D&D
Ren Allen
"Over the years I've heard so many people talk about how much they love
D&D, but I have no clue what the game is about- can someone please
enlighten me?"
I can TRY...but it's fairly complicated.
In summary, it's the coolest fantasy role playing game EVER.
It can get expensive, but you can start with the basics: A set of
dice for each player (about$5-7), Players Handbook ($30), Monster
Manual ($30) and Dungeon Masters Guide ($30).
From there you can add books or other paraphenalia as needed...Jared
likes the miniature figures, but they aren't absolutely necessary.
It's like a game, where the players and DM (dungeon master) are making
up a story as they go...you have virtually unlimited choices in the
role playing aspect of the game.
I remember one time, a player in our group made a joke about farting
on another player as they climbed a ladder in a castle. The DM (being
a really good DM) made it part of the game. That particular player
tended to run off at the mouth at really bad times...the fart caused a
lot of problems for their party (some creature woke up or something)
and he learned to SHUT UP at key moments.:)
Ren
D&D, but I have no clue what the game is about- can someone please
enlighten me?"
I can TRY...but it's fairly complicated.
In summary, it's the coolest fantasy role playing game EVER.
It can get expensive, but you can start with the basics: A set of
dice for each player (about$5-7), Players Handbook ($30), Monster
Manual ($30) and Dungeon Masters Guide ($30).
From there you can add books or other paraphenalia as needed...Jared
likes the miniature figures, but they aren't absolutely necessary.
It's like a game, where the players and DM (dungeon master) are making
up a story as they go...you have virtually unlimited choices in the
role playing aspect of the game.
I remember one time, a player in our group made a joke about farting
on another player as they climbed a ladder in a castle. The DM (being
a really good DM) made it part of the game. That particular player
tended to run off at the mouth at really bad times...the fart caused a
lot of problems for their party (some creature woke up or something)
and he learned to SHUT UP at key moments.:)
Ren
kkraczek1969
Oh, so it's not a board game per-se? (That could be why I searched on
Amazon and only found supplements) It does sound complicated- though
fascinating! Perhaps I'll call up my D&D addicted brother-in-law to
see if he'll let us borrow his stuff for a bit and try it out. :) Is
there a certain age range that I should be aware of?
Thanks for your help, Ren!
Kristin
Amazon and only found supplements) It does sound complicated- though
fascinating! Perhaps I'll call up my D&D addicted brother-in-law to
see if he'll let us borrow his stuff for a bit and try it out. :) Is
there a certain age range that I should be aware of?
Thanks for your help, Ren!
Kristin
>
> "Over the years I've heard so many people talk about how much they love
> D&D, but I have no clue what the game is about- can someone please
> enlighten me?"
>
> I can TRY...but it's fairly complicated.
>
> In summary, it's the coolest fantasy role playing game EVER.
> It can get expensive, but you can start with the basics: A set of
> dice for each player (about$5-7), Players Handbook ($30), Monster
> Manual ($30) and Dungeon Masters Guide ($30).
>
> From there you can add books or other paraphenalia as needed...Jared
> likes the miniature figures, but they aren't absolutely necessary.
>
> It's like a game, where the players and DM (dungeon master) are making
> up a story as they go...you have virtually unlimited choices in the
> role playing aspect of the game.
> I remember one time, a player in our group made a joke about farting
> on another player as they climbed a ladder in a castle. The DM (being
> a really good DM) made it part of the game. That particular player
> tended to run off at the mouth at really bad times...the fart caused a
> lot of problems for their party (some creature woke up or something)
> and he learned to SHUT UP at key moments.:)
>
> Ren
>
Malinda Mills
<<(That could be why I searched on
Amazon and only found supplements)>>
Kristin, I actually ordered a D&D giftset for Tristan about a week ago from Amazon. It arrived a few nights ago, and it hasn't left Tristan's sight! It contained the basic three books that Ren mentioned, and it cost about $55. We found a large bag of dh's old dice so have been using those instead of getting new.
It does seem quite complicated, especially for those of us that have never played. In college I spent many an hour watching friends play but never ended up playing myself. Yesterday I joked with dh that I need "D&D for Dummies," only to search on Amazon and discover that there is, indeed, a "D&D for Dummies"! LOL
Last night T pulled out the books and decided that we needed to play. This was strictly "D&D according to Tristan." He had me pick two dice that I liked (I think one was a 20-sided and the other a 30-sided), and he started me off on an adventure. He's nine, has never played before, and has only flipped though the books, mainly the "Monster Manual." He had me wandering around through catacombs....finding chests (sometimes discovering gold or armor, other times finding traps), fighting off various monsters, falling through floors, and having magical creatures (a pegasus and a hippogriff) accompany me. He had me rolling my dice for attack points, etc.
One day we may get around to learning the "real" rules of D&D (most likely when my D&D guru DH gets back from Iraq), but for now we are having such fun with our own rules. :o)
Malinda
Amazon and only found supplements)>>
Kristin, I actually ordered a D&D giftset for Tristan about a week ago from Amazon. It arrived a few nights ago, and it hasn't left Tristan's sight! It contained the basic three books that Ren mentioned, and it cost about $55. We found a large bag of dh's old dice so have been using those instead of getting new.
It does seem quite complicated, especially for those of us that have never played. In college I spent many an hour watching friends play but never ended up playing myself. Yesterday I joked with dh that I need "D&D for Dummies," only to search on Amazon and discover that there is, indeed, a "D&D for Dummies"! LOL
Last night T pulled out the books and decided that we needed to play. This was strictly "D&D according to Tristan." He had me pick two dice that I liked (I think one was a 20-sided and the other a 30-sided), and he started me off on an adventure. He's nine, has never played before, and has only flipped though the books, mainly the "Monster Manual." He had me wandering around through catacombs....finding chests (sometimes discovering gold or armor, other times finding traps), fighting off various monsters, falling through floors, and having magical creatures (a pegasus and a hippogriff) accompany me. He had me rolling my dice for attack points, etc.
One day we may get around to learning the "real" rules of D&D (most likely when my D&D guru DH gets back from Iraq), but for now we are having such fun with our own rules. :o)
Malinda
----- Original Message -----
From: kkraczek1969
To: [email protected]
Sent: Sunday, January 08, 2006 8:24 AM
Subject: [unschoolingbasics] Re: D&D
Oh, so it's not a board game per-se? (That could be why I searched on
Amazon and only found supplements) It does sound complicated- though
fascinating! Perhaps I'll call up my D&D addicted brother-in-law to
see if he'll let us borrow his stuff for a bit and try it out. :) Is
there a certain age range that I should be aware of?
Thanks for your help, Ren!
Kristin
[Non-text portions of this message have been removed]
Ren Allen
"One day we may get around to learning the "real" rules of D&D (most
likely when
my D&D guru DH gets back from Iraq), but for now we are having such
fun with our
own rules. :o)"
That might be a good way to start with a younger child too. I know
it's a bit on the complicated side for Sierra (8) though she's trying
to pick up on the basics.
It depends on the person of course as far as age, but it's definitely
not a great game for really young players. Heck, it's too complicated
for ME!;)
Ren
likely when
my D&D guru DH gets back from Iraq), but for now we are having such
fun with our
own rules. :o)"
That might be a good way to start with a younger child too. I know
it's a bit on the complicated side for Sierra (8) though she's trying
to pick up on the basics.
It depends on the person of course as far as age, but it's definitely
not a great game for really young players. Heck, it's too complicated
for ME!;)
Ren
queenpamedalah
As a long time seller of D&D (yes, I owned a game/hobby store for
many years), I explain it to new parents as thus:
It's a story telling game, like creating a script for a movie.
The "Writer" guides the "actors" along through a series of events.
He may decide the group will encounter a Troll today and the players
tell him how they would react and they use dice to randomly
determine the outcome of some events and actions. It's a great way
for them to learn. It encourages reading, strategic thought,
planning and, best of all, gets them interacting with friends and
off the PlayStation."
To get started there are "Starter Sets" that have a basic guide for
the Game Master (A Dungeon Master's guide or DM's guide), a Players
Guide (PH or Players Handbook) and they usually include dice and a
scenario. Many players these days use maps and expand the hobby
into painting of miniatures. This is great hand-eye coordination,
by the way.
The only concern with buying a Starter Set for older kids (13+) is
that they will quickly want the full versions of the books. So just
buy the Dm's Guide and PH books and some dice and let 'em at it.
Packaged adventures are numerous and quality companies include TSR
(Wizards of the Coast) and White Wolf (Sword & Sorcery line). Check
out rpg.net for reviews and they have an online store, as well.
However, there are many etailers with 30% off as a standard pricing
for supplements.
The nice thing about the latest generation of D&D is that it has a
standard "play engine." Which means once you learn the "D20" rules,
you can play in any environment. There are books for sci fi,
fantasy, and tv shows that all use the same "engine." So the game
itself is flexible and already has a ton of options for players.
There is probably a hobby shop in your area that carries the games
and they may even have a game room or at least a bulletin board so
you can find other players. I always advise parents to keep them in
the same age group if you can. Some "older" players (both in years
and in play experience) don't always cater and take the time to let
the new players explore and learn the nuances of the game. Once
they're hooked, though, there are conventions all over the US. The
largest is GenCon held in Indianapolis usually in August.
(Wizards.com for more info) There is also a nationally recognized
play system called "Living Greyhawk" which allows players to rank
and when they follow this set of rules, they can take the characters
they create to play at the national tournaments and score prizes.
Probably more than you wanted to know, but there you are!
Good Luck and Happy Gaming!
Pamela:)
many years), I explain it to new parents as thus:
It's a story telling game, like creating a script for a movie.
The "Writer" guides the "actors" along through a series of events.
He may decide the group will encounter a Troll today and the players
tell him how they would react and they use dice to randomly
determine the outcome of some events and actions. It's a great way
for them to learn. It encourages reading, strategic thought,
planning and, best of all, gets them interacting with friends and
off the PlayStation."
To get started there are "Starter Sets" that have a basic guide for
the Game Master (A Dungeon Master's guide or DM's guide), a Players
Guide (PH or Players Handbook) and they usually include dice and a
scenario. Many players these days use maps and expand the hobby
into painting of miniatures. This is great hand-eye coordination,
by the way.
The only concern with buying a Starter Set for older kids (13+) is
that they will quickly want the full versions of the books. So just
buy the Dm's Guide and PH books and some dice and let 'em at it.
Packaged adventures are numerous and quality companies include TSR
(Wizards of the Coast) and White Wolf (Sword & Sorcery line). Check
out rpg.net for reviews and they have an online store, as well.
However, there are many etailers with 30% off as a standard pricing
for supplements.
The nice thing about the latest generation of D&D is that it has a
standard "play engine." Which means once you learn the "D20" rules,
you can play in any environment. There are books for sci fi,
fantasy, and tv shows that all use the same "engine." So the game
itself is flexible and already has a ton of options for players.
There is probably a hobby shop in your area that carries the games
and they may even have a game room or at least a bulletin board so
you can find other players. I always advise parents to keep them in
the same age group if you can. Some "older" players (both in years
and in play experience) don't always cater and take the time to let
the new players explore and learn the nuances of the game. Once
they're hooked, though, there are conventions all over the US. The
largest is GenCon held in Indianapolis usually in August.
(Wizards.com for more info) There is also a nationally recognized
play system called "Living Greyhawk" which allows players to rank
and when they follow this set of rules, they can take the characters
they create to play at the national tournaments and score prizes.
Probably more than you wanted to know, but there you are!
Good Luck and Happy Gaming!
Pamela:)
Su Penn
On Jan 8, 2006, at 12:24 PM, kkraczek1969 wrote:
to help you set up characters and DM for you (be the Dungeon Master--
choose or create a story module for you to play, and guide you
through it) rather than lending stuff. It's tricky to figure out D&D
on your own. Friends and I had tried it many times but I only really
got into the game when an experienced DM started a new game for
beginners. And then it was great and I played regularly for a long
long time.
I miss the all-nighters...the 3 a.m. "Summon Pizza" spell <g>. I
actually miss my character almost like she's a person I never get to
see anymore. Sigh.
Su
> Oh, so it's not a board game per-se? (That could be why I searched onI'd actually ask the D&D addicted brother-in-law if he'd be willing
> Amazon and only found supplements) It does sound complicated- though
> fascinating! Perhaps I'll call up my D&D addicted brother-in-law to
> see if he'll let us borrow his stuff for a bit and try it out. :) Is
> there a certain age range that I should be aware of?
>
to help you set up characters and DM for you (be the Dungeon Master--
choose or create a story module for you to play, and guide you
through it) rather than lending stuff. It's tricky to figure out D&D
on your own. Friends and I had tried it many times but I only really
got into the game when an experienced DM started a new game for
beginners. And then it was great and I played regularly for a long
long time.
I miss the all-nighters...the 3 a.m. "Summon Pizza" spell <g>. I
actually miss my character almost like she's a person I never get to
see anymore. Sigh.
Su