New Player Asking for some Help

[redeem4]

Now I'm not a newcomer to the general terms and what have you with RPGs erm videogames in particular, but I have been wanting to try tabletop gaming for a while now and I feel that this program would be the best way to try and get into it, so now I ask if anybody is willing to let me join in on a game and wouldn't mind being tolerable to somebody who doesn't know all the technicalities of playing a game, but I do have a general idea somewhat.

Also is there any particular game that you guys would recommend that would be the easiest to get into? There are 6 different rulesets that I have in my Fantasy Grounds program and I'm a bit confused even before I make a character because I'm not exactly sure what the differences are, but mainly why there are 3 different D20s.

I might as well put this out there if its still relevant, but I do like the Baldur's Gate/Planescape CRPG games (been meaning to play other ones like them) and I'm not sure if those rulesets are even valid anymore, so anything like that I'm sorta familiar with.

[Mgrancey]

They are currently 5 different editions of D and D, not including offshoots, clones, etc.

1st edition
2nd edition (AD&D, also the version the games you mentioned were based on)
3rd/3.5 which mostly seemed to be simplify and cleaning up some messiness from 2nd, but I've never played second on read thru some of the books
4th Edition, which was meant to draw in MMO, Hasbro bought WotC and ****ed that right up though. Little to no focus on important part of Gaming, setting and story
5th Edition (DnD Next, as its called)


Pathfinder can roughly be equated to 3.75, simplifying some rules and giving Classes just a little bit more oomph to them

As I said earlier Baldur's Gate and CRPG were based on 2nd edition DnD, so there are a number of similar rulesets including later versions of DnD. You'll want someone else to help you there, I've only found them needlessly complicated with high and low numbers switching on which is good and which is bad.

As far as CRPG and MMOs go here is examples and rulesset for game

The original Neverwinter Nights 1 & 2 and D&D Online were 3/3.5
The new Neverwinter MMO is 4e build,


The "Classic D & D" thread is going to be more inline with the CRPGs you listed, Pathfinder is a slightly altered 3.5, mostly to benefits I beleive, and has a lot of interest and support. The Pathfinder society is a good way to try out the system, though you may not like organized play thats up to personal taste.

[redeem4]

They are currently 5 different editions of D and D, not including offshoots, clones, etc.

1st edition
2nd edition (AD&D, also the version the games you mentioned were based on)
3rd/3.5 which mostly seemed to be simplify and cleaning up some messiness from 2nd, but I've never played second on read thru some of the books
4th Edition, which was meant to draw in MMO, Hasbro bought WotC and ****ed that right up though. Little to no focus on important part of Gaming, setting and story
5th Edition (DnD Next, as its called)


Pathfinder can roughly be equated to 3.75, simplifying some rules and giving Classes just a little bit more oomph to them

As I said earlier Baldur's Gate and CRPG were based on 2nd edition DnD, so there are a number of similar rulesets including later versions of DnD. You'll want someone else to help you there, I've only found them needlessly complicated with high and low numbers switching on which is good and which is bad.

As far as CRPG and MMOs go here is examples and rulesset for game

The original Neverwinter Nights 1 & 2 and D&D Online were 3/3.5
The new Neverwinter MMO is 4e build,


The "Classic D & D" thread is going to be more inline with the CRPGs you listed, Pathfinder is a slightly altered 3.5, mostly to benefits I beleive, and has a lot of interest and support. The Pathfinder society is a good way to try out the system, though you may not like organized play thats up to personal taste.

ok, so lets say I want to play a Pathfinder game then...what ruleset would I create a character under then? the only ones available are d20, d20 jpg, d20 msrd, gurps, savageworld, and SWSE or...does it even matter?

[Mgrancey]

Depends on how you build your character, generally you would either "Manage Character", "Create New Campaign" or do it inside a GMs campaign.

For the first two, you would first select "3.5e" as the ruleset (as I said they are very similar) then you would get prompted for either "PFRPG" or "3.5" and select the PFRPG button.

Next you would open up (at the top right, a button w/ 3 silhouettes) "Characters", then create a new character. After that its simply filling in the appropriate areas, some are automatically calculated and some you have to fill in; look for the boxes with a slight rounded bevel and dropshadow, (also they won't have a d20 on bottom left corner, those you can click or double click to perform a roll for that box).

The library has information, but if you create a campaign you will need to activate which modules you are looking for (Make sure you activate the PFRPG Basics rather than the 3.5E basics). Generally anything with the red dragon logo can either be opened or dragged and dropped. Such as feats, spells, equipment, etc. Adding weapons to the "Actions" or "Inventory" will add to the other, though armor bonuses and penalties need to be added personally.

Effects is where a lot of people start off confused, if you have any experience with any type of coding is easy to pick up after looking them up in the library.

I'm running what will end up tier 1-2 PFS mod on Friday evening, but I'm currently full on players but if you want to watch to get a feel for game you are welcome.

There is a saturday game (https://www.fantasygrounds.com/forums/showthread.php?t=18676), that still has space for a player though you would need to create your own or use a pregen.

As far as the other parts, (d20, d20 jpg, d20 msrd) are all the same rulesset just different settings or such (msrd is Modern, jpg is basic).
Gurps is an entirely different system that has tons and tons of options allowing to be used for anything.
Savage Worlds is a rules lite ans simplified system that is aimed at being "Fast! Fun! Furious!" I like it, its meant to be more pulpy and dramatic than most systems, uses a Roll and Keep system.

Also if you haven't seen it, the first post (https://www.fantasygrounds.com/forums/showthread.php?t=14218) contains a list of people willing to demo a ruleset for you.

[redeem4]

Depends on how you build your character, generally you would either "Manage Character", "Create New Campaign" or do it inside a GMs campaign.

For the first two, you would first select "3.5e" as the ruleset (as I said they are very similar) then you would get prompted for either "PFRPG" or "3.5" and select the PFRPG button.

Next you would open up (at the top right, a button w/ 3 silhouettes) "Characters", then create a new character. After that its simply filling in the appropriate areas, some are automatically calculated and some you have to fill in; look for the boxes with a slight rounded bevel and dropshadow, (also they won't have a d20 on bottom left corner, those you can click or double click to perform a roll for that box).

The library has information, but if you create a campaign you will need to activate which modules you are looking for (Make sure you activate the PFRPG Basics rather than the 3.5E basics). Generally anything with the red dragon logo can either be opened or dragged and dropped. Such as feats, spells, equipment, etc. Adding weapons to the "Actions" or "Inventory" will add to the other, though armor bonuses and penalties need to be added personally.

Effects is where a lot of people start off confused, if you have any experience with any type of coding is easy to pick up after looking them up in the library.

I'm running what will end up tier 1-2 PFS mod on Friday evening, but I'm currently full on players but if you want to watch to get a feel for game you are welcome.

There is a saturday game (https://www.fantasygrounds.com/forums/showthread.php?t=18676), that still has space for a player though you would need to create your own or use a pregen.

As far as the other parts, (d20, d20 jpg, d20 msrd) are all the same rulesset just different settings or such (msrd is Modern, jpg is basic).
Gurps is an entirely different system that has tons and tons of options allowing to be used for anything.
Savage Worlds is a rules lite ans simplified system that is aimed at being "Fast! Fun! Furious!" I like it, its meant to be more pulpy and dramatic than most systems, uses a Roll and Keep system.

Also if you haven't seen it, the first post (https://www.fantasygrounds.com/forums/showthread.php?t=14218) contains a list of people willing to demo a ruleset for you.

ok, thanks for your help again and I think I will take you up on your offer for that Saturday game if you guys don't mind helping me out because I'm pretty sure I will be asking a lot questions about things, but I am a quick learner, so there's that and I'm 90% sure I will be able to be there this Saturday.

and for your game, I would just create a character with any of the d20 rulesets, correct? just making sure (you said something about clicking the 3.5e or PFRPG option, but there is no option like that on the ruleset list)

[Leonal]

ok, thanks for your help again and I think I will take you up on your offer for that Saturday game if you guys don't mind helping me out because I'm pretty sure I will be asking a lot questions about things, but I am a quick learner, so there's that and I'm 90% sure I will be able to be there this Saturday.

and for your game, I would just create a character with any of the d20 rulesets, correct? just making sure (you said something about clicking the 3.5e or PFRPG option, but there is no option like that on the ruleset list)

Hi,


To create a character first make sure you have the most recent version of FG (2.9.3).
Then, click manage characters and you should see "3.5E" as the topmost option.
Click "Start" and you will be given a pop-up that says "Game System Selection" with "PFRPG" and "3.5E" as options.
Select PFRPG.
Click the button with the three "people" in the top right corner and click "create new character."
You should be ready to enter your characters details which can later be selected when you join another GM's game.

edit: corrected latest version number.

[Mgrancey]

Oh I'm not running on Saturday, I was just referencing the guy who was.

[RobG]

Hi redeem4
I'm running the Saturday game. I sent you a private message but you haven't replied.
Anyway... Can you read this thread for the game.
https://www.fantasygrounds.com/forums/showthread.php?t=18676
You aren't confirmed until I have your character, I can help you out with that if you like, or set you up a pregen.