The Best D&D edition for me.

Newbznsn · Oct 21, 2008

wow thanks to everyone who responded.(lots of choices). to answer RK, i really enjoy a lot of story and fun stuff like that.

thanks

Nick

rkwoodard · Oct 21, 2008

How do you want to handle story

Newbznsn said:
wow thanks to everyone who responded.(lots of choices). to answer RK, i really enjoy a lot of story and fun stuff like that.

thanks

Nick

Hello,

How do you want to handle the story elements? If it is give and take of players and DM then any edition can handle that. And the 4ed starter may be good to take a look at (for being easy to find and budget).

Do you like rolling for non-combat skill stuff? Like social interaction and/or finding clues?

RK

CleverNickName · Oct 21, 2008

Since you mentioned ready-to-play adventures, I would like to recommend a few of my favorites. They use the Basic, Expert, and Companion rules, which are out-of-print but you can pick up pretty cheap online as PDFs (about $4 each.) Or you could pick up a copy of the Rules Cyclopedia and get them all in one fell swoop (also only $4, but not as much fun to read IMO.)

The Isle of Dread: arguably the best adventure module ever written. Secret temples on deserted islands, dinosaurs, pirates...what's not to love?

Test of the Warlords: A great set of adventure hooks for characters who want to settle down, build castles, and rule their own dominions.

Castle Amber: a great non-combat-oriented adventure that lets your characters use their minds instead of their swords. The party must escape from a cursed, magical castle that appears out of nowhere. There are more NPCs, story arcs, and plot twists in this module than most others.

That's several months' worth of gaming fun for you and your group, for less than $30... pretty hard to beat.

mmadsen · Oct 21, 2008

Newbznsn said:
When i read the 1st edition AD&D books i was confused by THAC0 and all the complicated rules.

Did the first-edition core books even mention THAC0?

mmadsen · Oct 21, 2008

Newbznsn said:
PS: a while ago i bought the 3.5 "basic starter box game" and i hated it. it was really boring and it was not interesting.

What do you mean by that? What about the 3.5 Basic Starter Box Game did you dislike?

Newbznsn · Oct 21, 2008

thanks nickname. Those seem interesting. Also, I don't want a too easy edition. I like a little depth. I also like feats, skills and cool stuff like rituals.

Thanks

Nick

Baumi · Oct 21, 2008

For D&D Feel i would recommend 4E because I think it's great (especially as GM) and available. Castle and Crusades would be my follow up contender for it's ease of play and last but not least ODnD for some old-school gaming, if you can get the books/boxes (they are at least available as PDF).

CleverNickName · Oct 21, 2008

Newbznsn said:
thanks nickname. Those seem interesting. Also, I don't want a too easy edition. I like a little depth. I also like feats, skills and cool stuff like rituals.

Anytime. BECMI isn't for everyone; it lacks a lot of the detail that came in later editions.

It sounds like you are torn between 3.5 and 4th edition, from your list of things you like. And while you are going to see a lot of chest-thumping in this thread over which edition is the "best," remember: both are fine choices.

There are more ready-to-play adventures for the 3.5 Edition, but that's only because 4E is so new. Once the GSL is finished, that will change.

malraux · Oct 21, 2008

A couple of general questions: Are you sure that you want to play DnD? ie, are you specifically interested in medieval fantasy, or are you just looking for any RPG? If you are primarily interested in a non-combat game, you might want to consider something other than DnD. I'm always going to plug Call of Cthulhu for this sort of thing, as its easy to run, relatively easy to add your own stuff, and focuses on non-combat clue finding over hack and slash.

If you are specifically after DnD though, I'd recommend 4e over 3e, especially if you want to DM. Adventures are somewhat lacking at the moment, but a reasonable number are starting to show up. There's a fair amount of criticism of it, but also a lot of praise, plus the internet tends to magnify negativity.