Another Look at the D&D Essentials Kit

Parmandur · May 21, 2019

lostsanityreturned said:
And cannot get it in Australia till september... The wizards store advantage stuff was bad enough (they don't seem to exist over here, regardless of how many AL games are run, MTG tourneys or sales... at least not when I was looking back when volos released)

But why? It isn't like WotC needed target's shilling to do this. It would have sold well and not competed for the third quarter adventure sale... -groans-
New audience arguments don't work either, as Target would have sold it without it being an exclusive product.

Also, DM screens are great. I don't fudge rolls (I have, but it is increeeedddibly rare... single digits still in 15+ years of DMing)

I don't roll openly in 5e though, players don't need to know what the rolls are as it becomes way too clear as to the mechanics of foes. Which hinders the roleplay element imo.

Giving DMs a choice is always better than going the "BADWRONGFUN" route imo.

Given how well the Starter Set has seemed to sell at Target (anecdotally, I have seen it selling like hot cakes over the last few years just shopping in Target: it is located prominently, and always being restocked), and Target having a marketing focus on things nerdy, Target probably came to them with a financial offer.

Swarmkeeper · May 21, 2019

sevenbastard said:
Most exciting thing I've seen this year. A true starter box for D&D with character creation rules. Much needed and long overdue. Hopefully this will be the Moldvay or Metzer basic set for. New generation.

Yes - Good stuff!

sevenbastard said:
My only complaint is the DMs screen. One DMs should roll in the open and a screen leads to fudging and that's not how the game should be played (or taught). Two it is probably an expensive add on and a small book of monsters and adventure design would be better add on. IMHO.

I use a DM screen and roll in the open. Mostly since I stand up a lot when I’m DMing. The maps and stat blocks and notes stay hidden behind the screen. I want my players to see clearly and cheer at how wonderfully low I’ve rolled for the monsters. And, sometimes, see them anguish at how horrifically high.

Mercurius · May 21, 2019

I reserve the right to roll my dice in private, whether crouched behind a DM's screen or in the sanctity of my own home.

Nagol · May 21, 2019

Mercurius said:
I reserve the right to roll my dice in private, whether crouched behind a DM's screen or in the sanctity of my own home.

So do I, but my DM objects.

Andres Villaseca · May 21, 2019

Having dealt with big retailers in the past sometimes it’s not an offer what they put on the table but a threat. Hopefully it goes very good for them so they can doing cool stuff for years.

lordstimpy · May 21, 2019

Guessing it was a deal to get Target to carry it.

Ramaster · May 21, 2019

I feel that rolling in the open has made me a much better DM, since it has helped me own my mistakes and plan (and design) better.

Von Ether · May 21, 2019

Was going to post a "tsk tsk" on "the one right way" for DMs to roll. Not disappointed by those speaking up first.

For the record, hidden rolls for D&D, open rolls for Savage World's (thank you bennies), and I don't even roll in Cypher - so open?

Von Ether · May 21, 2019

Andres Villaseca said:
Having dealt with big retailers in the past sometimes it’s not an offer what they put on the table but a threat. Hopefully it goes very good for them so they can doing cool stuff for years.

If it was a threat that is sort of good news since Target saw something worth threatening Hasbro over. Barnes and Nobles did the same overD&D fiction.

Reaper Steve · May 21, 2019

Chiming in on the rolling tangent: I like open rolls. But I also like the idea of hidden rolls for the PCs by the DM for things like Stealth checks. The PC (and the player) thinks they are a ninja... but were they really?
Of course, that's a big change in play dynamic that requires some by-in.

Another Look at the D&D Essentials Kit

Parmandur

Book-Friend

Swarmkeeper

Hero

Mercurius

Legend

Nagol

Unimportant

Andres Villaseca

First Post

lordstimpy

Explorer

Ramaster

Adventurer

Von Ether

Legend

Von Ether

Legend

Reaper Steve

Explorer

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