Where to start?

[white_rabbit_object]

Hi everyone.

I'm a big fan of the series and thought that an RPG would be a lot of fun.

This will be my first foray into RPG's in general.

Anyways, what would you reccommend to get started?

I see a whole lot of books and don't have a clue as to where to start.

Thanks.

 

[Gabriel_Luna]

Welcome to here, and welcome to RPGs! I'd say you should pick up a set of dice, for starters (check any gaming store, or pretty much any online gaming outlet.) The ones you're looking for will be a set of several, including a "d20, d10, d6, d8, d12, d4". If you're 100% new, that means "20 sided die", or "d20", etc. They're sometimes referred to as "fantasy dice" or the like.

Book-wise, I'd personally recommend the bundle in the B5 RPG section. It includes the main rulebook and a sample adventure, The Cold Equations. If you want a longer sample of a game, The Ragged Edge is a good one.

That should give you a good start. Once you know how the system works, and what sorts of plotlines you want to run, you'll have a better idea of what books to buy.

If you want some more advanced recommendations, IPX, Bounty Hunter and the Drakh book are all well written, and offer a lot of options to both players and gamemasters. (Well the Drakh doesn't offer anything but despair and death to the players, but it's great for the GM)

 

[Mage]

I am into RPGing for ages now, but never can really get the D20 system.

By the bundle, dice, and work on it from there.

I went on to by heroes and aliens, and plan on getting Thirdspace, and legend of the rangers when they are released. June is going to burn a hole in my pocket.

 

[GandalfTG]

Couple years back, I picked up the Pocket version of the main rulebook, the hard cover, and the season books for seasons 2-4. I also, since I play psychics a lot, picked up Psi Corps, and since I wind up GMing a lot, picked up Galactic Guide, so I could worldbuild.

When I run games, they tend to be rather epic in scope, last one ran for nearly a year (was Rifts), and came down to the very last initiative count to save the Earth. (I was Impressed, didn't think they could do it in the end there...)

As a first foray into the gaming side, buy some dice at the local gameing shop, and check their bulletin board, most gaming shops have them to help gamers find games. find a group looking to run a B5 campaign, and join in. If a B5 campaign isn't available at one gaming store, try others in your area (assuming that your area is big enough to support multiple gaming stores... ) Otherwise, your best bet is to try a D&D campaign, and see if you can't convince the group to try running a B5 campaign.

As a newbie, I don't suggest trying to start your own group and running your own game, as you will be unfamiliar with the mechanics.

Good Luck!

 

[Gabriel_Luna]

Make sure you're getting the 2nd Edition books, they are, if I understand correctly, big improvements over 1st edition. The 2e ones are blue, the 1e are black.

 

[GandalfTG]

Make sure you're getting the 2nd Edition books, they are, if I understand correctly, big improvements over 1st edition. The 2e ones are blue, the 1e are black.

I don't think he should necessarily ignore the 1e books, but simply be aware of the difference, and understand what he's getting. I believe that the Season books are still only in 1e printings, as are the major race books (Earth Alliance, Minbari, Centauri, Narn, and League). The Rangers, Psi Corps, Mars, Crusade, Merchants Raiders & Traders, all 1e printings still.

Just because it's got a black cover, don't ignore it, but recognise that it's a 1e printing, so be sure that you understand 1e material, or can convert as necessary between editions when you buy...

 

[Gabriel_Luna]

I'm not sure that's true. 2e is time line neutral, so the season books aren't necessary. I've heard some 1e books are particularly bad about canon and content (The Ranger book is one that comes up often, but the Minbari one isn't far behind). There's a Telepathy book that's been announced, which should make the Psi Corp book redundant, assuming it comes out someday. Add to that the fact that the 2e system is better on a lot of levels. There may be a few 1e books worth picking up, but by and large I'd stick to the most recent edition if I was a new player so as to avoid confusion.

The Galactic Guide is one 1e book that holds up well, but when starting out I'd stick to dice, core book and maybe a sample adventure to give an idea of what it's like. Complications can be added later.

 

[GandalfTG]

The Galactic Guide is one 1e book that holds up well, but when starting out I'd stick to dice, core book and maybe a sample adventure to give an idea of what it's like. Complications can be added later.

This is true, as a player, it's all you really need. Dice, Main Rule Book, Pencil (and a big eraser), Character sheets.

As a fan of the series, the season books are worth the purchase imo, but that may just be me...

 

[B_Steele]

There's a Telepathy book that's been announced, which should make the Psi Corp book redundant

Nope...the telepath book is about ALL telepaths, not just the human ones. The Psi Corps book is still a worthwhile read, even if some of the crunch is not used in 2e.

Bry

 

[Gabriel_Luna]

That's what I thought...hmm. I knew it was more than human teeps, but I was assuming that since the Psi Corp is made up of telepaths, it would have some pages in the telepath book. Ah well.

 

[B_Steele]

Oh, its gets some love...it just isn't the whole story, like the Psi Corps book is.

Bry

 

[Gabriel_Luna]

Gotcha. Thanks for the clarification.