Dungeons and dragons

[Mateusz_Zboj]

I am sort of newbie in D&D. (Only played Temple of Elemental Evil cRPG based on D&D 3.5 Grayhawk world).

What items do I need to start a game?
I am sure I would need bestiary, story book and DM guidebook. I am also certain i will need a set of dices: d4 d6 d8 d12 d20 - if I am correct, though I dunno in what quantities.
Will I require any special board and figurines for the game?
Also what setting (any sort of high fantasy) would you recommend for newbie DM?

[Valten21]

pretty much just need the bare essentials of some rule books, not sure what edition you are playing but each should of have a player handbook, GM handbook, rulebook. Those, dice, and a good group of pals are all you need.

boards or maps and figurines are nice but not required, our DM used to just use graph paper to draw out the rooms or dungeons we fought in.

[Potjeh]

I assume you're going with 3.5, I haven't tried 4 but I haven't heard much about it.

You need one set of dice minimum (one each of d4, d6, d8, d10, d12 and d20), but having more makes things go a lot faster (a set for each player is the best).

You can technically play with just the SRD, but having the physical books is easier. If you're getting the books, start with Player's Handbook, Dungeon Master's Guide and Monster Manual.

You don't need a board, you'll be drawing your own map layouts on graph paper. Anything will do for figurines, though it helps avoid confusion if you use something resembling what it's supposed to represent. I wouldn't buy the official models, they're far too expensive.

As for setting, I recommend you make your own. Keeping in line with canon in predesigned settings can be cumbersome. You don't have to plan ahead in too much detail, just make a rough sketch of your setting and fill the gaps as you play. If you do want to use a standard high fantasy setting, I guess Forgotten Realms is the default option. I still think it's a bit wasteful to buy setting books, though.

[TeckXKnight]

If it's possible, print out the monsters and abilities that you plan on using for reference rather than looking them up constantly. It saves a lot of time and isn't too difficult to do. I'd advise doing the same for spells that players plan on using or at least a spell list. Good luck and listen to Potjeh. =)

[Potjeh]

Just remembered a protip: cardboard cutouts make good pieces. Just make something like those desk calendars (triangle with interlocked bottom), google and print out images of monsters (or draw them yourself if you like that sort of thing) and glue them onto the cardboard base.

[MaGicBush]

Just remembered a protip: cardboard cutouts make good pieces. Just make something like those desk calendars (triangle with interlocked bottom), google and print out images of monsters (or draw them yourself if you like that sort of thing) and glue them onto the cardboard base.

This is what we used to do, though one of my old friends would just draw the monsters and characters. I miss playing and wish my current friends would play(I lost touch with those other guys), they tend to just want to play on the PS3 or hang out. I brought it up once, but they all agreed it was better to just play RPG games on consoles and the PC .

[painhertz]

Also? pizza and beer. A really good D&D game needs pizza and beer. And Hookers maybe...

[dagrimreefah]

Old school ShadowRun with the D6 is where its at :p

[TeckXKnight]

Old school ShadowRun with the D6 is where its at :p

I don't know, I'm sort of a White Wolf fan myself. I hate their mechanics but I love the storytelling and the world. I still haven't found a dice system I'm entirely happy with. The One Roll Engine, D20, D10, D%, and D6 systems have all fallen short for me. Then there are some truly terrible and unique mishaps like the d52 system which is just a deck of playing cards.

[Mateusz_Zboj]

So basicly I can just copy the books off someone, print them, bind them, craft some pieces, buy the dices and I am fine? Phew, a lot cheaper than magic the gathering, lol.