D&D question from the clueless

[Daydream_weaver]

No, I am not referring the the superheroine Captain DD *eyes Jack and CT*

Because I know many here have played Dungeons and Dragons or do play or know something about the game...

My son wants to start playing and I am totally clueless how to be helpful. Is there a beginner guide? A starter kit? A book for dummies and the totally inept?

Information would be so very much appreciated and could result in cookies...or even cupcakes.

 

[Vail_Indigo]

No, I am not referring the the superheroine Captain DD *eyes Jack and CT*

Because I know many here have played Dungeons and Dragons or do play or know something about the game...

My son wants to start playing and I am totally clueless how to be helpful. Is there a beginner guide? A starter kit? A book for dummies and the totally inept?

Information would be so very much appreciated and could result in cookies...or even cupcakes.

How old is he?
I'd suggest picking up the 4th edition players handbook and the 4th edition Rules Compendium (I can give you amazon links if you want).
Does he have friends to play with?
If there's a gaming store in your area, they likely hold game nights and at least once in a while will do one for newbies. You should definitely ask them, if they dont, they'll tell you where to go.

 

[jack80]

How old is he?
I'd suggest picking up the 4th edition players handbook and the 4th edition Rules Compendium (I can give you amazon links if you want).
Does he have friends to play with?
If there's a gaming store in your area, they likely hold game nights and at least once in a while will do one for newbies. You should definitely ask them, if they dont, they'll tell you where to go.

All good info... save I just don't like 4th ed. But it was made for people who were not use to pen & paper.

I whole heartily agree though on looking for a comic book store or hobby shop near you. They will have people that are knowledgeable and such.

Also how old is your son (like Vail asked).

There is a starters guide but pretty pricey on amazon unless you buy a used copy.

Home Site to D&D that should answer some questions.

And why is he interested, not that I would complain, but my folks nearly freaked when I started to play.

 

[Daydream_weaver]

How old is he?
I'd suggest picking up the 4th edition players handbook and the 4th edition Rules Compendium (I can give you amazon links if you want).
Does he have friends to play with?
If there's a gaming store in your area, they likely hold game nights and at least once in a while will do one for newbies. You should definitely ask them, if they dont, they'll tell you where to go.

Thank you, Vail *kisses her cheek*

He's almost 17, and until now has never shown an interest in anything not Xbox or Playstation related. If it didn't plug in, he couldn't be bothered. Now all of a sudden... *shrugs*

Thing is, around here, mention 'that sort of thing' and they grab their torches and pitchforks and start the exorcism rites. So I don't know who he thinks he's going to play with. I suggested D&D Online but he meh'd me. There's at least one nice game shop the next town over...maybe we'll check them out.

Perhaps this is a passing fancy, but I do like to encourage expanding horizons...

 

[Daydream_weaver]

And why is he interested, not that I would complain, but my folks nearly freaked when I started to play.

I remember sitting through Sunday sermons on the evils of D&D and rock music, but now? You would think it wouldn't be that big of a deal anymore. Still, kids around here are more interested in guzzling beer and shagging their neighbor's sheep. o that wasn't very nice of me...)

I'd love to get him involved with a group...get him out of the house. He's a bit of a hermit.

I'll check out that link, and have him give it a look as well. Thanks, Jack.

 

[Led_Astray]

Good for him.

Playing RPGs encourages social skills, develops your ability to think through the consequences of actions, improves language skills and depending on the system, can improve mental calculation skills.

One thing I would quickly ask is "Why D&D?" in particular? There are literally hundreds of gaming systems to choose from.

That said, 4th Ed D&D - the current edition - does seem to be designed to allow those more used to computer-based RPGs to easily make the transition to pen-and-paper gaming.

***

The hardest thing about it will be finding a local group that fits his style. Some play it almost entirely for the combat, treating the battles of players vs monsters as overly-complicated tactical warfare games.

Some do it for a chance to get together with mates, drink a couple of beers, and eat pizza, the social aspect of getting together with people you have something in common with being more important than the game itself.

Some do it because they want a deep and serious RP experience.

None of these are right or wrong, but it does help if all of the players are roughly in agreement.

***

Wizards of the Coast, the publishers of D&D, always used to run a message board forum like this one that had, if I recall correctly, a place where you could try to look for local gamers.

Other game companies do the same.

Failing that, your most local gaming store is indeed your best bet.

 

[Cheska]

Alternately, there is Pathfinder.

Before D&D became 4th edition, it was 3.5.
A company called Paizo took the rules from 3.5, streamlined them, fixed a lot of stuff and that is what I play.
It's also cheaper than everything you might need for 4Th edition D&D.

Let him look over both system and sees what really appeals and go from there.

 

[Led_Astray]

Alternatively, if you want the swash-buckling feel of the D20 system but in a setting that does not have the same stigma amongst the fundementalist church-goers, I would thoroughly recommend Starwars: Saga Edition.

A hugely detailed setting with a wealth of source material, with enough mainstream popularity to avoid upsetting the "fire and brimstone" brigade.

Or, if he wants to meet cute goth girls, Vampire: The Masquerade is always fun