that AUTOMATICALY produces a PDF character sheet that gives you printable Power Cards, where all the abilities for your character are included (What you need to roll, what it is against, what benefits it has etc). D&D Insider also includes D&D Magazines (with new adventures and class modifications) as well as the Rules Compendium, which is an update for any rule that exists... This is useful if a question about a certain power arises, stick it into DDI and it pumps out information on it.

I'll note that the real utility of the Compendium is not necessarily as a quick reference during gameplay, but rather as a tool for creating your own adventures/encounters. Being able to say, "Okay, I want all undead elite creatures of level 5-7 from any official source in the entirety of the game," and having it hand them all to you on a silver platter is amazing.

 

[DracoSuave]

My advice to new players:

Find out what Character Optimization is, the forums and such.... and NEVER go there.

I think it's harmful to the game.

 

[jbear]

Once you've got enough gear to start with and you've run through some pre-made adventures and have a decent grasp of the basic mechanics, I would highly recommend

a) Not taking the rules too seriously; rules are guidelines. They give you a solid base to then make your own decisions upon. It's important to be fair, honest, consistent and remain neutral. Enjoy when your monsters are laying on the whoop-down, but always remember it is not you vs them. Don't say no to cool ideas, take them and make them your own. Remember that doesn't mean just rolling over to your players; they want/need to be challenged constantly: This is the secret of responding 'Yes, but ...'.

2) If you do use pre-made adventures keep in mind they work best if you take them as 'starting points' for where you wnat to take your players. The are akin to raw meat. You are the chef. You need to cook, salt and spice them to make them tasty and delicious. Chuck the bits that smell rancid. Then with the choice bits, let your imagination be inspired by what's there and make it even more fantastic. Then add in the neceray bits to thread it all together and take the shape you want. Keep in mind you don't want to push your players down a one way tunnel. If your players choices aren't meaningful then you may as well just play a video game. The beauty of RPGs is they are like a board game/video game but without a preset end, and you can go as far off the board as you like.

... there are more key things to keep in mind as a new DM. Luckily you've come to the right forum! I've got to run!