DnD Basic Set Review [Archive] - Wizards Community

DnD Basic Set Review [Archive] - Wizards Community

Post/Author/DateTime Post
willmeddis
10-23-04, 12:56 PM Just posted a new thread in relation to some reveiws on Amazon about the D&D Basic Set which people keep reccommending to Newbies et al.

http://boards1.wizards.com/showthread.php?t=327321

regards w.
Seeker95
10-23-04, 02:06 PM Nice post. Thanks for the link.

Mr. Capone's comments are unimportant to me. He is not the target audience for the Basic Set. He already has a PHB. His reasons for buying the Basic Set are silly... like the motorcycle owner buying a moped so he can learn how to ride.

I do agree with your final assessment. If you have the PHB, you do not need (and do not want for anything other than collection purposes) a Basic Set. Stay off this product if you have a PHB. Stay off this product if you play D&D already.
Bahamut
11-08-04, 11:16 AM Actually I'd like to say it's an EXCELLENT product! I have the PHB but I'm also trying to teach my children how to play. The stripped down mechanics of the basic set are perfect for doing just that. It introduces players without overwhelming them with a thousand different rules and contingencies and lets you get right in on the action.

I even think it reminds me a bit of the old Basic/Expert editions of D&D back in the early '80s. Not the same of course, and this set only takes you to 3rd level...but it gives you a nice base to work from.

I think WOTC did a fantastic job with this product, and I don't dole out praise easily.

If you want simplified game mechanics and want to teach somebody, as a precursor to the PHB...this is the game for you.
Draco Strang
11-08-04, 03:26 PM What's the price on that bad boy? I'm in it for the miniatures and tiles, thank you.
Bahamut
11-08-04, 06:52 PM It's normally $24.99 I believe but I got mine at my FLGS for $20.00! And it's worth every bit of that for the minis and tiles alone.
donburch
11-12-04, 10:12 PM I found the DnD Board game and thought it would be good to introduce my 10 year old son and friends to the ADnD I played a little in the late 70's. For that I think it's good value. The tiles and minatures provide visualisation for the action, and the rules are are simple enough for myself (a first-time DM) and the kids to follow.

But I'm wondering where to go from here. I've looked on wizards.com, but I couldn't find any adventures for low-level characters using the simplified rules, among all the 3rd edition add-ons.

I realise that the board game/basic set is intended only as an introduction, before moving up to ADnD v3, but neither I or the players can afford the time to assimilate the PHB (let alone the DMG and MM) at this time.

Even moving up to DnDv3, there doesn't meem to be many published adventures for newbie DMs and low-level characters. Sure, an adventure for 17th level characters will be more interesting; but it's back in the first levels that DMs need to most assistance to get confidence with the systems and allow them to focus on guiding the story.
Seeker95
11-13-04, 12:36 PM I've looked on wizards.com, but I couldn't find any adventures for low-level characters using the simplified rules, among all the 3rd edition add-ons. There are no additional adventures for the "simplified rules" beyond the one included in the box. I don't know if this means they won't make any more, but I wouldn't count on it.

Post/Author/DateTime	Post
willmeddis 10-23-04, 12:56 PM	Just posted a new thread in relation to some reveiws on Amazon about the D&D Basic Set which people keep reccommending to Newbies et al. http://boards1.wizards.com/showthread.php?t=327321 regards w.
Seeker95 10-23-04, 02:06 PM	Nice post. Thanks for the link. Mr. Capone's comments are unimportant to me. He is not the target audience for the Basic Set. He already has a PHB. His reasons for buying the Basic Set are silly... like the motorcycle owner buying a moped so he can learn how to ride. I do agree with your final assessment. If you have the PHB, you do not need (and do not want for anything other than collection purposes) a Basic Set. Stay off this product if you have a PHB. Stay off this product if you play D&D already.
Bahamut 11-08-04, 11:16 AM	Actually I'd like to say it's an EXCELLENT product! I have the PHB but I'm also trying to teach my children how to play. The stripped down mechanics of the basic set are perfect for doing just that. It introduces players without overwhelming them with a thousand different rules and contingencies and lets you get right in on the action. I even think it reminds me a bit of the old Basic/Expert editions of D&D back in the early '80s. Not the same of course, and this set only takes you to 3rd level...but it gives you a nice base to work from. I think WOTC did a fantastic job with this product, and I don't dole out praise easily. If you want simplified game mechanics and want to teach somebody, as a precursor to the PHB...this is the game for you.
Draco Strang 11-08-04, 03:26 PM	What's the price on that bad boy? I'm in it for the miniatures and tiles, thank you.
Bahamut 11-08-04, 06:52 PM	It's normally $24.99 I believe but I got mine at my FLGS for $20.00! And it's worth every bit of that for the minis and tiles alone.
donburch 11-12-04, 10:12 PM	I found the DnD Board game and thought it would be good to introduce my 10 year old son and friends to the ADnD I played a little in the late 70's. For that I think it's good value. The tiles and minatures provide visualisation for the action, and the rules are are simple enough for myself (a first-time DM) and the kids to follow. But I'm wondering where to go from here. I've looked on wizards.com, but I couldn't find any adventures for low-level characters using the simplified rules, among all the 3rd edition add-ons. I realise that the board game/basic set is intended only as an introduction, before moving up to ADnD v3, but neither I or the players can afford the time to assimilate the PHB (let alone the DMG and MM) at this time. Even moving up to DnDv3, there doesn't meem to be many published adventures for newbie DMs and low-level characters. Sure, an adventure for 17th level characters will be more interesting; but it's back in the first levels that DMs need to most assistance to get confidence with the systems and allow them to focus on guiding the story.
Seeker95 11-13-04, 12:36 PM	I've looked on wizards.com, but I couldn't find any adventures for low-level characters using the simplified rules, among all the 3rd edition add-ons. There are no additional adventures for the "simplified rules" beyond the one included in the box. I don't know if this means they won't make any more, but I wouldn't count on it.