How to start D&D?

[Deathmaster Snikch]

Hi guys,
was just wondering if any of you had some advice on the best way I could start D&D and also give me some info about how the dungeon master works?
Thanks,
Deathmaster Snikch

[DarthSte]

If you're a complete noob to it, I'd probably suggest getting "the red box", which contains a starter adventure and a good basic explanation of the rules.

The game/dungeon master is there to make sure everything runs smoothly, to direct the players towards their objectives, to help them if they get stuck - but most importantly to take the roles of everybody and every challenge that isn't a player - the monsters, quest givers, traps...

[Keravin]

Or alternatively the Pathfinder starter box. It very much depends if you want to play 4th Edition (which is coming to an end - Red Box) or Pathfinder (which is what was 3.5 but will continue to be supported going forward).

[Deathmaster Snikch]

Thanks for the advice so far.

[Kisanis]

the 4th vs. pathfinder argument is key first and foremost.

Second of all, what experience do you have with RPG computer games? Many are based on some sort of DND ruleset (AD&D, 3e mostly).

And any other RPG experience? (Consoles, etc..)

Depending on your exposure, it can become easier to explain roles, procedures, and idea's. I've been the main DM of my old group for over a decade.
A good DM is in my opinion 2 key things; A good Judge, and a good storyteller. Understanding of game mechanics has always come second (obviously you need to know how the game works, but being a good judge, means coming up with good on the spot idea, that the players don't know were made up on the spot. Fair, challenging, and part of the story).

Tell a good story, and the PC's will forgive you for most any shortcomings.

[Badbones777]

Tell a good story, and the PC's will forgive you for most any shortcomings.

This, this, a thousand times this!

I personally don't like the DnD system very much to the point I would play near enough anything else given the choice, but in the end it doesn't matter as long as you have the story
nailed. On a more positive note for DnD it does have a wealth of support and supplements so is ideal if you are just starting out in Pen and Paper RPG gaming!

My advice would be pick up the basics for DnD and maybe a single adventure/campaign that you like after flicking through it and play that. As you gain a bit of confidence,
start adding your own ideas to published adventures and before long you'll be doing fine with just stuff you've written yourself (and it's a great feeling when you do!-worth all the hard
work)

As far as systems go, I think you have probably made a good choice in starting with DnD, but as a possible alternative once you feel like branching out a bit I can heartily recommend
Chasoium's BRP (Basic Roleplaying) system. Its a doddle for players (especially new players) to pick up as even someone with no rpg background can understand the concept of percentages
(which is what the game is based on) and it can be adapted easily to any setting (which is nice as we all have a limited gaming budget!). The fact that modified versions of BRP have been/are
the basis of several games (including Call of Cthulhu and Dark Heresy/RT/DeathWatch and Pendragon among others!) show that its pretty versatile.

All that notwithstanding though, just concentrate on providing a fun, entertaining story for your players and it really won't matter how manny times you have to check something up, forgot a
rule or get a game mechanic confused).

Good luck with getting into RPG's, they're great!

[Deathmaster Snikch]

Thanks for the advice guys and I think I will be starting the Pathfinder system by Paizo because it seems to have a better ruleset, be more user user friendly and cheaper to start.