Beginner help | initial setup

[SpacemanSpliff]

With the recent launch of FGU, it seems like the perfect time for my friend group to finally dive into a campaign. The catch: none of us have experience with 5e or Fantasy Grounds, although I have many hours in Pathfinder, and we’re all lifelong gamers.

I’m wondering what the absolute simplest start would be, and what exactly is needed.

A pre-made adventure module seems to be the way to go, with Lost Mine of Phandelver being the best choice for newbies?

Can I download only FGU, the ultimate license, and Phandelver and be completely set to play with 4-5 friends? If I have the ultimate license, no one else needs to buy anything at all? Do I need the core manuals to run Phandelver?

Thanks so much.

[superteddy57]

MOD: Moved to 5e forums for more direct suggestions for the 5e ruleset.

[Zacchaeus]

You don't really need anything apart from the license and the Mine of Phandelver module. The FG module comes with 5 pregenerated characters as well as the basic rules for running D&D. All of the magic items and monsters are also included in the module. So none of the core books are needed.

The only thing I would say is that character selection and creation are limited to the 5 pregenerated ones or to the narrow band of material available in the basic rules. So if you wanted to give your players more options then I'd also suggest purchasing the PHB. However this isn't essential.

And welcome to the forums.

[Granamere]

Welcome!

I would suggest you take a free class at https://fantasygroundscollege.net/. I would start with the Character Creation class or new to Unity. Either one would give you a good base to move forward plus it lets you see how it works first hand.

[SpacemanSpliff]

Thank you for your quick and helpful responses; this seems like a great community.

I will definitely check out the fantasy grounds college, and get through that material before flooding the forum with more basic questions.

Regarding the PHB however, does only the DM need a copy, or all players? Does the ultimate license impact the answer?

Much appreciated!

[Zacchaeus]

Only the DM needs to buy the PHB. It will be automatically shared with players when they join the game.

License does not impact on this. The only impact a license has is the number of players with demo licences who can join the game (unlimited with Ultimate license).

[Granamere]

Also please feel free to ask questions. :) I just mention the college so you know about it. Also it will help answer questions you do not even know you have. :) More than likely you will come back here with even more questions.

Also if the DM has the Ultimate license the players will not need to buy anything. The DM can pick which things they own to share with the players. So if the DM has Players handbook, The sword coast guide and Ebberon. They could share Player handbook and Sword coast but not Eberron if they wanted. This would allow the players to use all of the classes and races in the two books.

If a player has Theros and the DM allows it. That player and only that player could pick a race and/or class from Theros.

If the players want to make characters on there own time they would only be able to make them from what source material they own. Everyone gets the 5e basics rules for free even demo players.

I hope this helps.