Starting D&D. Any advice?

[ZombieGenesis]

This thread really makes me want to play D&D. I only got to play a brief stint of Encounters (not quite what I wanted- 100% combat) while I was on vacation for a month. Back here in the UK there isn't much interest at all, it's a little dissapointing.
Warhammer is absolutely everywhere, but NO D&D or other tabletop games.

 

[Kevka]

This thread really makes me want to play D&D. I only got to play a brief stint of Encounters (not quite what I wanted- 100% combat) while I was on vacation for a month. Back here in the UK there isn't much interest at all, it's a little dissapointing.
Warhammer is absolutely everywhere, but NO D&D or other tabletop games.

Ouch, man. That sucks hard. You'd think they'd at least have the Warhammer Roleplaying games as well (Dark Heresy/Rogue Trader/Deathwatch, or Warhammer Fantasy Roleplaying).

 

[alittlepepper]

Being a DM is one of the most difficult jobs in all of gaming in my opinion, simply for the sheer amount of work and things that you have to consider. Throwing a new player into the mix is practically unfair, but it's not impossible.
The best way to seduce a new player into the game is to make s/he and their group feel like the champions of the world.
It's not my preferred style; my games tend to be gritty and realistic with complex politics where, despite your massive amounts of power and magic, you still run into a bit of impotence that requires you to actually think your way around a problem.
But doing that to a brand new group is a sure fire way to beat people away from the game. I would suggest a standard dungeon crawl with a few complex traps, or the occasional quirky fight. Aside from that, show at best a simple observance of the rules, not a strict adherence. After all, the DMG itself says that the point of the game is to have fun. If you have to omit the niggling details of how many miles you can travel when you're encumbered and exhausted in order to keep the game from getting mired in die roll after die roll, then you do it. And doing so will help new players into the game. Avoid shades of grey morality at first and just be straightforward. Give a definite goal for the first game and then gradually ease in more...less overtly evil forces later. Might I suggest a well organized force of hobgoblins? They are the most military and strict of the goblinoid races after all, so it would fit.

Start simple with hints of complex. That's the best advice I can possibly give. Once a player learns the rules, you can expand from there.

Edit: I suppose an additional would be this: Don't be afraid to ham it up. Use music and lighting to help get your story across. I know it sounds stupid, but if you're in a dank, dark dungeon, using candles for lighting instead of overhead and an appropriate soundtrack (Try the Orchestrated Legend of Zelda Forest Temple track in that situation) can REALLY draw people in. One of the best games I ever ran was played in conditions like that.

 

[alrekr]

Do not let the mage fondle any dead goblins, it could set a trap off.

(When I last DM I placed a trap in a monsters anus, they never saw it coming)

seriously tohugh if your DMing make it hard but if the parties bout to die easy up a bit, its no fun if they all die.

 

[alrekr]

This thread really makes me want to play D&D. I only got to play a brief stint of Encounters (not quite what I wanted- 100% combat) while I was on vacation for a month. Back here in the UK there isn't much interest at all, it's a little dissapointing.
Warhammer is absolutely everywhere, but NO D&D or other tabletop games.

Ouch, man. That sucks hard. You'd think they'd at least have the Warhammer Roleplaying games as well (Dark Heresy/Rogue Trader/Deathwatch, or Warhammer Fantasy Roleplaying).

If you even mention the Warhammer specialist games at my local game-workshop here in the uk you get dumb looks and than quitley told to come back on wednesday after hours... FOR NECROMUNDA

 

[cerebus23]

This thread really makes me want to play D&D. I only got to play a brief stint of Encounters (not quite what I wanted- 100% combat) while I was on vacation for a month. Back here in the UK there isn't much interest at all, it's a little dissapointing.
Warhammer is absolutely everywhere, but NO D&D or other tabletop games.

i feel you i really would like to play shadowrun and some ad&d forgotten realms, ravenloft, dark sun was kinda cool with all the differences. but my age group and etc well not many people my age and especially around here would ever play or are too busy even if you could tempt them.

used to hit up a sr mud on occasion when the itch got too bad to not scratch but the guy that ran it and some of the gms were real asshats. kinda turned me off on playing that mud. proably some good muds out there one i might have to go looking again and get my mud client software setup.

 

[ZombieGenesis]

Alrekr my friend, I share your pain...
I'm in the quite small town of Winchester right now so there's no hope in hell. Even back in the relatively large city of Poole there wasn't anything more than a conventional Games Workshop.

If you ever find a real roleplay store, do tell.

 

[Naheal]

Moderator Edit.

Can we get this shit off of here, please? Sarcastic or not, the game catches enough flack as it is.

 

[zomboyd]

Dont..... Use Pathfinder its a new Modification of the 3.5 Rules system and is Brilliant.
Also the Module Paths Created for there world are the Best i have ever Played and the World is one fof the Most Engaging worlds Ever... Golarian has a rich history that is brought forth better tehn any i have seen before hand...

you can purchase the books or PDFs from Pazio.com and the SRD is at this site

http://www.d20pfsrd.com/

 

[The Rascal King]

Holy crap, this is a lot to take in. I had no idea the game utilizes the players imagination rather than being more....structured. I think I might have to give this game a go sometime.

Thirdly, carry a D20 with you at all times. You never know when you might find yourself wanting to play a game.

***** magnet! Still, it is a good bit of advice. I shall take it under consideration when I begin playing.

 

[KarumaK]

If you were a player I'd say; DO NOT TRUST CHERUBS!

Since you are apparently the DM I say; TEACH THE PLAYERS NOT TO TRUST CHERUBS!

 

[fanklok]

be careful you don't accidentally give your half Orc barbarian a charisma of -4. Best advice I can give.

PC stats can't be below 3.

 

[Flamezdudes]

Just to clarify, i'm one of the players.

 

[Mr.Napier]

be careful you don't accidentally give your half Orc barbarian a charisma of -4. Best advice I can give.

PC stats can't be below 3.

cool

 

[Triangulon]

Have fun! Don't follow the rules to the letter (particularly if its too complicated or not fun). Remember that the PCs can attempt whatever they want. The DMs job is to encourage them to do whats required to progress the story. Eg. don't say 'you can't do that'. Encourage them not too by having them take difficult skill checks etc.

 

[Amnestic]

be careful you don't accidentally give your half Orc barbarian a charisma of -4. Best advice I can give.

PC stats can't be below 3.

Initially no. However they can drop below 3, either via magic/cursed items or from abilities - Mindflayers can drain INT as I recall, though they might have changed that when moving out of AD&D 2nd.

They cannot, however, go into negatives from what I know. d20srd.org [http://www.d20srd.org/srd/specialAbilities.htm] notes:

* Strength 0 means that the character cannot move at all. He lies helpless on the ground.
* Dexterity 0 means that the character cannot move at all. He stands motionless, rigid, and helpless.
* Constitution 0 means that the character is dead.
* Intelligence 0 means that the character cannot think and is unconscious in a coma-like stupor, helpless.
* Wisdom 0 means that the character is withdrawn into a deep sleep filled with nightmares, helpless.
* Charisma 0 means that the character is withdrawn into a catatonic, coma-like stupor, helpless.

Keeping track of negative ability score points is never necessary. A character?s ability score can?t drop below 0.

Having a score of 0 in an ability is different from having no ability score whatsoever.

Not sure how I feel on only Con drain killing you. Might change that around in my own games to include Int as well.

 

[old_school]

I love D&D infact if you have a decent DM and your playing first or second addation Ill join. My advice use team speak so u can play with hudreds over the internet. Infact I can let you use my team speak if needed. Server:www.uokgames.com Port 9987

I can probly get several people to join you as well. I know alot of D&D peps looking to play with a good DM. let me know thanks

 

[Naheal]

be careful you don't accidentally give your half Orc barbarian a charisma of -4. Best advice I can give.

PC stats can't be below 3.

Initially no. However they can drop below 3, either via magic/cursed items or from abilities - Mindflayers can drain INT as I recall, though they might have changed that when moving out of AD&D 2nd.

They cannot, however, go into negatives from what I know. d20srd.org [http://www.d20srd.org/srd/specialAbilities.htm] notes:

* Strength 0 means that the character cannot move at all. He lies helpless on the ground.
* Dexterity 0 means that the character cannot move at all. He stands motionless, rigid, and helpless.
* Constitution 0 means that the character is dead.
* Intelligence 0 means that the character cannot think and is unconscious in a coma-like stupor, helpless.
* Wisdom 0 means that the character is withdrawn into a deep sleep filled with nightmares, helpless.
* Charisma 0 means that the character is withdrawn into a catatonic, coma-like stupor, helpless.

Keeping track of negative ability score points is never necessary. A character?s ability score can?t drop below 0.

Having a score of 0 in an ability is different from having no ability score whatsoever.

Not sure how I feel on only Con drain killing you. Might change that around in my own games to include Int as well.

An Int of 3 is required for sentience. If your race gives you penalties to any other stat, it's possible to start below 3. Int is the only exception.

 

[Macgyvercas]

Make sure that your DM uses the point buy system for setting ability scores. Rolling has a habit of screwing you over. It should be described in the Dungeon Master's Guide. And for the love of Heironeous, make sure your party has a decent Cleric (I'm in a group at the moment. The Cleric left the group and the Druid got curious and ended up getting killed and eaten by what we think is a dire wolf).

Oh, and make your DM sign this [http://archive.gamespy.com/comics/dorktower/images/comics/Dragon353.gif].