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I started with the Magenta Box (1981) myself, but I also have a 1st-printing DMG and Monster Manual and I used to have a 1st-print PHB. I did have a Red Box though. For those who are interested, I took this after I brought home my new Red Box... The 1e PHB is my roommate's, and my 3.5 DMG is...

Couldn't resist the Epic-level Nostalgia. Despite having pre-ordered one from Amazon, I went out today and bought one from Games of Berkeley - the same store where I got my FIRST Red Box. About to crack 'er open...:D

Yeah, the point of my comparison wasn't to do a point-by-point conversion of The Lord of the Rings to Dungeons & Dragons. It was to point out that even in that work, some items exist that are just more special than others. In most fantasy fiction, these categories can be hard to sport. However...

The thing is that WotC (and D&D) doesn't need to worry about the fundamentalists who don't see the distinction. Those are the same people who picket the release of Harry Potter books and movies. They are, to put it rather mildly, rather firmly outside the target demographic. Anyone who would...

But by the rules of 4e, Frodo can't possibly have that 26th-level item. Which I guess is my feeling about "Rare" items. The mithril shirt is mostly a FLAVOR thing on a fighter character like Frodo. When juiced out with the powers you listed, it's a nice, character-defining item. And it's one...

Well, Tolkien's really circumspect on what "magic" means when it comes to items, so some of this is speculation. Boromir's horn supposedly had the property that if it was blown anywhere in the bounds of Gondor, it could be heard and would bring aid. One can argue about the "magical property" of...

Yes. To use The Lord of the Rings as an example, the One Ring is an artifact. The elven rope and the Hobbits' barrow-blades would probably count as "common." The elven cloaks would probably count as "uncommon," as would Gandalf's sword Glamdring and Frodo's Sting. Anduril (Narsil), Boromir's...

Personally, I'd rule that tieflings count as human in all respects for breeding purposes. Save one: the offspring is always a tiefling. That goes along with it being a curse, after all. So a tiefling could have a child with a human, elf, or half-elf, but the child would ALWAYS be a tiefling...

I agree. 4e IS very simple and mechanically consistent. But it's still a beast of a game where the simplest character still has to worry about things like flanking, positioning, pushing, pulling, sliding, OAs, flanking...The list goes on and on. For some people, adding "what do I do next" to...

Well, I sliced it by lines that I felt had some relevance in my game. I know my players. I didn't mention surges or CON and hit points because it didn't really come up. The newbies accepted it, just as yours did. The vets and lapsed players reaction was basically "Cool! More hit points!" Yes...

My experience differs from yours. I've introduced 4e to both total newbies and lapsed gamers. Sure, the gamers who haven't played much since 1e or 2e found some of the new rules different, but nothing to balk at. The newbies also had no preconceptions. However, other rules were met with either...

Emphasis mine. We're back to your opinion. Even acknowledging your experience in psychology, your assessment and predilections of the people you know don't change anything about what will appeal in Essentials IF the anecdotal experience of myself and others is accurate. What's been changed...

We may be at dueling anecdotes, but I can guarantee you that WotC isn't basing this decision on anecdotes. What they've based it on are customer surveys - also known as market research. We can throw dueling anecdotes all day, but if WotC is taking this direction with Essentials (and, hey, look...

I picked your quote 'cuz I agreed with you and liked the (/BA psych degree talking) line, not because I disagreed with you. Less confused? ;) I also agree with you and think it's totally true that an experienced DM can guide a new player through the game with the pre-existing 4e books. But...

So, not specifically addressing you, but I'm amazed at the number of people here who assert without evidence that the Essentials approach is just not going to acquire new gamers. I'd be interested in knowing what these people suggest instead, but maybe they have no suggestions. Which is fine...

I hate to break it to you, but unless you didn't mean to use a Level 5 fighter, your math is actually low. STR 18 (+4) + Proficiency (+3) + Weapon Talent (+1) + 1/2 Level (+2) = +10 And that's without Weapon Expertise! Or a magic weapon.

I endorse your position and would like to subscribe to your newsletter.;)

Y'know, I forgot to ask but it's possible WotC has already done this. It certainly fits with the notion of color coding the class powers, but I wasn't paying enough attention during the TRS unboxing to notice. It's entirely possible that we got a pre-release version of the new magic missile in...

Other than possibly setting, the difference between Ravenloft and White Wolf's stuff is all about tone. There's a vast difference in tone between playing a character who's suffering the curse of lycanthropy or has become a reluctant vampire and playing WoD style vampires of various feuding...

I'm just buying it primarily for the "Weapons Grade Nostalgia" factor, as well as hopefully the chance to get an early start on an Essentials-based campaign. I think walking new (or inexperienced!) players thru the solo adventure will be a very good way to explain what happens in game. And for...