New DM, New to FG and will be running my first game in a month. Some advice please

[Devistation]

So I have some time before I start my first game and take over the DM role for my group. I'm excited about this and as expected nervous. I have the $40.00 edition but i'm planning on upgrading to the Ultimate edition so everyone can play with laptops. Anyway, that is not my question..

So for running my first game I was wanting to do a module, But I have no clue what one. I'm guessing that when we finish our current game everyone will be 4th level and I will assume that most the group will want to keep their current characters and transfer them to the game. So any fun modules you would suggest?

Second. I have a players handbook and DM guide that I already bought on hard cover. The basic rules items etc, seem to be in FG already. For my first book purchase within FG what should I buy? What will I get the most use out of with my campaign? Players Handbook, DM guide, Monster Manual, or something else? I'm sure I will have some more questions. Thank you all in advance.

[LordEntrails]

Though you didn't specify, and you didn't post in a rule specific forum, I'm guessing you are talking 5E?

If so, I took my players from about level 3 into Princes of the Apocalypse. We've had a good time with it, though it does take a considerable amount of DM prep is you run it close to a sandbox like I have done. There are others as well that you can transition into at 4th level without too much difficulty, but I'll let someone who has done that speak about those.

As for your next purchase, if you are doing an adventure that has an FG conversion (like all the WotC ones do), then I would buy that next.

If you are making up your own adventure, then I would buy the MM so you have all the monster stats.

I would also put the PHB high on the list, it allows you to automate so much like spells, leveling up, etc that it is a great time saver.

[Devistation]

Yes. I will be doing 5e. I want an adventure that is comparable with FG, so I can have maps, stories,and all that at my fingertips

[Calisto]

First welcome to Fantasy Grounds! I wanted to point you to a link with a ton of 5e resources that will help you.

https://www.fantasygrounds.com/forum...r-5E-resources

The Community Extensions for 5E and the Community Modules for 5E both link to extremely useful resources for your game. I would not worry about these for your first few sessions but once you have the basics down go back and look at the added functionality these extensions / modules can provide. What I would do personally is find a short 1 or 2 session adventure for you and your players to gain familiarity with the UI. You will find many on the DMSGuild (most cost a few dollars) including many AL adventures. When searching on the DMs guild narrow your search by Format = VTT (virtual table top). Dues for the Dead is a good adventure for a few dollars.

You will also see a few free community modules in the Community Modules for 5E link I referenced (https://www.fantasygrounds.com/forum...munity-Modules), Z1 - Zombie Curse perhaps?

The following is a list of helpful tips as well to review. One common issue to be aware of is that for tokens to work properly on the maps ALWAYS drag tokens for players or monsters to the combat tracker first and then from the combat track to the map. If you don't folks wont be able to target the tokens. Actually once your players have created their charactersone of the first things to do is drag them from the player sheet to the combat tracker and leave them there, you almost never need to remove PCs from the combat tracker.

https://www.fantasygrounds.com/forum...ul-information

Happy gaming!

[Nylanfs]

Take a look at the Adventure A Week modules, those could be strung together for a longer campaign.

[SirGraystone]

First about the books I would get the Player Handbook because the players use the DM books in FG, so that opens all the characters option to your player. The Dungeon Master Guide if you have the hardcover book I wouldn't bother buying again. The Monster Manual is nice if you make your own adventures so you don't have to create each creature manually in FG but if you get a premade adventure all the monsters are included in it so the MM is not a must either.

Now as to which adventure to play of the official wizards ones, I would say Curse of Strahd is my favorite one so far, it's not as much of a sandbox like Storm of King Thunder or Prince of Apocalypse. By that i mean its easier to predict where your players are going next (although they may still surprise you). I would suggest reading the adventure completely before starting it. It a campaign from level 3 to 9 so you should be fine at level 4, there's option in the story to level the characters when some event happen instead of going only from xp, which worked better for us.

This is a good guide to what happen in the adventure too.
https://thecampaign20xx.blogspot.ca/...-curse-of.html

[Devistation]

Thanks SirGreystone. I was thinking about Strahd. It sounded like a fun one!

[Calisto]

I started with FG (and 5e) about a year and a half ago, ran my party thorough Dues for the Dead (AL module) and then whisked them away to Barovia. We have 35+ sessions under our belt so far and the party will be confronting Strahd in his crypt in the next 2-3 sessions. CoS is a GREAT adventure but as SirGraystone suggests you really need to read the whole adventure first.

If you do decide to run CoS a few essential resources for you...

Power Score campaign guide: https://thecampaign20xx.blogspot.com...-curse-of.html
CoS Theme: https://www.fantasygrounds.com/forum...901#post320901
Castle Ravenloft Battlemaps (free): https://www.fantasygrounds.com/forum...181#post263181
More Curse of Strahd Maps (free): https://www.fantasygrounds.com/forum...urse-of-Strahd
Even More Hi-Rez CoS Maps from DMGuild (costs $): https://www.dmsguild.com/product/185...olour-jpg-maps