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Alright, so my Dad used to play DnD like 20 some odd years ago. I have given it much thought and consideration, and have decided that purchasing the new version would be a good way to bond. As such, I have decided to turn to the Holy Wisdom of Dakka Dakka to help answer my questions.

1. Where can I find it cheapest?
2. Which, if any, expansions should I buy to go along with it?
3. My local shop has around 50 DnD books, which one is the starter rulebook?(yes, i'm that oblivious.)
4. What die would I need? D6? D10?
5. Which class is easiest to play as for beginners?

If you're completely new, pick up the Monster Manual, Player's Handbook, and Dungeon Master's Guide. I have the 1st edition DM guide and Monster Manual, which are worth a fortune nowadays I hear.

And you'll need at least one each of the following:
D20
D12
D10
D8
D6
D4
Most Gamestores will have sets with one of all of the above with 2 d10 (for percentile rolls) and 3d6.

Cheese Elemental wrote: I have the 1st edition DM guide and Monster Manual, which are worth a fortune nowadays I hear.

errrmmm nope. You can get on ebay/similat cheap as chips generally. Got mine for about £2.

Yep agree, first edition stuff is always appearing on Ebay and sometimes doesnt sell.

So grab 4th Edition basic books (Players Handbook, Monster Manual, DMG) although the PH doesnt have all the classes - if your dad wants to play Barbarian, Bard or Druid for eg you'll have to get Players Handbook II as well. Online stores often sells them at a discount, and you can be lucky and get them cheap from Ebay.

Grab a couple of sets of all the dice, and a few extra d4's d6's d8's and d20's (don't worry about d12 so much), maybe a module or you can just make your own. Read, read, read, and away you go. Oh and grab some minis, the 3rd and 4th Ed combat is all about the miniatures.

Relax - you'll probably enjoy it. I bet your dad will appreciate your effort!

While I don't want to start a fight, I might suggest you buy D&D 3.5.

It is by far a much better game in terms of customization, and there are fewer rules discrepancies to fight over.


Not to mention you can get them for a fraction of there price since they are being phased out.

Alright, then. Now that we have worked out that i'll need a crapload of dice, which class is best to paly as for starts? I always thought an Assassin was cool.

TBH check amazon for the 4th ed starter kit i bourght it to bring myself into the DnD World and i think its a fab buy

None of the base classes are too difficult to start, I'd suggest get the Players Handbook and have a read first before choosing classes.

Assassin is a prestige class in 3.5, meaning you have requirements to take a level in Assassin, usually the requirements mean you have to take some levels in another class (like rogue) first.

Not sure about 4.0 rules as I don't play them, but Assassins aren't in the first Players Handbook.

Clthomps wrote:While I don't want to start a fight, I might suggest you buy D&D 3.5.

It is by far a much better game in terms of customization, and there are fewer rules discrepancies to fight over.


Not to mention you can get them for a fraction of there price since they are being phased out.

I agree. I haven't played 4th edition so far, but 3rd will be a lot cheaper and there are tons of extra material if you need any.

Before you start thinking about what class to play, you should try to get a group together.
My favourite class is Rogue btw.

Anung Un Rama wrote:

Clthomps wrote:While I don't want to start a fight, I might suggest you buy D&D 3.5.

It is by far a much better game in terms of customization, and there are fewer rules discrepancies to fight over.


Not to mention you can get them for a fraction of there price since they are being phased out.

I agree. I haven't played 4th edition so far, but 3rd will be a lot cheaper and there are tons of extra material if you need any.

Before you start thinking about what class to play, you should try to get a group together.
My favourite class is Rogue btw.

Alright then. SO going by all this, I'll need a crapload of dice, a group of people, and version 3.5. Time to check ebay.

Considering that you're the one who wants to start this with some friends you should probably try to master.

And, this might be a given or not, I dunno: try not to have an all-male group. A female player gives the group a whole new dynamic in my experience.

Anung Un Rama wrote:Considering that you're the one who wants to start this with some friends you should probably try to master.

And, this might be a given or not, I dunno: try not to have an all-male group. A female player gives the group a whole new dynamic in my experience.

I play at my school's gaming club, which may or may not be returning next year, and we didn't have any girlies, whichmade me 2x sad. I guess only Germany has girl gamers. Here's to hoping my pop and I can find some.

naw, arpee brings the laydees, just they are outnumbered.

My old VtM group was 50/50 girls to boys, was interesting, girls seemingly played the politics game on so many more layers than guys, gave a very interesting dynamic to the party's progression.

Golden Eyed Scout wrote:

Anung Un Rama wrote:Considering that you're the one who wants to start this with some friends you should probably try to master.

And, this might be a given or not, I dunno: try not to have an all-male group. A female player gives the group a whole new dynamic in my experience.

I play at my school's gaming club, which may or may not be returning next year, and we didn't have any girlies, whichmade me 2x sad. I guess only Germany has girl gamers. Here's to hoping my pop and I can find some.

Then go ask some. It's not like you only have male friends at school, do you?

reds8n wrote:

Cheese Elemental wrote: I have the 1st edition DM guide and Monster Manual, which are worth a fortune nowadays I hear.

errrmmm nope. You can get on ebay/similat cheap as chips generally. Got mine for about £2.

Maybe I got ripped off then. Still, the Monster Manual is signed by Gary Gygax, and since he failed his saving throw vs. death, it could be worth a bit more.

Anung Un Rama wrote:

Golden Eyed Scout wrote:

Anung Un Rama wrote:Considering that you're the one who wants to start this with some friends you should probably try to master.

And, this might be a given or not, I dunno: try not to have an all-male group. A female player gives the group a whole new dynamic in my experience.

I play at my school's gaming club, which may or may not be returning next year, and we didn't have any girlies, whichmade me 2x sad. I guess only Germany has girl gamers. Here's to hoping my pop and I can find some.

Then go ask some. It's not like you only have male friends at school, do you?

I'll give you a few minutes to consider how stupid that question is. But to answer, yeah. But they are more into Twilight (goddam you Meyer!) then Dark Heresy. Hmmm.... Maybe my local comic shop has a few girl gamers? I doubt many live in PA, but I'll give it a shot.

Oh right, I forgot how young you are
Sorry about that.

Anung Un Rama wrote:Oh right, I forgot how young you are
Sorry about that.

Apology accepted. My wisdom beyond my years fools another one!

Do a search for 3.X and download that for free.

Fifty wrote:Do a search for 3.X and download that for free.

My pc is so slow it's not even funny. How am I supposed to watch RvB on something so slow! GAH!

I just picked up the Players Handbook and am in the process of creating my character. Stuck between using a Dragonborn or Human character.

Dragonborn? I thought we all told you should buy 3.5 and not 4th edition.

Anung Un Rama wrote:Dragonborn? I thought we all told you should buy 3.5 and not 4th edition.

Yeah, but my lgs only had 4th. Well, when I finish with reading this, I'll decide if I should get 3.5 from ebay or just deal with it.

I play in two D&D groups, one is five males and one female, the second is three males (including me and my 11 yo son) and four females.

Most of my gaming groups after I hit age 25 tend to have at least one and usually two females. This group I'm in right now is the only one I've been in where females outnumber males.

Is one of said females in a romantic relationship with a male gamer? Because that on the other hand could get problematic.

Clthomps wrote:While I don't want to start a fight, I might suggest you buy D&D 3.5.

It is by far a much better game in terms of customization, and there are fewer rules discrepancies to fight over.


Not to mention you can get them for a fraction of there price since they are being phased out.

I wouldnt disagree but, I do want to point out for a new role player D&D 4.0 is much easier to get started in. The books make more sense and the fact that the options are a little more ridgid makes coming up with a charachter a little easier.

I think a fighter is a fairly strait forward class and the one I recomend to my new players and, while you can make a very complicated gimicky fighter that is not necesary to play and have fun. Ill Never forget my first fighter and the simple pleasure of smacking something realy hard with my sword.


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Golden Eyed Scout wrote:

Anung Un Rama wrote:Dragonborn? I thought we all told you should buy 3.5 and not 4th edition.

Yeah, but my lgs only had 4th. Well, when I finish with reading this, I'll decide if I should get 3.5 from ebay or just deal with it.

stick with 4.0 its the future.

As for "Girl Gamers" they are a myth.

4th edition lays out what classes do by putting them in broad categories, sort of like an MMORPG would (support characters, up-close characters, trciky fighters, etc.). 3.5 can be a bit to swallow at once, but there's also a TON more support for it. I enjoy 3.5 for my home campaigns but still play 4.0 with some friends as it's only slightly a lighter version of the game. 4.0 has very loose fluff (almost any race and class are happy together) whereas 3.5 makes glaring observations about each race, so while it's possible to have an Orc Wizard rules-wise, fluff-wise it would be extremely looked down upon. 4.0 can be just as immersive as 3.5 role-play wise, rules can't change that. Just flip through the books at a Barnes and noble and see what appeals to you the most. though some will argue, there is no right or wrong here.

And for class, go with the one that makes you say "That's cool!" first. It may be one of those classes that in later playing you find out sucks and can't bring yourself to touch, so get it in while it's good.

Just a suggestion for the gaming board, score 1" squares in a white board and use it as the Dungeons and Dragons gaming board. It is quite effective, it alows you to rapidly change the scenary.

Golden Eyed Scout wrote:

Anung Un Rama wrote:

Golden Eyed Scout wrote:

Anung Un Rama wrote:Considering that you're the one who wants to start this with some friends you should probably try to master.

And, this might be a given or not, I dunno: try not to have an all-male group. A female player gives the group a whole new dynamic in my experience.

I play at my school's gaming club, which may or may not be returning next year, and we didn't have any girlies, whichmade me 2x sad. I guess only Germany has girl gamers. Here's to hoping my pop and I can find some.

Then go ask some. It's not like you only have male friends at school, do you?

I'll give you a few minutes to consider how stupid that question is. But to answer, yeah. But they are more into Twilight (goddam you Meyer!) then Dark Heresy. Hmmm.... Maybe my local comic shop has a few girl gamers? I doubt many live in PA, but I'll give it a shot.

Throw a Vampire in your campaign