Im new to dnd, and i dont have anyone around to play it with besides my little brother, whose also new. Thus, i have to be dungeon master. I need tips on storys, monsters and other things that can help with DMing. For this kind of stuff, i only really use the internet. I need things like something that shows what damage die you use for each weapon, info on classes, ect. Please help.
I suggest just biting the bullet and getting a source book. The players handbook shows you all the info on weapons and weapon dice. You don't NEED the DM guide or the monster manual, but they are a big help. You can find monster stat blocks on the internet or make them up. As for the story, since you are both new, I suggest that you just straight up steal a universe that you both know/like and playing there. For example if you both like Game of Thrones just use that. Starting somewhere that is familiar and that you both already know is a ton less work than making up a new world that you may or may not even get interested in.
But yeah, seriously just get a player's handbook. I think 5th edition is the best, you could probably find a 4th edition book for cheap (because everyone hates 4th edition.) I've played both, 4th edition might be easier to start with actually. Follow your heart.
I can get a PHB, but i have really old AD&D monster manual and dungeon masters guide. Will these work for playing? But thanks for the advice, i will get the PHB.
Well, it isn't a good idea to mix the versions up, especially if you are new. I would just get the PHB and then google "5e monster stat blocks" and click on images.
The thing about 5th edition is they use "Challenge Rating" and abbreviate it as CR. A monster with a CR of 1 is supposed to be an even math for team of four level 1 characters, so if you only have one player you will want a CR 1/4th monster (they have those.) Also CR 1/2 could be a boss I guess.
If you are just getting your feet wet and want to save money you can probably wing it without the MM or the DMG, but they do answer a lot of questions when you get that far.
A monster with a CR of 1 is supposed to be an even math for team of four level 1 characters, so if you only have one player you will want a CR 1/4th monster (they have those.) Also CR 1/2 could be a boss I guess.
Very minor nitpick but I wouldn't call CR 1 an even match. A CR 1 fight should be easy enough that there's almost no risk of someone dying, but still challenging enough that the party will lose HP and uses of their limited-use abilities.
I agree that material from previous editions is more trouble than it's worth for a new player. Learning the 5th edition rules is daunting enough; you don't want to complicate things by trying to understand rules from previous editions.
The free Basic Rules have everything you need to get started. You can get by without any of the books but you'll have to be willing to improvise. The Dungeon Master's Guide has a lot of good advice for running the game that the Basic Rules don't have. You can put off buying the Player's Handbook if you're happy with the character options in the basic rules provide. If there's a specific non-free character option you really want to use, you can buy only that option from the D&D Beyond Marketplace without having to buy the whole book. Likewise, you can buy specific magic items and monsters, but if you're willing to put in some work you could always just create your own.
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Im new to dnd, and i dont have anyone around to play it with besides my little brother, whose also new. Thus, i have to be dungeon master. I need tips on storys, monsters and other things that can help with DMing. For this kind of stuff, i only really use the internet. I need things like something that shows what damage die you use for each weapon, info on classes, ect. Please help.
Hi,
I suggest just biting the bullet and getting a source book. The players handbook shows you all the info on weapons and weapon dice. You don't NEED the DM guide or the monster manual, but they are a big help. You can find monster stat blocks on the internet or make them up. As for the story, since you are both new, I suggest that you just straight up steal a universe that you both know/like and playing there. For example if you both like Game of Thrones just use that. Starting somewhere that is familiar and that you both already know is a ton less work than making up a new world that you may or may not even get interested in.
But yeah, seriously just get a player's handbook. I think 5th edition is the best, you could probably find a 4th edition book for cheap (because everyone hates 4th edition.) I've played both, 4th edition might be easier to start with actually. Follow your heart.
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I can get a PHB, but i have really old AD&D monster manual and dungeon masters guide. Will these work for playing? But thanks for the advice, i will get the PHB.
Well, it isn't a good idea to mix the versions up, especially if you are new. I would just get the PHB and then google "5e monster stat blocks" and click on images.
The thing about 5th edition is they use "Challenge Rating" and abbreviate it as CR. A monster with a CR of 1 is supposed to be an even math for team of four level 1 characters, so if you only have one player you will want a CR 1/4th monster (they have those.) Also CR 1/2 could be a boss I guess.
If you are just getting your feet wet and want to save money you can probably wing it without the MM or the DMG, but they do answer a lot of questions when you get that far.
Join the FriendlyGM Newsletter!
Very minor nitpick but I wouldn't call CR 1 an even match. A CR 1 fight should be easy enough that there's almost no risk of someone dying, but still challenging enough that the party will lose HP and uses of their limited-use abilities.
I agree that material from previous editions is more trouble than it's worth for a new player. Learning the 5th edition rules is daunting enough; you don't want to complicate things by trying to understand rules from previous editions.
The free Basic Rules have everything you need to get started. You can get by without any of the books but you'll have to be willing to improvise. The Dungeon Master's Guide has a lot of good advice for running the game that the Basic Rules don't have. You can put off buying the Player's Handbook if you're happy with the character options in the basic rules provide. If there's a specific non-free character option you really want to use, you can buy only that option from the D&D Beyond Marketplace without having to buy the whole book. Likewise, you can buy specific magic items and monsters, but if you're willing to put in some work you could always just create your own.
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