Newbie here . . .

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Herid Fel
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Newbie here . . .

Post by Herid Fel »

I have long been interested in RPG's, but have never had the opportunity to play. I learned about C&C about a year ago, and have wanted to play ever since (if I can find some folks who want to play). I don't have a lot of money ATM, but I am thinking of getting C&C, LL (in print), or BFRPG, as I love the idea of old school gaming (1ed AD&D is only two years older than me; I kinda missed out for various reasons). I think I'd like to go with C&C, but where to start? The idea of starting with the Collector's Box set is appealing, but how long can one play with these three booklets? Would I be better off getting the PH and picking up M&T later on? But then, there is a certain cool/nostalgia factor for the Collector's Box, and I understand new printings are due shortly for PH, MT and a new CK manual.

Any advice for a newbie? A long time fantasy lover, I have a feeling I could easily be an RPG addict

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Post by Breakdaddy »

You could definitely game for a long time with just the boxed set, but I would advise getting a copy of the PHB and M&T to get the full C&C gaming experience that includes all of the classes and races not found in the boxed set. I do love the boxed set though, so either would work. I hope you enjoy C&C either way
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Re: Newbie here . . .

Post by gideon_thorne »

Herid Fel wrote:
I have long been interested in RPG's, but have never had the opportunity to play. I learned about C&C about a year ago, and have wanted to play ever since (if I can find some folks who want to play). I don't have a lot of money ATM, but I am thinking of getting C&C, LL (in print), or BFRPG, as I love the idea of old school gaming (1ed AD&D is only two years older than me; I kinda missed out for various reasons). I think I'd like to go with C&C, but where to start? The idea of starting with the Collector's Box set is appealing, but how long can one play with these three booklets? Would I be better off getting the PH and picking up M&T later on? But then, there is a certain cool/nostalgia factor for the Collector's Box, and I understand new printings are due shortly for PH, MT and a new CK manual.

Any advice for a newbie? A long time fantasy lover, I have a feeling I could easily be an RPG addict

The mechanics on the collectors set are the same, but you wont find the full range of classes that are available in the PHB, nor the full range of monsters and complementary mechanics in the M&T.

There are a couple options in PDF available from rpgnow as far as the PHB, M&T, or a combo version of the two that can get you started if you want to wait for the new printings of the books.
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Post by Omote »

Raise your swords, a new Crusader may be joining the ranks!

Welcome Herid Fel. The collector's box set is as basic as a fantasy roleplaying game comes. This may be the perfect entrance into the hobby for you. But, I think the best choice for you would be the standard Players Handbook and perhaps Monsters & Treasure. If you should eve have any questions, you just come to these boards and there are many people who would be willing to guide you through the process of learning!

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Post by serleran »

I would start with the Quick Start Rules and then progress to either the White Box or hard covers, depending on how many options you want spelled out for you
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Post by DangerDwarf »

Grab the PHB and M&T. it's worth it and gives you the full deal.

I'd say get the 2nd Print PHB and 1st Print M&T if you could though. I hate shiny paper.

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Post by Tadhg »

Breakdaddy wrote:
You could definitely game for a long time with just the boxed set, but I would advise getting a copy of the PHB and M&T to get the full C&C gaming experience that includes all of the classes and races not found in the boxed set. I do love the boxed set though, so either would work. I hope you enjoy C&C either way

Yep, he could game for years . . and he did say old school, so no problem with just 4 classes!!
I love the C&C Collector's Box ~ that's what I started with 4 yours ago.

Welcome Herid Fel!

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Post by slimykuotoan »

Hard to say...

I'd probably go PHB, and get the M&T afterwards. That way, you could print off an adventure here with the monster stats ready to go.
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Post by cinderblock »

Welcome! Definitely grab the PHB. Then download the Rising Knight adventure and your off on your own crusade.

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Post by Herid Fel »

Thanks for the replies!

I'm a little torn. I really like the idea of starting with the white box, but since money is limited, the PHB and M&T is more bang for the buck. There is something very cool about starting my gaming career with the white box though, and I wonder how long it will be available.

I downloaded the quickstart rules and the Rising Knight a long time ago . . . maybe I should print them and try to talk someone into playing . . .

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Post by CKDad »

Welcome, Herid!

Where are you located, roughly? There may players closer than you think.
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Post by Buttmonkey »

I recommend taking the plunge and buying the PHB and M&T rather than the white box set. Unless you have access to an AD&D monster manual and DMG, I'd recommend getting M&T right away. There are others who disagree with me about that (there's a debate in one of the threads around here somewhere), but I personally think you'd be significantly hampered without either M&T or the DMG & Monster Manual. Actually, you could probably get by with just a 1E DMG (which would give you experience point calculation rules and magic/treasure descriptions).
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Post by Herid Fel »

CKDad wrote:
Welcome, Herid!

Where are you located, roughly? There may players closer than you think.

I am in Riverside County, California.

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Post by Herid Fel »

Buttmonkey wrote:
I recommend taking the plunge and buying the PHB and M&T rather than the white box set. Unless you have access to an AD&D monster manual and DMG, I'd recommend getting M&T right away. There are others who disagree with me about that (there's a debate in one of the threads around here somewhere), but I personally think you'd be significantly hampered without either M&T or the DMG & Monster Manual. Actually, you could probably get by with just a 1E DMG (which would give you experience point calculation rules and magic/treasure descriptions).

Hmm . . . some things to think about.

One thing I like about the Labyrinth Lord concept is that it is fairly self-contained . . . but I think C&C might prove to be more satisfying and complete. But for under 20 bucks, LL is looking more tempting. It just seems that C&C might be more of what I'm looking for.

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Post by Lord Dynel »

Welcome to the Crusade, Herid Fel!

I, too, missed out on the original D&D when it was released. I didn't actually get started until the mid '80s.
Anyway, I'd sugest if you can, try to get the PHB at least - both it and M&T is you can. At that point you have all you need - everything else at that point is optional. The white box is tempting, agreed, but You might find yourself wanting after that. I'd say nip it in the bud and go straight for the good stuff.
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Post by CKDad »

Herid Fel wrote:
I am in Riverside County, California.

Ah. Well, wrong side of the country for me, but perhaps someone here is in your neck of the woods.

You should also hunt down any hobby or game stores in your area. Many stores offer gaming areas these days and you may have chance to get your feet wet that way. Most also have a bulletin board where you can post that you're looking for a game or for players in a game you're running. Some stores have web forums to supplement the in-store board.

As a starting point, take a look at the Retailers page on the Troll Lord site and see if any of the California stores are in striking distance. (http://www.trolllord.com/retailers/index.html)

If you have trouble locating players for face-to-face gaming, there's always the on-line option. There's a number of virtual tabletop platforms out there, many free, and online C&C > no C&C.

And whatever you do, have fun!
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Post by Eisenmann »

I suggest taking the plunge and get both the PHB as well as M&T. It's what I did and I'm glad for it.

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Post by Treebore »

Labyrinth Lord is a solid choice too. The thing about C&C is stuff made for LAbyrinth Lord works easier with C&C then stuff made for C&C does for LL.

In fact, that is one of the strong point about C&C. See something you like made for another RPG like LL, 3E, 4E, 2E, 1E, OD&D, Paladium, GURPS, etc...? Well, its pretty darn easy to use it for C&C, not so with LL.

Of course thats the down side too, it greatly increases your spending options. So unless your a disciplined spender, you may want to just go with LL to protect your wallet.
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Post by Herid Fel »

Thanks again everyone.

I think I'll go with the PHB and M&T for now. But I wonder if I should wait until the new printings of these come out? Decisions, decisions . . .

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Post by Treebore »

Herid Fel wrote:
Thanks again everyone.

I think I'll go with the PHB and M&T for now. But I wonder if I should wait until the new printings of these come out? Decisions, decisions . . .

I would call the Trolls and ask them when the new printings will be for sale. If its within the next 2 to 3 months I would wait.

I just hope I get a free upgrade of my 3rd printing PDF to the 4th printing.

I am impressed that they are keeping the PH and CKG at $19.95, according to their spiffy new on line catalogue, I thought they were going to have to increase to $29.95. An unexpected benefit of the economy going into the tank?
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Post by Indigo Rose »

Well, before the M&T came out Sieg and I were able to do quite nicely with just the PHB and used the old 1E AD&D Monster Manual for all our monster encounters. Depending on just how tight your budget is, that might be a good stopgap option for you as well.

As for availability of boxed sets, I saw from a photo on another thread here that Omote apparently has five or six of the darn things sitting on his bookshelf! He doesn't need that many, he's just being a hoarder! If you have a problem finding them, get him to sell you one!
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Post by csperkins1970 »

Herid Fel wrote:
Thanks again everyone.

I think I'll go with the PHB and M&T for now. But I wonder if I should wait until the new printings of these come out? Decisions, decisions . . .

I second the advice to wait for the 4th printing of the Players Handbook and the 3rd printing of Monsters & Treasures.

Happy gaming!
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Post by serleran »

Riverside, oh how I almost miss thee... but not quite. Used to stomp there for a while, and then moved to the near opposite.
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Post by slimykuotoan »

Well, if you wait, you're only getting a new cover.

I dunno, I like the older cover myself, but that's only personal preference.
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Post by gideon_thorne »

slimykuotoan wrote:
Well, if you wait, you're only getting a new cover.

Actually, that's not quite true. There are a few other changes as well.
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Post by DangerDwarf »

Hell yeah. Barbarian and illusionist tweaks, I think some new art in M&T.

Sounds like goodness.

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Post by Omote »

MOAR ERRRATTA!

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Post by slimykuotoan »

gideon_thorne wrote:
Actually, that's not quite true. There are a few other changes as well.

Crap, I'm curious now...
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Post by Jonathan of White Haven »

And, according to what Steve told me recently...INDEXES!!!
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Post by Treebore »

slimykuotoan wrote:
Crap, I'm curious now...

Changes to formatting/layout, changes to the Illusionist (apparently new spells on their list), changes to the Barbarian, errata, probably other stuff. Nothing HUGE, certainly not enough to be called a new edition. According to Jonathan, indexes too. Thats nice, I was wishing for those during our game last night.
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