Starting D&D Player

[zenaku]

My brother and I have been trying to play some paper and pencil RPGs for a while now. The problem is, we don't have many people to play with, he's not good as a DM, and neither are the recent friends he's been playing with. So if we played, I would have to be the DM.
I've decided to buy a set of the D&D corebooks (Some online friends talked me into getting 3.0 instead of the recent 4). I've tried a couple others, but the community for those are more for people who have been playing RPGs for a while. Not people who are just getting in.
So, basically, I need help. Are there any sites out there with advice for beginners? Also, pre-constructed adventures and campaigns?

 

[locke69]

Depending on the campaign, be fluid with your plans.

DM advice

Player Advice

Because I love these guys.

 

[Dubrichius]

My brother and I have been trying to play some paper and pencil RPGs for a while now. The problem is, we don't have many people to play with, he's not good as a DM, and neither are the recent friends he's been playing with. So if we played, I would have to be the DM.
I've decided to buy a set of the D&D corebooks (Some online friends talked me into getting 3.0 instead of the recent 4). I've tried a couple others, but the community for those are more for people who have been playing RPGs for a while. Not people who are just getting in.
So, basically, I need help. Are there any sites out there with advice for beginners? Also, pre-constructed adventures and campaigns?

A good way to gain some experience with the D&D rules would be by playing any of the computer games out that use them as their base rule set.

 

[zenaku]

Ah Good. I have been a big fan of the Neverwinter Night and Baldur's Gate games, so I should be set on that part.
As for being fluid with plans, I have been reading up enough to know to expect the unexpected from players. A good example from DM of the Ring

 

[Garahs]

I highly recommend 3.5 over 3.0 D&D. There were things overlooked and confusing in the 3.0 books, not to mention it was rediculously broken. One of my friends had a Wizard/Red Wizard/Archmage at around 15th-16th level and had a Disintegrate saving throw of 43. Needless to say, our level 15 party was going against monsters our party had no right to be going against and one-shotting them.

 

[Alzrius]

I highly recommend 3.5 over 3.0 D&D.

QFT. 3.5 is definitely superior to 3.0, and it has more support across the board.