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Message: <blockquote data-quote="Man in the Funny Hat" data-source="post: 6437384" data-attributes="member: 32740">As others have said the white box isn't at all written to teach the game in any way.  However, once you have a grasp on how to approach D&D in general then it can be a very simple, fun, creative, and easy edition to run and play.  Hang on to it.  It might end up being the edition you prefer.  Meanwhile, it's also good to see some of where the game came from and the different directions it's taken in different editions.1E makes some attempt at actually teaching the game but there are issues with that.  For one, far fewer people actually play the game the way 1E suggests that it is to be played.  1E is also much more rules-heavy and is certain to be daunting to learn it from the books alone.  Some key parts of the 1E rules are NOT well-written, with very few people playing them exactly as written.  Also, as mentioned the books are not well-organized (it was a set of rules that was assembled over several years and was a work in progress even as it was being published).  Despite all that I still love 1E more than ANY other edition.Until you actually settle on an edition to move forward with for a while you won't want to be heavily investing in adventures/modules.  Fortunately there is SO MUCH FREE STUFF available that ought not be an issue.  Just ask around and everyone will happily give recommendations.  As a DM, however, you're almost sure to get an itch to start creating your own materials.  In fact, I'd say that you're unlikely to be the best DM you can be unless you develop some skills along those lines and actually have a DESIRE to do so.  An adventure module is not a script that must be adhered to.  Players will go wildly off-track, often at unexpected points, and you'll want and need the skills to make things up as you go.  But all that comes LATER, after you've established a better basic understanding of the game.Minis are not required and can come to be a notable, ongoing expense to start acquiring a good collection.  You can use all manner of free substitutes for sculpted minis though.  From 3rd edition on the rules are written to be much more minis-friendly but the game of D&D grew out of miniatures wargaming.  Although even the more recent editions can be played without minis it's a fun aspect of the game to embrace and always has been.The fastest way to learn the game is to play it with a few people who already know how.  Look around online and you should be able to find videos of people actually engaged in playing.  Although they're a bit theatrical since it's being played in front of a large, live audience I'd recommend watching the Acquisitions Inc. sessions from PAX Prime and PAX East conventions.  It's pretty close to how _I've_ always played and run D&D (just without the costumes and audience).Worst case scenario - JUST DO IT.  Get some people together and embrace the horror of possibly "not doing it right".   If you have fun - you've done it right.  Even if you don't have fun but you still want more punishment, well then just keep trying.</blockquote>

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