Okay so heres my situation. I have been invited to join a group playing deathwatch. I've read tons of the 40k novels so i know the fluff of the universe pretty well and I've played other RPG's for years including the older Warhammer fantasy RPG if that helps at all.

But this system is brand new to me, no one i know will let me borrow their book to read through it and I'm supposed to build a character within the next few days and play by next thursday.

Needless to say this is a little daunting. So what do i really need to know to get started. Are there any quickstart rules available? Character creation guides? Really anything that doesnt require me to plunk down 60 bucks for a book and hope it comes in the mail in time and i like the system enough for it to have been worth the cost?

Any help or advice is greatly appreciated.

Here is the link for the free down loads http://www.fantasyflightgames.com/edge_minisite_sec.asp?eidm=108&esem=4 and I did come across the core game on sale at DriveThruRPG:

http://rpg.drivethrustuff.com/product/84793/Deathwatch

Honestly the GM should be willing to help you make up your character.

Thx I appreciate the heads up. I agree that the GM should help but I'm coming into an already existing campaign and apparently they spent an entire session rolling up the characters who are already in it so he's hoping I'm done and ready to just jump in when i come to the session.

They want you to join but nobody will let you borrow the book to learn the rules?

Sounds like they don't really want you to join.

ironvyper said:

Unless they are paying you to play with them I don't see any reason not to help you create a character. I would be wary of a group exhibiting anti-social behavior like this towards a new player. Especially since you do not own any books for the system.

I also agree with Kshatriya that they sound like they don't want you to play with them.

I'm inclined to agree that maybe the groups anti-social. My only contact has been with the gm so I'm thinking that he wants a bigger group and the rest of the people couldnt care less.

I'm trying to stay positive about the whole thing though until I get a chance to at least sit down with everyone once and see how it goes. Las Vegas seems to be kind of a gaming wasteland at the moment as well which isnt helping.

Hi there,

IMO, if the GM has invited you to play in his campy, maybe you should try asking him to lend you a hand. If the group plays no more than once a week, probably you may request for character creation (CC) to be done outside the regular gaming sessions. I don't mean to sound boring, if you've had some RPG experience this may sound repetitive to you.

Firstly, if you don't wanna shell out the 60 greenbacks, you could try purchasing the soft copy of the core rules book. If the other players do not want to lend you their copies, you could try to borrow the GM's instead. He probably knows most of the rules and may spare you his copy to read up the basic rules. You probably may wanna take notes for combat, etc.

Next, request for some time outta the regular game session to create your character. Plan your character concept and stuff before meeting the GM. Run thru CC with the GM and get up to speed with the current setting, and any house rules. As long as your initial XP spending and dice rolls are in the presence of the GM, it is considered legit. You may return his copy of the core rules at this point.

Join the next session of game with your new character. But seeing as to how anti-social the group is, its your call whether or not to play with them. Hope this helps you.