Anything to Buy?

We could successfully run the game with nobody buying anything, since I have all the necessary rule books, miniatures, maps, dice, etc., and I can teach how to play as we actually play.

However, it would be handy if everyone could get their own set of dice. D&D uses regular 6-sided dice for some situations, but also uses 4-, 8-, 10-, 12-, and 20-sided dice, generally called "polyhedral dice".

Also, if any of you want to read up more on how to play the game, the easiest way is to get a copy of the D&D Essentials Rules Compendium. "D&D Essentials" is a branded subset of the game that takes the materials published in the three years since the D&D 4th edition came out, and condenses and simplifies it into a set of essential rules in less expensive paperback books. The Rule Compendium is that set of rules, and I have one copy (along with the hardcover official rule books).

There are two other D&D Essentials books that are pretty important, neither of which I have. They are called "Heroes of the Fallen Lands" and "Heroes of the Forgotten Kingdoms". These describe the various races and classes that players can play. If someone wants to read up on all the cool things their character can do when they gain levels, one of these books will have it. It would be handy to have at least one copy of each floating around.

Aside from the dice and those books, most everything else is pretty optional. I have a few books with monsters that are fun to look through and can be borrowed for short periods of time. Players don't need much else.

As far as how to buy these, you can get any of these on Amazon, generally at 30% off retail. However, there's a store called Pandemonium Books & Games in Central Square in Cambridge that specializes in gaming, and provides game space in their basement for people to play. I personally want to keep them in business, so I buy my materials from them at retail.

Oh, if you do buy any of these materials (or plan to), please leave a comment indicating that, so that we can coordinate a bit.