New to RPGs

[Grimdour]

I've recently been given a DnD 4th edition set as a present(handbook, monster manual, DM guide and Keep on the Shadowfell quickstart guide), and I may as well use it.

I'm planning to play online, but I've really no idea where or how to start, plus I don't know anyone close by who plays. I've read through the handbook and created myself a character, but that's it.

Any help would be appreciated.

 

[Mircoles]

Here's a good place to go to for finding other D&D players.

RPG Gamer Classifieds - Wizards Community

 

[Quickleaf]

Are you in Cardiff by the Sea, CA?

 

[Asmor]

I've recently been given a DnD 4th edition set as a present(handbook, monster manual, DM guide and Keep on the Shadowfell quickstart guide), and I may as well use it.

I'm planning to play online, but I've really no idea where or how to start, plus I don't know anyone close by who plays. I've read through the handbook and created myself a character, but that's it.

Any help would be appreciated.

Hey Grimdour, welcome aboard! You've come to the right place for RPG advice.

I'm guessing from your post that you don't have any experience with RPGs yet. The most common way for people to get into the hobby is to be "recruited," so to speak, by a friend or friends who already play, so you're actually in a somewhat unusual situation. If the people who gave you the gift set are gamers themselves, I'd recommend talking to them. It is a lot easier to learn from someone in person.

If not, you might consider asking around your circle of friends; could be you've got friends who are gamers and never even knew it. At the very least, you might find others who would also be interested in learning.

Did you get the entire Keep on the Shadowfell or just the quickstart guide? (i.e. was it sealed in shrinkwrap? Did it come with a couple booklets and double-sided mats?). If you did get the whole thing, that would be a great place to start. It should have come with some pre-generated characters; I'd just try to find a few friends and start playing with just that. Ignore the hardcover books entirely.

All that said, if you don't mind spending a bit more money ([ame=http://www.amazon.com/Dungeons-Dragons-Roleplaying-Starter-Introductory/dp/0786948205/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1242515352&sr=8-1]about $11 on Amazon[/ame]), the D&D Starter Set is specifically designed as an entry point for people new to the hobby. There's also [ame=http://www.amazon.com/Dungeons-Dragons-Dummies-Bill-Slavicsek/dp/0470292903/ref=sr_1_2?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1242515305&sr=8-2]D&D for Dummies[/ame] and [ame=http://www.amazon.com/Dungeon-Master-Dummies-Sports-Hobbies/dp/0470292911/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1242515305&sr=8-1]Dungeon Mastering for Dummies[/ame] which could give you some great advice and hold your hands as you get started.

 

[Grimdour]

@Quickleaf: A bit further off. Cardiff, United Kingdom.

@Asmor: Actually, a friend gave it to me and he thought it was the same as Warhammer Fantasy Battle(I have an army), so I don't have any leads. I only have the quickstart guide.

Thanks for the help.

 

[fissionessence]

Well you said you wanted to play online . . . you may check here: RPTools.net Forums • View forum - Dungeons and Dragons

People at that forum use a program called MapTools to play online, with the program keeping track of your character sheet, the battle map, and even rolling dice for you. I always see new people posting looking for games, and many are also new to MapTools looking for guidance. And of course, there are plenty of people willing to explain everything to new players. (Unfortunately, I haven't ever been able to find a game that suits my schedule )

~

 

[Keith Robinson]

Hi Grimdour and welcome

You might want to take a look at the UK Role Players forums (the link takes you direct to the gamers section) to see if you can find any other players in your area - it really is an excellent UK resource for finding other gamers, so you may well be able to find a group in your area or other players interested in playing.

You might also want to find out if there's a game store in Cardiff and (if so) check to see if they have a board you can advertise for other gamers (or look to see if anyone is looking for players).

For advice on playing and running the game, EN World is an excellent resource where folks will get you up to speed pretty quickly. Folks here are always happy to answer questions, especially help people out who are new to the game.

If you're serious about starting to play, I would suggest getting hold of a copy of the Player's Handbook - and if you're planning to DM, then the Monster Manual and Dungeon Master's Guide would be good buys too.

Good luck!

 

[Grimdour]

Hi Grimdour and welcome

You might want to take a look at the UK Role Players forums (the link takes you direct to the gamers section) to see if you can find any other players in your area - it really is an excellent UK resource for finding other gamers, so you may well be able to find a group in your area or other players interested in playing.

You might also want to find out if there's a game store in Cardiff and (if so) check to see if they have a board you can advertise for other gamers (or look to see if anyone is looking for players).

For advice on playing and running the game, EN World is an excellent resource where folks will get you up to speed pretty quickly. Folks here are always happy to answer questions, especially help people out who are new to the game.

If you're serious about starting to play, I would suggest getting hold of a copy of the Player's Handbook - and if you're planning to DM, then the Monster Manual and Dungeon Master's Guide would be good buys too.

Good luck!

There's a comic book store that carries some DnD packs. Think I should try there?

I already have the handbook and the DM guide for 4th edition, so I'll be fine.

 

[Kris]

Hello Grimdour ...and welcome aboard

I'm planning to play online, but I've really no idea where or how to start...

I've played (and ran) a few online games in the past (using the free OpenRPG virtual tabletop), and it was fun for the most part. However (in my experience), even though those online games were good, playing in person around a real table is better still

But if playing online is your only option at the moment (as it was for me a while back) or if you just want to try it online first so that you have a better idea of things before playing in real-life, then maybe downloading one of the free virtual-tabletop programs and looking for a starter-type-game is the way to go (though be aware that things can be a little slower online).

Myself, I only have experience with the OpenRPG software (for playing online), but I found most people to be friendly enough, and quite willing to show new folks the ropes (I actually used to run starter games on OpenRPG myself for D&D 3rd edition - just so people could give it a try and see if playing online was gonna work for them before committing to anything).

Anyway, regardless of how you start playing, welcome to the hobby

EDIT: Oh... and some people talked about the different virtual tabletops here:
http://www.enworld.org/forum/softwa...ities/251668-virtual-tabletop-do-you-use.html

 

[Wombat]

@Quickleaf: A bit further off. Cardiff, United Kingdom.

Say hello to the caste for me -- only got to visit it once, but remember it quite fondly

And welcome to gaming! I am sure you'll have a blast!