Thinking about getting started with Dungeons & Dragons 4th Edition?

4E is significantly different than 2E, and it may be too much of a departure. They no longer have legitimate "classes" with feats and skills, they have replaced it with "aspects" and such. Some REALLY like it - others think it's too "video-gamey" and hate it. If it's too far from confortable for you, I would recommend "Pathfinder" - which is an upgrade from 3.5 and is based on what you and I are used to.

For the "new" gamer like you, you need the 4E Player's Handbook and a set of dice (the standard D&D dice) - and that's all you need to play (oh, and download some free character sheets as well!!). If you want to DM, then the DMG and Monster Manual is needed... and, true to D&D form, there are multiple versions and updates to each book, but to start, all you need is the basic PH, DMG and MM.

You can get online with http://www.penandpapergames.com/ and go to the "Fantasy" tab in the forums. The Wizards of the Coast site, http://www.wotc.com/ has a forum dedicated to their games (though I avoid this like the plague!).

Here are some tips

1 : Stay tuned to the www.wizards.com/dnd website

2 : Visit a forum such as www.enworld.org and look at the articles and posts to get ideas on how the game plays

3 : Visit www.youtube.com and search D&D, there you will find some videos of D&D gameplay to give you an idea of how different people play the game

Ok, next what you need

Don't worry about the 100s of books, not all are required.

All you need to run an Adventure is

1 : At least 3 people, ideally 6 people (one to be the DM)

2 : A place to hold your session.. someones house is a good idea

3 : Some dice. You can buy these from eBay or many other game stores. You need at least two complete sets (one for the DM, one for the players) although each player getting their own is a good idea

4 : The group (or the DM) needs to invest in the DMG (Dungeon Master Guide) which is a how-to to run an Adventure

5 : The group (or the DM) needs to invest in the PHB (Players Handbook) which is the basic rulebook of D&D and how to play. It shows you what you need to start a character and play it as well as key rules on movement, combat etc. Often more than one player will want to buy a copy of the PHB, but for rules you only need 1 at the table

6 : A dungeon mat, dungeon tiles or some method to draw out the dungeon rooms you visit. Some people prefer a wipeable dungeon mat, some draw out predrawn sheets of paper, its upto you

7 : Character sheets for each player filled out with the information about each Characters stats

8 : Pen & Paper to keep tracking of things that go on during the adventure

9 : Miniatures or tokens to keep track of monsters in the room and players

10 : Your imagination or a Pre-Published Adventure to use as your setting

Once you have those things - you play and its that simple

Don't worry about knowing all of the rules straight away, you can get the hang of them as you go along

There are a few things you need to know.

1. There are currently two 'versions' of 4e. There is regular 4e and Essentials. One does not replace the other. In 4e powers are like a resource, "Do I spend my daily attacks now, or save them for the next fight?" Essentials has fewer Daily and Encounter powers, instead characters ask "Which stance should I use to supplement my basic attack?"

There are exceptions, but in 4e you have a decision to make every class level of what power you want. In essentials you make a major decision at first level, a secondary decision at around 5 or so, then a couple of minor choices every few levels.

2. The books you need depend on what you want to play and whether you plan on being DM or not. A DM will want a monster manual and maybe the DM Handbook if they plan on creating their own adventures. If you are running a pre-made module you can skip those books at first. Players want either the 1st Player's Handbook for 4e, or one of the two Essentials books. 4e players might want the higher Player Handbooks if they want to play one of the classes or races in it, but the 1st is the only one with the play rules.

Whoa. Some people have recommended the Player's Handbook. Do NOT, I repeat DO NOT start 4e with the player's handbook. It is pretty much all obsolete by now, as the new Essentials Edition has replaced it.

There is an intro boxed set designed to get people playing right away.

Here it is on Amazon:

http://www.amazon.com/Dungeons-Dragons-Fantasy-Rol...

From there, you could go the Rules Compendium, or the books for players or GMs.

There are also a ton of other RPGs out there! You might want to check out www.rpggeek.com for more info.

The only ones you really need are the Players Handbook, the Dungeon Master's Guide, and the Monster Manual. Anything else is fun but not necessary. Most of the books are available as free .pdfs on 4shared.com - check them out and then buy only the ones you think you'll need.