The ultimate guide to D&D?

Winterthorn · Mar 16, 2005

Oh gawd. Still my heart.

There are moments in life one wishes things were just a bad dream, a figment of someone's obtuse sense of humour, nay, perhaps a wee bout of brain flatulence. Whatever, all I can say -- or rather -- beg on bent knee: surely this must be an April Fool's joke... No?

Have a look-see here ppl, and tell me what thou thinkest... (It's listed for release in April.)

I just saw it an hour ago -- had to alert all my rpg friends by e-mail. As I said to my players (I DM mostly) "minus 100,000 XP" to any player who brings it to my table. And to players out there, fire yer DM if he buys it.

-Winterthorn, aghast

Zappo · Mar 16, 2005

I've heard about this for a while, usually with people wondering whether it is a joke or not. This is the first time I see it on a wizards.com page, though. In any case, I think that anything that brings more players is a good idea.

thalmin · Mar 16, 2005

It's for real, and will be available from your FLGSs as well as mass market.

I don't believe it is aimed at the people who play D&D, but rather at all the people who don't. Also maybe for the gamer who wants to be able to talk about our hobby to the non-gamer.

Vigwyn the Unruly · Mar 16, 2005

Yeah, I'm not bothered by this at all. D&D is somewhat intimidating for a new player, and a book like this might be just what the doctor ordered. It certainly doesn't hurt anything as far as I can tell. I like it better than the Basic Game [although that is worth the money just for the minis, tiles, and adventure] because the rules in the Basic Game are actually different than real D&D, whereas this looks like an easy explanation of and/or introduction to the real rules.

Henry · Mar 16, 2005

It's real, all right, and I may be picking up a copy for my wife, assuming she won't kill me...

At the least, it'll be handy for anyone who I talk to who has no knowledge of the game, who wants to know more. Because of their reputation, a "For Dummies" book is a lot more socially acceptable than any RPG book.

Winterthorn · Mar 16, 2005

I appreciate the idea that we should welcome more players and find ways to attract new ones -- but is "D&D for Dummies" really necessary? This kind of product is sooooo "uncool" to me... Besides, the game we love may have a learning curve, as it should (its part of the fun dudes), but D&D is not rocket science!

Well, my initial reaction was stunned disbelief. I hasn't gone away yet!

-W,

Henry · Mar 16, 2005

Winterthorn said:
I just saw it an hour ago -- had to alert all my rpg friends by e-mail. As I said to my players (I DM mostly) "minus 100,000 XP" to any player who brings it to my table. And to players out there, fire yer DM if he buys it.

-Winterthorn, aghast

If you don't mind my asking: Why?

EDIT - just saw your most recent post. Keep in mind, like I was saying, if you want to teach someone apprehensive about the game, which would appeal to them more:

-A rulebook they've never seen from a company they've never seen?

-Or a rulebook from a trusted brand-name with a history of making the non-understandable, understandable?

Winterthorn · Mar 16, 2005

Henry said:
If you don't mind my asking: Why?

Oh... well in the first case I am half-serious. I expect someone may just bring to the table for kicks since my in my group we all experienced with the many versions of D&D. In the second case, a DM buying this implies he/she really doesn't know the game -- so why are they DMing? (Unless they have a copy for a player new to the game maybe...)

I have seen oodles of [Insert Any Imaginable Topic Here] for Dummies. In some way this venture is too much to me. I think the "dummies" part is what bothers me the most.

-W.

Winterthorn · Mar 16, 2005

Henry said:
If you don't mind my asking: Why?

EDIT - just saw your most recent post. Keep in mind, like I was saying, if you want to teach someone apprehensive about the game, which would appeal to them more:

-A rulebook they've never seen from a company they've never seen?

-Or a rulebook from a trusted brand-name with a history of making the non-understandable, understandable?

I'm a slow typer

You know, maybe adding the Hasbro trademark icon on the back cover on the PH along with the d20 and Wizards marks would be a helpful known symbol to attract buyers? Just a guess on my part.

-W.

Wulf Ratbane · Mar 16, 2005

Winterthorn said:
This kind of product is sooooo "uncool" to me...

YOU PLAY FRIGGIN D&D.

The ultimate guide to D&D?

Winterthorn

Monster Manager

Zappo

Explorer

thalmin

Retired game store owner

Vigwyn the Unruly

First Post

Henry

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Winterthorn

Monster Manager

Henry

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Winterthorn

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Winterthorn

Monster Manager

Wulf Ratbane

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