D&D which edition

[Lord Torath]

@ Lady of Lore:

If there's nothing available in the area, you might try signing up for Roll20. There are a host of games going on there, and you can search for games that are accepting new players and are being played at a time that meets your schedule. You can also search based on rule set and edition.

Like others, I wouldn't worry too much about which edition you play. They all have things that are easier and harder to grasp than other editions, and yet, somehow, people have learned how to play and enjoy each one. I have no reason to believe you won't be able to do the same. (That said, I've only played BX/BECMI/RC and 2E AD&D, so you probably shouldn't trust anything I say about the later editions).

So my main advice is to find a game that meets your schedule, and have fun!

[Premier]

I've just been back to check. And discovered that you did not provide a meaningful recommendation at all. The closest thing to a useful recommendation you gave was the suggestion to go for simpler editions and then the fallacious claim that older editions were generally simpler.

I brought 1e in as a counter example to the only actually actionable advice you gave (older is simpler) that doesn't involve reading and comparing multiple editions. 1e is the easiest old edition to find so unguided will be the default a newbie finds - and the most complex three book core set in the history of D&D.

I apologise for misremembering and thinking you might have given advice that might have been useful to the OP like actually suggesting an edition in the edition suggestions thread.

It seems clear to me that all you're interested in at this point is tearing into me over some imagined slight and that you believe personal attacks are acceptable as long as the target voices an opinion you disagree with. Well, if this is what makes you happy, you can continue doing it alone. Ta.

Best of luck to LadyOfLore.

[neonchameleon]

Did this part get cut off?

My explanation of 4e's skill challenge rules? Yup. I meant to say they are the "Three strikes plans" in the retroclone in my signature.

Short version - when the players come up with a complex plan you really don't know what to do with, the mechanical plan is to work out how difficult it is, chunk it up, and have them try to do each part with appropriate skill rolls

The Skill Challenges presented in the 4e PHB are writing down what a good DM might have done as part of a structure - but never telling you how they fit that flexible structure. Used as an improv tool they work well, but they aren't presented as an improv tool.

Also re: Square Fireballs, in play they aren't a problem after the first couple of sessions IME. But my theory is that 4e was playtested on a hex grid where the blasts are 60 degree cones and the fireballs are approximately circular. And then they were told "You must use square grids" about a month before 4e went to print so forced everything onto a square grid the fast and efficient way. (Again my retroclone uses hex grids).

Could you elaborate on that? Because 4e is nowhere near "balanced" in my book. It may be more balanced than 3.X, but that's like saying lava is cooler than the sun.

Indeed. 4e is neither an example of anything even vaguely approaching perfect balance nor of symmetric game design. It's just better balanced than 3.X or 2e. Part of Arneson and Gygax' genius in the design of oD&D is that you quite literally have each class being an almost separate game in oD&D, complete with extremely different resource mechanics, loot, and objectives.

(I am only slightly exaggerating when I say that D&D in 1974 was the first class based RPG - and the second was as far as I know Apocalypse World in 2010, with everything in the middle having packaged-point-buy as its "classes")

BX/BECMI/RC are great, absolutely, but finding copies is tricky anymore and not a lot of people seem to still be playing them (odd, since Red Box was reputedly the best-selling D&D product of all time). The difficulty of finding an active game may be part of the reason it hasn't come up much.

Rules Cyclopaedia.

Moldvay Basic/eXpert

Mentzer Basic (the rest of the ECMI does't appear to be there, but that's the bestselling red box).

According to one primary source, D&D made more money in 1983 than the entire RPG market is making now - and that's not allowing for inflation.

[goto124]

[4e] may be more balanced than 3.X, but that's like saying lava is cooler than the sun.

Just take a moment to admire this

[KorvinStarmast]

While I stand by my recommendation to play at first with people, I do understand that this may not work for you, so here is my suggestion:

Download the basic rules from the wizards of the coast web site.

As noted a few posts previous, go the the roll20 site online and set up a free account. (So far, you have spent zero dollars).

Try to get into a game at roll20.

Depending upon your internet connection, the video and audio feeds for roll20 may be weird. But if you can, make sure you select the audio channel. talk helps.

Always use the chat function for communication on a final choice made during the game.

See how it works.

[2D8HP]

Lady of L. (LoL?),
The thread you initiated has been real fun to read, and now I want to try every version!
Downloading the free 5E rules is probably the best way to go, to be a player rather then host the game ("Dungeon Master"). To play you really only need to know maybe the character creation rules and the list of spells if your playing a spellcaster. When I play I deliberately ignore the rules and just ask the DM what the character perceives, then I roll the dice to see if the attempt was successful. Whichever version of D&D you may chose is still probably best determined by what the individual play group that seems most fun or by which version gives you a character that looks fun (3.5 probably has the most options if you include the supplements, but I think with other versions it's easier to decide what character to play)
If you want to learn an earlier version my favorite way is from the 1977 to 1978 basic set.

I found a version of D&D that a fan made called "the grey book" that uses those basic rules plus some latter rules at
www.mediafire.com/?5nzhz1ztiyx


And after you started this thread I picked up a 1994 book "The Classic Dungeons and Dragons Rules and Adventures Book" which must have been from a "basic" or "starter" set back then and it just may be the easiest to learn from reading version that I have found yet.
Also the Basic Role-playing game published by Chaosium is a good choice to learn the hobby from.
Just thinking about it has reminded me how much fun D&D and table top role playing games in general can be.
Thanks and good luck!

[Talakeal]

Also re: Square Fireballs, in play they aren't a problem after the first couple of sessions IME. But my theory is that 4e was playtested on a hex grid where the blasts are 60 degree cones and the fireballs are approximately circular. And then they were told "You must use square grids" about a month before 4e went to print so forced everything onto a square grid the fast and efficient way. (Again my retroclone uses hex grids).

Square is just so much easier to use though.

For my system I tried to compromise; most spell effects and explosions are spherical, but anyone in a square that is partially filled by the effect is still hit, so they are in effect square more often than not.

[neonchameleon]

Square is just so much easier to use though.

YMMV. I find squares better on certain types of streets or in most buildings where the walls are straight - and hexes better on open ground because they are almost correct in their distances and there's no silly 1/2/1/2 counting.

[Talakeal]

YMMV. I find squares better on certain types of streets or in most buildings where the walls are straight - and hexes better on open ground because they are almost correct in their distances and there's no silly 1/2/1/2 counting.

Oh, I meant for the shape of fireballs and the like, not for the board as a whole.


I do, however, use a square grid for two reasons;

1: There are a lot more models with square bases than hex bases, and
2: I find that the 1.5 distance thing for going diagonally to be a lot easier than the back and forth walk you have to do when moving up and down on a hex grid. I remember playing fallout (which used a hex grid) and how weird it looked when your character would walk straight up or down on the screen in this weird zig zag pattern.

[RedMage125]

Oh, I meant for the shape of fireballs and the like, not for the board as a whole.

I have a set of templates (I think the company is Steel Sqwire or something to that effect) that I bought at GenCon YEARS ago, and still use to this day. Works out great for me.

[Talakeal]

I have a set of templates (I think the company is Steel Sqwire or something to that effect) that I bought at GenCon YEARS ago, and still use to this day. Works out great for me.

IIRC those aren't spherical either, are they?

[LibraryOgre]

I tended to assume that the squares in 4e were approximations... so your square fireball was really a circle, but there's enough uncertainty about any given object's location that you can go "eh, good enough."

[RedMage125]

IIRC those aren't spherical either, are they?

No, that's my point. They let you know which squares are and are not affected by AoEs.

[Itsjustsoup.com]

Step 1 : Choose Latest Edition : Choose 5e
Step 2: Look up 5e rules online, read in one afternoon all the basics
Step 3: Join an online game on roll 20, its free and tell them your new, ask questions
Step 4: After playing for one week, start GMing your game. 95% of your questions will be gone.

[Telok]

No, that's my point. They let you know which squares are and are not affected by AoEs.

I've used two other methods that are simpler, rulers and circles. Rulers are cheap and accurate and simple to use. For circles figure the length of wire you need and make a few different sizes with clothes hangers.

[RedMage125]

I've used two other methods that are simpler, rulers and circles. Rulers are cheap and accurate and simple to use. For circles figure the length of wire you need and make a few different sizes with clothes hangers.

Whatever works for you, but if you DO play on a grid, it helps to have an official ruling on which squares are affected.

[themaque]

I've used two other methods that are simpler, rulers and circles. Rulers are cheap and accurate and simple to use. For circles figure the length of wire you need and make a few different sizes with clothes hangers.

I can totally understand how the square spheres can rub a person the wrong way. However, if you are using a grid, than they are simply faster and easier.

[Telok]

I can totally understand how the square spheres can rub a person the wrong way. However, if you are using a grid, than they are simply faster and easier.

Actually the wire circles are faster. No counting distances.

Plus for me there's the additional bonus of not being completely dependent on using and buying mats or grids. Our group has worked up house rules about dropping the center of an effect in the middle of a 'square' and using the rulers has simplified line of sight/effect/charging. We've had more fun that way, althouhg the CRPG guys have had issues with remembering that they don't need to be enslaved by grid lines.

[JoeJ]

If you can't find a group to join, I'd recommend 5e. That version is probably the easiest to learn just by reading, and the basic rules can be downloaded free, so you're not out any money if you find the game is not to your taste.

Even simple things, like doors being indestructible, make no sense in version 5.

Where are you getting this from? Doors aren't indestructible in 5e. Like other objects, they have an AC based on their material and hit points based on their size. Or, if you just want to force open a stuck or locked door, that's a simple Strength check.

[oxybe]

Where are you getting this from? Doors aren't indestructible in 5e. Like other objects, they have an AC based on their material and hit points based on their size. Or, if you just want to force open a stuck or locked door, that's a simple Strength check.

probably got it from the same people who believe that doors in 4th ed suddenly got harder to break down when you leveled up.

[LadyOfLore]

Thank you everyone for the out put and help
:3 I have found a game and I am hoping for the best
I am excited :D

[Talakeal]

Thank you everyone for the out put and help
:3 I have found a game and I am hoping for the best
I am excited :D

Great news!

Out of curiosity, which edition did you end up with?

[hamlet]

Thank you everyone for the out put and help
:3 I have found a game and I am hoping for the best
I am excited :D

Tell us all about it!

[LadyOfLore]

Star Wars Saga Edition
:3 I actually going to play for the first time in the next hour xD
Kid Jake was kind enough to invite me to sit in a game of his
and I am kinda nervous but you do not know how it is till you try it
If he had not I was leaning on 5e or pathfinders but it also depends of on what groups that would take me :3

[runeghost]

As jinjitsu said, 5th ed is probaly your best bet. But you also really want to find a group, or at least a DM, who knows what they're doing. For new role players, I would say that 5th, Classic (BECMI or B/X) or 2nd are the best places to start with, but in the hands of a good DM who is trying to be friendly to new players, any edition but 4th is good. 5th is obviously going to be the easiest to find materials for.

I'd recommend against 4th, because it is the furthest from the basical ideas of D&D, basically being lightly D&D flavored World of Warcraft on a tabletop. There are also "retro-clones" D&D variants with the serial numbers filed off for legal reasons. Some of them are quite good, too.

[LadyOfLore]

:D just finished my first session had a lot of fun still very noobish but that is ok for now
I cant wait to do it again with less mess ups and embarrassments.
I still looking to learned some of other ones to...
Thank you every one for their help again

[Jay R]

:D just finished my first session had a lot of fun still very noobish but that is ok for now
I cant wait to do it again with less mess ups and embarrassments.
I still looking to learned some of other ones to...
Thank you every one for their help again

Great! I'm glad you had fun.

Don't sweat the mess ups and embarrassments - it happens to everyone.

And don't sweat the edition. Playing with any edition is better than not playing.

[hamlet]

Great! I'm glad you had fun.

Don't sweat the mess ups and embarrassments - it happens to everyone.

And don't sweat the edition. Playing with any edition is better than not playing.

Unless that game is FATAL.

[Quertus]

Unless that game is FATAL.

Reading that, I couldn't help but imagine playing d&d to the death.

[LadyOfLore]

Lol, I get flustered and um emotional easy. I one point I turned red as tomato but either way it was more fun after i relaxed.
The session was cut a bit short so I did wish it lasted longer and I cant wait till next Sunday to play again