I've seen some confusion recently about the role of D&D Essentials. What is it? Who is it for?
Well, here's my take on it, based on the information I've read about it. Thanks go to Dave Chalker (DavetheGame) for writing posts that I've drawn some insight from, and Bill Slavicsek for information posted in his Ampersand columns.
What are D&D Essentials?
D&D Essentials is a parallel line of 10 products for D&D 4th Edition. It provides a new way for players to enter the game rather than the traditional Player's Handbook, Monster Manual & Dungeon Master's Guide. The books will be soft-cover, and cheaper than the regular books.
D&D Essentials doesn't change the rules. It's still D&D 4th edition. It just splits them up in a different way - and possibly in a more approachable manner for new players. And, in total, they'll cover levels 1-30.
The products in the D&D Essentials line are intended to always be in print, much like the core three D&D books (PHB, MM, DMG). You should always be able to get them, providing a way into the game. In the case of the tile sets, this is very pleasing indeed.
Who are D&D Essentials for?
Mostly new players. D&D Essentials is primarily a new path for players to enter D&D by. That said, the books have a lot of new feats, powers and options that established players may find useful. You might also find the formatting useful.
The Rules Compendium will also have all the core rules errata so far (Stealth, Aid Another, Flying, Mounts, etc.) incorporated in it, which will make it quite attractive for established DMs and players.
What products should new players get?
Interesting question. The D&D Starter Set will introduce everyone to the game. From there...
Everyone: Dice + D&D Rules Compendium.
Players: One of the two "Heroes" books - or both.
DMs: DM's Kit and Monster Vault - and possibly some of the tile sets.
Do D&D Essentials replace the Core books?
At this time, it's been indicated (several times) that they won't replace the core books, they'll just give a separate pathway into the game. So, you'll still be able to buy the various Monster Manuals, DMGs and Player's Handbook - or the Essentials books.
Are there only ten products in the Essentials line?
Yes. Come 2011, we'll be back to more regular support of D&D. Including, I hope, DMG3 and its Epic level play advice.
What about the Character Builder?
Yes, from what I've read, it'll support all the new material in the Essentials line.
What levels do the D&D Essentials cover?
With the exception of the Starter/Basic set, all of them cover levels 1-30. The Starter/Basic set only covers levels 1-3.
What products are in the D&D Essentials line?
* D&D Fantasy Roleplaying Game - Starter Set - $20. dice, 2 books (32 pages, 64 pages), tokens, map, character sheets. (Sep 7, 2010)
Covering levels 1-3 and for 1-5 players, this is the new introductory product for D&D. "Several different character races (dwarf, elf, halfling, and human) and classes (cleric, fighter, rogue, and wizard) are presented, along with powers for each race and class."
* D&D Rules Compendium - $20, 320 pages, softcover (Sep 21, 2010)
Contains the full core rules of D&D. "In addition to providing an overview of the game and how it’s played, this book presents the core rules in a format that is easily referenced during a game. It includes information on level advancement, combat, experience points, treasure, skills, equipment, and more." So, much of what is in the Player's Handbook in terms of rules, plus material from the DMG, I'd imagine.
* D&D Player Essentials - Heroes of the Fallen Lands - $20, 352 pages, softcover (Sep 21, 2010)
Covers Fighter, Cleric, Rogue and Wizard from levels 1-30. New builds and powers, paragon and epic paths. Also has Dwarf, Eladrin, Elf, Halfling and Human. This is the basic player book for standard classes. (I expect a player needs the Rules Compendium and one of the Heroes books to play).
* D&D Player Essentials - Heroes of the Forgotten Kingdoms - $20, 352 pages, softcover (Nov 16, 2010)
Covers Druid, Paladin, Ranger and Warlock from levels 1-30. Also Dragonborn, Drow, Half-Elves, Half-Orcs and Tieflings. The second of the player books, this one goes into the more "advanced" classes and races, and comes out two months after the first one.
Both of the Player Essentials books have builds and powers we haven't seen before, and will likely be bought by current players wanting new toys to play with.
* Dungeon Master's Kit - $40, 256 page book, two 32-page adventures, 2 sheets of tokens, 2 doublesided maps, DM Screen (Oct 19, 2010)
"This deluxe box contains rules and advice to help Dungeon Masters run games for adventurers of levels 1–30. It also includes useful DM tools such as a Dungeon Master’s screen (with tables and rules printed on the inside), die-cut terrain tiles and monster tokens, and fold-out battle maps."
* Monster Vault - $30, 256 page book, 32 page adventure, 10 sheets of tokens. (Nov 16, 2010)
A lot of monsters, along with tokens for them and advice on using them. Effectively the Monster Manual in a deluxe form, but I'd dare say it has a lot of variants in it.
* Dungeon Tiles Master Set: The Dungeon - $20, 10 sheets of tiles. (Jul 20, 2010)
Ten sheets of "core" dungeon tiles.
* Dungeon Tiles Master Set: The City - $20, 10 sheets of tiles. (Oct 19, 2010)
The basic "city" tiles from the D&D Tile range.
* Dungeon Tiles Master Set: The Wilderness - $20, 10 sheets of tiles. (Dec 21, 2010)
Guess what?
Oh, and the tenth product?
* D&D Roleplaying Dice Set - $13, dice bag and one of each main polyhedral die: d4, d6, d8, d10, d12, d20 (August 17, 2010)
Well, here's my take on it, based on the information I've read about it. Thanks go to Dave Chalker (DavetheGame) for writing posts that I've drawn some insight from, and Bill Slavicsek for information posted in his Ampersand columns.
What are D&D Essentials?
D&D Essentials is a parallel line of 10 products for D&D 4th Edition. It provides a new way for players to enter the game rather than the traditional Player's Handbook, Monster Manual & Dungeon Master's Guide. The books will be soft-cover, and cheaper than the regular books.
D&D Essentials doesn't change the rules. It's still D&D 4th edition. It just splits them up in a different way - and possibly in a more approachable manner for new players. And, in total, they'll cover levels 1-30.
The products in the D&D Essentials line are intended to always be in print, much like the core three D&D books (PHB, MM, DMG). You should always be able to get them, providing a way into the game. In the case of the tile sets, this is very pleasing indeed.
Who are D&D Essentials for?
Mostly new players. D&D Essentials is primarily a new path for players to enter D&D by. That said, the books have a lot of new feats, powers and options that established players may find useful. You might also find the formatting useful.
The Rules Compendium will also have all the core rules errata so far (Stealth, Aid Another, Flying, Mounts, etc.) incorporated in it, which will make it quite attractive for established DMs and players.
What products should new players get?
Interesting question. The D&D Starter Set will introduce everyone to the game. From there...
Everyone: Dice + D&D Rules Compendium.
Players: One of the two "Heroes" books - or both.
DMs: DM's Kit and Monster Vault - and possibly some of the tile sets.
Do D&D Essentials replace the Core books?
At this time, it's been indicated (several times) that they won't replace the core books, they'll just give a separate pathway into the game. So, you'll still be able to buy the various Monster Manuals, DMGs and Player's Handbook - or the Essentials books.
Are there only ten products in the Essentials line?
Yes. Come 2011, we'll be back to more regular support of D&D. Including, I hope, DMG3 and its Epic level play advice.
What about the Character Builder?
Yes, from what I've read, it'll support all the new material in the Essentials line.
What levels do the D&D Essentials cover?
With the exception of the Starter/Basic set, all of them cover levels 1-30. The Starter/Basic set only covers levels 1-3.
What products are in the D&D Essentials line?
* D&D Fantasy Roleplaying Game - Starter Set - $20. dice, 2 books (32 pages, 64 pages), tokens, map, character sheets. (Sep 7, 2010)
Covering levels 1-3 and for 1-5 players, this is the new introductory product for D&D. "Several different character races (dwarf, elf, halfling, and human) and classes (cleric, fighter, rogue, and wizard) are presented, along with powers for each race and class."
* D&D Rules Compendium - $20, 320 pages, softcover (Sep 21, 2010)
Contains the full core rules of D&D. "In addition to providing an overview of the game and how it’s played, this book presents the core rules in a format that is easily referenced during a game. It includes information on level advancement, combat, experience points, treasure, skills, equipment, and more." So, much of what is in the Player's Handbook in terms of rules, plus material from the DMG, I'd imagine.
* D&D Player Essentials - Heroes of the Fallen Lands - $20, 352 pages, softcover (Sep 21, 2010)
Covers Fighter, Cleric, Rogue and Wizard from levels 1-30. New builds and powers, paragon and epic paths. Also has Dwarf, Eladrin, Elf, Halfling and Human. This is the basic player book for standard classes. (I expect a player needs the Rules Compendium and one of the Heroes books to play).
* D&D Player Essentials - Heroes of the Forgotten Kingdoms - $20, 352 pages, softcover (Nov 16, 2010)
Covers Druid, Paladin, Ranger and Warlock from levels 1-30. Also Dragonborn, Drow, Half-Elves, Half-Orcs and Tieflings. The second of the player books, this one goes into the more "advanced" classes and races, and comes out two months after the first one.
Both of the Player Essentials books have builds and powers we haven't seen before, and will likely be bought by current players wanting new toys to play with.
* Dungeon Master's Kit - $40, 256 page book, two 32-page adventures, 2 sheets of tokens, 2 doublesided maps, DM Screen (Oct 19, 2010)
"This deluxe box contains rules and advice to help Dungeon Masters run games for adventurers of levels 1–30. It also includes useful DM tools such as a Dungeon Master’s screen (with tables and rules printed on the inside), die-cut terrain tiles and monster tokens, and fold-out battle maps."
* Monster Vault - $30, 256 page book, 32 page adventure, 10 sheets of tokens. (Nov 16, 2010)
A lot of monsters, along with tokens for them and advice on using them. Effectively the Monster Manual in a deluxe form, but I'd dare say it has a lot of variants in it.
* Dungeon Tiles Master Set: The Dungeon - $20, 10 sheets of tiles. (Jul 20, 2010)
Ten sheets of "core" dungeon tiles.
* Dungeon Tiles Master Set: The City - $20, 10 sheets of tiles. (Oct 19, 2010)
The basic "city" tiles from the D&D Tile range.
* Dungeon Tiles Master Set: The Wilderness - $20, 10 sheets of tiles. (Dec 21, 2010)
Guess what?
Oh, and the tenth product?
* D&D Roleplaying Dice Set - $13, dice bag and one of each main polyhedral die: d4, d6, d8, d10, d12, d20 (August 17, 2010)
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