Total new person/people/everyone to DnD

[SkyLander]

Gamma World and how it seems to be structured finally got me to ask some people at work if they would interested in such a thing. And they all said they would give it a shot. So technically I would have 4 people totally new to DnD. And me DMing also totally new to DnD.


Soooooo, where do I start? Part of the issue is I don't know anyone that plays I have no bearing on how DnD really works, how to DM how to do....anything.

So any resources for people totally new to it would be helpful since it seems my google fu is weak. All the posts I find are by people that have played.

[kadnod]

There's some free stuff here that could get you started.  Keep on the Shadowfell (intro rules/adventure) + the free version of Character Builder is more than enough to run a few games.  

For advice on how to be a DM, the Dungeon Master's Guide and Dungeon Master's Guide 2 are both pretty good.  (Something called The DM's Kit just came out, too, but I haven't gotten a look at it yet.)

I'd also suggest investing in a "battle mat" and some dry erase markers, since the latest version of D&D relies a lot on having a map/game board during play.  You'll also need either minatures or some sort of tokens to keep track of where the players' characters and monsters are. I'd probably hold off on buying a ton of minatures until you're sure you like the game.  Either make your own tokens or buy some.  I bought this token set a while back and it was pretty good.

If you find you like this stuff, a subscription to D&D Insider is a pretty good investment.  It basically gives you online access to nearly all the rules that have ever been published for the 4th edition of the game, plus the full version of the Character & Monster builders.  

Good luck!

[TiLT]

Are you asking for advice on how to run Gamma World or advice on D&D 4E?

[SkyLander]

To run Gamma World, but I thought the mechanics of it besides the cards was all based on 4E?

[Morgul]

To run Gamma World, but I thought the mechanics of it besides the cards was all based on 4E?

Gamma world is old school, unless they came out with something new.  I used to play it when I was about 10 years old.

[Dreamshadow]

http://www.wizards.com/DnD/Product.aspx?x=dnd/products/dndacc/254600000

[kronovan]

http://www.wizards.com/DnD/Product.aspx?x=dnd/products/dndacc/254600000

Yup, that was my understanding - Wizards just released an updated version of Gamma World based on 4E D&D. As well, IIRC the original was based on the late 70's edition of D&D. I tried to get members of my college RPG group interested in it back in the 80's, but never succeeded. I'm thinking of getting my son and nephew going with this new update, but I'm trying to get an idea of what all the costs will be 1st.

[Mithridates]

You might want to look into the Castle Ravenloft board game that was recently released. I picked it up last weekend and played 2 sessions with it and it was excellent.

[CeeKay]

just remember, no matter how crafty you think an encounter you have devised is, players will find a way to break it.  I've been in plenty of games where a game session has been derailed by an unexpected action, be it a random act ('I shoot servant A''what?!?!?!?') or an unexpected solution with a successful roll ('I teleport the guy up to the clouds' 'the spell says you must be able to see the destination' 'ok, I teleport him to the outside of the cloud I can see the bottom of' 'fine, but you'll need a- you just rolled a natural 20, didn't you?' <big boss fight is tossed out the window>).  it's not a matter of if but when, and sometimes you'll just have to roll with it and play it by ear.

also remember that, in a worst case scenario, you can always break out the:

Spoiler for Hiden:

[Graham]

You might want to look into the Castle Ravenloft board game that was recently released. I picked it up last weekend and played 2 sessions with it and it was excellent.

I highly agree with this.