Basic Game? [Archive] - Wizards Community

Basic Game? [Archive] - Wizards Community

Post/Author/DateTime Post
Taeldrin Laesrash
05-19-05, 08:25 PM I'm sending the D&D Basic Game to a friend as a birthday present (I've talked with him about it, he seems interested.). However, after looking it over, I'm not so sure this the best of starters. Just what is in this, and is it a good idea to start on this?
MerricB
05-19-05, 08:49 PM Yes, it's worthwhile, especially for people not very familiar with D&D.

Contents and notes:
http://www.3rdedition.org/merricb/basicset.htm

Experienced players could just start with the core rulebooks (Player's Handbook, Dungeon Master's Guide and Monster Manual).

Cheers!
GreyLord
05-19-05, 09:42 PM Actually it's a GREAT starter. I had bought 3e and was pretty dead set against playing 3.5...until I got the starter. Basically it's GREAT. You might need to fill him in XP rules...but other than that, for the first few levels...he's set with the game. It's basically the game of 3.5...BUT...in a way I find being better explained then in the core rulebooks. It shows how to lay out stats in a way that avoids much of the confusion that many new players find in 3e and 3.5 when they start in what adds where. It provides sheets which show simply where to put things, and they just fill in the blanks.

In addition, if they don't want to create characters, though they can, there are premade characters they can use.

In addition there is a module for them to play, as well as a random dungeon creator.

There are treasure rules for low level characters.

In addition, and one of the best things, is that they provide game tiles, with the squares marked out. These are almost the size of the box so they are board game size, and there are 4 of them. It presents itself almost like a boardgame in that aspect, making it MUCH more friendly in first approach than reading a several hundred page book. Along with that are playing pieces (or as we know them, miniatures) and a standard set of D&D dice.

Great bargain for what you get, and PERFECT for introducing players to the game. Even without the XP items they can play up to 2nd level, and if they have any idea about XP they could possibly play feasibly up to 3rd to maybe...maybe 5th level. I just used the 3e rules for XP at first.

As you can tell...I think the Basic Set is a GREAT idea...and wish more people would buy it to give to friends as it is a GREAT introductory kit as well as just a great standalone product in it's own light.
StevenO
05-20-05, 12:14 AM I can't compete with GreyLord's glowing review but agree that it is a good introduction to the game. I used it for some younger cousins who loved it and wanted to try the full game (I still need to find time for that) although they suffered a TPK on the first go around (they forgot to rest.) As crazy as it may be the minis in the set were a huge draw but now they think I should have a mini for everything.

Post/Author/DateTime	Post
Taeldrin Laesrash 05-19-05, 08:25 PM	I'm sending the D&D Basic Game to a friend as a birthday present (I've talked with him about it, he seems interested.). However, after looking it over, I'm not so sure this the best of starters. Just what is in this, and is it a good idea to start on this?
MerricB 05-19-05, 08:49 PM	Yes, it's worthwhile, especially for people not very familiar with D&D. Contents and notes: http://www.3rdedition.org/merricb/basicset.htm Experienced players could just start with the core rulebooks (Player's Handbook, Dungeon Master's Guide and Monster Manual). Cheers!
GreyLord 05-19-05, 09:42 PM	Actually it's a GREAT starter. I had bought 3e and was pretty dead set against playing 3.5...until I got the starter. Basically it's GREAT. You might need to fill him in XP rules...but other than that, for the first few levels...he's set with the game. It's basically the game of 3.5...BUT...in a way I find being better explained then in the core rulebooks. It shows how to lay out stats in a way that avoids much of the confusion that many new players find in 3e and 3.5 when they start in what adds where. It provides sheets which show simply where to put things, and they just fill in the blanks. In addition, if they don't want to create characters, though they can, there are premade characters they can use. In addition there is a module for them to play, as well as a random dungeon creator. There are treasure rules for low level characters. In addition, and one of the best things, is that they provide game tiles, with the squares marked out. These are almost the size of the box so they are board game size, and there are 4 of them. It presents itself almost like a boardgame in that aspect, making it MUCH more friendly in first approach than reading a several hundred page book. Along with that are playing pieces (or as we know them, miniatures) and a standard set of D&D dice. Great bargain for what you get, and PERFECT for introducing players to the game. Even without the XP items they can play up to 2nd level, and if they have any idea about XP they could possibly play feasibly up to 3rd to maybe...maybe 5th level. I just used the 3e rules for XP at first. As you can tell...I think the Basic Set is a GREAT idea...and wish more people would buy it to give to friends as it is a GREAT introductory kit as well as just a great standalone product in it's own light.
StevenO 05-20-05, 12:14 AM	I can't compete with GreyLord's glowing review but agree that it is a good introduction to the game. I used it for some younger cousins who loved it and wanted to try the full game (I still need to find time for that) although they suffered a TPK on the first go around (they forgot to rest.) As crazy as it may be the minis in the set were a huge draw but now they think I should have a mini for everything.