Help a noobie!

[pseudopseudo]

Hey guys (and ladies) of the analog forum!

So, I've never so much as dabbled in PnP RPGs before. However, last night some friends of mine were over, and one of them told me that she's planning on jumping in on a friend's DnD game, 'cause they're starting a new campaign. Re-rolling new characters and everything. She asked if I wanted to jump in... and after some thought, I told her that I'd love to try it out.

She said they're planning on using the latest edition of the DnD books. So my question to you is this - what should I bring/how should I be prepared, so as not to look like a total noob? I don't want to be "that guy" that holds the whole session up because I have no clue what I'm doing.

Any and all help is appreciated!

(For the record - I already have a character in mind. Not named yet - but I'm thinking of having a Gnome Warrior if such thing is possible, and I've even thought up backstory for him.)

[Lithium Flower]

Well, you need to go through the "Dungeons and Dragons: Player's Handbook 4th Edition" otherwise known as PHB 4E, and familiarise yourself with the races and classes available. Then you need to take a look at the game mechanics and get an idea of how you'll be playing. Think in terms of a character you want to play, rather than a build you want to try out. Think of how you can translate personality traits into game play.

What races/classes you would be able to pick will depend on what the DM (Dungeon Master, the game referee) is allowing, but the default races don't include gnomes.

[pseudopseudo]

Well, you need to go through the "Dungeons and Dragons: Player's Handbook 4th Edition" otherwise known as PHB 4E, and familiarise yourself with the races and classes available. Then you need to take a look at the game mechanics and get an idea of how you'll be playing. Think in terms of a character you want to play, rather than a build you want to try out. Think of how you gain translate personality traits into game play.

What races/classes you would be able to pick will depend on what the DM (Dungeon Master, the game referee) is allowing, but the default races don't include gnomes.

Thanks for the heads up! I knew that when they told me that I didn't need the books or anything, something didn't sound right. (I knew that I should've at least read something.) I found an online version of the 4E PHB to read until I can conjur up the scratch to buy my own (if I end up staying with this group).

[Doctor Setebos]

Bring your own dice (several each of 20, 12, 10, 8, 6, and 4-siders) and be very wary of allowing ANYONE to touch them. Keep them in a velvet pouch and lovingly stroke them periodically. That should be a pretty definite sign to everyone that you are an appropriately "hardcore" D&D player.

[TheKeck]

Yeah, if you go through what you can of the PHB, that should help a lot.

[The Doctor]

I have no idea if going into D&D4E as your first PnP RPG is a good thing or not. My group had a real hard time learning it, and even now a few of the players don't really 'get' it.

Our problem is that we're all longtime gamers though, so we kept making assumptions based on a gazillion previous versions of D&D. 4E might be a piece of cake for somebody with no preconceived notions.

Gnomes aren't core in 4E, although I believe they have abbreviated stats in the Monster Manual for use as PCs.

[Scull]

So 4E is a very easy system to learn. The Doctor alludes to issues his group had about playing it, and odds are that they were trying to play the same way they always had in previous D&D versions, and that doesn't work so well in 4E. It is a different game with a different play structure and flows very differently than previous versions of D&D did. The rules also tend to focus more on tactical play and less on the role-play aspect, but that hardly means you can't role-play, it just isn't called out in the rules very much.

As for not wanting to be a n00b, get a set or two of dice (one each of d20, d12, d8, d4; two d10, four d6), have a character sheet, blank if you are making characters as a group, or filled out if not. Have a couple of sharpened pencils (or a mechanical pencil) and a sharpener and eraser. Bring cash to pitch in for snacks or bring some snacks/drinks etc.

Try to read through the rules at least briefly, but don't expect the DM to play strictly by the book. Do not call the DM on a rule he doesn't follow, that makes a RULES LAWYER, and detracts from the fun. Go into the game prepared to get into your character's mindset and just remember that it's agame and if you aren't all having fun, then what's the point?

[Karak]

Hey guys (and ladies) of the analog forum!



(For the record - I already have a character in mind. Not named yet - but I'm thinking of having a Gnome Warrior if such thing is possible, and I've even thought up backstory for him.)

..You are a noob! And thats good and if they are a good group than that will make them even more excited to play with you. Bring dice, thats it. Many groups like to spend time explaining things races, classes by stories and examples. I have ALWAYS found that to be the best way and I have been playing for over 25 years. Just ask them, talk, get to know one another. That's the best bet for a long gaming future.

[pseudopseudo]

Just got back from our character creation session. Looks like we'll be heading out on our first official campaign next Tuesday.

I'm a Gnome Wizard named Lawrence ("Larry") Tinbits. Good alignment.

The group we have is an interesting one, for sure. 4 noobs (myself, my brother, and two friends), 2 guys who've been playing together for 3 years, and a guy who ended up joining our group as he was waiting for his Warhammer 40K opponent. And then the DM. I think I understand most of what happened when I made my character, but I'll be reading through both the PHB and my pertinent section of the MM.

I think the only thing that might set our group back is if the old hats get sick of us noobs asking question. Time'll tell.

[Primus]

No matter what you are going to be that guy. There are way too many rules and situations to remember. Even a game full of seasoned players will have quite a few challenges and book referencing.

My advice:

Read what you can, bring a bag of dice, a pen, and character sheet, and learn what you can from the more experienced players as you go.