D&D Roleplaying Game Starter Set (4th Edition)

[TikkchikFenTikktikk]

This was a [ame="http://www.amazon.com/Dungeons-Dragons-Roleplaying-Starter-Introductory/dp/B003BVK32U"]product[/ame].

It was released in October of 2008.

It cost $16.99 (MSRP).

It was an inexpensive and easy way to start playing the game.

Hasbro let it go out of print.

The new red box appears to be the D&D Roleplaying Game Starter Set in nostalgic packaging with rules updates applied and some extra card stock bits. Also, the new red box costs $3 more.

 

[AbdulAlhazred]

Well, sort of, yes. Its now part of the Essentials line, which has different class builds etc so its not QUITE the same thing. It also has more stuff in it I believe. In any case its pretty much the same as the old starter set.

The main reason I think they let that go out of print is that it was kind of obsolete and was also written early in the 4e lifecycle, so it was showing its age. You can still download the PDF of the starter rules from the D&D site BTW. You just can't get the counters and whatnot that were in it. Of course you can buy tiles and other stuff, so for some similar price you can D/L starter + KotS and spend your money on a few dice and a battlemat for under $20. I guess counters were handy but not really vital.

 

[TikkchikFenTikktikk]

Just trying to point out that there have been "cheap and easy" introductions to 4E since its release. The new red box is nothing new.

 

[M.L. Martin]

Just trying to point out that there have been "cheap and easy" introductions to 4E since its release. The new red box is nothing new.

A solo adventure and character creation rules have been added to the Red Box, IIRC. That may make the difference in several ways.

 

[darkadelphia]

I think pretty much everyone here is aware of the older product. I don't know exactly what you're trying to prove harping on this. If you don't want it, don't buy it.

 

[abyssaldeath]

Is this thread really necessary?

 

[Festivus]

A solo adventure and character creation rules have been added to the Red Box, IIRC. That may make the difference in several ways.

Correct, the original "Starter" had no character creation rules. The red box also will have cardstock power cards, at least according to Amazon.com.

 

[the Jester]

This was a product.

It was released in October of 2008.

It cost $16.99 (MSRP).

It was an inexpensive and easy way to start playing the game.

Hasbro let it go out of print.

The new red box appears to be the D&D Roleplaying Game Starter Set in nostalgic packaging with rules updates applied and some extra card stock bits. Also, the new red box costs $3 more.

Seriously, dude, how many threads do you need to complain about the Essentials line?

 

[ourchair]

Seriously, dude, how many threads do you need to complain about the Essentials line?

Iknoerait?

I love complaining about 4E just as much as I love playing it, but I'm gonna wait until Essentials is out before I start complaining about it, instead of basing my hate on pre-conceived notions of what product role it is supposed to fulfill instead of I dunno, the actual product itself.

 

[MrMyth]

The new red box appears to be the D&D Roleplaying Game Starter Set in nostalgic packaging with rules updates applied and some extra card stock bits. Also, the new red box costs $3 more.

You forget to mention the Red Box has rules revamped to make it easier for new players, includes some very cool approaches to helping new players understand the game and pick new characters, and is the starting point for an entire line of support for new players.

Seriously, I've always seen you as a reasonable poster in the past, but the extent of your loathing for WotC trying to actively appeal to and encourage new and casual gamers is staggering. I suppose I get it if it is really just cynicism - but like others have said, by the time you are creating multiple threads to try and 'prove' that you are right and WotC is evil for releasing Essentials - threads largely based on misinformation and inaccuracies - the problem is starting to seem a lot more personal than just cynicism.