by Rich Harrington

Created on: February 12, 2009   Last Updated: February 23, 2009

Playing Dungeons and Dragons now is no different than it was 30 years ago, when I started playing. What you need is a set of dice and an imagination. Yes, someone in the group should have a set of manuals, but a lot of that can be found from friends, on-line or at the library. A set of dice can be bought for a few dollars. I believe if players are interested, they will find a way.

So often, younger players start because of another friend has learned to play from an older brother or sister and has access to a set of manuals. This more experienced player usually is the 'dungeon master' and runs the game. The manuals are needed for information on equipping your character or to know the various characteristics of the character you want to play. Dice are used to determine the outcome of combat or a spell. So much of the game happens in the minds of the player. Usually newer players do need to read the players guide to know more about how the world operates, but often the dungeon master or DM is the one who needs most of the reference material. A player doesn't need to know what it takes to kill an orc, but rather knows the basic procedure of combat. The DM's goal is to make a game that is playable and enjoyable. No one would want to play, when as a beginning character, you are killed because the DM attacked you with too strong a monster.

One aspect of the game is that characters are of various mythical races, such as elves, halflings (hobbits) or even humans. They have professions such as ranger, fighter, thief, magic user and cleric. The magic user and cleric do have the ability to cast spells and you do need to know what spells they can cast, but this list can be derived from one manual, listed on paper and then the manual isn't needed for a while.

The manuals are not cheap, but they are available. I believe our local library has them to check out so you can have a Player's Guide to look at. I know my friends over the years got manuals as Christmas presents. As a new player continues to play, manuals are capable of being bought etc. An important point to parents, reading is reading. If a younger player wants to read the Players Guide to understand how to play, that is reading. The writing in the manuals is not kid oriented and it may be a challenge. But they are reading and understanding how to look up something in a reference manual.

So much of the game happens in the mind. Books, little lead figures and dice are secondary to using your imagination and learning to work as a unit. Most adventures are done with a group of friends. When a younger player thinks they need hundreds of dollars of equipment to play well, a parent need to understand how the game plays and help the new player get what they need to play.

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