I just wanna start DMing a game and I need to buy $150 in books to do so? The fuck.

Edit: Lots of people telling me to play other systems. Here’s what’s up:

  • I want to play a 1-on-1 game with my wife
  • I’ve never DMed before
  • She’s never played a TTRPG, so this would be her introduction
  • She’s been reading a lot of fae-related fantasy, which has me thinking she may want to play roleplay heavy with some fae storylines present
  • Ideally the system wouldn’t be too crunchy or combat focused

Edit 2: I’ve spoken with her and she actually wants a more modern setting

      • Shaleesh [she/her, comrade/them]@hexbear.netEnglish
        12·
        2 months ago

        The physical books can be had on secondhand bookstores for significantly less, albeit they’re still sold for more than they aught to be, usually. Thriftbooks is an online reseller that has them for around $25 USD but local thrift stores and library book sales have them sometimes and will sell them for next to nothing.

        There are some inexpensive/free programs/websites that exist to automate and simplify basically everything in the game. IME the only advantages the manuals have over the apps is that the manuals convey the bigger picture of how the game works.

  • carpoftruth [any, any]@hexbear.netEnglish
    19·
    2 months ago

    Pick a different system, or download copies and have them printed, or just print the key pages, or look for used copies. Also 5e.tools is a great resource

        • Frank [he/him, he/him]@hexbear.netEnglish
          5·
          2 months ago

          Disregard this I didn’t notice it was you. That said, have you tried any of those systems? I’d like to hear your thoughts.

          Have you tried other systems? D&D is not a very good story telling system. I’m not sure what the state of the art is but systems like Powered By The Apocalypse had a reputation as good story and character focused systems a few years ago. Mouse Guard, Lamentations of the Flame Princess, and Blades in the Dark are all supposed to be quite good for that.

  • barrbaric [he/him]@hexbear.netEnglish
    16·
    2 months ago

    To your points, D&D would be a terrible choice.

    • It’s balanced around a party of 4-6
    • It has almost no advice of how to run it
    • It’s incredibly combat-focused, with balance assuming you’ll get into 6+ fights per in-game day

    Glad to hear you’re going with something else, good luck!

  • TheLepidopterists [he/him]@hexbear.netEnglish
    14·
    2 months ago

    Do not let WotC trick you into thinking you need to pay them 150 bucks to start a game.

    One, sail the high seas if you really wanna play D&D 5th edition (or whatever new edition they come out with).

    Secondly, consider other systems. Depending on what exactly you wanna get from D&D (solving problems in a fantasy setting, character customization, playing in a particular setting, character drama in a fantasy setting, battles with cool powers, a sense of progressing from a nobody to a hero, feeling like a hero from day 1, etc) there is probably a better system for that than 5e and the majority of them don’t require more than 2, or often even just 1 book. Plus several that have 2 only charge for digital versions of the GM book.

    • keepcarrot [she/her]@hexbear.netEnglish
      7·
      2 months ago

      shakes fist at funny dice

      (fate is fine)

      (this makes me want to write a system again, though I tend towards wargames as far as rules go)

  • carpoftruth [any, any]@hexbear.netEnglish
    13·
    2 months ago

    Oh, consider dungeon world. It’s a simpler system that lends itself to fail forward, and the basic moves/character sheets are all available for download for free.

    • TheDoctor [they/them]@hexbear.netOPEnglish
      12·
      2 months ago

      Looking at this now. The mechanics look simpler for sure. I’m playing a game just me and my wife and she’s never played a tabletop rpg before, so that might be a good call.

      • carpoftruth [any, any]@hexbear.netEnglish
        6·
        2 months ago

        Oh if you’ve got a new person then fuck d&d unless they really want to specifically play d&d. If not, there are way better systems for shared storytelling. I introduce people to rpging via dungeon world 10 times out of 10.

  • OfficeMonkey@lemmy.todayEnglish
    11·
    2 months ago

    Monster of the Week? Anything Powered by the Apocalypse is going to be much stronger in Game Master support and explanations than D&D. If you want something friendlier there are also games like Yazeba’s Bed and Breakfast that has no focus on combat. Wanderhome, as well – albeit that one isn’t modern. You’ve got a lot of options, don’t be fooled by Hasbro!

  • bumpusoot [any]@hexbear.netEnglish
    10·
    2 months ago

    As others have said, pirate things. I’d also suggest looking for legally dubious online resources, lots of websites out there that have SRDs and splatbooks laid out in an easier-to-navigate website ways than PDFs.

  • FlakesBongler [they/them]@hexbear.netEnglish
    9·
    2 months ago

    There are places to find the rules online

    Though, I am going to be that guy and tell you that Pathfinder 2e has most of its rules online at this website and it’s much better in terms of balance and not being racist