TOPIC: New Players Help!

Hello!

Some friends and I plan on attending the 2017 TD at GenCon. We like to be prepared as possible for these kinds of events, while looking on these forums I have seen a lot of discussion on builds and tokens and spreadsheets and it's all very confusing for someone brand new.

If someone could please let me know how best I can prepare for TD so I can have a good time I would greatly appreciate it!

My main questions are.

1. Do I need a spreadsheet character? I thought the coach would put a character card together for you, whats the purpose of the spreadsheet?

2. Should I buy a pack of tokens before GenCon so I have some extra stuff to play with, Can I just bring all the tokens I own? Is there a limit to how many tokens I can use on a single character?

3. With classes being chosen at the start of the event is there really a point in making a character beforehand?

4. I have been going to GenCon for the past few years and every time I get upset with how much crap I end up carrying around. Should I carry a small backpack to hold all my TD stuff? (Am I going to have a bunch of TD stuff after the final room?)

5. We are planning to do the two part adventure. For the grind is it worth signing up for given our brand new status? Will it be fun or will we drag other people down?

Christopher Wasson wrote: Do I need a spreadsheet character? I thought the coach would put a character card together for you, whats the purpose of the spreadsheet?

If you will only be using the free bag of tokens you receive with your ticket, the spreadsheet is unnecessary. Whether you use the spreadsheet or not, the coach will record your stats on the party card for you.

The spreadsheet is primarily used by veteran players who already have a selection of tokens. That said, if you are really into it, you could use the spreadsheet to create your stats from the freebie token bag. For your trouble, we'll give you a +1 to your starting HP.

Christopher Wasson wrote: Should I buy a pack of tokens before GenCon so I have some extra stuff to play with, Can I just bring all the tokens I own?

If you feel so inclined, I'm sure TD woud love to have you buy additional packs. But it is absolutely not necessary to play!

Christopher Wasson wrote: Is there a limit to how many tokens I can use on a single character?

It depends.
You can only equip so many tokens on your character (e.g., you can't wear more than one helm), but you may bring as many tokens into the dungen as you can carry. But since you're just starting out, I wouldn't worry about bringing in a ton of tokens.

Christopher Wasson wrote: With classes being chosen at the start of the event is there really a point in making a character beforehand?

For a brand spankin' new player, no.
Some players have a favorite class or classes. It's common for them to pre-build all the classes they're willing/able to play so they can accomodate whatever class they wind up playing.

Christopher Wasson wrote: Should I carry a small backpack to hold all my TD stuff? (Am I going to have a bunch of TD stuff after the final room?)

That won't be necessary.
You'll get a wristband and a pack of ten tokens. The tokens are small and will easily fit in a pocket. Don't bring anything into the dungeon you don't absolutely need.
After your run, you will be able to draw a few tokens from the treasure generators, but again, the tokens are small and easily stowed.

Christopher Wasson wrote: We are planning to do the two part adventure. For the grind is it worth signing up for given our brand new status? Will it be fun or will we drag other people down?

Grind is not recommended if you have not played TD before.

1. No

2. No. Yes. No. Suggest you try just using the 10 pack of tokens provided


3. Only if you want to play above normal difficulty.

4. Just the 10 pack of tokens amd 3 treasure chips plus what you bring along.

5. Yes. You can do Grind on normal difficulty. Its about the experience, the friends you make and the tales.

1. As your collection grows, it gets out of hand. When your build has 30+ tokens in it, then yes, a spreadsheet will be invaluable. As a newbie, don't sweat it.

2. You don't need to buy any tokens ahead of time, but many do. Tokens go in slots,so in general you can wear one Armor, one hat, one necklace, 3 charms, 5 ioun stones, 2 rings... like that. It's all in the Players Handbook, but it's offline due to many pending updates.
You could get a few ten-packs, but you might want to buy a few particular tokens. Many of us resell individual tokens and can work with a budget from $5 to $5000 (yes, some players wear gear worth that or more. Don't go nuts. If you've never played, then anything over $20 a person is probably too much. You can start with zero. That's what I did.)

3. Many organize their parties here before the event. If one person bought all ten tickets then s/he and friends can make all those decisions ahead of time, and spend theylir prep time in the coaching room relaxing and chatting instead of jumbling tokens.

4. Eventually you'll want a small trailer to handle your tokens, and perhaps a second house but if you show up with nothing then you'll end up with about 15 tokens, six ounces of tokens. But you might get more thrown your way by kind vets who love to help out newbies. You can always say no...

5. No. Grind is for people who have played a few times and have a thirty-token build of rares or better. There are no props or puzzles, just pure relentless combat. Kill the 15-ish monsters in under an hour or die trying. The Grind team (of which I'm a member) has no mercy... so save that for a year or two from now.

It looks I have some spots that opened up for a newbie run on Thursday night (10:48pm). You don't need any tokens, just bring yourselves, and you'll get some extra treasure to boot. You're welcome to PM me if you're interested.

Everyone gave you wonderful answers so the only thing I have to add is
Welcome to the forum.

Hey all...I'm new as well and posted my first question in the token section (for token inventory). The answers you provided above are great! I was thinking there had to be some rule book (PHB) and now it looks like there is, but it's currently being modified. I also like being prepared, so can't wait for that PHB to be available!
So in regards to equipping...I would really like to try out a bard for the first time. I ordered a few packs of tokens and got an Antressor Lute, but it takes 2 hands to wield. Are you able to switch out items in a combat? Or once combat starts, I have to stay holding onto the lute?

Jim wrote: Are you able to switch out items in a combat? Or once combat starts, I have to stay holding onto the lute?

Yes. Items held in your hand (ie, weapons, scrolls, instruments, etc) are the only things you can swap out.

So you could play your lute, and next round put it away and wield a club. But that would mean your team isn't getting the bard song bonus for that round. - You can't both do BardSong and attack in the same round, unless you'e got some rather rarified instruments.

But if you looked around, you might be able to find someone selling a Lyre of Echoes , which allows Bard Song to carry over for one round.

EDIT: see Instruments for a list of options. Several can be used while attacking, but with different attack methods (ie: ranged only, or spells only, or melee combat only)

Awesome feedback...Thanks!

I would add that tokendb.com/ is incredibly useful, but if you find you have any addictive tendencies, you may want to wait until after you have played once

These questions and answers are great - can we just get a new player FAQ that can be maintained. This way we can link to it?

Yes - I am volunteering (to imply the question and answer)

Ed