That sounds like it would have been a nightmare!
D&D 4E 4E Core or Essentials?
- Thread starter sst187
- Start date
That sounds like it would have been a nightmare!
I'd go with the kit. Also, if you want more character options, sign up for a month of DDi and use the Character Builder to get started. It has almost the entire line of published D&D player options built in (it does lag behind the new book releases by a month or so). It also lists the source books from where the choices come from so you can pick up the books that seem the most interesting to you (or just stick with the DDi subscription instead).
UnknownAtThisTime
First Post
I feel qualified to answer:
I too had a 20 year hiatus (18 I think actually).
I too was reintroduced to the game with 4e and playing with my son.
Here is what I would do: I would go with the essentials line because of it's affordable and clear point of entry and concise, fair valued products. But .... since you (both) grasp the game, I would also subscribe to DDI (gasp!) and use the Character Builder to build non essentials characters. If you feel the need, you can expand your purchases in non essentials items to tweak more advanced characters. In reality, all you need is the CB though.
To me, the beauty of essentials is for those not already invested in 4e. They really are good products that allow you to play full 4e, if you have the other material to do so.
So, to net, in my opinion, in order:
I too had a 20 year hiatus (18 I think actually).
I too was reintroduced to the game with 4e and playing with my son.
Here is what I would do: I would go with the essentials line because of it's affordable and clear point of entry and concise, fair valued products. But .... since you (both) grasp the game, I would also subscribe to DDI (gasp!) and use the Character Builder to build non essentials characters. If you feel the need, you can expand your purchases in non essentials items to tweak more advanced characters. In reality, all you need is the CB though.
To me, the beauty of essentials is for those not already invested in 4e. They really are good products that allow you to play full 4e, if you have the other material to do so.
So, to net, in my opinion, in order:
- DM Kit
- Monster Vault
- DDi for the CB.
- Rules Compenidium (if desired)
- Some tiles (optional - but the essentials are cheap).
OnlineDM
Adventurer
I don't believe the downloadable Character Builder exists any more, does it? I thought there was only the web-based version now. If you only subscribe to DDI for a month, you'll only be able to build and level up your characters for that month.
For someone getting into the game after a long hiatus, it might be preferable to go old-school and use pen and paper and the books instead of the Character Builder - though the CB does make character creation MUCH easier!
For someone getting into the game after a long hiatus, it might be preferable to go old-school and use pen and paper and the books instead of the Character Builder - though the CB does make character creation MUCH easier!
Once again, thank you all for so much advice! I am rather Old School! I would not mind to use the CB but I would be fine using pen & paper too. Sounds like I will be going with the Essentials line. Though I used to love the nice hardback books. I have another different question that I was just thinking about. This is going to sound pretty dumb to you guys BUT ... back in "the day" the DM would describe the dungeon you were in and of course you mapped it out on graph paper as you moved through it and more of it was revealed. How is that accomplished now days? I mean I understand the mechanics of using the minis and the gridded maps. {I love the way movement and position is so important in this edition} but if you are walking down a corridor in a dungeon, how is the fact that you can only see so much of the dungeon handled these days? Like, how does one use tiles in this manner? Or, are they used like that? That is really the only other thing I am unclear about at the moment ...
Dice4Hire
First Post
Well, if there is an easy-to-find button that allows the user to easily avoid the glut of feats etc, I would agree. But if hte feat screen has a list of 1000+ feats, that may be a problem.
I would recommend Heroes of the Fallen Lands, DM's Kit and Monster Vault.
But I would say skip the Rules Compendium. Everything in there is a reprint of rules in HOTFL and the DM's Kit. Save that $20 or pick up a set of D&D Essentials Dungeon Tiles instead.
Dungeon tiles are thick cardstock tiles with dungeon rooms and features that can be assembled in different combinations. I picked one up for the first time a few weeks ago and they were a lot of fun.
But I would say skip the Rules Compendium. Everything in there is a reprint of rules in HOTFL and the DM's Kit. Save that $20 or pick up a set of D&D Essentials Dungeon Tiles instead.
Dungeon tiles are thick cardstock tiles with dungeon rooms and features that can be assembled in different combinations. I picked one up for the first time a few weeks ago and they were a lot of fun.
Cyronax
Explorer
sst187:
My group has played through many of the options of 4e and then 4e Essentials. I would say your best bet is Essentials. Essentials will give you the complete experience. I wish WotC could have made 4e like Essentials from mid-2008 on.
Moreover, if you're trying to minimize expense -- you can get everything you need with the Rules Compendium (sterile and necessary rules book), the Monster Vault (amazing set of iconic monsters), and then either the Heroes of the Fallen Lands or Heroes of the Forgotten Kingdoms (or both if you want tons of great options). The latter two are basically two player's handbooks with self-contained rules for class and race options. Ask your son what type of character he'd like to play -- maybe preview it at a bookstore.
Buy it as a package on Amazon and you can cut down on costs very easily. You could probably get the whole shibang for less than $60.
The Essentials Dungeon Master's Kit is interesting, but it largely reprints material from several other books and isn't that useful. I bought it sight unseen and regret it.
Cheers,
C.I.D.
My group has played through many of the options of 4e and then 4e Essentials. I would say your best bet is Essentials. Essentials will give you the complete experience. I wish WotC could have made 4e like Essentials from mid-2008 on.
Moreover, if you're trying to minimize expense -- you can get everything you need with the Rules Compendium (sterile and necessary rules book), the Monster Vault (amazing set of iconic monsters), and then either the Heroes of the Fallen Lands or Heroes of the Forgotten Kingdoms (or both if you want tons of great options). The latter two are basically two player's handbooks with self-contained rules for class and race options. Ask your son what type of character he'd like to play -- maybe preview it at a bookstore.
Buy it as a package on Amazon and you can cut down on costs very easily. You could probably get the whole shibang for less than $60.
The Essentials Dungeon Master's Kit is interesting, but it largely reprints material from several other books and isn't that useful. I bought it sight unseen and regret it.
Cheers,
C.I.D.
UnknownAtThisTime
First Post
Right, I meant to imply he would subscribing for as long as he needs the CB, not just one month.
UnknownAtThisTime
First Post
You can handle that bit just as you always did. The battles really aree basically "set pieces" for the in combat mechanic of the game. If you want to graph your travels through the dungeon on paper, based on DM description, you still can.
If it is a small area/dungeon, you could potentially feasibly tile or draw the whole thing in full scale.
Some take a more fluid approach and "assume" the party to be mapping as they go but rely on the DM for actual reference in the parts they have seen.
All the above is largely in effect for dungeony crawls anyway.
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