A "Basic" mistake

[The Little Raven]

Finally getting to the point, in my opinion it is a big mistake for WotC not to release a "4th Edition Basic Set" at the same time as the 4e core rulebooks.

I'm of the opposite opinion. I think the game should be built, tested, completed, and published before providing the basic set, otherwise you run into discrepancies because the products will be developed side-by-side.

 

[delericho]

Think your unconscious mind has something against 4e? Or are you just being sly?

I was thinking of films such as "The Phantom Menace", "Batman & Robin", "Superman IV: The Quest for Peace", "Lethal Weapon 4", and so forth, and TV shows like the fourth seasons of both "Buffy the Vampire Slayer" and "Angel", and of course the whole of "Star Trek: Voyager". (Of course, there are notable exceptions to the 'rule'.) Basically, the fourth entry seems to be the point where the novelty wears off; the creativity dries up; and the accumulated continuity, expected nods to the past, and characters that the fans want to see back, have reached a point where they really start to interfere with the story.

 

[TwinBahamut]

I was thinking of films such as "The Phantom Menace", "Batman & Robin", "Superman IV: The Quest for Peace", "Lethal Weapon 4", and so forth, and TV shows like the fourth seasons of both "Buffy the Vampire Slayer" and "Angel", and of course the whole of "Star Trek: Voyager". (Of course, there are notable exceptions to the 'rule'.) Basically, the fourth entry seems to be the point where the novelty wears off; the creativity dries up; and the accumulated continuity, expected nods to the past, and characters that the fans want to see back, have reached a point where they really start to interfere with the story.

With videogames, though, the fourth entry usually tends to be pretty good... Final Fantasy 4, Fire Emblem 4, Dragon Quest 4, Resident Evil 4, etc. For long-running videogame series, the fourth entry is usually where they creators make a clean break from what has come before and try something new, which often results in a good game.

Back on topic, I think there is nothing wrong with someone getting their start with a 3.5E Basic game, even now that 4E has been released. After all, something exactly like that is how I got into D&D. I heard a bit about D&D and ended up getting a box called the D&D Adventure Game in the very last days of 2E (it was set in a town called Haven, I think, and featured three adventures involving bugbears, a vampire, and a red dragon). I ran a few games of that for my brother, and not long after that we turned around and bought the recently released 3E core books. I wasn't even really aware of the edition change at the time. I just thought that the core books were are a lot more clear than the Adventure Game version.

A nice boxed game like the one I started with is a pretty good way to introduce someone to D&D.

 

[MortalPlague]

I picked up the 1st Edition Red Box 12 years ago and that brought me into the fold. I didn't even know about 2nd Ed, and by the time we shifted seriously into 2nd, 3rd edition was out. In fact, 4th Edition is the only one we've been on top of as far as the release goes...

So yeah, I've enjoyed it. But I share the opinion of the OP here; if 4th Edition is out, and it's what most of the D&D folks are moving to, it's better for him to start with the newest edition. I'm not saying he wouldn't enjoy 3.5, but 4th edition offers more in terms of game events, other D&D groups, etc.

 

[AdmundfortGeographer]

Finally getting to the point, in my opinion it is a big mistake for WotC not to release a "4th Edition Basic Set" at the same time as the 4e core rulebooks.

You are not alone in your opinion. I wish they had an adequate Intro product for teaching newcomers without overwhelming them with hundreds of pages reminiscent of a college textbook. Just something to get started, you know? And not be an expensive add-on designed to sell minis and tiles.

 

[Kzach]

It's all roleplaying games.

When I first got into the hobby, 2e had only just been brought out so there was still a plethora of 1e material all over the place. I didn't have a clue what the difference was so I bought both edition's books with great verve and much zest.

I don't regret that decision so I don't see how some other kid getting into 3.x who eventually got into 4e would regret it either.

 

[Khuxan]

Would it make sense to make the Basic set contain all the necessary rules, but only go from levels 1 to 5? And only include wizards, clerics, rogues and fighters? That way, you learn the correct rules but it's not a 'textbook'-sized rulebook. And there's plenty of space for monsters and DMing advice and sample adventures.

 

[Steely Dan]

I was thinking of films such as "The Phantom Menace", "Batman & Robin", "Superman IV: The Quest for Peace", "Lethal Weapon 4", and so forth, and TV shows like the fourth seasons of both "Buffy the Vampire Slayer" and "Angel", and of course the whole of "Star Trek: Voyager". (Of course, there are notable exceptions to the 'rule'.) Basically, the fourth entry seems to be the point where the novelty wears off; the creativity dries up; and the accumulated continuity, expected nods to the past, and characters that the fans want to see back, have reached a point where they really start to interfere with the story.

Yeah, the worst was Hippo IV:The Awakening