I believe the WOT RPG might require you to get the 3rd edition Player's Handbook. Which would mean you'd want the Monster Manual and DMG as well. Which you can get free on-line too, in the form of the SRD
, so it's not a big deal, but the point is, it's not self-contained.
I also didn't think it was very good.
Since you say you're completely unfamiliar with them, I'd recommend you pick up one of the gaming boxed sets instead. They are meant for people just starting, and will set you up nicely. Even the 3rd edition ones are readily available, but if you want, you could go with the 4th edition ones, as the Essentials version is available at chain stores like Wal-mart and Target. Or if you like post-apoc wackiness, there is the Gamma World box.
The netbook is an accessory, you will need the d20 WoT core rules / campaign setting if you want to play this. That being said, for various reasons playing in such a setting is not the best idea when you and your group are starting out playing tabletop RPGs. Get a starter box and play a bit generic fantasy until you've got the hang of the basic things, then move on to a more fleshed out setting more to your liking.
edited 18th May '11 10:44:17 AM by Ana
All right, thanks for your help,
I'll look for one of the starter boxes but I'm not sure where I'd find them in Australia save for eBay. I'm looking at getting 3.5 if that works with the Wo T RPG. Would you know roughly what price the sets would go for?
edited 18th May '11 5:38:45 PM by Saiga
Where did you find these? I've been searching and the cheapest I could find have all been over 100 Australian dollars. Although I'm not even sure what I'm looking for - do the starter boxed sets have all the dice and what have you needed to play?
Edit: Actually, I've just found this http://www.amazon.com/Dungeons-Dragons-Basic-Game/dp/0786934093
could anyone have a look and tell me if this is what I'm looking for?
edited 18th May '11 6:52:18 PM by Saiga
That is one option, it is the 3rd edition version, though it does look a bit pricy compared to the 4th edition version, which is the red box with a dragon on it, that may show up on the same page.
Have you looked for local shops, or people around you who play already? I don't know of any Aussie focused-sites for looking things up, but there's bound to be some ways to connect with people.
edited 18th May '11 7:16:37 PM by blueharp
I've checked online at the two local bookstores, one has nothing and the other just has 4th edition rule books. I doubt they're would be any dungeons and dragons players nearby either - it's just not popular over here. The Red Box looks like it's just a small starter - the core book and such would need to be purchased later anyway. I really want 3 or 3.5 because otherwise I wouldn't be able to use the Wheel Of Time core book or net book which is the whole reason I'm getting into Tabletop Games.
edited 18th May '11 7:48:19 PM by Saiga
You'll need more books with any starter, it's all about having a basic platform and working from there. Not that pen and paper role-playing isn't book heavy, there's no shortage of content, some fluff, some solid.
Unfortunately, the current Wheel of Time RPG is a dead-end. You'd have better hopes that somebody else would license the content, and they'd certainly use a different system so it'd be new for you anyway.
I'd still look for anybody else around, it's really minimal effort these days, with the plethora of websites with databases. Also, bookstores aren't the only places to look, hobby shops often carry gaming material, or other gathering places like coffee shops.
Of course, the fewer people around, the harder it can be, but I don't know where you are, so I'm just offering the suggestions I'd give to anybody.
edited 18th May '11 8:05:26 PM by blueharp
Well, I looked around and there's a Gold Coast role playing group that play 3.5 and 4th ed but with only 14 members. I know Wheel Of Time isn't getting any support anymore, but it doesn't really bother me as I won't be getting too into the games anyway. I was just planning on playing with a few of my friends. I've read that the core book for Wheel Of Time is self contained and able to be played without the ordinary d20 rulebook - so I might just get a starter set for 3.5 that has the basic rules and equipment, learn that and move onto the core book for Wheel Of Time.
Well, that's certainly a way to do things, but I'd still check with the group. 14 members is more than enough to set up a couple of groups. Perhaps one of them might even have the WOT RPG book and be willing to part with it cheaply.
Hope things work out for you.
edited 18th May '11 8:23:10 PM by blueharp
Change of plans: 3.5 seems to be the hardest/most expensive to get a hold of, so now the plan is to either get 3rd edition (which is dirt cheap on amazon for the three books) or 4th edition (still cheaper/easier to get than 3.5). I just want to know whether it is better to get the three core rule books (for 4e I can get a set of them used for 50 dollars) or the red box starter (only about 20 dollars but I don't think it lasts).
There is quite a huge difference between 3e/d20 and 4e gameplay-wise. So if you're hell-bent on playing WoT anyway, you might just want to pick up the WoT core book and see how far you can go with that, it's self-contained and rather cheap if you get it used off amazon.
Going with 3.0 is pointless and instead of 3.5 I'd get the Pathfinder core books. Same thing but cleaner and not completely abandoned by the publisher.
edited 19th May '11 6:38:37 AM by Ana
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See, this is where it can be tough. As a totally fresh player, I'd recommend a starter set just because they ARE designed for that sort of thing, giving you a solid foundation to work with, whereas getting the core books is a bit like jumping in the deep end of the pool. And unfortunately, it doesn't look like Pathfinder's "Beginner Box" will be out till October, so that may not be an option.
It really depends on what you think is right for you, and your group of friends. It's worked and failed in all sorts of different ways for different people. Really though, I'd try the low investment option of finding somebody who already has some of the stuff, and seeing if you can get them to run a game, or just let you borrow some stuff.
I thought Pathfinder was just a supplement to 3.5? I couldn't get into contact with any players nearby so it looks like I will be getting the books myself. Pathfinder is even more expensive than 3.5 (~30 dollars each used core book). The reasons for going with 3.0 was because it's cheapest (~2 dollars each used core book), and for going with 4.0 because it's still fairly cheap and has the red box starter.

So, I'm interested in getting started in some pen and paper role playing games with my friends (I've never known anything about them at all before reading a bit about them on this wiki, they sound interesting and the sort of thing my friends would be into), and after finding out about the Wheel of Time RPG I decided to look into that. I found a free net book RPG for Wo T as well, here http://wot213.tripod.com/supplement/utdb.pdf
...but I have no idea if that's all I need to play it or what have you. I'm planning on trying out this net book first (If I can) before I get the actual core book for the Wo T RPG. I'm just wondering what else I need to play, equipment, other books, etc. and if anyone could give me some helpful advice towards understanding the systems and getting started. Thanks in advance :)