I've been invited to join a new game of D&D 4th edition this weekend, but haven't played proper D&D before. Are there any resources I ought to read or get before I turn up, so that I'm not a real drag for the rest of the party?

I googled a bit, and wondered about buying the 4 book set of core rules, but I also noticed there's supposed to be a beginner's pack coming out in September. Does that imply that the full rules aren't accessible to a newcomer?

In context, I did play tabletop Warhammer 40k in my youth, so I at least understand that dice come in more than one size, and I think I played "Advanced HeroQuest" many many years ago on family holidays, but that is the extent of my experience.

Edit: I believe this is a new group, they're starting with character creation this meeting, so we'll all have new characters, but I think I'll be the only player who's never played true D&D before.

So what's the consensus on the Player's Handbook ? There are a few shops I could visit after work tonight where I could probably pick up a copy - worth it? I could at least have a skim through before tomorrow.

I've been invited to join a new game of D&D 4th edition this weekend, but haven't played proper D&D before. Are there any resources I ought to read or get before I turn up, so that I'm not a real drag for the rest of the party?

I googled a bit, and wondered about buying the 4 book set of core rules, but I also noticed there's supposed to be a beginner's pack coming out in September. Does that imply that the full rules aren't accessible to a newcomer?

In context, I did play tabletop Warhammer 40k in my youth, so I at least understand that dice come in more than one size, and I think I played "Advanced HeroQuest" many many years ago on family holidays, but that is the extent of my experience.

I believe this is a new group, they're starting with character creation this meeting, so we'll all have new characters, but I think I'll be the only player who's never played true D&D before.

So what's the consensus on the Player's Handbook ? There are a few shops I could visit after work tonight where I could probably pick up a copy - worth it? I could at least have a skim through before tomorrow.

I've been invited to join a new game of D&D 4th edition this weekend, but haven't played proper D&D before. Are there any resources I ought to read or get before I turn up, so that I'm not a real drag for the rest of the party?

I googled a bit, and wondered about buying the 4 book set of core rules, but I also noticed there's supposed to be a beginner's pack coming out in September, does that imply that the full rules aren't accesable to a newcomer?

In context, I did play tabletop Warhammer 40k in my yoof, so at least understand that dice come in more than one size, and I think I played "advanced heroquest" many many years ago on family holidays, but that is the extent of my experience.

Edit: I believe this is a new group, they're starting with character creation this meeting, so we'll all have new characters, but I think I've be the only player who's never played true D&D before.

So what's the concensus on the Player's handbook? There are a few shops I could visit after work tonight where I could probably pick up a copy - worth it? I could at least have a skim through before tomorrow.

I've been invited to join a new game of D&D 4th edition this weekend, but haven't played proper D&D before. Are there any resources I ought to read or get before I turn up, so that I'm not a real drag for the rest of the party?

I googled a bit, and wondered about buying the 4 book set of core rules, but I also noticed there's supposed to be a beginner's pack coming out in September. Does that imply that the full rules aren't accessible to a newcomer?

In context, I did play tabletop Warhammer 40k in my youth, so I at least understand that dice come in more than one size, and I think I played "Advanced HeroQuest" many many years ago on family holidays, but that is the extent of my experience.

Edit: I believe this is a new group, they're starting with character creation this meeting, so we'll all have new characters, but I think I'll be the only player who's never played true D&D before.

So what's the consensus on the Player's Handbook ? There are a few shops I could visit after work tonight where I could probably pick up a copy - worth it? I could at least have a skim through before tomorrow.