New to D&D have questions

[OchreJelly]

Well I agree that it might be best to find a game to sit in on the first time, don't be discouraged if that's not an option.

Honestly, some of my best memories of DND come from when my friends and I didn't really know the rules, and we all sort of stumbled through together. We still had a blast.

If you want to try it without investing a lot of money there is a lot of options:
1) As others have said, try to find a group through a local game store, school etc.
2) Take the test drive on the site.
3) This adventure has quick-start rules in it: [ame=http://www.amazon.com/Keep-Shadowfell-Dungeons-Dragons-Adventure/dp/0786948507/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1251724052&sr=8-1]Amazon.com: Keep on the Shadowfell (Dungeons & Dragons, Adventure H1) (9780786948505): Bruce Cordell, Mike Mearls: Books[/ame]Everything you need to run the game up to about 3rd level, including pre-made characters.
4) This is the starter kit: [ame=http://www.amazon.com/Dungeons-Dragons-Roleplaying-Starter-Introductory/dp/0786948205/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1251724168&sr=1-1]Amazon.com: Dungeons & Dragons Roleplaying Game Starter Set (D&D Introductory Game) (9780786948208): Wizards RPG Team: Books[/ame] It contains map tiles (not necessary to play) and dice (which are necessary to play)
5) Your local library might have some of the DND books.

Good luck!

 

[OchreJelly]

double post

 

[AllisterH]

2) Take the test drive on the site.
3) This adventure has quick-start rules in it: Amazon.com: Keep on the Shadowfell (Dungeons & Dragons, Adventure H1) (9780786948505): Bruce Cordell, Mike Mearls: BooksEverything you need to run the game up to about 3rd level, including pre-made characters.

The above two are the same thing are they not? Not sure there's a need to buy the Quickstart rules unless you have no access to a printer.

 

[Dandu]

Perfect thanks. BTW how much would it cost to get what I need to play? Is the only special equipment dice or does every player need the books?

Thanks again.

The SRD is your friend. It even has a dice roller.

 

[OchreJelly]

true, but I figured it a worthy option because you also get the nice glossy maps with the purchased adventure

 

[maddman75]

Hey I'm interested and D&D and have some questions. Whats the learning curve to D&D, how long till I can get myself going? How many hours does a game last? Are there any established resources to find a D&D group?

For comparison purposes would it be easier to find a D&D group, or other groups such as Magic or Warhammer?

Thanks ahead of time.


Any recommendations for table games would also be apperciated

I've had a great time using Meetup.com, if there isn't a group in your area starting one can lead to more gaming than you know what to do with.

A set of dice is a good idea, but I'd hold off on books until you find a group. What if you buy that new 4e PHB and they're still playing 3.5? Or Vampire, or Warhammer Fantasy RP? There's more games out there you can imagine, and personally the group is more important than the rules.

 

[Shemeska]

A set of dice is a good idea, but I'd hold off on books until you find a group. What if you buy that new 4e PHB and they're still playing 3.5? Or Vampire, or Warhammer Fantasy RP? There's more games out there you can imagine, and personally the group is more important than the rules.

This, because depending on the gaming groups in your local area already running games, or local gamers open to starting a new one, you may have different degrees of popularity/availability for the two most played versions of the game -D&D 3.5e or 4e- and still others mostly interested in other systems entirely outside of D&D (World of Darkness, Shadowrun, Cthulhutech, Eclipse Phase, Dark Heresy, etc). Don't shell out cash for hardcovers of any edition before you have an idea of what a group you join or start up is interested in playing.

And as others have mentioned, the SRD is entirely free and includes virtually all the information needed to run the game (3.5e D&D).

 

[Obryn]

I'd like to echo the above and recommend you take things one step at a time.

First, I'd ask if you are interested in finding an existing group, or if you're interested in starting one with some friends. If you'd like to start one with your friends, visit AllisterH's link. Heck - do this anyway; you'll get some ideas about 4e D&D and see if you like it.

DnD TestDrive

If you're more interested in finding a group, don't buy anything at all. Visit them first, see what they're playing, and go with that!

There's no need to spend any money on D&D until you give it a shot.

-O