Forums » Smalltalk » can someone please teach me D&D?

I really want to play. Like, really really. I have for a very long time.
I have a fifth edition starter set that comes with a small 30 page Rulebook, a small adventure book and a few pregenereated characteers(which I have no interest in using. I hate trying to work with something I didn't create myself) and one set of dice. That's pretty much it. It doesn't have a manual or a players handbook. I can't download pdfs of the other books because the only device I own that I can get online with is my iPad, which doesn't like PDFs
I did recently buy a players handbook from a flea market but I have no idea what addition it is and it's kinda falling apart and missing pages. It says "complete handbook for the AD&D game.


I've tried googling some information....Anything I find on google just kinda makes me more confused so I was wondering if someone could kinda... Help me out. Maybe play a few mock games on skype or something, show me how to create a character and how things work?

There's a few places where I am that has groups I could ask to join but.....I have horrible social anxiety, I can't bring myself to walk in to that giant and full auditorium and just barge into a game asking someone to teach me..

I think the last version of D&D that referenced "advanced" (the A in AD&D) was v2.5. That version is very much out dated, and does not even employ the same dice system as current versions.

To really start playing D&D, you need to find a group, and figure out which version they are using. A lot of people shied away from v4.0, and instead shifted to Pathfinder. So, unfortunately you will have to face your social anxiety, and go "Hey. I want to play, and I'm new at this. Would you be willing to let me join, and teach me some?"

As far as situations go, this is about the least intimidating interaction you may ever face. It's a group of people publicly playing D&D. They won't judge you... Because well, they can't. To play D&D publicly is to know, and accept your own nerd side, and all the stigma it comes with. If they do judge you, screw them, and find another party.

The group you play with makes or breaks the experience anyway. So if they aren't friendly, you're probably not gonna like the game as much.

Anyway, the next step is getting a copy of the players handbook for what ever version you want. It won't be cheap.

Basics of the game:

The DM runs the campaign. His goal is to provide a story, and attempt to kill you.

Your goal as a player is not to die, and either go with the story, or passive aggressively attempt to derail the story by making horrible choices, and executing flawed and poorly conceived plans. I did the latter. Recommend testing the waters before attempting.

As far as basic gameplay, state what your character wants to do. Roll the 20 sided dice. Add any modifiers for race, ability, or skill. Hope that number is greater then the number the DM says was needed to succeed. 20 instant passes, 1 instant fails.

I wouldn't recommend the plan of making poor choices passive aggressively -- it often turns the entire group against you. Instead, I'd recommend just finding a DM who creates stories flexible enough to adjust and be changed by the actions the players take.

As scary as it may be, it is SO much easier to learn with a group, I think Caribou is right on the money -- if you know where games are being played publicly, you have a treasure most people don't! It's definitely something to take advantage of.

There is now an Adobe Reader App for iPad that lets you read PDFs on it! I use it all the time, so maybe that's something you could look into? I am pretty sure it was free.

Thank you both. I've tried going in the groups a few times. The first time I did have a ton of fun and the group was pretty cool, but I didn't really learn as much as I wanted, I didn't totally understand what was going on. and... Well when I corrected them about my pronouns it got suddenly pretty cold in the room.

Ever since my heart kinda just starts pounding when I go in the auditorium and I just have to back out again.
I'll try again though.

double

There is a Website named rollD20. Like this sight, it is great, but it has a more jointed and rule based structure and will run about any game system. Some P&P games are easier to drop into than others, like Mass effect D6, and like what Kim and Caribou said, best way to learn is in a group and request help from the DM. Also, you can run games against yourself if you want to for practice.

There is also a couple of apps i have on my phone that gives you a lot of info in terms of skills races classes and so forth. One of them even has a random dungeon generator. I can't say they do much in teaching you to play but they do provide a good reference source for other info thats good to have. I'm also about to be DM for a small little beginners campaign for a friend of mines kids who want me to teach them how to play.

Roll20 is a great site to find an online game and has several built in features that are very helpful. I've never played D&D 5.0 but I'm very familiar with Pathfinder, you can see most the material for free on the Pathfinder PRD too. I got my start RPing pen and paper with D&D 2-3.0 and Vampire the Masquerade so I hope you'll enjoy as much as I did! Just remember, it's no crime to be new and learning, and a patient group willing to teach is precisely what you need.

Thanks guys. The guy who sold me the box set said 5 worked with Pathfinder, that much I know though I don't know what pathfinder is. I'll give rolld20 a look.

Finding a DM and group who works with you is important. I know of at least one group on RPR that does D&D that switches between here and Roll20 Roll 20 for the rolls and maps here to make the story go and feel a bit more into the story.