NationStates Jolt Archive

I want to start playing Dungeons and Dragons, but I have no desire to play with other people, at least for now. I've never played before, and would like to play on the computer. Not DDO, mind you, I'd like to play traditionally, on the computer. Is there something out there for me, or am I screwed?

I want to start playing Dungeons and Dragons, but I have no desire to play with other people, at least for now. I've never played before, and would like to play on the computer. Not DDO, mind you, I'd like to play traditionally, on the computer.

*chant* Get. A. Blog.

*chant* Get. A. Blog.

How was that bloggy in the least? I was just asking a question...

Besides, I'm one of the biggest 'get a blog' chanters there are. Why would I post one myself?

Oh, I see what happened. I got caught posting in the middle of a Database error, and didn't get a chance to put in my question. It's fixed.

*chant* Get. A. Blog.

I don't know, it looks like he's working up to an actual question.

Neverwinter Nights.

Also has an online mode where a bunch of people can run an actual session together.

Neverwinter Nights.

Also has an online mode where a bunch of people can run an actual session together.

I'm guessing the second one is just as good, right?

I'm guessing the second one is just as good, right?

It's a teleconference where a bunch of people can play a tabletop session using NWN as a graphics engine and interface. One player is Dungeon Master and has the fun task of setting up encounters and locations to suit the campaign or adventure.

It's a teleconference where a bunch of people can play a tabletop session using NWN as a graphics engine and interface. One player is Dungeon Master and has the fun task of setting up encounters and locations to suit the campaign or adventure.

I meant NWN2, but that sounds nice too.

Heh, I've had the books and known how to play for years. Never could find anyone else who was in to it though.

Heh, I've had the books and known how to play for years. Never could find anyone else who was in to it though.

Thats my real problem too. I want to play, but I don't know anyone else who does play and I don't loath being with.

Played only the gold boxes D&D, never the pen and paper.

And those PS2, Diablo style D&Ds doesn't count.

Buh,... I forgot... this is one of the best PC D&D's : Planescape Torment and Baldur's Gate series.

Can't say much about NWN and Icewindale.

Thats my real problem too. I want to play, but I don't know anyone else who does play and I don't loath being with.

Go to your local gaming stores and see if they have any groups that meet there. That's normally the best way to find a group that isn't just classmates/co-workers you loathe.

Neverwinter Nights 1 and 2 are good D&D type games. Baldur's Gate 2 and Icewind Dale 1&2 are also something I'd highly reccomend. All made with the D&D system.

I latched onto BG the hardest, personally, the NPC interactions in that one are really well thought through making it seem more like you're playing with a party (without all the annoying crap). Well, that and if you start with BG1 you can go from lvl 1 to lvl 40 by the end of the expansion to BG2 and that's a really freaking epic D&D campaign. If you do happen to pick this route send me a PM and I'll be thrilled to point you to some patches and mods that really make the game run smoother.

Hubby latched onto NWN, he and his friends manage to hook up sometimes and do it online too. You can do multiplayer in BG, but not quite as ... expansively, I guess is the word.

You could also hook up with some email based gaming groups, that way you'd get the gaming without the people sitting in your house, though you'd still have to deal with the hassle of multiplayer. Depends on the group you end up with I guess.

Good luck and enjoy!

I had loads of fun with Icewind Dale 2. Simple interface that is easy to understand, everything is fairly clear, and only a few minor bugs here and there that you probably wouldn't notice(Apparently the Ambidextrous Feat, or whatever the feat is that allows you to hit twice, doesn't work in the game, but meh).

I have still yet to get past the really freakin' big dragon, though. I've put more hours on that game than I can count, and I can't freakin' beat that thing.

Dude, you're getting it all wrong. If you don't want to game with people, then don't play D&D.

Half the point of D&D is the fact that you're gaming with a group of friends. People are still playing it, 30 years later, because it's a social game.

EDIT:
Anyway... it seems to me like you're looking to "try out" D&D before actually playing it. Bad move.
Go to your local tabletop gaming store/comic book store and pick up the 3.5 Players Handbook. Read it.
After that, find some friends and see if they're interested. Since you're the one initiating this, you'll probably be DMing... go pick up the 3.5 Dungeon Master's Guide and Monster Manual 1.
Read the DMG. Start drawing up some maps, developing NPCs, towns, etc.
I know you don't want to play with people yet, but D&D really is a great game, and the best way (the only way in my opinion) to play it is with people... nevermind that Icewind Dale and Neverwinter Nights crap (no offense, fans). Only people with no friends play those games (no offense).

Keep in mind that if you plan on DMing, you might want to start working on this stuff long before you bring it up to friends, so you can have something ready as soon as they get their own Players Handbook.
Or... find some locals that already have experience playing the game... like people you would find in aforementioned comic book store, and just make friends with some of those nerds.

I think the real point here is that D&D sucks...

I detest tabletop. Perhaps because I haven't found the right people to do it with, but even so, I much prefer electronic games (I like seeing my lightning bolts in visual form :D.) My suggestion is, if you're like me, to get Neverwinter Nights 2 (if you can get the collector's edition, do so - it comes with NWN and all its expansions,) and play modules instead. Baldur's Gate II and Bioware's other oldies are also fantastic, a great intro into D&D. The D&D MMORPG, Stormreach, is horrible, and is outshined by NWN and NWN II. Avoid it. I suppose forums and blogs, as others have mentioned, work too. From a purely mechanical POV, Iron Heroes (& True Sorcery) and Arcana Evolved are far better than the core D&D rulebooks, but they require a level of expertise.

are we talkng about proper D&D up to the Rules encyopedia and all the expansion for that or the forced rehash of AD&D that they renamed D&D

I know of several (regretably Dutch) forums that cater to the No-TT, but with others- style. Maybe there are some that are English-based. :)

And to be honest, imho nothing beats a good table-top session. :)

Hello. *Rolls eight sided Dice* It's nice to meet you?

I put on my robe and wizard hat.

I want to start playing Dungeons and Dragons, but I have no desire to play with other people, at least for now. I've never played before, and would like to play on the computer. Not DDO, mind you, I'd like to play traditionally, on the computer. Is there something out there for me, or am I screwed?

You're screwed. How, even why, would you play a roleplaying game, on your own?

Bioware

I love them so much.

Dude, you're getting it all wrong. If you don't want to game with people, then don't play D&D.

Half the point of D&D is the fact that you're gaming with a group of friends. People are still playing it, 30 years later, because it's a social game.

EDIT:
Anyway... it seems to me like you're looking to "try out" D&D before actually playing it. Bad move.
Go to your local tabletop gaming store/comic book store and pick up the 3.5 Players Handbook. Read it.
After that, find some friends and see if they're interested. Since you're the one initiating this, you'll probably be DMing... go pick up the 3.5 Dungeon Master's Guide and Monster Manual 1.
Read the DMG. Start drawing up some maps, developing NPCs, towns, etc.
I know you don't want to play with people yet, but D&D really is a great game, and the best way (the only way in my opinion) to play it is with people... nevermind that Icewind Dale and Neverwinter Nights crap (no offense, fans). Only people with no friends play those games (no offense).

Keep in mind that if you plan on DMing, you might want to start working on this stuff long before you bring it up to friends, so you can have something ready as soon as they get their own Players Handbook.
Or... find some locals that already have experience playing the game... like people you would find in aforementioned comic book store, and just make friends with some of those nerds.

I do want to play with people, and it's not that I want to try it out, its that when I do play with people I want to be prepared. I don't want to have to learn everything during my first game. I've seen it, and it's not pretty. And it's not that I have no friends, its that I have no friends who would be even remotely interested in playing, at least at this point in time.

I think the real point here is that D&D sucks...


That is your opinion, which does not reflect all opinions here.

I do want to play with people, and it's not that I want to try it out, its that when I do play with people I want to be prepared. I don't want to have to learn everything during my first game. I've seen it, and it's not pretty. And it's not that I have no friends, its that I have no friends who would be even remotely interested in playing, at least at this point in time.
Buy, borrow or steal the Player's Handbook. If I remember correctly, it contains all you need to know on how to create a character. So you should get a pretty good basic understanding from that.

On a character sheet you will write down all the stats you could ever possibly use in a campaign. Once you undersand how each works and what it's for then you're good to go.

I'd still recommend just jumping in and learning as you go.

Heh, I've had the books and known how to play for years. Never could find anyone else who was in to it though.

Hackmaster is far more fun.

Buy, borrow or steal the Player's Handbook. If I remember correctly, it contains all you need to know on how to create a character. So you should get a pretty good basic understanding from that.

On a character sheet you will write down all the stats you could ever possibly use in a campaign. Once you undersand how each works and what it's for then you're good to go.

I'd still recommend just jumping in and learning as you go.

I'll definitely be getting the Player's Handbook, and probably the DM book and the Monster guide too. And now that I think of it, it probably would be best just to jump in and learn as I go. When I posted this thread, I didn't want to use a electronic game at all, I just wanted to play tabletop on the computer basically. Why did I fold all of the sudden and start thinking about NWN?

I'll definitely be getting the Player's Handbook, and probably the DM book and the Monster guide too. And now that I think of it, it probably would be best just to jump in and learn as I go. When I posted this thread, I didn't want to use a electronic game at all, I just wanted to play tabletop on the computer basically. Why did I fold all of the sudden and start thinking about NWN?

Get the Hackmaster books while you're at it...

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/HackMaster

Get the Hackmaster books while you're at it...

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/HackMaster

How exactly is it better than DnD? It also seemed like it's satirical, is it? I don't want to play a humorous game seriously, I already make light of too many things.

I'll definitely be getting the Player's Handbook, and probably the DM book and the Monster guide too. And now that I think of it, it probably would be best just to jump in and learn as I go. When I posted this thread, I didn't want to use a electronic game at all, I just wanted to play tabletop on the computer basically. Why did I fold all of the sudden and start thinking about NWN?These books aren't cheap. About £30 each in the UK as I recall (which is why I mentioned borrowing a PHB as well).

Besides, a good DM will probably not want you to know what's inside the DMG and the MM. It means they can get you to do more roleplaying rather than just power playing.

Like the DM could throw some Drow at you and you have to figure out how to defeat them rather than just knowing what their strengths and weaknesses are... though if you've played enough of IWD and the like you probably already know. But there are hundreds of other monsters in the MM.

How exactly is it better than DnD? It also seemed like it's satirical, is it? I don't want to play a humorous game seriously, I already make light of too many things.

It is made to be played seriously, and adds considerable background to D&D. If you play D&D for any length of time, you'll become more satirical as well.

Most D&D players in my area have converted to Hackmaster.

These books aren't cheap. About £30 each in the UK as I recall (which is why I mentioned borrowing a PHB as well).

Besides, a good DM will probably not want you to know what's inside the DMG and the MM. It means they can get you to do more roleplaying rather than just power playing.

Like the DM could throw some Drow at you and you have to figure out how to defeat them rather than just knowing what their strengths and weaknesses are... though if you've played enough of IWD and the like you probably already know. But there are hundreds of other monsters in the MM.

I kind of want to be a DM too, so I want the books. Besides, it's free. ;)

How exactly is it better than DnD? It also seemed like it's satirical, is it? I don't want to play a humorous game seriously, I already make light of too many things.I seem to remember that my DM used a Hackmaster book for critical hits and critical fumbles, rather than just dealing ordinary hp damage bonuses. Made the game amusing to play. It's much more satisfying to lop someone's arm off rather than deal (2d6+2)x2 damage.

edit: I mean you got a whole paragraph of how this guy reacted to getting his arm lopped off. It was all very amusing... until you rolled a critical fumble and the DM got an evil glint in his eye. Then you were like 'Ohshitnopleasehealingspellplz'.

I never understood why game books cost twice as much in the UK and Germany as they do in the US (sometimes more than twice as much). It can't all be tax.

I never understood why game books cost twice as much in the UK and Germany as they do in the US (sometimes more than twice as much). It can't all be tax.

I think most books do. Maybe it's shipping?

I never understood why game books cost twice as much in the UK and Germany as they do in the US (sometimes more than twice as much). It can't all be tax.The UK has less kids living in rural areas waiting to be seduced into the dark and satanic ways of D&D. This means lower revenues, and need for higher prices.

Plus I don't think the materials are printed locally, rather imported from the USA.

are we talkng about proper D&D up to the Rules encyopedia and all the expansion for that or the forced rehash of AD&D that they renamed D&D

Ha. 'Proper' D&D came in a brown or white box and predated Basic (...etc.) D&D.

I personally think that online D&D is for those people that are not dedicated enough to scratch out their Abilities, Skills, and such.
But anyway...
Players Hand book, d20, ALOT of paper, is just the bare bone stuff.
But really the backbone of the game are people.
If you don't like the person you play with.
Kill them.
Their character I mean
That would get the point across.

*chant* Get. A. Blog.
What? that was unnecessary. Please, people, don't start abusing this like you do the word troll. You drain any meaning from it.

I thought we were starting a game.

You need people to play D&D. At least 2 (in my opinion, 3 is the minimun), but its better if you have 5 (one being the DM).

Its reasonably hard to learn if you´ve never played anything similar, but you can learn it slowly if everyone is learning with you. If you go to a veteran group, you learn much faster from watching others play.

Now, I recomend you get at least the player´s handbook. Actually, its the only book you really need, unless you´re the DM.

About games: they are awesome, but even if they do use D&D rules, they are not D&D. I really recomend Baldur´s Gate I, Baldurs Gate II and Throne of Bhall. You will have an awesome epic experience playing all of them, as your character starts as a regular Joe and become something extremely powerfull.

I want to start playing Dungeons and Dragons, but I have no desire to play with other people, at least for now. I've never played before, and would like to play on the computer. Not DDO, mind you, I'd like to play traditionally, on the computer. Is there something out there for me, or am I screwed?

Yo! TG! :p

So....

No game, then?

So....

No game, then?

For you, you'll have to put up with playing WoW.

So....

No game, then?

check the link in my sig

*chant* Get. A. Blog.

*smack* It's not his life story, it's a question, for pete's sake.

*smack* It's not his life story, it's a question, for pete's sake.

If you check my quote, there wasn't a question when I put that down.

I want to start playing Dungeons and Dragons, but I have no desire to play with other people, at least for now. I've never played before, and would like to play on the computer. Not DDO, mind you, I'd like to play traditionally, on the computer. Is there something out there for me, or am I screwed?

I've been playing Neverwinter Nights 1&2, which *can* ben played multiplayer when you're comfortable with it, and there are also a number of standalone games to get you into the feel of the genre, all by Wizards of the Coast/TSR. Take a look around -- you might even find some of them in the bargain bin at your local game store.

I do want to play with people, and it's not that I want to try it out, its that when I do play with people I want to be prepared. I don't want to have to learn everything during my first game.

Level one characters by definition don't know anything and can't do very much, so they're actually a great place to start. If you've ever seen any fantasy films (Lord of the Rings would do), you know the premise. Being able to write up a character sheet and know all about the dice and numbers is far less important than your ability to play a character. If you can act like a Dwarf Axeman, does it really matter whether you know to roll a d8 or d12 for damage? Stroke your beard and laugh a lot, and be aggressive on the battlefield. The rest will follow easily.

Your local gaming store or gaming club (check the nearby colleges) may be able to put you in novice games, where one or two experienced players lead several novices in a short adventure. Our club used to have six-week sessions, playing for about 3 hours each Saturday. That was just enough time to complete a small adventure, but not enough to develop an active dislike or boredom with your fellow players. Next round, you'd try something else or pick a different group.

(Don't start as a magic user or priest for your first character. A novice mage is a danger to the party and himself. Stick with simple fighter types, and try the fancies later.)

If you check my quote, there wasn't a question when I put that down.

Fine. It's also rude and uncalled for. If you think it's spam, report it.

Fine. It's also rude and uncalled for. If you think it's spam, report it.

OK, will do. Sorry for the trouble.

Dude, you're getting it all wrong. If you don't want to game with people, then don't play D&D.

Half the point of D&D is the fact that you're gaming with a group of friends. People are still playing it, 30 years later, because it's a social game.

EDIT:
Anyway... it seems to me like you're looking to "try out" D&D before actually playing it. Bad move.
Go to your local tabletop gaming store/comic book store and pick up the 3.5 Players Handbook. Read it.
After that, find some friends and see if they're interested. Since you're the one initiating this, you'll probably be DMing... go pick up the 3.5 Dungeon Master's Guide and Monster Manual 1.
Read the DMG. Start drawing up some maps, developing NPCs, towns, etc.
I know you don't want to play with people yet, but D&D really is a great game, and the best way (the only way in my opinion) to play it is with people... nevermind that Icewind Dale and Neverwinter Nights crap (no offense, fans). Only people with no friends play those games (no offense).

Keep in mind that if you plan on DMing, you might want to start working on this stuff long before you bring it up to friends, so you can have something ready as soon as they get their own Players Handbook.
Or... find some locals that already have experience playing the game... like people you would find in aforementioned comic book store, and just make friends with some of those nerds.

You realize you've just told him to spend about $70 on books when there's no guarantee that after this outlay a)he'll find anyone to play b)he wants to be a DM and c)he already said he doesn't want to play with people yet.

[edit]Eh, nevermind. ;)[edit]

Hackmaster is far more fun.

Especially if you've read or seen the flash movies of Knights of the Dinner Table.

I put on my robe and wizard hat.

You win the thread. :D

I detest tabletop. Perhaps because I haven't found the right people to do it with, but even so, I much prefer electronic games (I like seeing my lightning bolts in visual form .)

Pffft. I can make my lightning bolts in visual form. XD

check the link in my sigI thought I already posted this, but I guess something musta gone wrong.

Online RPing is just... it takes far too long. It's taken you 3 months to barely even get started.

Sorry, but D&D needs to be face-to-face in my opinion.

(Don't start as a magic user or priest for your first character. A novice mage is a danger to the party and himself. Stick with simple fighter types, and try the fancies later.)

Okay, since I don't have any experience in these so called "basement games",... why would a newbie mage/priest pose a danger to him/herself and his/her allies?

How exactly is it better than DnD? It also seemed like it's satirical, is it? I don't want to play a humorous game seriously, I already make light of too many things.

Hackmaster is basically the Dungeons and Dragons Second Edition Rules. (Neverwinter Nights and most of the relatively recent D&D computer games are based off the 3.0 and 3.5 Edition Rules.)

The appeal is mainly to old school players who hate 3.0+ and/or don't want to have to spend more money on rules they have to convert to.

I like 3.5 for quite a few thing myself, like how they streamlined saving throws into three categories that are not so arbitary and make relevant sense (How do you avoid Paralyzation exactly?) as well as a building-block stack experiece system that's a lot smoother than 2E's clunky Dual Class and Multiclass.

I thought I already posted this, but I guess something musta gone wrong.

Online RPing is just... it takes far too long. It's taken you 3 months to barely even get started.

Sorry, but D&D needs to be face-to-face in my opinion.

it depends on the setup.

if you can get everyone online at the same time, then you can actually have a faster session. but if it's 'when you can get on..." then yes, the pacing will be slow.

I had a friend beta test a P&P game on line using an IM system. the hard part was that being in Hawaii, she had to be on at like 2:30 in the morning...

Okay, since I don't have any experience in these so called "basement games",... why would a newbie mage/priest pose a danger to him/herself and his/her allies?The player becomes dead weight in the party... and since challenges for the party are calculated for the party as whole this means that the party ends up facing something tougher than it would otherwise come up against. In addition to this the wizard dies very easily.

"The orc shoots you with a crossbow and deals 5 damage - you die" If you're a fighter then you have more hitpoints and you're tougher to hit as well.

Plus combat is just much more simpler than magic, and combat is much more powerful than magic at lower levels. This means a player can concentrate more on the roleplay and less of the remembering of stats and rules, and dice rolling. Which in turn means they're more likely to see fun parts of the game than the more repetitive side.

Role Playing Games are social games. They are about how you interact with others - playing an RPG without other people is... well... it isn't role play, it's unusual masturbation.

If you are interested in just playing video games, then fire up your xbox and go to town. If you want to actually use your brain, find your local gaming shop and talk to people (yes, despite the stereotype, you do actually have to leave your mother's basement).

Even if you live in the middle of Utah you can find a gaming store where you can hook up with other gamers and find someone willing to take you under their wing. The best way to play is to just jump right in. Skim the players handbook, create a character (under the supervision of the DM) and you will know everything you need to know.

Once you understand the basic mechanics, and i mean just the basics, you are ready to play. The experienced players will teach you all you need to know - if you get a really good group you will learn fast.

After all - everything is flexible and the DM can bend the rules for you a bit if you make mistakes and can offer suggestions to help you learn.

RPGs are all about having fun, so just relax and dont worry about it - everyone else is there to relax and have a good time too. Though of course you do occasionally find blowhards like this: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nhmUj9QJ9RM
Trust me - its worth watching (dont forget its in 2 parts).

it depends on the setup.

if you can get everyone online at the same time, then you can actually have a faster session. but if it's 'when you can get on..." then yes, the pacing will be slow.

I had a friend beta test a P&P game on line using an IM system. the hard part was that being in Hawaii, she had to be on at like 2:30 in the morning...Yeah, maybe, but what about food. It's the hosts job to provide food and then let everyone squabble over who gets the last bit of the best food. And then there's all the joking and horse play and seeing who can build the biggest tower of dice. Oh, and trying to sneak a peak at your DM's plans for the campaign whilst their not looking (but never whilst their out of the room, because that's just unsporting).

Ah! And the figurines you muck about with as well. I've used farmyard animals and monopoly pieces before this. It just makes for silly personifications.

I'm surprised we ever actually got as far as we did.

I thought I already posted this, but I guess something musta gone wrong.

Online RPing is just... it takes far too long. It's taken you 3 months to barely even get started.

Sorry, but D&D needs to be face-to-face in my opinion.

Depends. I used to admin a gaming website. We'd play Vampire in threads -- much like people RP their nations -- and the site's owner even put in a little dicerolling program to help. We also would all get into the associated chat channel for "major scenes".

Yeah, maybe, but what about food. It's the hosts job to provide food and then let everyone squabble over who gets the last bit of the best food. And then there's all the joking and horse play and seeing who can build the biggest tower of dice. Oh, and trying to sneak a peak at your DM's plans for the campaign whilst their not looking (but never whilst their out of the room, because that's just unsporting).

Ah! And the figurines you muck about with as well. I've used farmyard animals and monopoly pieces before this. It just makes for silly personifications.

I'm surprised we ever actually got as far as we did.

Well, this means I don't have to get crisps for everyone else and a bag of salt and vinegar crisps for myself... ;)

You mean you don't have metal miniatures you painted yourself? (I painted a full set for all the characters in my campaign -- and my female centaur fighter I had to put together from 2 different figures! ;))

Yeah, maybe, but what about food. It's the hosts job to provide food and then let everyone squabble over who gets the last bit of the best food. And then there's all the joking and horse play and seeing who can build the biggest tower of dice. Oh, and trying to sneak a peak at your DM's plans for the campaign whilst their not looking (but never whilst their out of the room, because that's just unsporting).

Ah! And the figurines you muck about with as well. I've used farmyard animals and monopoly pieces before this. It just makes for silly personifications.

I'm surprised we ever actually got as far as we did.

Depends. I used to admin a gaming website. We'd play Vampire in threads -- much like people RP their nations -- and the site's owner even put in a little dicerolling program to help. We also would all get into the associated chat channel for "major scenes".
Dice programs to get your results...
Gabbly for those important scenes...
taking pics and posting for figurine movements...

as for peeking on your DM... *cough*hack*cough* :p

Well, this means I don't have to get crisps for everyone else and a bag of salt and vinegar crisps for myself... ;)

You mean you don't have metal miniatures you painted yourself? (I painted a full set for all the characters in my campaign -- and my female centaur fighter I had to put together from 2 different figures! ;))

sigh... My Frost Giantess... never could get that shade of blue again...

Thats my real problem too. I want to play, but I don't know anyone else who does play and I don't loath being with.

Played only the gold boxes D&D, never the pen and paper.

And those PS2, Diablo style D&Ds doesn't count.

Buh,... I forgot... this is one of the best PC D&D's : Planescape Torment and Baldur's Gate series.

Can't say much about NWN and Icewindale.

I've got the same problem No one I know is into it.

Go to your local gaming stores and see if they have any groups that meet there. That's normally the best way to find a group that isn't just classmates/co-workers you loathe.

Not an option for me. There isn't a local gaming store.

Not an option for me. There isn't a local gaming store.

Nonesense! there is always a local gaming store - you just have to stretch your definition of 'local'. For northern Maine that might be 50 miles.

Doing a quick google shows gaming stores in the northeast, central and southern Maine, not to mention gaming groups at the university of Maine.

Seek, and you shall find.

Nonesense! there is always a local gaming store - you just have to stretch your definition of 'local'. For northern Maine that might be 50 miles.

Doing a quick google shows gaming stores in the northeast, central and southern Maine, not to mention gaming groups at the university of Maine.

Seek, and you shall find.

There are no gaming groups here at UMaine. Believe me, I checked. And I can't go to Portland or Augusta, because I don't have a car.

If you are interested in just playing video games, then fire up your xbox and go to town. If you want to actually use your brain
The two are not mutually exclusive. The biggest problem is finding a group of people you'd actually like to roleplay with. In larger localities, this is relatively simple. Up where I am studying it is nigh impossible to find anything other than leather coat clad geeks who think themselves too good for D&D. :rolleyes:


I like 3.5 for quite a few thing myself, like how they streamlined saving throws into three categories that are not so arbitary and make relevant sense (How do you avoid Paralyzation exactly?) as well as a building-block stack experiece system that's a lot smoother than 2E's clunky Dual Class and Multiclass.
I much prefer 3.5 to AD&D myself. I really did not like the latter.

Nonesense! there is always a local gaming store - you just have to stretch your definition of 'local'. For northern Maine that might be 50 miles.
There is also eBay/ Amazon. :)

I'm gonna go with the general concensus here and say that NWN 2 is a good way to get a feel for the general feel of the game and the genre. But if you really want to experience DnD, play tabletop.

I myself, have never had a problem finding players, I've been surrounded by them all my life. I try to hide, and there they are, popping out of the woodwork with their 'Your D12 cries itself to sleep' t-shirts saying 'Mike, run something!'. Thankfully, there's about 4 or 5 different campaigns on the go, and I can kind of put them off for a while, while I try to do normal things on some weekends.

Thankfully, they all like to drink as well. That makes life easier.

Where was I, before I got onto my bloggy rant? Right, finding people...

The 'local hobby store' is the obvious choice. If you're capable of picking up a PHB, odds are that's the place anyway. Unless you picked it up at Chapters or something, in which case, you could just do it the old fashioned way - run the game yourself, and find people you like to give it a shot. This works particularly well if you're creative and want to explore your own campaign world and such. But at the very basics, just pick up a Player's Handbook, get some friends to roll up some basic characters, and throw some of the basic monsters at the back of the book at them (they are still there in 3.5 right?) If they're enjoying it, pick up a DMG, and maybe even a basic intro module.

Sooner or later, you'll be begging for a social life. Once you've reached that stage, you are officially a gamer.

Depends. I used to admin a gaming website. We'd play Vampire in threads -- much like people RP their nations -- and the site's owner even put in a little dicerolling program to help. We also would all get into the associated chat channel for "major scenes".



Well, this means I don't have to get crisps for everyone else and a bag of salt and vinegar crisps for myself... ;)

You mean you don't have metal miniatures you painted yourself? (I painted a full set for all the characters in my campaign -- and my female centaur fighter I had to put together from 2 different figures! ;))Meh, even then there's still something missing. It's like how a phonecall just isn't the same as a face to face conversation. And at least with a phonecall you hear someone's intonations.

Our DM tried that once... Men, holding huge phalic swords and women with breasts bigger than their heads? That's why we were swtiched to plastic farmyard animal figurines... but then the jokes just moved to bestiality and the ducks of doom. Which is why we ended up with monopoly pieces, but even then that didn't completely stop us. I mean you could just sense that the guy who owned the car, like the barbarian with the huge sword, was making up for something.

Meh, even then there's still something missing. It's like how a phonecall just isn't the same as a face to face conversation. And at least with a phonecall you hear someone's intonations.

Our DM tried that once... Men, holding huge phalic swords and women with breasts bigger than their heads? That's why we were swtiched to plastic farmyard animal figurines... but then the jokes just moved to bestiality and the ducks of doom. Which is why we ended up with monopoly pieces, but even then that didn't completely stop us. I mean you could just sense that the guy who owned the car, like the barbarian with the huge sword, was making up for something.

Dude. Lego. For the Win.

I don't know if anyone's already recommended this, but you can try Baldur's Gate or Icewind Dale.

*chant* Get. A. Blog.

Dude, why do people have to be a$$holes like that?

This is the general forum, so doesn't he/she have the right to say whatever they want?

Dude, why do people have to be a$$holes like that?

This is the general forum, so doesn't he/she have the right to say whatever they want?

No, actually, they don't. However, yes, the blog thing is jerkish and should be stopped.

No, actually, they don't. However, yes, the blog thing is jerkish and should be stopped.

Within reason, yes, but that 'get a blog' thing is REALLY dumb.

I play D&D too... =)

I was actually lucky enough to be able to find a bunch of likeminded classmates to play with on my first go. Well, considering I was the DM on our first game, and I already read all the rules, I ended up playing the wizard.

For the record, yes. Newbie wizards tend to kill the whole party if you're not careful. I managed to stop myself, (I was DM ;) ) sometimes. The only problem is that new players tend to overlook the support spells and go for fire & lightning. Sure they may be cool, but there are better ways to play than that... And yes, simply blasting enemies is not going to work at level 1.

My suggestions are that perhaps you could find at least one experienced player to play or be DM. And try not to get too pissed at people making wisecracks all the time...

I then went on to pick up NWN, a disappointment really. The special effects look nice, but the flexibility and replay quality are just not there when you don't have a social group. The jokes can be irritating at times, but they make things more fun. And its living hell being a DM for NWN...

Now that our group has more or less disbanded, I resorted to PbP. There are advantages of PbP that don't appear in a social situation. Like better roleplaying, less wisecracks and jokes; people's characters also tend not to die so easily. The disadvantages are the slower pace and not having a group to play and share fun with. With a 4 man party battle, there is a minimum of 5 posts a round. If each person waits for the previous to post, it can take up to 5 days a round. Its usually faster but that depends on the arrangement.

So, take a choice that you like, keep an eye out for other possibilities though. And remember that the game is for fun...

[sorry if I sound too much like a teacher, I'm not, but I can't seem to edit it out...]

I found a disc once with a whole lot of PC demos on it, including Temple of Elemental Evil. The demo was random, but it came, for some reason, with the manual for the full game. It sounded cool, so I got it real cheap on an online auction site. I heartily recommend it to everyone, except for those with computers like mine that have trouble looting corpses. Just one thing: Beware of the horrible online guides.

Dude, why do people have to be a$$holes like that?

This is the general forum, so doesn't he/she have the right to say whatever they want?

Ok, seriously the dude has already been called out and he already apologised. If you're so offended then freakin' report it. Otherwise stop harrassing the guy, ormaybe someone should report you...

Sorry, I know this thread has been up for a while, but I simply must reply in disgust.

You *cannot* play D&D 'traditionally' alone or on the computer. Argh.

Your best hope would be to go somewhere like here (http://digitaldice.freeforums.org) and playing a 'traditional' game, in your own home alone, with several other real people through a forum. Otherwise you are screwed.

Don't even start me on those stupid 1-man adventure modules.

And yes, simply blasting enemies is not going to work at level 1.
Yes, the idea of a single magic missile flying slowly toward some enraged foe is hardly the most inspiring out there. :p Just wait until the wizard reaches level 5 though...

I want to start playing Dungeons and Dragons, but I have no desire to play with other people, at least for now. I've never played before, and would like to play on the computer. Not DDO, mind you, I'd like to play traditionally, on the computer. Is there something out there for me, or am I screwed?

Temple of Elemental Evil
Baldure's Gate I and II (+ expansions)
Torment
Icewind Dale

Yes, the idea of a single magic missile flying slowly toward some enraged foe is hardly the most inspiring out there. :p Just wait until the wizard reaches level 5 though...

Yeah! Fireball incoming! Eat Lightning Bolt!

Haha, that was fun...

Summon Monster 3 works better though. You get to stay invisible...