Hi
I've been thinking of running a Dark Sun campaign, but we've only ever used PHB 1 (and DM's guide and MM 1). I understand the DS monsters are quite nasty and there has been quite a lot of power creep with the other PHBs and other sources. I don't think the players would be interested in reading any of the more books or buying them. How unbalanced would it be to pitch characters made using only PHB 1 and Dark Sun Campaign Setting material against foes in Dark Sun Monster Catalog?
Any suggestions or comments?
As long as you the DM have a grasp of the system then you should be able to balance it adequately. I don't and havent played 4e but this as been true of every other edition.
BTW you've posted in the 5e forum so might get better advice from those who play 4e in the section below
Arawn76 wrote:
Wish I could help but I really don't know the system well enough having only run it once.
Good luck with the game though 
Dark Sun is supposed to be a harsh world where death can come quickly and easily. Have your players create new Athas characters and try a few sessions. If they don't like getting eaten alive, then minimize losses and finish the mini-campaign directly.
That said, one of my favorite characters was created for Ashes of Athas, a DS - based campaign for L3-9.
Well I would recommend you to use a classic module and convert it to find some challenging monsters
Here's a lot of usefull info on converting from previous editions > http://community.wizards.com/forum/dd-next-general-discussion/threads/4084376
Also here's the thrikreen --> http://athas.org/articles/5e-Thri-Kreen
And the Mul (fan-made) --> http://www.enworld.org/forum/5eraces/showentry.php?e=14
- Exelcior!