Is there a good way to learn how to play D & D?

Question

I love fantasy games and I have always wanted to learn how to play D&D, but I refuse to sit in a room with a bunch of people with B.O. I read up about this insider thing, and do you think I will be able to learn online with that digital tabletop? Anyone have any good websites to read up on?

Answer 1

that game is for dorks.  why don't you play Eternal Lands for free online instead? or if you have playstation or xbox, just get one of those cool graphical games that are all about fantasy?  

But, yea, i'm sure you can learn online, you can do anything online nowadays.

Answer 2

The D&D Insider virtual tabletop will probably be fine to learn on - IF they ever get it up and running, and IF you don't mind paying a start up fee for a game you may or may not like.  Those are two slightly big 'if's'.

There a variety of free online game table programs, and some people play online games and will be happy to gain new players.  You can check out the Wizard of the Coast forums (www.wizards.com/dnd) - there's a whole section for people setting up online games.  And forums for finding local groups.  Which can be a good thing, because there's really no better way to learn than in person with a group.

Of course, some of us (like me!) feel that a big part of the fun of a game like D&D is the social aspect - having something fun to do with your friends.  In which case the online game just isn't as appealing.

However, it can be hard to find a group of people who all have the same idea about what makes for a fun evening and a fun time.

Good luck and have fun gaming!

Answer 3

You can tell Sweetvac knows nothing about the game and does not know how to spend time with people in person....that is why she likes only online and emails and texting etc...

To play you need people... So don't bother to try and learn if you don't like sitting and spending time with friends.

But if you want to learn!:

The Players guide along with the DIT tabletop will let you understand the game.

But the initial question was a or the good way to learn. Find role-players, not just D&D players, any group and Play! Once you understand the true rpg playing you can learn other games from books/ addendums etc.

Unlike the online games tabletop has no limit to the use of your imagination. I know you have played those pretend online games, that are really just advanced first-person fighting games, and you say to yourself, "why can't I use the dynamite to open the door". In tabletop you not only can try to do it....you can say "I know the do is magically protected, so I blow a hole through the wall next to the door!!!"

People like Sweetvac, don't have enough imagination to think of new ideas she needs multiple choice buttons or a cursor that changes color to notice the door is a different color.

Answer 4

I'd agree with Storm. One such place is OpenRPG - a number of the servers have regular game sessions and may be willing to help out a newbie player.

The main thing is deciding on a version. 4E is the latest-and-greatest (as far as WotC is concerned), so the advantage there is everyone's a beginner there to a degree - if you want to jump in and buy the books, that might be the way to go. Advantages to version 3.5 are that there's still a lot of play under that ruleset and (for the basic rules anyway) they are available for free at d20srd.org.