My name is Mark and together with a group of friends we are going to start with D&D, at least we want to :) We all are boardgames lovers and have played a lot of games including games like Imperial Assault which needs a DM of sorts.
I am doing a lot of reading at the moment and I intent to buy the D&D starter kit (we all ready have the player handbook). Since none of us have played D&D I think the starter kit is the better option rather than the essential kit. We also love it if the board/game table is well made, meaning painted mini's and some 3D items. We intent to maken a TV screen board but that's for later ;) we would like to work with maps or something in the mean time. I have a few questions for now, hopefully you can helpt out a new D&D group :)
Is it best for a new group to start with the started kit?
The starter kit doesn't have a DM screen, can we buy a random one or not? DM screens all seem to have text on the DM side, is it campaign specific or general?
We will be using painted mini's we all ready own (to start with) but have no options yet for a map or dungeon, I am thinking about 2 options:
Would Tactical Maps be a good idea and will it be compatible with the campaign from the starter kit
Or would Tiles-Reincarnated-City be a better idea? We would also need the dungeon and wilderness version I guess so it is more costly.
D&D is a very different experience than a board game. (Even 4th edition, which was much more of a tactical wargame than 5th, still isn't that much like one.)
As for your specific questions:
I don't actually know the kit, but it's likely not going to be a bad choice.
You don't need a DM screen at all. The text on the DM side is usually reference material to save you having to look things up in the books, but modern D&D doesn't need a lot of that. If you want one, I'd expect any of them to do just fine.
The problem with any sort of premade maps or the like is that D&D is very freeform. You can have combat anywhere, so you're going to need to have something for situations where no map you have is suitable. You can buy erasable mats that you can sketch the terrain in as you need it, and one of those is a better first step. (You also don't necessarily need maps at all.)
My name is Mark and together with a group of friends we are going to start with D&D, at least we want to :) We all are boardgames lovers and have played a lot of games including games like Imperial Assault which needs a DM of sorts.
I am doing a lot of reading at the moment and I intent to buy the D&D starter kit (we all ready have the player handbook). Since none of us have played D&D I think the starter kit is the better option rather than the essential kit. We also love it if the board/game table is well made, meaning painted mini's and some 3D items. We intent to maken a TV screen board but that's for later ;) we would like to work with maps or something in the mean time. I have a few questions for now, hopefully you can helpt out a new D&D group :)
Is it best for a new group to start with the started kit?
The starter kit doesn't have a DM screen, can we buy a random one or not? DM screens all seem to have text on the DM side, is it campaign specific or general?
We will be using painted mini's we all ready own (to start with) but have no options yet for a map or dungeon, I am thinking about 2 options:
Would Tactical Maps be a good idea and will it be compatible with the campaign from the starter kit
Or would Tiles-Reincarnated-City be a better idea? We would also need the dungeon and wilderness version I guess so it is more costly.
Maybe something else I am not aware of...?
Hope to hear from you :)
The Starter Kit is fine. So is the Essentials Kit. Both are designed to introduce folks to D&D. You won't be wrong with either. That said, the adventure in the Starter Set is actually free on DnDBeyond.com, so it "might" be better to go with the Essentials Kit so you can then run Lost Mine of Phandelver for free later.
You don't really need a DM screen. They do have some useful rules on them, but you'll be referencing the adventure book far more often. Also, The Essentials Kit includes a DM screen.
I would not spend money on any of this just yet. Use owlbear.rodeo and cast the map to a TV. Players can move their own tokens, and this is the easiest and simplest way to use maps. Also, the Essentials Kit has a coupon to unlock the adventure on DnDBeyond.com, and this will give you access to the digital maps (though Google can find them for free as well). Though, as I mentioned, Lost Mine of Phandelver is free also and includes the digital maps.
Ill add, there’s nothing magic about a DM screen. You can get away with a Manila folder or cardboard box. Or just trust your friends not to look at your notes.
For just starting out, you might consider a battle mat. It’s got a 1-inch grid and you draw on it with wet erase. Not exactly 3D immersive, but cheaper until you’re sure you all like the game and want to start investing in other options. At that point, the gold standard is Dwarven Forge, but there’s a lot of other options that won’t make you mortgage your house for them.
Your basic questions seem to have been answered already, so I would just like to offer two pieces of advice that I hope will help you and your party get off on the right foot.
1. Don't try to learn and apply all the rules right away! D&D can seem a bit daunting at first, with all the rules, and charts, and dice, and such. But those are just mechanics that are used to describe something that will feel very intuitive once you peek behind the curtain. Sure, give the rules a good once-over, but don't be afraid to make mistakes. We all do, no matter how long we've been playing. Just start playing, apply the rules that you understand and remember, and if you have to finagle something here or there because you don't remember the exact rule for it - do it. There's no penalty for winging it. As long as everyone is having fun, you're doing it right!
2. Have fun! And sure, that sounds easy, but what do you do when you get a group of people together and each person has their own ideas about what "fun" is? Well, that's why we like to do this thing called "Session Zero". Before you begin the campaign, just sit down with your friends and discuss what each of you is looking for in the game. No rules, no books, no numbers. Just have a discussion about what each person considers to be "fun". One person may want deep role playing with lots of political intrigue while someone else just wants to kill goblins and loot their corpses. Both are perfectly valid ways of having fun, you just need to ensure that each player gets their chance to shine at some point during gameplay. Also, discuss what, if any, boundaries and Red Lines people may have. There are subjects or situations that people may not feel comfortable with. It really helps make the game more fun when everybody feels comfortable and respected at the table.
So that's it. All you need to have a great time playing D&D is the Starter Set, some friends, an imagination, and some snacks. And remember - if you ever have questions or need help with something, there are always people here in the Forum who can help you.
Thank you all for your answers, very much appreciated! It feels as a warm community :)
I guess we will start with the Essential kit with some extra dices off course, we all want our own. Bonus it includes the DM screen although not needed it does add to the feeling I guess, at least for us. The battle map and or owlbear.rodeo are great ideas! Also thanks @AnzioFaro! As for the improvements later on on the table I have 3 3D printers at home so will have some things to print I guess :)
Another question, as with most groups it is probably a challenge to get everyone together once in every couple of weeks. Is it possible the play the same campaign with a changing amount of players. It will be the same players but one session with 4 (DM not included) and another one session with 5?
Another question, as with most groups it is probably a challenge to get everyone together once in every couple of weeks. Is it possible the play the same campaign with a changing amount of players. It will be the same players but one session with 4 (DM not included) and another one session with 5?
Absolutely. My group does it all the time. It requires some narrative handwaving. (What was the bard doing during the second half of the big fight? Clearly fighting something who wasn't otherwise mentioned.) The DM will also need to adjust the encounters they prepared based on who actually showed up.
The main thing I think you need to do is not penalize players for not being able to make it. They should still get to level at the same pace as everyone else, and get loot even when they weren't there.
The adventure in the Essentials Kit, Dragon of Icespire Peak tells you how many monsters to use for a given number of players. Adjusting on the fly is not a problem. DnDBeyond.com also has a combat tracker to help with keep track of everything. I find that as a DM, digital rolling is a bit faster. It automatically applies the modifiers, so it lets you focus on more important things. But digital versus physical dice are a personal thing and you won't be wrong either way.
The big, dry-erase battle map is what our group is using and thus far, it's been perfect. MOST of our campaign is simply theatre of the mind, so no maps or minis involved in exploring and so forth, it comes out when the fight is about to begin! We are a group who have been playing for 4-ish years now and we haven't really seen or felt a strong need for terrain and castle pieces and stuff.
Myself and the other 2 who DM for our group all use DDB for our base, so no DM screen, per say, just quick access to rules and such with a laptop (2 of us) or phone (the other one, ironically, our more seasoned DM) The session zero advice is GOLD, see my signature for my feelings. Also, don't let yourself get hung up on some obscure rule or weird situations. If something odd comes up and you're not sure and looking for a ruling is going to be a pain, tell them clearly "I will rule XXXX for now and verify later, so it MAY change going forward" Scribble a note to self to research that detail later and keep the game moving and flowing. For rules that seem annoying or inhibit you and your group's fun, if you all agree, IGNORE that rule. YOU as DM are "God" in your game, so only the rules you want matter.
Most importantly, have fun. We, as a group, started with PHB paper copies only. We have evolved into Master Sub here (me) and collectively, I think, own ALL source material out to date, so my content share ability has us all using the whole array of options for classes, races and such. We have also been collecting mini's (I am the one buying most) and have, over the last year, accumulated a rather impressive collection. For a long whole, our enemies were anything from pop bottle caps, to coins, to simple marker squiggles on the battle map. The enjoyment isn't hindered by a lack of pretty visuals and stuff unless you let it be. Starting with next to nothing (few minis and a battle map for dry-erase) should be fine and you will all enjoy that sense of "upgrade" when you decide to add to the visual end with more minis, scenery pieces and so on. I warn you, however, using a site like Wish can easily turn you into a dice goblin, since they are so cheap and there are so many cool looking dice.......yes, I have about 20 sets of dice, so what!!?!
Rollback Post to RevisionRollBack
Talk to your Players.Talk to your DM. If more people used this advice, there would be 24.74% fewer threads on Tactics, Rules and DM discussions.
The big, dry-erase battle map is what our group is using and thus far, it's been perfect. MOST of our campaign is simply theatre of the mind, so no maps or minis involved in exploring and so forth, it comes out when the fight is about to begin! We are a group who have been playing for 4-ish years now and we haven't really seen or felt a strong need for terrain and castle pieces and stuff.
Myself and the other 2 who DM for our group all use DDB for our base, so no DM screen, per say, just quick access to rules and such with a laptop (2 of us) or phone (the other one, ironically, our more seasoned DM) The session zero advice is GOLD, see my signature for my feelings. Also, don't let yourself get hung up on some obscure rule or weird situations. If something odd comes up and you're not snt matter.
Most importantly, have fun. We, as a group, started with PHB paper copies only. We have evolved into Master Sub here (me) and collectively, I think, own ALL source material out to date, so my content share ability has us all using the whole array of options for classes, races and such. We have also been collecting mini's (I am the one buying most) and have, over the last year, accumulated a rather impressive collection. For a long whole, our enemies were anything from pop bottle caps, to coins, to simple marker squiggles on the battle map. The enjoyment isn't hindered by a lack of pretty visuals and stuff unless you let it be. Starting with next to nothing (few minis and a battle map for dry-erase) should be fine and you will all enjoy that sense of "upgrade" when you decide to add to the visual end with more minis, scenery pieces and so on. I warn you, however, using a site like Wish can easily turn you into a dice goblin, since they are so cheap and there are so many cool looking dice.......yes, I have about 20 sets of dice, so what!!?!
Thanks! For my information what is DDB?
Having fun is most important indeed! I think we will have no problem their, I guess the most difficult part is being able to improvise as DM. It will be a learning curve for us all :)
Hi all,
My name is Mark and together with a group of friends we are going to start with D&D, at least we want to :) We all are boardgames lovers and have played a lot of games including games like Imperial Assault which needs a DM of sorts.
I am doing a lot of reading at the moment and I intent to buy the D&D starter kit (we all ready have the player handbook). Since none of us have played D&D I think the starter kit is the better option rather than the essential kit. We also love it if the board/game table is well made, meaning painted mini's and some 3D items. We intent to maken a TV screen board but that's for later ;) we would like to work with maps or something in the mean time. I have a few questions for now, hopefully you can helpt out a new D&D group :)
Hope to hear from you :)
D&D is a very different experience than a board game. (Even 4th edition, which was much more of a tactical wargame than 5th, still isn't that much like one.)
As for your specific questions:
Good luck!
Welcome to the game.
Ill add, there’s nothing magic about a DM screen. You can get away with a Manila folder or cardboard box. Or just trust your friends not to look at your notes.
For just starting out, you might consider a battle mat. It’s got a 1-inch grid and you draw on it with wet erase. Not exactly 3D immersive, but cheaper until you’re sure you all like the game and want to start investing in other options. At that point, the gold standard is Dwarven Forge, but there’s a lot of other options that won’t make you mortgage your house for them.
Welcome to the tables!!!
Your basic questions seem to have been answered already, so I would just like to offer two pieces of advice that I hope will help you and your party get off on the right foot.
1. Don't try to learn and apply all the rules right away! D&D can seem a bit daunting at first, with all the rules, and charts, and dice, and such. But those are just mechanics that are used to describe something that will feel very intuitive once you peek behind the curtain. Sure, give the rules a good once-over, but don't be afraid to make mistakes. We all do, no matter how long we've been playing. Just start playing, apply the rules that you understand and remember, and if you have to finagle something here or there because you don't remember the exact rule for it - do it. There's no penalty for winging it. As long as everyone is having fun, you're doing it right!
2. Have fun! And sure, that sounds easy, but what do you do when you get a group of people together and each person has their own ideas about what "fun" is? Well, that's why we like to do this thing called "Session Zero". Before you begin the campaign, just sit down with your friends and discuss what each of you is looking for in the game. No rules, no books, no numbers. Just have a discussion about what each person considers to be "fun". One person may want deep role playing with lots of political intrigue while someone else just wants to kill goblins and loot their corpses. Both are perfectly valid ways of having fun, you just need to ensure that each player gets their chance to shine at some point during gameplay. Also, discuss what, if any, boundaries and Red Lines people may have. There are subjects or situations that people may not feel comfortable with. It really helps make the game more fun when everybody feels comfortable and respected at the table.
So that's it. All you need to have a great time playing D&D is the Starter Set, some friends, an imagination, and some snacks. And remember - if you ever have questions or need help with something, there are always people here in the Forum who can help you.
HAVE FUN!
Anzio Faro. Protector Aasimar light cleric. Lvl 18.
Viktor Gavriil. White dragonborn grave cleric. Lvl 20.
Ikram Sahir ibn-Malik al-Sayyid Ra'ad. Brass dragonborn draconic sorcerer Lvl 9. Fire elemental devil.
Wrangler of cats.
Thank you all for your answers, very much appreciated! It feels as a warm community :)
I guess we will start with the Essential kit with some extra dices off course, we all want our own. Bonus it includes the DM screen although not needed it does add to the feeling I guess, at least for us. The battle map and or owlbear.rodeo are great ideas! Also thanks @AnzioFaro! As for the improvements later on on the table I have 3 3D printers at home so will have some things to print I guess :)
Another question, as with most groups it is probably a challenge to get everyone together once in every couple of weeks. Is it possible the play the same campaign with a changing amount of players. It will be the same players but one session with 4 (DM not included) and another one session with 5?
Absolutely. My group does it all the time. It requires some narrative handwaving. (What was the bard doing during the second half of the big fight? Clearly fighting something who wasn't otherwise mentioned.) The DM will also need to adjust the encounters they prepared based on who actually showed up.
The main thing I think you need to do is not penalize players for not being able to make it. They should still get to level at the same pace as everyone else, and get loot even when they weren't there.
Awesome, that will make things a lot easier for the group :)
The adventure in the Essentials Kit, Dragon of Icespire Peak tells you how many monsters to use for a given number of players. Adjusting on the fly is not a problem. DnDBeyond.com also has a combat tracker to help with keep track of everything. I find that as a DM, digital rolling is a bit faster. It automatically applies the modifiers, so it lets you focus on more important things. But digital versus physical dice are a personal thing and you won't be wrong either way.
Good luck!
The big, dry-erase battle map is what our group is using and thus far, it's been perfect. MOST of our campaign is simply theatre of the mind, so no maps or minis involved in exploring and so forth, it comes out when the fight is about to begin! We are a group who have been playing for 4-ish years now and we haven't really seen or felt a strong need for terrain and castle pieces and stuff.
Myself and the other 2 who DM for our group all use DDB for our base, so no DM screen, per say, just quick access to rules and such with a laptop (2 of us) or phone (the other one, ironically, our more seasoned DM) The session zero advice is GOLD, see my signature for my feelings. Also, don't let yourself get hung up on some obscure rule or weird situations. If something odd comes up and you're not sure and looking for a ruling is going to be a pain, tell them clearly "I will rule XXXX for now and verify later, so it MAY change going forward" Scribble a note to self to research that detail later and keep the game moving and flowing. For rules that seem annoying or inhibit you and your group's fun, if you all agree, IGNORE that rule. YOU as DM are "God" in your game, so only the rules you want matter.
Most importantly, have fun. We, as a group, started with PHB paper copies only. We have evolved into Master Sub here (me) and collectively, I think, own ALL source material out to date, so my content share ability has us all using the whole array of options for classes, races and such. We have also been collecting mini's (I am the one buying most) and have, over the last year, accumulated a rather impressive collection. For a long whole, our enemies were anything from pop bottle caps, to coins, to simple marker squiggles on the battle map. The enjoyment isn't hindered by a lack of pretty visuals and stuff unless you let it be. Starting with next to nothing (few minis and a battle map for dry-erase) should be fine and you will all enjoy that sense of "upgrade" when you decide to add to the visual end with more minis, scenery pieces and so on. I warn you, however, using a site like Wish can easily turn you into a dice goblin, since they are so cheap and there are so many cool looking dice.......yes, I have about 20 sets of dice, so what!!?!
Talk to your Players. Talk to your DM. If more people used this advice, there would be 24.74% fewer threads on Tactics, Rules and DM discussions.
Thanks! For my information what is DDB?
Having fun is most important indeed! I think we will have no problem their, I guess the most difficult part is being able to improvise as DM. It will be a learning curve for us all :)
DDB is how D&D Beyond is abbreviated.
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Ehhh yeah should of known :D