D&D 5E 5E boxed sets.

[Gorg]

What's everyone's take on these? I have a buddy who is, shall we say, pocket money deprived. He wants to get into this version of the game I keep talking up, but buying the core books isn't in the cards, money-wise atm. Plus, he saw them for sale at Wal-Fart, and really liked the artwork.

They have:

5E Starter Set

5E Essentials Kit

and some boxed set branded for some Netflix show- but still D&D.

All are the same price, more or less. I see the Essentials kit has a bit more "case candy" Than the Starter set, and a different module, but other than that...

We decided that we'd start right from the beginning for this Edition, and go with the Boxed set. (I have the 3 core rulebooks, and a couple adventures, but he has nothing) Why not? Moldvay Basic was such a wildly good time, right?! Ok- fine- Aaand I'm a total goob for boxed sets...

So what say you? Is one better than the other?

 

[Tales and Chronicles]

Both the Basic Rules (4 classes, no alternate archetypes) and SRD (all classes, no alternate archetypes) are free on WotC's website, so that's always an option.

The Starter box contains basic rules and a purely awesome module for any players.

The Essential box has more stuff, but the adventures is more a long series of sidequests that are better bolted on another's adventure chassis...say...the starter set's. They also use the same starting village.

 

[Weiley31]

I like the Essential Box but I honestly feel like the adventure itself needs to be kitbashed/extended/modified.

 

[Gorg]

Both the Basic Rules (4 classes, no alternate archetypes) and SRD (all classes, no alternate archetypes) are free on WotC's website, so that's always an option.

The Starter box contains basic rules and a purely awesome module for any players.

The Essential box has more stuff, but the adventures is more a long series of sidequests that are better bolted on another's adventure chassis...say...the starter set's. They also use the same starting village.

That gives me an interesting idea: Each of us gets a different boxed set, that way we get both modules! With what you said about Essential's module, that may work out real well.

We're both long time D&D players- he's just wanting to get into the new edition via the ground floor. Quick n easy! Plus, he lost all his dice a couple of moves ago, lol.

 

[darjr]

The essentials box set is the most complete rules wise.

 

[Whizbang Dustyboots]

The Starter Set only has pregen characters, but it has, for my money, the best introductory adventure D&D has ever seen.

The Essentials Set has low level character creation for several races and classes, but as was said, its adventures are more like side quests.

Both boxes use the same location and can certainly be combined, although you will definitely outlevel the setting if you do that.

 

[GreyLord]

Essentials box is the better buy for someone who is familiar with RPGs and how to run one.

It has all you need to play and is great. You can create your OWN characters and level them up to 6th level.

The Starter Kit is better for someone who has no idea how to run or play an RPG. The characters are premade. You cannot make your own character, however, someone who is unfamiliar with the game will not have to worry about the complexities of doing so. It walks you through how to play.

If one likes what they find in the Starter Set they can then move onto the Essentials Box. It's like an expert version which allows you to make your own characters and has some advanced ideas inside of it.

 

[Shiroiken]

That gives me an interesting idea: Each of us gets a different boxed set, that way we get both modules! With what you said about Essential's module, that may work out real well.

We're both long time D&D players- he's just wanting to get into the new edition via the ground floor. Quick n easy! Plus, he lost all his dice a couple of moves ago, lol.

This partially answers my question. For a player, I'd just download the free rules. If this guy's going to DM, I'd suggest a boxed set due to the ready to go adventure and setup.

Personally I found the original Basic Set to be amazing. You could easily just go with that and use the pre-gen characters, and the adventure is one of the best starting adventures in decades (I suspect it will be the newer generations Keep on the Borderlands or Sunless Citadel).

 

[darjr]

Basic ~= Starter Set
Expert ~= Essentials

I like it.

 

[teitan]

I vote for Rick & Morty. Hall of Butts.