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jayoungr

Legend
Supporter
IMHO it's more an introduction to 5e than it is to D&D. The first encounter, for example, has been described as a potential TPK if DMs don't handle it with kid gloves.
Eh, I don't feel like having a TPK the first time you play is likely to turn off many players who would otherwise have enjoyed the game, if it's being run by a new DM. And if it's being run by an experienced DM, then the DM will know how to run it to avoid a TPK anyway.

There's way too little handholding/guidance (which is why i think it's an introduction to the new edition rather than an introduction to D&D and TTRPG in general).
The "Dungeon Master" section on pages 2-4 looks pretty solid to me, and there are further tips throughout the adventure. What else do you think is needed?

Many DMs have run it many times over as an introductory adventure. It would be nice to have something fresh for DMs to run (and with some improvements to aid new DMs).
An experienced DM can run any adventure he/she thinks is suitable as an introduction, though.

But it's just my opinion of course :)
Of course. :) And I did ask for your opinion! :) :)
 

robus

Lowcountry Low Roller
Supporter
Eh, I don't feel like having a TPK the first time you play is likely to turn off many players who would otherwise have enjoyed the game, if it's being run by a new DM. And if it's being run by an experienced DM, then the DM will know how to run it to avoid a TPK anyway.

All I can say is I ran it as a first time DM and I felt overwhelmed and confused from the get go (despite devouring the PHB and the Basic Rules).

The "Dungeon Master" section on pages 2-4 looks pretty solid to me, and there are further tips throughout the adventure. What else do you think is needed?

More annotations and advice in the actual running of the adventure. New DMs are struggling to manage a lot of moving parts (given the chaos that players typically bring to the table :) ) so hoping that they also remember advice given in abstract and know how to apply it in the current situation is adding more complexity not less. The fact that there is no reference to whether each encounter is intended to be easy, medium, hard or deadly (despite the DMG banging on about that :) ) is communicating that this is more for experienced DMs than beginners. If the first encounter is meant to be easy (and I have to assume it is - otherwise they're teaching people how to swim by throwing them in the deep end! :) ) then it should know that the way it's written it could actually be deadly, but I don't think the authors actually put themselves in the shoes of new DMs (or play tested it with new DMs)

An experienced DM can run any adventure he/she thinks is suitable as an introduction, though.
True, but there's not many that are official 5e adventures that work as introductions (and are nice self-contained stories).
 

I'm not a big fan of Lost Mines because I feel it's very generic vanilla fantasy. But that's just me. In all my time as DM I have never had a combat encounter with goblins or orcs, because I don't find them interesting enough.
 

jayoungr

Legend
Supporter
All I can say is I ran it as a first time DM and I felt overwhelmed and confused from the get go (despite devouring the PHB and the Basic Rules).
Well, I can't argue with that. But the dirty secret (I suspect) is that most DMs are overwhelmed and confused the first time. Some are just better at hiding it than others :D.
 


SkidAce

Legend
Supporter
I'm not a big fan of Lost Mines because I feel it's very generic vanilla fantasy. But that's just me. In all my time as DM I have never had a combat encounter with goblins or orcs, because I don't find them interesting enough.

My players have come to despise goblins, with their scampering and throwing of firebombs etc.

They are 8th level and will go out of their way to take them out.

Good Times...
 

vecna00

Speculation Specialist Wizard
I would absolutely love a campaign setting boxed set, but more than likely it'll be a new starter set.

The original Spelljammer boxed set is now print on demand on DM's Guild...including a hardcover version. Spelljammer 5e bosed set confirmed? Probably not, but who knows!
 


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