Got the D&D 4e Starter Set...So whatcha wanna know?

[HelloChristian]

I'm having such a mental block with 4e. Perhaps if I bought and messed around with the starter set, it might help me to get excited about the game.

 

[AdmundfortGeographer]

I think DaveMage summarized the question very well.

 

[darjr]

Wizards also had a 3.5 'starter set' that was different than the 'basic sets', either the Blue or Black dragon ones. It was the only source of the 3.5 paperback players handbook from WotC.

I wish they included some minor form of character generation.

 

[Keefe the Thief]

I´m just sad that "back in the day we had real basic sets that invoked our imagination and did not just try to make money" doesn´t fit on a T-shirt. Otherwise, the set sounds good.

 

[King Nate]

Thank goodness I didn't buy this!

 

[Weregrognard]

I don't see what the problem is. If WotC were to include the entirety of the D&D game in the "starter" set, what would be the point of having the three books? I think this product suffices as an affordable introduction to the game without competing with the main product.
Yes, I know it's not the same as the OD&D boxes, but that was a different kind of product because it was the entirety of the game (such as it was). The only way they could make the current D&D the same as this is to release a smaller boxed set for each tier (not necessarily a bad idea), but again, that would compete with their main product.
Personally, I think nothing beats the 91 boxed set (it was just chockfull of goodies), but I recognize that the starter product WotC is trying to sell nowadays is different. That doesn't necessarily make it bad.
I don't know about you, but I'm dropping a copy of this in a Toys for Tots bin when I get the chance. Hopefully, It'll change some kid's life in a positive way like the 91 boxed set did for me

 

[DaveMage]

I don't know about you, but I'm dropping a copy of this in a Toys for Tots bin when I get the chance. Hopefully, It'll change some kid's life in a positive way like the 91 boxed set did for me

The cynic in me says that this is a very cruel thing to do. If they qualify for Toys for Tots, they will most likely be unable to afford the full game.

Tempt me not, foul beast!!!!!

 

[Imaro]

I don't see what the problem is. If WotC were to include the entirety of the D&D game in the "starter" set, what would be the point of having the three books? I think this product suffices as an affordable introduction to the game without competing with the main product.

Ok, first...no one is asking for this (Nice hyperbole by the way). No one in this thread claimed all the rules should be in the starter set. What they did claim was that the starter set should give an overall experience of the game. How would having character creation rules...or even some form of limited selection in advancement up to level 3 be "the entirety of the D&D game in the "starter" set" ?

Yes, I know it's not the same as the OD&D boxes, but that was a different kind of product because it was the entirety of the game (such as it was). The only way they could make the current D&D the same as this is to release a smaller boxed set for each tier (not necessarily a bad idea), but again, that would compete with their main product.

Again why can't they give a limited (as in 1 to 3 or 1 to 5 levels) experience that showcases all aspects of the game. Why do you keep claiming that the entire rules would have to be in a starter set to give people what they are basically asking for? I mean I believe one of the old basic box sets only had rules up to 3rd level (that's not the entire game). And WotC has done this before with the Black Dragon Basic Set for 3.5.

Personally, I think nothing beats the 91 boxed set (it was just chockfull of goodies), but I recognize that the starter product WotC is trying to sell nowadays is different. That doesn't necessarily make it bad.
I don't know about you, but I'm dropping a copy of this in a Toys for Tots bin when I get the chance. Hopefully, It'll change some kid's life in a positive way like the 91 boxed set did for me

That doesn't necessarily make it good either. Those Quickstart rules WotC has sold in KotS and in the starter set are the type of thing White Wolf gives away free when releasing new games, including an adventure. WotC wants to grow the hobby, then as the rpg company making the most money and with the highest marketshare they have a greater ability to make up loss for products like this...yet they seem more intent on short term profit (as in selling things like the quickstart rules) than actually growing the hobby.

As far as this set changing a kids life...I'd wager they'll play it a few times, but it's not something they'd go back to after the characters hit 3rd level. You'd be better off getting them an rpg like Labyrinth Lords, Basic Fantasy or Castles and Crusades, you know one that actually brings the value of the red box type sets and cost around the same price as this starter set, without anything additional to buy. I just don't see this set enticing kids to choose those three $100+ books over the next videogame...or even a fun boardgame.

 

[Weregrognard]

Ok, first...no one is asking for this (Nice hyperbole by the way).

Thank you. I'm quite proud of it myself.

That's the thing, it looks to me like people are asking for this without realizing it. Character creation has become more complex since OD&D Basic. I just don't think you could include self-contained character creation in a 4E starter set without more or less giving away the PHB or raising the cost of the product and thus defeating its purpose. They tried that with the 3.5 one but failed. You couldn't make characters unless you somehow managed to reverse-engineer the rules.

Don't get me wrong, I would have loved for this starter set to be more like the one I started with, but I think this one works for its intended purpose, which I think is less Basic Set D&D and more "gateway drug".

 

[Windjammer]

Character creation has become more complex since OD&D Basic. I just don't think you could include self-contained character creation in a 4E starter set without more or less giving away the PHB or raising the cost of the product and thus defeating its purpose.

You definitely have a point there. But there are ways to introduce oases of character customization for levels 1-3 which would not have bloated the product. Suppose for instance that they had included four class templates with two ability arrays each (one for each build), and four racial templates to apply to the classes (meaning, you modify 3 stats and gain a single race-specific power such as the Dragonborn's breath weapon). Finally, and most importantly, you include all class related powers for levels 1-3. Believe me, they are not many. Really not. I'm playing a 4th level rogue and it's the first time I had to flip to a third page of powers in the PHB.

The replayability would have been infinite. I could have tried any class/build/race combo I would have liked. And people would have really tapped into what is central to 4E: customizing your PC via selecting his powers.