D&D 5E Sidekick rules

MockingBird · Jul 12, 2019

Just a question to seem if I'm missing anything. So I'm aware of the UA sidekick playtest rules and the official D&D Essentials rules. What im wondering is are the official rules posted anywhere or do I have to buy the kit to get them? I saw an image from the rulebook included in the kit and if I'm not mistaken the sidekick starts with 2 HD? Do they use a standard array for stats? Thanks in advance!

vecna00 · Jul 12, 2019

I believe they're only printed in the kit as of right now. I don't have it yet, so I can't speak to the rules at this time.

MNblockhead · Jul 12, 2019

The sidekicks rules in the Essentials Kit is a simplified version of those released in Unearthed Arcana, which you can read for free:

https://dnd.wizards.com/articles/unearthed-arcana/sidekicks

ArwensDaughter · Jul 12, 2019

There aren’t exactly “rules” for sidekicks in the Essentials kit. There are stat blocks, with tables/info about how to “level up” the statblocks. But as far as I can tell, there aren’t sidekick creation rules at all in the Essentials kit.

aco175 · Jul 12, 2019

I saw in an interview that the sidekicks in the Essentials box were simplified versions of the Unearthed Arcana rules. They were made to make play easier and faster. Not sure how much they are simplified, or if they are like the PC rules where they only go a few levels.

Lidgar · Jul 12, 2019

ArwensDaughter said:
There aren’t exactly “rules” for sidekicks in the Essentials kit. There are stat blocks, with tables/info about how to “level up” the statblocks. But as far as I can tell, there aren’t sidekick creation rules at all in the Essentials kit.

This. I have the Essentials Kit, and it's really just stat blocks for the basic three sidekick types plus a table to show how they advance when they level up. It's about two pages total. The UA article is much more detailed/in depth.

CapnZapp · Jul 12, 2019

The UA article isn't simply "more detailed/in depth". It's two different systems, two different approaches, with two different results.

I definitely like the Essentials approach much better, since the characters are *actually simple*.

What would be cool would be to extrapolate a complete levels 1-20 progression of each of the three Essentials sidekicks. Then you'd have something comparable to the UA article.

MockingBird · Jul 12, 2019

I had the feeling the two systems were different. I'm glad to know there aren't creation rules cause I was going to buy the kit. I want to teach my daughter to play and the sidekick rules peaked my interest. Thanks guys for all the info.

CapnZapp · Jul 13, 2019

MockingBird said:
I'm glad to know there aren't creation rules cause I was going to buy the kit.

How so?

I mean, having the simple "pre-built" sidekicks at level 1-6 is great and all, but how would the product be less desirable by also having build guidance for higher levels....?

(Maybe I misunderstood your point)

MockingBird · Jul 14, 2019

CapnZapp said:
How so?

I mean, having the simple "pre-built" sidekicks at level 1-6 is great and all, but how would the product be less desirable by also having build guidance for higher levels....?

(Maybe I misunderstood your point)

It doesn't make it less desirable. I honestly dont have an answer. Knee jerk reaction and probably my subconscious trying to justify not buying it. Truthfully I'll probably still buy it.