The ice spire peak box isn’t the easiest to begin with.
Lost Mines of Phandelver is very good for beginning players and DM’s, you might want to try that.
My group started with essentials. You can find printable versions of the maps both for the dm and the players. I took the dm version and made notes on the map about where monsters were, where loot was and what checks were required. It also allowed me to change things I wanted to change. ie adding traps or more loot and monsters.
Start them at level 1. The first 3 quests are tuned for level 1-2. At the beginning of each quest description (in the adventure book) it tells you what level the quest is geared towards.
That being said, it's milestone leveling so your players will level up fairly quickly.
About start-level 1: It depends!
Like u/SmootieFakk said: The adventure has missions designed for level 1 players.
Another factor: If you don't have experience with DnD, I assume your players also not.
In that case, it might be best to make the first steps with level 1, and then level up.
The contra-point against level 1 is just: A level-1 character is most of the time very squishy! He can be killed pretty easy.
Just remember your players that they can heal or at least stabilize another players that makes this death-saves!
Start at level 1. Starting at higher levels is fine and I get why people suggest starting at level 3 (this is when the PC gets their class focus and starts to define their characters) but if you are a new GM and your players are new you will already have a lot of choices to make.
As others have said, Lost Mines of Phandelver is a better starting adventure for GM. But you can use Dragons of Icespire Peak. You and your players will have a good time either way. Don’t worry about whether you are a good GM or not. (You are not and no one will know or care you will get better as you play. As an example I have GMed for decades and I still miss rules make bad calls, forget to do or say things. This is the nature of the game) your players will be on your side and also beside you learning the game. Take the time everyone needs to understand the game. Allow questions and encourage everyone at the table to help everyone else find answers.
As far as actually GMing. Remember these things. You as the GM are there to provide the set and setting. Describe the scene. (Hit on at least three sense in any description. Sight, sound, smell, feeling, taste) and allow the players to react to or act in the scene you set and then describe the outcome.
You will also be called on to adjudicate the rules. My suggestion is to read them multiple times. Treat them as if you are studying for a test. Underline. Make notes. Think about and the rules can be used and abused. The more you do this even after you start the playing (I still refresh my understanding on various mechanics and still regularly get the wrong)
Good luck.
The adventure assumes the players are starting at level 1. It's not a bad idea to start at level 1 and that's where they should start.
The ice spire peak box isn’t the easiest to begin with. Lost Mines of Phandelver is very good for beginning players and DM’s, you might want to try that.
Ok thank you
My group started with essentials. You can find printable versions of the maps both for the dm and the players. I took the dm version and made notes on the map about where monsters were, where loot was and what checks were required. It also allowed me to change things I wanted to change. ie adding traps or more loot and monsters. Start them at level 1. The first 3 quests are tuned for level 1-2. At the beginning of each quest description (in the adventure book) it tells you what level the quest is geared towards. That being said, it's milestone leveling so your players will level up fairly quickly.
About start-level 1: It depends! Like u/SmootieFakk said: The adventure has missions designed for level 1 players. Another factor: If you don't have experience with DnD, I assume your players also not. In that case, it might be best to make the first steps with level 1, and then level up. The contra-point against level 1 is just: A level-1 character is most of the time very squishy! He can be killed pretty easy. Just remember your players that they can heal or at least stabilize another players that makes this death-saves!
Start at level 1. Starting at higher levels is fine and I get why people suggest starting at level 3 (this is when the PC gets their class focus and starts to define their characters) but if you are a new GM and your players are new you will already have a lot of choices to make. As others have said, Lost Mines of Phandelver is a better starting adventure for GM. But you can use Dragons of Icespire Peak. You and your players will have a good time either way. Don’t worry about whether you are a good GM or not. (You are not and no one will know or care you will get better as you play. As an example I have GMed for decades and I still miss rules make bad calls, forget to do or say things. This is the nature of the game) your players will be on your side and also beside you learning the game. Take the time everyone needs to understand the game. Allow questions and encourage everyone at the table to help everyone else find answers. As far as actually GMing. Remember these things. You as the GM are there to provide the set and setting. Describe the scene. (Hit on at least three sense in any description. Sight, sound, smell, feeling, taste) and allow the players to react to or act in the scene you set and then describe the outcome. You will also be called on to adjudicate the rules. My suggestion is to read them multiple times. Treat them as if you are studying for a test. Underline. Make notes. Think about and the rules can be used and abused. The more you do this even after you start the playing (I still refresh my understanding on various mechanics and still regularly get the wrong) Good luck.
Thank you