Another Look at the D&D Essentials Kit

Whizbang Dustyboots · May 21, 2019

MartyW said:
By the way, for everyone else, there is nothing that says this box set will replace the Starter Set.

For months now, it's been increasingly hard to find from online retailers, unless they've packaged it with other stuff to sell it at a big mark-up.

ddaley · May 21, 2019

Panda-s1 said:
it probably doesn't help that Lost Mine of Phandelver has run its course after 5 years. almost every D&D night/intro to D&D DM will use it, and it also doesn't help most popular actual play groups have used it as well.

If you backed Odyssey of the Dragonlords, or followed the comments, you would have noticed that that kickstarter is getting people to play D&D who have never played before. I recommended LMoP to them as a way to learn how to play and DM while waiting for that kickstarter to fulfill. So, I wouldn't say that it has completely run its course yet.

ddaley · May 21, 2019

Paul Farquhar said:
It's worth noting that you can buy Lost Mine of Phandelver on D&D Beyond, so it's not going away completly. I expect Icespire Peak will also be available on D&D Beyond (although the Stranger Things adventure aint).

They should make it available as a PoD on DM's Guild.

BookBarbarian · May 21, 2019

I always roll in the open, but I love a useful D&D screen for quick references.

Anyway, I lent my copy of the 5e starter set to a friend years ago ans since it remains in his possession I think I'll pick this up for sure.

ddaley · May 21, 2019

BookBarbarian said:
I always roll in the open, but I love a useful D&D screen for quick references.

Anyway, I lent my copy of the 5e starter set to a friend years ago ans since it remains in his possession I think I'll pick this up for sure.

I'll likely pick up this starter set primarily for the adventure. I love low level adventures. I have been playing D&D since the early 80s and don't think I have ever played a character beyond 7th level.

Panda-s1 · May 21, 2019

ddaley said:
If you backed Odyssey of the Dragonlords, or followed the comments, you would have noticed that that kickstarter is getting people to play D&D who have never played before. I recommended LMoP to them as a way to learn how to play and DM while waiting for that kickstarter to fulfill. So, I wouldn't say that it has completely run its course yet.

....what? I've never heard of this kickstarter before, and I'm sure there are countless other starting modules that people have written, it doesn't change the fact that Lost Mine of Phandelver is not only popular, but also an official WotC product packaged in every copy of the product designed to teach people how to play D&D (which once upon a time was the only starting module people could buy for 5e).

Mercurius · May 21, 2019

So let me get this straight: the Essentials Kit is basically an updated/improved version of the Starter Set and an expansion of it at the same time? Seems like a win-win. Five years is a lot of time to learn how to improve the starter set; seems like a good time to come out with something new. And I haven't looked at in awhile, but didn't the Starter Set only have pre-gens?

BookBarbarian · May 21, 2019

ddaley said:
I'll likely pick up this starter set primarily for the adventure. I love low level adventures. I have been playing D&D since the early 80s and don't think I have ever played a character beyond 7th level.

I've only been playing for 5 years, but I did just get a character to level 6 for the first time. So That seems to jive with my experience.

ddaley · May 21, 2019

Panda-s1 said:
....what? I've never heard of this kickstarter before...

Surprised you missed hearing about this. There were multiple articles about it on enworld and it managed to garner over 8200 backers.

You might want to take a look at it:

https://www.kickstarter.com/project...ey-of-the-dragonlords-5th-edition-adventure-b

MNblockhead · May 22, 2019

This is so close to what I've been hoping they put out for a starter set. They finally have the proper number of dice and the treasure and condition cards are nice to have. I roll in the open, but the D&D screen is a helpful aid for new DMs (this is a more flimsy cardstock version, but it still serves its purpose and keeps the price reasonable).

Only thing missing is battlemaps and minis. They could just use token/pog style minis (1" diameter cardboard disks) and paper mats.

Still, I'm glad to see this and will probably buy it in the hopes my younger son will use it.