DnD For Noobs (Like Me)

Started by Priapus89, October 03, 2017, 06:56:29 AM

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Priapus89

Preamble

Hello there!

Well.

Let's get to it! :D

Request

It seems that a lot of people on this site know how to play DnD, which makes me wonder if I'm the only person who does not know how to play! This is good and bad. Good because it means that there are many experienced players who can help people like myself (who have no idea how to play DnD but is nevertheless interested) how to play this incredible table top game. However, the bad part is that the minority (if, indeed, we are a minority) of us who don't know how to play can't enjoy the greatness that is DnD without slowing the whole game down.

So! I was wondering if some experienced GM would be interested in starting a DnD game for beginners. We could use whatever plot you think appropriate and the game can go on for as long or as short as you think necessary. The main point of the game would be a tutorial of sorts to teach people who are interested in learning DnD how to play the game.

It would also be nice if one or two other experienced players entered the game as adventurers to help the GM educate us noobs.

I understand that this might be a daunting task for some...I suppose only the true adventurers will take this quest! XD <3

Dashenka

That is a great idea actually.

I'm going to keep an eye on this. I want to learn as well :P
Out here in the fields, I fight for my meals and I get my back into my living.

I don't need to fight to prove I'm right and I don't need to be forgiven.

Lyku

I am more than willing to run a game for players who are new and want to learn DND.  Likewise, if you do want to learn and have questions, I am more than responsive in PMs as well.
Every great dream begins with a dreamer.  Always remember, you have within you the strength, the patience, and the passion to reach for the stars to change the world.  – Harriet Tubman


Dragongoddess

I'd like to join.  I'm a noob who wants to learn

ZameRagues

I'd be willing to join as either an experienced player or GM. I can answer questions for those who have them as well.
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firepyre

#5
I've found most GMs are happy to help out new players by teaching them the game, so personally I would suggest just diving in and explaining that you are new and want to learn. You'll find most experienced players are more than willing to accomodate you. There are a few points worth covering though, that will make getting started a lot easier. I'll be assuming everyone here has some knowledge of what roleplay is.




The Basics

The purpose, of DnD, or any other RPG system at it's most fundamental, is two things. The first is to establish a convenient, consistent setting to play in. A good chunk of most rulebooks is "fluff", background information that enriches the world the RPG is based on. The second is to add an element of chance to your roleplay, so that neither you nor the Game/Dungeon Master knows exactly what will happen.

Sadly, there are some disadvantages to using a system(like DnD). It's easy for players to get caught up on the mechanics of the game, trying to twist them to their advantage, becoming less about creating a story, and more about winning the game. The reason I mention this is that I feel it tends to dishearten  a lot of players, and put them off when their first attempt at DnD turns into this. A good DnD game can be every bit as deep and compelling as a good freeform(Systemless) game is.

The most important person is making this happen is the GM(Game Master/Mistress, sometimes DM, or Dungeon Master/Mistress instead). The GM typically does not play a character, but instead plans the story, and chooses when and how to enforce the rules. The GM's goal is not to defeat the players, or even to guide them through his/her story, but to build the story up around the players, giving them the freedom to act as they see fit. A good GM should serve the players, but they also need to keep them in check. Good GMs are really hard to come by, so make sure you show them respect.




Getting started with DnD

DnD has had several different editions over the years, but the different editions are actually almost totally different games! You'll want to know which edition you're playing before you start. Fortunately, the GM usually makes it very clear. Here's the two that you probably want to know though.

DnD 5 - The latest(current) Edition, DnD 5 is considerably simpler, and less mechanically heavy than previous editions. It's quite easy for new players to get the hang of, and experiencing a huge resurgence in popularity.

Pathfinder - Ok, so it's not technically DnD. However, Pathfinder is just as popular, and based very closely off an old edition of Dungeons and Dragons  called DnD 3.5. The setting is basically identical to DnD, so if you play one, you'll have a pretty good idea what to expect from the other. The key difference between pathfinder and DnD is that Pathfinder is much more complex, and has a massive amount of material written for it. Finally, while having the books can be helpful, everything a player needs to play is available online, for free. Legally.

Once you've decided what you want to play, the single biggest thing you can do to help yourself, is to find a rulebook or starter guide, and just skim it, to begin familiarizing yourself with it. There's no real need to slog though the number crunching, just reading whatever takes your fancy will still help a lot, whether it be short stories, or information on races, or play examples. When it comes time to  create your first character, it will pay off.




Anyway, hopefully you find this info helpful, and I'm not just waffling... XD DnD can seem daunting to begin with, but it only gets easier as you go, and the payoff is well worth it. If there's only one piece of advice I can give you to take away, it's that, just like any other roleplay, it's the people that make the game, not the rules. Get a good group of people, and DnD will be great. Get a bad group, and no amount of rules will fix it. Good luck!

Vergil1989

I've been looking for a good group of D&D for a long time.  I've played VERY little for one reason or another, (mostly because RL always seems to get in the way), that and two groups I've joined here on E fizzled out for much the same reason.  Still, while I'm very inexperienced, I DO know quite a bit about the Forgotten Realms, (where most D&D campaigns tend to be set), and I'm a huge fan of Critical Role and the world of Exandria, (Matthew Mercer is the DM god! Lol), so I'm not clueless when it comes to this kind of stuff.  It's the mechanics of the system itself that I have little experience with, but while I want to learn, I'm just hoping to get into a good game that'll last, period.  Anyway, see ya and this is a pretty awesome discussion/group/etc.  ;D
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IMPORTANT UPDATE as of October 6th 2016 in A/A page

SINless

I've been running quite a few D&D games on PbP, and currently running a Starfinder (basically D&D in space) game on here.

I think the first question is, what kind of game do you want? Do you simply want to run through the rules and mechanics? If so, you might want to look for a physical group or a VTT instead.

If however you are looking for an idea of the atmosphere and setting of the game, I have a few starter games I could run you through. All specifically designed towards new players.

Priapus89

Wow! I'm happy that this got a lot of interest.

@firepyre: Thanks for your thoughtful advice! I'll keep it in mind!

@SINless: I think I'm looking for a combination of running through the rules/mechanics and an idea of the atmosphere and setting of the game. I have tried reading up on the mechanics online by myself, but I became confused pretty quickly. I think it'd be easier to learn the rules if someone was guiding you, and if the DM was patient enough, and I think this would be easiest if we just had a 'tutorial', of sorts.

Some people have already shown interest in being a GM, which is awesome. I imagine that you can have only one GM though, right? I think it's only fair that Lyku becomes GM (if he is still interested, of course) since he posted his interested in being GM first. I'll send you a message Lyku.

I still welcome anyone else who has experienced with DnD to join us. It'd be great to have 1 or 2 more experts helping us out.

Vergil1989

PbP?  But beyond that, while I DO know some of the mechanics, (I have played enough of a game or two to have gotten through a few rolls before things fell apart for one reason or another), I don't know near enough to feel comfortable in doing anything beyond the most basic of things.  I've seen enough D&D shows from Youtube, (again Critical Role mostly although they house rule a few things here or there), to guess at the rest, but I'd need consistent practice to have it sink in I guess is what I'm getting at.  That and actually creating a full character sheet is....difficult for me.  The backstory and such I can handle, it's the number crunching that always gives me a headache lol.  But to answer the actual question here, if I was going to do anything with this, I'd rather play a full game rather than a tutorial 'level'.  If anyone's going to put in the effort to make a character for a game, I'd rather enjoy the game if at all possible for as long as possible.  :D
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https://elliquiy.com/forums/index.php?topic=85486.0  Absence and Apology...countdown to doom....so to speak.
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IMPORTANT UPDATE as of October 6th 2016 in A/A page

ZameRagues

Looking over all the interest so far in this thread, there is a good number of potential players.

Lyku, Myself, Firepyre, and SINless are all willing to be GMs

Priapus89, Dashenka, Dragongoddess, and Vergil1989 as new players

Myself as veteran players, Possibly the other GMs as well save for the one running the game.

I would recommend 5th Edition (5E) to start with as it is so much simpler compared to previous versions of the game. I would also recommend a party of only 4 or 5 characters as larger groups can slow things down, especially when Playing By Post or PBP. In terms of the number of GMs, it is usually one unless the game is massive then you have sub GMs. In turn though we could have groups of 2 or 3 and have a couple small games to help give newbies more attention.
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firepyre

I'm not looking to GM, as there's plenty of offers and my time will dry up as soon as I get off holiday, just wanted to voice some encouragement and a few things I would have found helpful when I discovered DnD.

I am, however, interested to see how this goes. If it is a success, perhaps it can be a pilot for something that advertises on a regular basis. I imagine there's probably plenty more interested in learning, just unsure how to get started.


Vergil1989

I knew that.... :-[

5E and 3.5 are the only systems I have ANY experience with, so I'd be fine with 5E on this end, especially since I have a couple of the books on my hard drive and sitting on a shelf as I speak.  As for how big the group is, that's probably a good idea Zame.  That's part of the reason why one of the groups I was a part of kind of fizzled out in my opinion.  That and there was some....group drama that I think discouraged our GM from maintaining his motivation for things despite the fact we WERE able to get past those issues after some much needed OOC discussion.  Mainly it was the fact several of our group weren't communicating with the rest of us and kinda doing their own thing while we were trying to play very carefully, a necessary fact since we had started at Level 1 and caution was, in most of our minds, very much warranted.  The others in the group however didn't think that far ahead before they decided to attack the first group we came across.  It was only after I threw my hands into the air and said I was done since we were going to die, at least it certainly seemed like it to me, that it came out that the GM had planned for us to have a practice fight and that one of our group was in on his plan, hence why they had decided to lead the charge.  However, even that didn't automatically excuse some of the other members from simply charging out into the open without any thought or concern or strategy at all, which meant trouble for the rest of us.

Ugh, sorry, not trying to rant, but communication I've found is a VERY much needed factor no matter your skill level and experience or the system involved is what I'm getting at.  I get RPing a character, I get sticking to the role you've built for yourself, and that's fine.  If your character is an imbecile or naive or whatever, that might take unnecessary risks for whatever reason, that's fine too.  I only have a problem when someone doesn't bother to talk to everyone in the group about whatever they might be planning and just kinda does their own thing, putting the rest of the group at risk of being murdered by potentially much stronger opponents lol.
Taker of the Oath of the Drake
https://elliquiy.com/forums/index.php?topic=85486.0  Absence and Apology...countdown to doom....so to speak.
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IMPORTANT UPDATE as of October 6th 2016 in A/A page

firepyre

I think there's a few things in your example worth mentioning.

Communication is very important in keeping a game flowing, but it's also important to realize that it's unrealistic to discuss everything OOC. It breaks immersion, and especially in PbP, it slows the game down dramatically. You must have trust in the other players and the GM as well. You're never going to agree with everything others do. In situations like that, it's usually better to let it go, and trust in the GM to deal with bad decisions fairly. Let your character be grumpy, never yourself. Funnily enough, I've made the same mistake myself, it's hardly an uncommon one.

Secondly, I suggest you carefully consider your motive for being cautious. Your character should not be cautious because he is a "level 1 noob who dies in a stiff breeze." He doesn't have any concept of levels or the like. He should be cautious due to inexperience perhaps, or because of his timid nature. Other characters may be overconfident in their abilities, and that's fine too. It's very easy to let the mechanics influence you like that, but you'll have a better experience if you can forget them.

Finally, bad decisions aren't the end of the world. A game where your character never loses, never makes mistakes would get boring very quickly. They add tension within the group (provided the playes trust each other enough not to let things get out of hand), provide stimulus for character development, and can result in your adventure taking unexpected turns, all of which are good. A GM shouldn't seek to punish you for a mistake, especially another player's but rather see it as a potential plot point. You should as well. Losing an arm doesn't make you a cripple... It just adds character.

If I was GMing and your not so cautious friends charged into the fray, perhaps I'd have them captured, and you'd wind up sidetracking to rescue them(or perhaps they'd manage to escape first) or maybe they'd wind up with a few scars to remind them of the price of cockiness. Or perhaps you were overestimating the enemy and your caution was unwarranted... This time. Either way, I'd expect there to be an interesting conversation after the battle as your characters settle their differences(provided you trust each other enough not to allow it to get out of hand).

Trust is a big thing. It's why friends tend to work better than random groups.

persephone325

I'm interested. Have a little experience with Pathfinder, but that's it.
This doesn't have to end in a fight, Buck.
It always ends in a fight.
You pulled me from the river. Why?
I don't know.
"Don't dwell on those who hold you down. Instead, cherish those who helped you up."

Lyku

I'd be willing to run a pre-generated module and use either the forums or Discord.  Campaign would be horde of the dragon queen.  However, my campaigns are more plot focused over smut, which is different from what I see often. 
Every great dream begins with a dreamer.  Always remember, you have within you the strength, the patience, and the passion to reach for the stars to change the world.  – Harriet Tubman


ZameRagues

I definitely think a plot focused game would be a better start, smut can be sprinkled in later when a little more experience has been earned.
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Vergil1989

Meh, I think the real problem was just there was no trust between anyone, and that and a couple of us had problems with other members of the group from other games we'd been a part of, so that didn't help anything either.  Long story short, I think, looking back, we were doomed to fall apart eventually, no matter how good our GM might have been, which honestly he wasn't as present as he probably should have been but I've bitched about this long enough.  He was a good guy, and he did try his best, but it just wasn't meamt to be guess.

And I do agree that it's unrealistic to talk about everything, just as it's unrealistic to expect to win every fight and plan for every scenario for that matter, but again I want to stress the lack of bothering to talk about much of anything until it was too late to do anything about it.  As for being cautious, I unfortunately did indeed let game mechanics play a part of that, but some of that was a legitimate character aspect of my sorceress tiefling, (draconic bloodline), because of a sheltered upbringing among her noble siblings and parents.  It doesn't excuse the fact I let levels and such get in the way, I'll admit that, but I was of the mind that we needed to work together or we'd end up getting screwed.  A mindset that was exacerbated by the fact that one, we were all playing an Evil Campaign, which I had never done before, but also that our DM had pretty much said right from the start we'd need to consider our choices carefully because there'd be realistic, or as realistic as one can expect in a fantasy setting lol, consequences to our actions.
Taker of the Oath of the Drake
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https://elliquiy.com/forums/index.php?topic=123720.msg5435844#msg5435844  Storyteller Cafe thread.
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IMPORTANT UPDATE as of October 6th 2016 in A/A page

Muse

  If Lyku's GMing atempt falls through give me a wave and I'll see what I can arange.  :) 

  I'd inquire about playing, but I don't want to fill up a slot that should be left open for new players. 
A link for all of us who ever had a shouting match with our muse: http://www.ted.com/talks/elizabeth_gilbert_on_genius.html

How to set this Muse ablaze (O/Os)

When the little angel won't appear no matter how many plum blossoms you swirl:  https://elliquiy.com/forums/index.php?topic=135346.msg16474321#msg16474321 (Major update 5/10/2023)

persephone325

Quote from: Lyku on October 03, 2017, 10:40:25 PM
I'd be willing to run a pre-generated module and use either the forums or Discord.  Campaign would be horde of the dragon queen.  However, my campaigns are more plot focused over smut, which is different from what I see often. 

Quote from: ZameRagues on October 03, 2017, 10:41:54 PM
I definitely think a plot focused game would be a better start, smut can be sprinkled in later when a little more experience has been earned.

Personally, I definitely prefer plot over smut with D&D type games.
This doesn't have to end in a fight, Buck.
It always ends in a fight.
You pulled me from the river. Why?
I don't know.
"Don't dwell on those who hold you down. Instead, cherish those who helped you up."

Lyku

Is preference for this to be played over the boards or over discord?  Both are solid measures used for campaigns as it gives easiest tools for DMs to share information.

Basic rules for 5e can be downloaded from the Wizards of the Coast website: http://dnd.wizards.com/articles/features/basicrules

For the sake of structure, this will be run with the guidelines used for Adventurer's League, as I do feel it can simplify some details.  Stats for each character can either be from a 27 point buy in. (Cost for each point is listed on page 8 of the Player Basic Rules document found at the above link.

Alternately, you can use the following scores and assign them however you like. 15,14,13, 12, 10, 8.

The actual players handbook is permitted, so there are some races and classes not mentioned in that document.  If you want that information, feel free to ask. 

I would like to know how many players are interested and would enjoy the company of 1 or 2 experienced players as well as that can help the story flow as sometimes watching another individual do something can help.
Every great dream begins with a dreamer.  Always remember, you have within you the strength, the patience, and the passion to reach for the stars to change the world.  – Harriet Tubman


Dashenka

I'm definitely up to be guided and taught :)


Just a question though, perhaps a stupid one, but is DnD always in a 'fantasy' setting?
Out here in the fields, I fight for my meals and I get my back into my living.

I don't need to fight to prove I'm right and I don't need to be forgiven.

Lyku

Typically yes.  DnD is for Dungeons and Dragons.  It is based off a fantasy based system.  There are times when custom created settings, often referred to as homebrews, are made for modern or scifi settings.  Some of those are published with their own rules.  5e DND uses Faerun, the world of the Forgotten Realms setting, currently as their default world for the players, though other worlds do exist.
Every great dream begins with a dreamer.  Always remember, you have within you the strength, the patience, and the passion to reach for the stars to change the world.  – Harriet Tubman


firepyre

#23
DnD is typically a fantasy setting, yes. However there are many, many other systems out there with all sorts of settings, that are far more suited towards portraying their chosen theme. DnD is basically just a common gateway, in that basically everyone has heard of it, and serves as a good means for getting you started on system based roleplay.

Some others that are popular:

Vampire: The masquerade & World of Darkness - Set in a darker toned, contemporary supernatural setting, Vampire: the masquerade casts you as a vampire pitted against other vampires, werewolves and all manner of other creatures, in a secret war for survival and power. A trypical campain involves a lot of political intrigue, mixed with a solid dose of horror.

Shadowrun: Fantasy meets cyber punk, this game is set in a dystopian future, where magic has returned to the world after a long dissaperance, mutating humans into all manner of fantasy creatures. The mega corporations rule everything, and for all but the ultra elite, like is bleak. You play a shadowrunner,  a mercenary that tackles all kinds of dirty work that no one else will touch, from corporate espionage, to kidnapping or even rescues.

Star wars: There's a whole host of star wars systems out there. Fantasy flight games does a really popular one though. From Jedi to unscrupulous rogue, to  Tw'lek sex slave, you can play pretty much anything that takes your fancy.

The list goes on. There's a system out there for just about any popular setting you can think of.

PS: When people talk about Faerun, or Ebberon, or Dragonlance they're talking about different variations of DnD settings. For a new player, getting started though, it's not really a problem if you don't know the difference. Your GM can help guide you though the subtle differences, and you'll pick it up easily enough by playing anyway.

Dashenka

Out here in the fields, I fight for my meals and I get my back into my living.

I don't need to fight to prove I'm right and I don't need to be forgiven.

SINless

Actually, the above is not exactly correct. Though the biggest settings for D&D are high fantasy: Forgotten realms and Greyhawk chief among them, there are different kinds of settings covering various genres.

Spelljammer does sci-fi
Dark sun does Post Apocalyptic
Dragonlance is a hybrid setting
Grey wind is a modern/fantasy setting.

All of these are D&D, so you wouldn't need to learn a new setting, though they all have some unique elements to them.

Thufir Hawat

Quote from: firepyre on October 04, 2017, 08:45:29 AM
The list goes on. There's a system out there for just about any popular setting you can think of.

And probably one or more for many settings that you haven't even considered... >:)
Luckily, there's also systems that can do more than one kind of settings (usually called "universal" for obvious reasons). It's just that D&D ain't one of those.

Just like Muse said, I see you have GMs already, and I'm not new to D&D in any way, shape or form, so I'm not going to add much. I'll admit that I was kinda surpised the GMs didn't elect to use one of the free D&D-derived games, because they're free and have simpler rules.
But in the end, that's just my approach - what matters is that the GM(s) should be happy with the rules ;D!
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Dragongoddess

I'm definitely in.  I'm inexperienced, never tried the system before because I never wanted to be the person others had to drag alobg

Lyku

All this information is accurate.  However, we do have people that are currently looking for information regarding 5e DND.  While in previous editions there were various other settings... Ravenloft somehow being missed, for Wizards of the Coast sanctioned material, Faerun is the primarily realm of focus.  We could toss out various other settings and systems like White Wolf's Vampire the Masquerade, but that can get overwhelming and push off the basic request to learn 5e DND.

I suggested Horde of the Dragon Queen as it is a preset campaign that I own the book for, which was the first pre-set module created for 5e.

Never worry about being new to a system.  We were all new at one point in time.
Every great dream begins with a dreamer.  Always remember, you have within you the strength, the patience, and the passion to reach for the stars to change the world.  – Harriet Tubman


Thufir Hawat

I didn't get it that the request was for learning the latest edition, necessarily. If anything, Pathfinder has been proposed as an option, and that's an edition and a half in the past, with many OSR games being newer than that :P!

If the request was indeed for D&D 5e, you'd have my apologies for missing that detail, and you should disregard my suggestion to use any Old-School Renaissance games >:)!
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Lyku

That could be my oversight and for that I am sorry.  But at that point, we have a few people who are looking to learn.  We have a few systems that can be learned, but they are different.  For the newer group, what system are you looking to learn.  DND, there are numerous editions, with the most recent being 5th edition.  Older editions like 3.0/3.5 are still played, but they are different.  Systems like Vampire the Masquerade are played, but they are a drastically different system from DND.  The system I am offering to teach specifically would be 5e DND, which is the most current form of Dungeons and Dragons.  That is what I am willing to DM for.  If players are looking to play other system instead, there are DMs who are putting their name into the hat for those systems it seems.
Every great dream begins with a dreamer.  Always remember, you have within you the strength, the patience, and the passion to reach for the stars to change the world.  – Harriet Tubman


Dragongoddess

I do have a question that may benefit those of us who find we like the system: What are ALL of the DnD types used on Elliquiy and are there just minor differences or are the differences major to what we will be working with?  If minor, could you explain the differences?

Lyku

DND 2.0 is closer to similarity to original DND... I don't see those used on the site ever.  If they are, I haven't seen a group.  They are significantly different.

Pathfinder and DND 3.0/3.5 are similar, but different.  DND 5.0 is significantly different from those editions.  Both of these systems are classified as a d20 system, using a variety of dice for different rolls. 

Vampire the Masquerade is a significantly different system and is classified as a d10 system, which only uses d10s to determine successes or failures.

Personally, I see more people that use 5.0 on the site as it is considered the current DND system supported by Wizards of the Coast, the current owners for Dungeons and Dragons.  However, so people do enjoy the older systems.



Every great dream begins with a dreamer.  Always remember, you have within you the strength, the patience, and the passion to reach for the stars to change the world.  – Harriet Tubman


Vergil1989

It helps that 5E is much more streamlined and less clunky in some respects when it comes to rules and what have you compared to older systems.  Very few people I've seen ever play D&D 4th Edition for that reason.  It's still playable, but I wouldn't recommend it, especially for a first time game.  As for me, I've actually seen a couple of awesome Vampire the Masquerade games on here I'd have loved to join, but I didn't because I had no clue how to do anything with the system, so I didn't even try.  Still, for this, I'd rather just stick with 5th Edition for D&D, thanks.  And yes, story much more over smut thank you.
Taker of the Oath of the Drake
https://elliquiy.com/forums/index.php?topic=85486.0  Absence and Apology...countdown to doom....so to speak.
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IMPORTANT UPDATE as of October 6th 2016 in A/A page

Thufir Hawat

Quote from: Dragongoddess on October 04, 2017, 10:39:18 AM
I do have a question that may benefit those of us who find we like the system: What are ALL of the DnD types used on Elliquiy and are there just minor differences or are the differences major to what we will be working with?  If minor, could you explain the differences?
You sent us straight over the deep end, Dragongoddess.... ;D

OK, let me put it simply: ALL editions of ALL games are played by someone, somewhere. I remember on another forum a guy said he wrote some minimalist rules as a joke, never playtested them, and didn't expect anyone to play them - ever. They just sat on his website.
That is, until he received an e-mail from a Japanese guy who said their group had just concluded a year-long campaign using his system, and they wanted to continue. But before committing, the unnamed Japanese GM wanted to know, is the author working on the next edition >:)?

If we were to focus just on D&D editions, here's a simple breakdown. Note I said "simple", not "short" ;D!
You can skip it safely, though. No, really.
Long-ish Breakdown
OD&D is the first D&D edition, and the first RPG published, in 1974 IIRC (I wasn't born yet, either way). It's actually quite elegant in its simplicity, as long as you're fine with more abstract things - for example, all weapons do the same damage (1d6). Reasoning: all weapons have a chance to kill you. The GM can give you a bonus for having the better weapon, of course...
It's still being played, and probably will be for as long as there are RPGs.

The next few editions (B/X, BECMI, Mentzer, AD&D, and so on up until AD&D2e) get less and less complex, on the price being: more rules. I lump them together, because people often mixed and matched them, in practice (or so I've been told - I've only seen the books for one of those). In reality, you can even mix them with OD&D - it's not like there's a definite line, and the "engine" is robust enough to take it.

All of the above have "clones" nowadays. Some clones are notable for adding and discarding some elements, achieving different effects. Some of my favourites make the game better suited to Swords and Sorcery games in the style of Conan, Fafhrd and the Grey Mouser, Red Sonja, and the like (DCC RPG, Crypts and Things, and arguably, Low Fantasy RPG). Others make it more suited for Dark Fantasy, in the style of Elric, Dragon Age, and their ilk (Crimson Blades, for example). A game like Backswords and Bucklers gives you the opportunity to pubcrawl London in the age of the Tudors. The Adventurer, Conqueror, King System (ACKS) gives you the opportunity to follow Conan's path, starting as an adventurer, and carving out your domain, then ruling it...hopefully wisely.
Others...well, just give you more material to play with, being in essence the author's houserules.
Collectively, the "not quite clones" are known as the OSR (Old School Renaissance). If you sense me being biased towards those, that's true! I just find them most fun. That's probably due to the GMing ethos, though, which says "if you can think of something, you can always try it" (though learning magic as a warrior is out, for most games).

Then we get to Third Edition (often abbreviated to "3.5").
It's a complete re-boot, you can't mix material published for it with material for the previous editions (well, you can - but it's like adapting material from a different game). It's also got orders of magnitude more rules. Some critics, me included, claim that it takes some very hard jumping through hoops to make sure the non-magical classes remain useful. Of course, that might be a feature for some.
The edition is most notable for giving much more options to mix and match when building your character - special abilities of different classes, special abilities "everyone can take", magic items, spells, spell-like effects, and so on. Those combine in interesting ways, and some people outright state that making an optimized character is a major part of the fun. Want a barbarian wizard who resorts to spells when his barbarian rage isn't enough? Sure, you can do that. (I think it's not really optimized, but it's a combo that's outright impossible in many previous editions).
You'll also hear about Pathfinder. Everything that's true for 3.5 is true for PF as well, since it's based on 3.5 to begin with, just like the OSR games are based on the earlier editions. I prefer other games based on 3.5, like Fantasy Craft.

There's Fourth Edition: Really codified, rather good for tactical combat with grid and miniatures. It's also the least popular on forums, because the grid and miniatures are hard for forum games - and because a fight usually lasts at least 45 minutes in real time. I guess that's too long for forum games?
That's the one I have the least experience with - though it makes martial classes mostly equal to magical ones.
If I wanted to play something like it, but lighter, though I'd rather use 13th Age (because it relies less on grids). 4e is also, basically, a separate game from all previous editions - convert at your own risk.

And the current Fifth edition (5e) is streamlined, and plays like a hybrid of 3.5 and 4e with some elements thrown in from earlier editions - but most of it is from the previous two.
Also a separate game.

You must understand this, though: all editions of D&D and all games that aren't D&D, have advantages and disadvantages. There's no perfect game. There's only "perfect, or close to it" for a specific game, with a specific group!
Some people like codified rules and knowing what the effect would be. Others prefer to improvise on the spot, and having the GM adjudicate. That, right there, is a major difference between, say, 3.5 and earlier games.
The important part is knowing what you like...

And then you're going to play what the GM is willing to run, anyway :P. But you can at least try everything, and maybe look for a specific game next time.

Oh, and there are many, many other games out there. All possible genres are covered already, I believe. Some games are even multi-genre, like GURPS, BRP and arguably, Traveller.
A major difference between D&D and most other games is, however, that usually, editions of a game are "mostly compatible". Different editions of D&D are different games that play differently, especially the most recent ones.
Don't sweat it, trying to learn all of the above! If you find it fun, you'll learn in time. You can just Google a genre's name and "tabletop RPG" some time. You might be surprised what you could find under "wuxia tabletop rpg", for example 8-)! Reviews are really helpful, and sometimes funny.
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eBadger

To expand a little bit on the major editions:

Everything pre-3rd edition D&D was a combat system.  There was little to no concept in the industry yet about role playing v. roll playing and while that was certainly developing with story lines, plots, and extensive world building, the SYSTEM only supported it in the most basic way.  For that reason, these versions are fossils. 

3rd edition introduced some ideas for playing beyond the dungeon combat.  Skills were the main feature, but also spells, abilities and items that provided more direct tools.  3.5 came out incredibly soon after 3.0 and just introduced some balancing and additional features without any substantial rules changes; because of the quick release and similarity, 3.0 isn't much of a thing. 

4th edition was a turning point for the game.  I haven't dealt with it much, but it's often described as the computer game version of D&D.  Everybody gets special abilities, there's a huge focus on combat, lots of ways to reduce 'downtime' (game time spent healing, recovering spells or recharging abilities) and the skills system regressed.  It was also made with the intention that players would use miniatures and a table top grid.  Some people loved it, but it was a business disaster that brought D&D from THE role playing game which defined the genre to a secondary role, and eventually forced TSR to sell out to Wizards. 

This is because, when TSR released 4th edition, they made the benevolent but disastrous decision to make 3.5 edition open source.  The idea was to let the old version stick around as a quiant curiosity supported by a few hobbyists releasing free content.  Instead, enter Paizo's Pathfinder system.  Recognizing 4th edition's unpopularity, Paizo took the open source 3.5 ruleset, addressed several problems, added a huge amount of variation and content that provided excellent customization almost on par with a point based system, and took the risk of selling rule books that weren't copyrighted.  It was a spectacular success and launched the company ahead of D&D.  So the rules are all available online for free, other publishers can also produce content for it, and it's basically still the same system that has been the best selling RPG since 2000. 

Recently, D&D released 5e which I don't really have anything to add for.  As mentioned, it's a blend of 3.5 and 4, with some other stuff thrown in.  It's not a flop, but IMO the old giant is still fumbling around a bit trying to figure out what type of game comes next. 

Thufir Hawat

Quote from: eBadger on October 05, 2017, 02:37:41 AM
To expand a little bit on the major editions:
Expand all you want, but you got the information wrong - including the facts.

QuoteEverything pre-3rd edition D&D was a combat system.  There was little to no concept in the industry yet about role playing v. roll playing and while that was certainly developing with story lines, plots, and extensive world building, the SYSTEM only supported it in the most basic way.  For that reason, these versions are fossils. 
I guess that's why the Charisma stat is the only stat that got more than one paragraph of space, and the only one to have its own table associated :P?
It's just that the original players were also players of Diplomacy and didn't imagine that anyone might need rules for non-physical/non-magical actions.
(Then again, they were also amazed that anyone would need pre-made adventures. I guess they didn't understand well all their customers >:)).

Quote3rd edition introduced some ideas for playing beyond the dungeon combat.  Skills were the main feature, but also spells, abilities and items that provided more direct tools.  3.5 came out incredibly soon after 3.0 and just introduced some balancing and additional features without any substantial rules changes; because of the quick release and similarity, 3.0 isn't much of a thing. 
Skills existed in the previous edition already. And there was never a lack of spells and items.
Feats are the main new element.

Quote4th edition was a turning point for the game.  I haven't dealt with it much, but it's often described as the computer game version of D&D.  Everybody gets special abilities, there's a huge focus on combat, lots of ways to reduce 'downtime' (game time spent healing, recovering spells or recharging abilities) and the skills system regressed.  It was also made with the intention that players would use miniatures and a table top grid.  Some people loved it, but it was a business disaster that brought D&D from THE role playing game which defined the genre to a secondary role, and eventually forced TSR to sell out to Wizards.
Wizards had bought out TSR before producing THIRD edition! Fourth edition was theirs, too. As is Fifth.
TSR sold out to WotC after Second Edition.
At least get your dates right.

And D&D is still the most popular game. At some points, Pathfinder might have been close to its sales (no exact data was ever available). But then, arguably, Exalted and the Warhammer 40k RPGs were close, too - but no longer. Though I still prefer Exalted, but that's me.

QuoteThis is because, when TSR released 4th edition, they made the benevolent but disastrous decision to make 3.5 edition open source.  The idea was to let the old version stick around as a quiant curiosity supported by a few hobbyists releasing free content.  Instead, enter Paizo's Pathfinder system.  Recognizing 4th edition's unpopularity, Paizo took the open source 3.5 ruleset, addressed several problems, added a huge amount of variation and content that provided excellent customization almost on par with a point based system, and took the risk of selling rule books that weren't copyrighted.  It was a spectacular success and launched the company ahead of D&D.  So the rules are all available online for free, other publishers can also produce content for it, and it's basically still the same system that has been the best selling RPG since 2000. 
All true, but that was WotC, not TSR.

QuoteRecently, D&D released 5e which I don't really have anything to add for.  As mentioned, it's a blend of 3.5 and 4, with some other stuff thrown in.  It's not a flop, but IMO the old giant is still fumbling around a bit trying to figure out what type of game comes next.
Arguably, all available data points to 5e sales overtaking PF sales again. Paizo's business model wasn't based on sales of their rules, however - they've always relied on selling their Adventure Paths, first and foremost. That's why they offer all the rules for free on the PFSRD site.
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Muse

#37
  If you'd accept a
Spoiler: Click to Show/Hide
senpai
, E-badger, I'd love to play and love to help out the new players. 

  So as to not clutter up the post with debate, I'll put some not imediatly relevent items in spoiler text. 

On E-BAdger's Statement

  E-Badger, I respectfully contest your asertion that everything pre-3rd editon was a combat system.  While the skill system was a much better streamlined mechanic for what older editons did with non-weapon proficiciens and theif skills, those things were clearly present in 2nd editon D&D.  As a...  There's a term for it, but someone who likes thier mechanics to model their character as closely as is reasonable--I honestly consider 3rd edition a step backwards in that it drasticly generalized character abilites.  Examples?  In second editon your fighter might have been a bastard sword specialsit who was also proficienceint wtih daggers, staves, and all forms fo crossbow.  That fighter could aply his genreal combat savvy to any weapon with a good deal of skill, but nowhere near the skil he brought to bear with the weapons he'd specificly trained in. 

  In Third edition the same fighter was equaly proficient in all simple and martial weapons. 

  Likewise, your second edition fighter might have been a girl who worked in a coutnry inn growing up.  She could know how to cook, how to stable a horse, and---thanks to the local priest of Denir--how to read and write her native languege and the history of her home nation. 

  The same character in second edtion was a professional barmaid, who was equaly skilled tending and training any animal, equaly aware of her own history and that of the nation on the other side of the planet, and could read adn write every languege she could spea (even if they used diferent alphabets.) 

  Ultimately, these are minor details, nad I got used to them.   Almost 20 yeas later I still find the 3rd edtion presentation of religion and spirtualtiy in the Forgotten REalms vastly inferrior to 2nd editon.  Faiths and Avatars, Demihuman Deities, and Powers and Pantheons presetned a beautiful blend of roll playing infomration and priest classes who's spirituallity detemined their class fetures.  Nothing since has come close--not even prestige classes. 

You may now call me an old fogey.  :)   

Ditto on all points Thufir makes. 

Anyways.  As Lyku has generously offered to run a 5th edition D&D Game, this is the 5th edition System Refrence Document. 

http://5e.d20srd.org/

It's not very complete. 

The player's handbook for 5th edition looks like this: 
http://dnd.wizards.com/sites/default/files/media/styles/product_tabletop_left/public/images/product/DnD_PHB.png?itok=CoLYU1TV

And I'd be happy to help you with your characters wether or not you acquire the book.  (I'd ask you for a concpet that interested you and we could build from there.)  :) 
A link for all of us who ever had a shouting match with our muse: http://www.ted.com/talks/elizabeth_gilbert_on_genius.html

How to set this Muse ablaze (O/Os)

When the little angel won't appear no matter how many plum blossoms you swirl:  https://elliquiy.com/forums/index.php?topic=135346.msg16474321#msg16474321 (Major update 5/10/2023)

ZameRagues

I think we're getting more technical then desired by new people. Lyku is willing to run a 5E game, Muse has provided the basic materials to play, and Muse and myself are willing to play along side the newbies.
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Thufir Hawat

I agree, and apologize for my part of the distraction!
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Dragongoddess

I feel bad for asking the question.  Feel like I started a bit of a DnD debate.

Lyku

Dragongoddess... you're fine. :) 

Alright.  Let's get back on track.

So let me find out who is interested in playing.  This campaign will be focusing on the newer players.  I can get a new thread up for it.  The materials I provided were the base information.

So let me please get a definite raise of hands of who is interested and mark yourself as new or experienced.
Every great dream begins with a dreamer.  Always remember, you have within you the strength, the patience, and the passion to reach for the stars to change the world.  – Harriet Tubman


Dragongoddess

The Dragongoddess raises her hand like Hermione Granger in Harry Potter, thinking 'Ooo...oooo...pick me, pick me'.

:P I'm definitely interested and am a new player, never even tried before.

Muse

*Appears in a swirl of plum blossoms and raises his hand* 

Uperclassman Tenshi the Muse of Fire, respectrfully requesting the honor of joining this journey.  :)
(AKA, Experienced gamer here eager to play and help out.) 

*  *  *

Don't feel bad, Dragon Goddess.  We debate this stuff because we love it. 

*  *  *



I just found this girl, and intend to play her somewhere, somewhere, probably in fifth edition D&D. 

Depending on the gender and prefrence spread for the cast, though, I may well play a man.  :)
A link for all of us who ever had a shouting match with our muse: http://www.ted.com/talks/elizabeth_gilbert_on_genius.html

How to set this Muse ablaze (O/Os)

When the little angel won't appear no matter how many plum blossoms you swirl:  https://elliquiy.com/forums/index.php?topic=135346.msg16474321#msg16474321 (Major update 5/10/2023)

ZameRagues

*Raises hand and snickers slightly at the newbies eagerness.*

Experienced 5E player on board.
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Dragongoddess

Quote from: Muse on October 05, 2017, 08:31:20 AM
*Appears in a swirl of plum blossoms and raises his hand* 

Uperclassman Tenshi the Muse of Fire, respectrfully requesting the honor of joining this journey.  :)
(AKA, Experienced gamer here eager to play and help out.) 

*  *  *

Don't feel bad, Dragon Goddess.  We debate this stuff because we love it. 

*  *  *



I just found this girl, and intend to play her somewhere, somewhere, probably in fifth edition D&D. 

Depending on the gender and prefrence spread for the cast, though, I may well play a man.  :)
Well I know I'll be playing a female.  If you choose to play a man, would you mind to horribly if I might use that picture?  I won't do it if you're going to use it or if you'll mind at all.

Muse

 *Grnis* 

  Megami-sama, we have an accord.
A link for all of us who ever had a shouting match with our muse: http://www.ted.com/talks/elizabeth_gilbert_on_genius.html

How to set this Muse ablaze (O/Os)

When the little angel won't appear no matter how many plum blossoms you swirl:  https://elliquiy.com/forums/index.php?topic=135346.msg16474321#msg16474321 (Major update 5/10/2023)

eBadger

Quote from: Thufir Hawat on October 05, 2017, 04:24:20 AM
Expand all you want, but you got the information wrong - including the facts.
I guess that's why the Charisma stat is the only stat that got more than one paragraph of space, and the only one to have its own table associated :P?
It's just that the original players were also players of Diplomacy and didn't imagine that anyone might need rules for non-physical/non-magical actions.
(Then again, they were also amazed that anyone would need pre-made adventures. I guess they didn't understand well all their customers >:)).
Skills existed in the previous edition already. And there was never a lack of spells and items.
Feats are the main new element.

Wizards had bought out TSR before producing THIRD edition! Fourth edition was theirs, too. As is Fifth.
TSR sold out to WotC after Second Edition.
At least get your dates right.

And D&D is still the most popular game. At some points, Pathfinder might have been close to its sales (no exact data was ever available). But then, arguably, Exalted and the Warhammer 40k RPGs were close, too - but no longer. Though I still prefer Exalted, but that's me.
All true, but that was WotC, not TSR.
Arguably, all available data points to 5e sales overtaking PF sales again. Paizo's business model wasn't based on sales of their rules, however - they've always relied on selling their Adventure Paths, first and foremost. That's why they offer all the rules for free on the PFSRD site.

So first off, I'll just throw out that when someone tries to provide helpful information you are by all means welcome to disagree and correct, but the snark and condescension aren't necessary. 

Charisma had multiple paragraphs and a table, which isn't IMHO a lot to base role playing on and certainly wasn't a large portion of the rule set.  Yes, the argument has always been made that you don't need lots of rules to role play, but This relates to the system's support of it.

IIRC, non weapon proficiencies existed, and the name says a lot about the attitude toward them as an afterthought.  They were just based on the stats with minor adjustments and limited ability to improve them so they represented a slight refining of the "just roll your stat" mentality but weren't what I would call a developed skill system. 

I stand corrected re: WOTC. My understanding is that while core rule book sales for d&d exceed pathfinder (logical as the rule set is available for free), taken as a whole (supplements etc) paizos volume is larger.  In any case, hairs being split, 4e marked the decisive end of D&Ds monopoly over the genre, not only with pathfinder but also the growth of many other systems (I had a couple candid conversations with WotC staff during the production of 5e and per them, the lasting legacy of 4e as a monumental business blunder still remains and had significant bearing on the current rule set).  Suffice to say that before 2005ish, if you said you played RPGs there was basically no question that you'd played D&d.  That is no longer the case. 


Vergil1989

Quote from: Lyku on October 05, 2017, 07:51:07 AM
Dragongoddess... you're fine. :) 

Alright.  Let's get back on track.

So let me find out who is interested in playing.  This campaign will be focusing on the newer players.  I can get a new thread up for it.  The materials I provided were the base information.

So let me please get a definite raise of hands of who is interested and mark yourself as new or experienced.

Definitely inexperienced but not new to the setting subject matter.  I've read almost everything I could get my hands on from R.A. Salvatore who writes mostly within the Forgotten Realms world of D&D, and I HAVE played a couple of games, but again they never seemed to last long, so my actual experience with the game is severely limited as a result.

Quote from: Muse on October 05, 2017, 04:34:31 AM
  If you'd accept a
Spoiler: Click to Show/Hide
senpai
, E-badger, I'd love to play and love to help out the new players. 

  So as to not clutter up the post with debate, I'll put some not imediatly relevent items in spoiler text. 

On E-BAdger's Statement

  E-Badger, I respectfully contest your asertion that everything pre-3rd editon was a combat system.  While the skill system was a much better streamlined mechanic for what older editons did with non-weapon proficiciens and theif skills, those things were clearly present in 2nd editon D&D.  As a...  There's a term for it, but someone who likes thier mechanics to model their character as closely as is reasonable--I honestly consider 3rd edition a step backwards in that it drasticly generalized character abilites.  Examples?  In second editon your fighter might have been a bastard sword specialsit who was also proficienceint wtih daggers, staves, and all forms fo crossbow.  That fighter could aply his genreal combat savvy to any weapon with a good deal of skill, but nowhere near the skil he brought to bear with the weapons he'd specificly trained in. 

  In Third edition the same fighter was equaly proficient in all simple and martial weapons. 

  Likewise, your second edition fighter might have been a girl who worked in a coutnry inn growing up.  She could know how to cook, how to stable a horse, and---thanks to the local priest of Denir--how to read and write her native languege and the history of her home nation. 

  The same character in second edtion was a professional barmaid, who was equaly skilled tending and training any animal, equaly aware of her own history and that of the nation on the other side of the planet, and could read adn write every languege she could spea (even if they used diferent alphabets.) 

  Ultimately, these are minor details, nad I got used to them.   Almost 20 yeas later I still find the 3rd edtion presentation of religion and spirtualtiy in the Forgotten REalms vastly inferrior to 2nd editon.  Faiths and Avatars, Demihuman Deities, and Powers and Pantheons presetned a beautiful blend of roll playing infomration and priest classes who's spirituallity detemined their class fetures.  Nothing since has come close--not even prestige classes. 

You may now call me an old fogey.  :)   

Ditto on all points Thufir makes. 

Anyways.  As Lyku has generously offered to run a 5th edition D&D Game, this is the 5th edition System Refrence Document. 

http://5e.d20srd.org/

It's not very complete. 

The player's handbook for 5th edition looks like this: 
http://dnd.wizards.com/sites/default/files/media/styles/product_tabletop_left/public/images/product/DnD_PHB.png?itok=CoLYU1TV

And I'd be happy to help you with your characters wether or not you acquire the book.  (I'd ask you for a concpet that interested you and we could build from there.)  :) 

As for a character concept, I actually had a wood elf cleric I loved back in the day.  I...ahem, might have been obsessed with Firefly at the time, so she might have wound up based around a certain Companion from the show, but she's an old character I've only used once for an actual game.  I long ago unfortunately lost her character sheet when 3.5 was still new, so I'd have to put her back together, but any help would be appreciated in doing so.
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RedPhoenix

Running a one shot game using the online free rules for newbies only is a mighty tempting idea. *ponders*
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Lyku

First off... we're moving off the path of setting up a game for new players... so I will be posting a new thread so that that can get on track.  Please do not continue this debate there as it does take away.

Just a few things regarding this detail.

Yes, the rules for Pathfinder were free.  That is a fact as Pathfinder's rules are the rules of D&D 3.5.  Though the character classes have been altered to allow some classes to be a bit more balanced, the character sheets are the same and the rules are the same.  Remember that Pathfinder was created by Paizo due to Wizard of the Coasts announcement for 4th edition.  D&D 3.0 was created in 2000 and then was updated to 3.5 in 2003.  That same system was played for years.  3.5 fixed some issues with the system and fine tuned mistakes that they had made, but overall, the system was the same and played frequently.  While it's true that editions like 2nd ed had longer gaps between when the editions were released, (Original D&D being released in 1974 and 2nd Ed being released in 1989), these were the practices of TSR, who nearly bankrupt, thus the reason Wizards of the Coast bought them in 1997.  New editions needed to be released.  So after 5 - 8 years, depending on if you want to have the date grouped with 3.0 or 3.5, Wizards decided to put out 4th edition.  They had announced it in late 2007 and it was released in early 2008.  And yes, it was a flop.  It was a completely new system.  This is something that previous editions had done as well.  Compare how different 3rd edition was to 2nd edition (Fucking THAC0), and original D&D.  Character sheets changed, stats were different, and though there were some similarities, there were a lot of difference.

Honestly... if Pathfinder did try to actually sell the base rules as their own... there would of probably been a lawsuit... thus the reason they sold the modules that they made.  Pathfinder was originally created to simplify some details because if you remember what 3.5 devolved to, it turned into players making multiclassed characters from multiple books in order to stay relevant.  Base classes from the core book because obsolete. (Example: Fighter).  That is why Pathfinder was commonly called D&D 3.75.

4th ed was bad... there are probably some people who like it... but it was an attempt to bring back D&D as it was a hobby that needed to support itself.  Wizards could of just let it die... it's not as if they are hurting for money (For those who are not aware, Wizards of the Coast is the company that makes the multi-billion dollar collectible card game: Magic the Gathering).  So they made an attempt to make DND like a video game.  The idea was not a bad idea because video games sell.  Sadly... it did not go over as well as they hoped when released in 2008, but they couldn't merely abandon the idea of it as they did need to give players time to see if it was something that players would grow to love.  If you think that they should of rushed it sooner... remember that Magic the Gathering wasn't a hit sensation.  It's fan base grew over the years.  Yet, they did come to see that 4th wasn't working, thus why they worked on 5th edition.  They took things that worked in 3.5, changed the rules around, but fine tuned things.

Stats no longer went to high extremes.  Players were capped naturally at 20 and magically at 30.  Those higher caps are hard to reach.  3.0, 3.5 and 3.75 would see higher stats, armor classes, levels.  It was made to keep going higher and higher.  5th reduced those. 



ANYWAYS... I plan to edit this post with the new RP thread and this above is my last comment on this discussion.
Every great dream begins with a dreamer.  Always remember, you have within you the strength, the patience, and the passion to reach for the stars to change the world.  – Harriet Tubman


Lyku

#51
I'm not going to force players to use only those rules.  Those rules are the easiest to get their hands on... but I do advise using them as they are the easiest to access as they are free.  The key is to learn the system and to play something that you will come to enjoy.

OOC Thread:  https://elliquiy.com/forums/index.php?topic=276394.0
Every great dream begins with a dreamer.  Always remember, you have within you the strength, the patience, and the passion to reach for the stars to change the world.  – Harriet Tubman


Dragongoddess

Lyku, could you post in the OOC the sheet you want us to work with for character concepts?

Lyku

The information is over on the OOC thread for the game.
Every great dream begins with a dreamer.  Always remember, you have within you the strength, the patience, and the passion to reach for the stars to change the world.  – Harriet Tubman


Thufir Hawat

I was going to abstain from posting, but there's three things I wanted to say.

Quote from: Dragongoddess on October 05, 2017, 07:46:19 AM
I feel bad for asking the question.  Feel like I started a bit of a DnD debate.
You really don't need to worry. We're veterans at this ;D!

Quote from: eBadger on October 05, 2017, 12:01:21 PM
So first off, I'll just throw out that when someone tries to provide helpful information you are by all means welcome to disagree and correct, but the snark and condescension aren't necessary. 
Man, you don't get to call other people's preferred editions "fossils" and then pretend I started with the "snark and condescension".
Now let's just agree to let this die. It was off-topic, and largely unnecessary.

Quote from: RedPhoenix on October 05, 2017, 12:37:39 PM
Running a one shot game using the online free rules for newbies only is a mighty tempting idea. *ponders*
Third and last: you know you want to >:)!

(Hell, I'm almost tempted, despite lacking the time!)
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RedPhoenix

haha I really do!

I made a general discussion thread for 5e in the On Topic forum if anyone wants to talk about the game generally there in the meantime though! :D
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eBadger

Quote from: Thufir Hawat on October 06, 2017, 05:51:45 PM
Man, you don't get to call other people's preferred editions "fossils" and then pretend I started with the "snark and condescension".
Ah!  My apologies, then.  No value judgement was intended, simply a descriptor. Like the original Atari, I played it, enjoyed it and have fond memories, but despite a nostalgic reprinting here and there and a few hobbyists, there's no real attempt to continue with the platform because it simply doesn't meet modern expectations for the genre. 

Thufir Hawat

Quote from: RedPhoenix on October 06, 2017, 05:57:50 PM
haha I really do!

I made a general discussion thread for 5e in the On Topic forum if anyone wants to talk about the game generally there in the meantime though! :D
I knew it >:)!

Quote from: eBadger on October 07, 2017, 10:13:19 AM
Ah!  My apologies, then.  No value judgement was intended, simply a descriptor. Like the original Atari, I played it, enjoyed it and have fond memories, but despite a nostalgic reprinting here and there and a few hobbyists, there's no real attempt to continue with the platform because it simply doesn't meet modern expectations for the genre.
Apologies accepted.
However, that's a prime example why comparison isn't proof.
That is, RPGs aren't computer games. In computer systems the upgrade is measurable, you can point to better graphics, more operations per second, better AI and the like. You can argue computer systems are evolving.
OTOH, in RPGs what is "an update" for one might be "going over the board" for others. The aforementioned social mechanics are exactly one of those things, but a higher number of codified combat manoeuvres might well be another.
Thus, you don't have evolution in RPGs, you only have games that fit a particular group to a different degree.
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HannibalBarca

Just gonna jump in with a few points about original D&D, because that's what I started with--before it became AD&D, when TSR was originally called Tactical Studies Rules:

D&D wasn't the first RPG.  That was Empire of the Petal Throne, by M.A.R. Barker, a professor.  I played that a couple times.  It wasn't as good, but it did have a wonderful, non-European setting.

D&D sprouted from a game book called Chainmail, which was a codified set of rules for miniatures playing in a medieval setting.  The original 3, brown-paper cover minibooks of D&D were written by Gary Gygax and Dave Arneson, and actually required (as per written in the first book) the Chainmail rules book.  They wanted to scratch an itch that many Chainmail players had--'what if I want to add dragons, or orcs, or wizards, to my medieval miniatures battles?'  The roleplaying was something of an afterthought in the original D&D.

AD&D, what is called 1st Edition, was solely created by Gygax, as Arneson had left TSR by then.  Gygax wrote the original Player's Handbook, Dungeon Master's Guide, and Monster Manual.  Other books were added on to 1st Edition, some written by others, as well as campaign supplements and other items to enhance play, but AD&D really was Gary's baby.  TSR published Dragon magazine back then too, even before the 1st Ed. books came out, something I had a subscription to, which contained the seeds of many additional pieces of lore and gameplay, which made it into later game rulebooks and supplements.

1st Edition really brought the roleplay part of the game to the fore.  I actually played D&D before I first read Lord of the Rings, and in the back of the original Dungeon Master's Guide, Gygax offered a list of further reading, some of which he'd drawn from to create the game, which launched me even further into not only more reading, but actual writing, and my first explorations into fantasy fiction.

But I still have all my original D&D and AD&D books, and occasionally dip into them for the nostalgia.  I have many, many happy memories of those campaigns and games, with my brothers and high school friends.  I'm glad to see the game, in whatever iteration, becoming popular again <3
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SensualNia

If anyone's starting a group for newbies I'd like to join!  ;D
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Sain

Hi SensualNia!

Chulanowa seems to be looking to run some D&D fun for newbies. Here's a link to his thread.
PM box is open. So is my discord: Sain#5301

SensualNia

Quote from: Sain on September 05, 2018, 02:48:06 AM
Hi SensualNia!

Chulanowa seems to be looking to run some D&D fun for newbies. Here's a link to his thread.

Thank you!
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Varoona

If any one is still looking for this kind of thing I’d be happy to be an experianced player to play along side of newbies and help out as much as I can