Getting started with D&D

Zolgar

Topic says it all. I'm looking where to begin (what books do I need, preset campaigns, tiles, mini's, dice, etc). I have played before but it's been ~11 years (2001-ish I believe) and I'm looking to get back into it. Is there a certain edition I should go for? I heard 3.5 trumps 4th edition, but that 4th is also easier to get into. I've also heared that WotC is working on another edition so would it be better to wait?

 

Thanks,

Z

 

EDIT: what is PAthfinder and is it related/based on D&D?

maplestone

Pencil and paper roleplaying is all about finding a good group of people you like getting together with.  The rules are just guidelines in the end - most established games have house rules or even entire homegrown RPGs.  Most "D&D" players I know just couldn't adapt the 4th edition rules to help with their existing worlds, but I admit my circle of game-running contacts is pretty small these days.

Thillian

3.5 Edition or Pathfinder is the way to go if you want the most intuitive and flexible RPG system for the D&D setting. 4th edition was probably an attempt to make a mix of pen and paper rules and CRPGs (computer RPGs), which so far shows to be a failure, since no game has yet adopted the 4th edition, whereas there was about 15 CRPGs built upon the 3rd edition.

Zolgar

Originally posted by Thillian

3.5 Edition or Pathfinder is the way to go if you want the most intuitive and flexible RPG system for the D&D setting. 4th edition was probably an attempt to make a mix of pen and paper rules and CRPGs (computer RPGs), which so far shows to be a failure, since no game has yet adopted the 4th edition, whereas there was about 15 CRPGs built upon the 3rd edition.

With all the people I've seen on here and other forums talking about Pathfinder I'm thinking of swinging in that direction. I'm thinking of grabbing the Beginnger Box but I want to make sure that's enough to get me started or if I should grab other books or whatever instead?

Valkaern

Originally posted by Zolgar

Originally posted by Thillian

3.5 Edition or Pathfinder is the way to go if you want the most intuitive and flexible RPG system for the D&D setting. 4th edition was probably an attempt to make a mix of pen and paper rules and CRPGs (computer RPGs), which so far shows to be a failure, since no game has yet adopted the 4th edition, whereas there was about 15 CRPGs built upon the 3rd edition.

With all the people I've seen on here and other forums talking about Pathfinder I'm thinking of swinging in that direction. I'm thinking of grabbing the Beginnger Box but I want to make sure that's enough to get me started or if I should grab other books or whatever instead?

Also somewhat related, Pathfinder is in the process of becoming an MMO. Acording to the info we have seen so far, it sounds like a very nice change of pace from the sterile rehashed zero risk fantasy worlds companies have been churning out in the wake of WoW.

 

While not of any use to you in choosing a tabletop package, it is somewhat interesting. I personally am eagerly awaiting more news (so far there have only been about 3 developers blogs, but they outline a considerable amount of what to expect in each).

Methos12

Originally posted by Zolgar

Originally posted by Thillian

3.5 Edition or Pathfinder is the way to go if you want the most intuitive and flexible RPG system for the D&D setting. 4th edition was probably an attempt to make a mix of pen and paper rules and CRPGs (computer RPGs), which so far shows to be a failure, since no game has yet adopted the 4th edition, whereas there was about 15 CRPGs built upon the 3rd edition.

With all the people I've seen on here and other forums talking about Pathfinder I'm thinking of swinging in that direction. I'm thinking of grabbing the Beginnger Box but I want to make sure that's enough to get me started or if I should grab other books or whatever instead?

Thing with Pathfinder if that you won't really understand WHY it's recommended over D&D unless you have extensive prior experience with D&D as it is. And yes, Beginner Box has everything you need for quite some time (Player guide and DM guide are pretty much all you really need as basics). It even comes with a premade adventure so you can get that feel of how games actually flow and how they are structured.

Zolgar

Originally posted by Methos12

Originally posted by Zolgar

Originally posted by Thillian

3.5 Edition or Pathfinder is the way to go if you want the most intuitive and flexible RPG system for the D&D setting. 4th edition was probably an attempt to make a mix of pen and paper rules and CRPGs (computer RPGs), which so far shows to be a failure, since no game has yet adopted the 4th edition, whereas there was about 15 CRPGs built upon the 3rd edition.

With all the people I've seen on here and other forums talking about Pathfinder I'm thinking of swinging in that direction. I'm thinking of grabbing the Beginnger Box but I want to make sure that's enough to get me started or if I should grab other books or whatever instead?

Thing with Pathfinder if that you won't really understand WHY it's recommended over D&D unless you have extensive prior experience with D&D as it is. And yes, Beginner Box has everything you need for quite some time (Player guide and DM guide are pretty much all you really need as basics). It even comes with a premade adventure so you can get that feel of how games actually flow and how they are structured.

Sounds good then. It's ~$23 on Amazon so I'll definitely be grabbing it. Are there any other things we'll need later on (core rulebooks, mini's etc)? Also, how often do they push out new "editions" or "versions" or whatever to this?

Methos12

You can always use more minis, and some other books if you want more stuff later down the road (Bestiary, Ultimate Magic, Ultimate Combat, etc). There's really only one version of the game, although they re-printed it later with some minor errata changes (one page total or so). Nothing on D&D editions scale.

blackcat35

Originally posted by Thillian

3.5 Edition or Pathfinder is the way to go if you want the most intuitive and flexible RPG system for the D&D setting. 4th edition was probably an attempt to make a mix of pen and paper rules and CRPGs (computer RPGs), which so far shows to be a failure, since no game has yet adopted the 4th edition, whereas there was about 15 CRPGs built upon the 3rd edition.

Dragon Age was based on 4e.  Probably Dragon Age 2 also.  Saying that no game adopted 4th edition is not accurate.

Pathfinder is the way to go.  Just get the Pathfinder and don't bother with any 3.5 books.  its considered 3.75.  Probably the most valuable book of them all is the DM/player's handbook combined from Pathfinder, you'll also want Beastiary.  Any other books are gravy.

If you don't feel like making up your own module, you might need to buy a few also.

mgilbrtsn

I haven't played Pen and Paper D&D for some time.  However, my advice, I believe is just as relevant.  Get that starter set you saw on Amazon.  Someone said it came with a small adventure as part of it.  This should be enough for you and your friends to get a feel.  If you wanted, you may want to buy 1 additional beginner module, to give you a taste of what a more substantive adventure feels like than the one that comes in the box.

 

That's all you really need to start out with.  You and your friends will probably know pretty quickly whether it's something you want to pursue or not.