D&D Advice for a new generation of gamers

rgrove0172 · September 17, 2016, 03:30:45 PM

I've got twin boys that are just old enough to start playing their dad's wierd games. We've experimented a bit and they have proven they are ready for the real thing. In an admittedly nostalgic moment I'm considering D&D but I havent bbeen involved with it since 3rd edition AD&D. So what do you guys suggest? Go back to something old school? Jump right into the newest hottest thing 5th Ed?

Ronin · September 17, 2016, 04:10:02 PM

I think really that's up to you. I love RC, BECMI, and 1st ed are first love of mine. But I really think that starting with 5e might work very well. It's kind of the best of all worlds. Your mileage may vary of course.

Simlasa · September 17, 2016, 04:23:02 PM

Quote from: Ronin;920087I think really that's up to you. I love RC, BECMI, and 1st ed are first love of mine. But I really think that starting with 5e might work very well. It's kind of the best of all worlds. Your mileage may vary of course.

Aren't there options in 5e where you can strip out of lot of stuff... down to a very basic level (no skills, no feats, etc.). Start there and then add things in as you find you want them? That seems like an attractive proposition for a beginning setup.

Ronin · September 17, 2016, 05:06:27 PM

Quote from: Simlasa;920090Aren't there options in 5e where you can strip out of lot of stuff... down to a very basic level (no skills, no feats, etc.). Start there and then add things in as you find you want them? That seems like an attractive proposition for a beginning setup.

See if we were talking about 3-3.5 I would totally agree, but I really think 5e is really plenty simple and straight forward. But even if you feel it isn't Simlasa makes a good point.

rgrove0172 · September 17, 2016, 05:15:48 PM

Normally I would just pull out my old red box and have at it but as they are up and coming gamers I felt using the new toy would be preferable, prepare them to play with their peers etc.

jeff37923 · September 17, 2016, 06:14:54 PM

Why not both?

Use D&D 5e, but download the D&D 5e Basic Rules from WotC's website and print out the PDFs. All together it will be 177 pages and is enough material to get them started without overwhelming them with options.

Although I will take this opportunity to plug the d6 Star Wars Introductory Adventure Game as a fantastic starter game. It is out of print, but still very good as an introduction to gaming.

estar · September 17, 2016, 09:30:20 PM

Quote from: rgrove0172;920084I've got twin boys that are just old enough to start playing their dad's wierd games. We've experimented a bit and they have proven they are ready for the real thing. In an admittedly nostalgic moment I'm considering D&D but I havent bbeen involved with it since 3rd edition AD&D. So what do you guys suggest? Go back to something old school? Jump right into the newest hottest thing 5th Ed?

D&D 5e basic rules it written as an intro. Maybe the Swords & Wizardry Core Rules. However they want to run something for themselves I recommend the Swords and Wizardry Quick Start. It one of the best "get started with roleplaying" books I seen.

rgrove0172 · September 17, 2016, 09:30:44 PM

OK, Im hearing 5th ED so I pulled the trigger. PH, DMG, MM are on the way. Ill start slow of course but heres hoping by the time they are comfortable with the game they wont have to switch to a 6th ed.

David Johansen · September 17, 2016, 09:39:15 PM

Well, why wait? The basic rules are free on WotC's website.

Crüesader · September 17, 2016, 09:51:13 PM

My only advice would be to not get so stuck on the system that D&D uses. There's other things out there that are a bit more fun, though more complex for combat. People hated the D10 system for White Wolf games, but once you got the hang of it, it wasn't too bad.

Omega · September 17, 2016, 10:23:45 PM

5e And hope you get the 6th gen printing or newer as those have the errata and typo fixes added in direct.

When you get it check what printing it is then grab the three errata PDFs if need be. Theres also some useful files on the WOTC site like items listed by rarity and such.

rgrove0172 · September 17, 2016, 10:57:25 PM

Will do thanks!

Baron Opal · September 17, 2016, 10:59:46 PM

One of the things I've done is run a D&D game for reluctant writers, ages 8-12. It's a class where we play D&D for an hour, but there are no XP and little treasure awarded. If you want something, you have to write about it. Or, journal your characters adventures, &c.

I used Microlite74 to great effect. They have a great time, and the writing is ... amusing. But, they're writing!

I think I even adapted the LotFP skill set into 4-6 skills and had just 4 classes (Fttr, Mag, Clr, Rog) and 4 races (Human, Elf, Dwarf, Furfolk).

Headless · September 20, 2016, 03:44:03 AM

I think the best advice for new role players is 'know what game you are playing' (since you have decided on 5th ed, good choice btw).

You can have a tonne of fun roll playing, and you can have a tonne of fun role playing but it can be very frustrating if you expect one and get the other.

So the best advice is make sure everyone is on the same page.

rgrove0172 · September 20, 2016, 08:26:02 AM

Quote from: Headless;920620I think the best advice for new role players is 'know what game you are playing' (since you have decided on 5th ed, good choice btw).

You can have a tonne of fun roll playing, and you can have a tonne of fun role playing but it can be very frustrating if you expect one and get the other.

So the best advice is make sure everyone is on the same page.

Well they are only 11 so their page is pretty blank. I guess we will see what kind of gaming they migrate to.