Adventure Game vs. Basic Set

[mmadsen]

Older versions of D&D had the Basic Set, enough rules to play D&D from first through third level. Third-Edition D&D has the D&D Adventure Game, a beautiful boxed set with enough rules to play D&D with pregenerated characters through third level.

What would you like to see in a Third-Edition Basic Set? Granted, we're all past that stage now, but I think a true Basic Set could be great. For instance, the Adventure Game does some things very well. It has full-color counters, a large, full-color dungeon map, full-color pregenerated character sheets, a short book of adventures (more like scenarios), and a short book of rules -- and it doesn't expect you to sit through the rules before playing. For one thing, the double-sided character sheets explain most of the numbers.

On the downside, it only lets you play with pregen characters. With just a little tweaking, it could provide simple rules for the main classes (Fighter, Rogue, Cleric, Wizard) and main races (Human, Elf, Dwarf, Halfling) in the same way that it provides just the main monsters and main low-level spells. Also, the character sheets and monster stats could break out the numbers into their source values, e.g. Atk +4 (+1 BAB, +2 Str, +1 Weapon Focus). Instead, everything's a little bit obfuscated.

The limited scope of the Adventure Game makes it so much easier to learn. I just wish they hadn't hamstrung it quite so much. Would anyone else like to see a full-fledged Basic Set -- if only to give to kids at Christmas?

 

[Geron Raveneye]

You bet!

I am waiting for someone higher up to remember how well the Basic Set could be used to introduce people into roleplay because it made stuff so easy. 3 levels, all the necessary rules for them to be played through, including spells up to 2nd level, fitting monsters, and great advice for the DM in the DM´s booklet. Gods, the introduction adventure I used once or twice lately again to get a new 1st level group going.

Yes, PLEASE

And they included DICE for the game.

 

[LostSoul]

I think a lot of us forget that D&D is a pretty complicated, hard game to learn how to play. You can't just sit down and get right to it; you have to read a large (but pretty) book before you can start. And, I think, most people won't really grasp the basic "idea" of the game just by reading the PHB or DMG.

I think that a starter set should include quick start rules, pictures of different, pre-generated characters, a bunch of plastic miniatures, battle maps, and one rule:

Roll d20 + relevant skill to accomplish any task; the higher the roll, the better you do.

 

[Valavien]

But, is 3E supposed to be simple and easy enough just with the core books that a basic set is not needed? The Adventure Game takes you from 1st to 3rd levels to gradualy learn the rules as a jumpstart to the full version. The core rules are reasonably priced as well. So you get your dice in the adventure game, you now know the basics so you are ready to expand to 3e, anything else might be too simple?

 

[Valavien]

Lost Soul: I believe that's what the Adventure Game provides. Has anyone found it succesful in it's purpose? I have, it was fun to go through the scenarios and to slowly learn to ropes before I started the real thing.

 

[WSmith]

I sure do. I love the Adventure Game. I think it is the most under-rated product in the whole 3rd edition line to teach new players.

BUT

The one major downfall is the lack of CharGen. I actually have stripped out all of the info to make a document for such. I just haven't had the time to type it out. It goes to fifth level, mostly so that wizards can get everyone's favorite 3rd level spells. built from the foundation of the AG it has:

Classes: Ftr, Wiz, Clr, and Rog.
Races: H, Dw, El, Hflg.
Spells: more from the PHB, but not too many to overwhelm
Equipment: more than the AG but slightly cropped from the PHB
Pre-Generated charts for skill points by level and INT.


The benefit is that, many of us grognards remember, creating characters with the Basic set was so fast and so simple. You could put the whole character sheet on one side of the paper. There were very little rules to get in the way of chargen. Heck sometimes, my old group and I would play BD&D with our advanced characters. That is what I seek. A simple version of D&D. No one makes it, so I did for myslef (it could possibly be printed under OGL, but not d20 STL cause it addresses CharGen, unless WOTC printed it ). I hope I can translate my notes sometime soon.

 

[Harlequin]

AG is Cool

I really love the Adventure Game also...
Its a great way to introduce someone/a group to DnD...

Id love to see your notes WSmith when they are done


Harlequin

 

[Davelozzi]

I think that the Adventure Game gets the job done fairly well although I agree that some basic character generation rules would be nice. Also, I think that a more complete introductory adventure module (like B1 or B2) would be preferable to the several short scenarioes provided.

 

[mmadsen]

Also, I think that a more complete introductory adventure module (like B1 or B2) would be preferable to the several short scenarioes provided.

I think the bite-size scenarios are perfect, but it would nice if they were strung along a bit better -- maybe a fork or two in the path (not just one, two, three).

 

[Ron]

But, is 3E supposed to be simple and easy enough just with the core books that a basic set is not needed? The Adventure Game takes you from 1st to 3rd levels to gradualy learn the rules as a jumpstart to the full version. The core rules are reasonably priced as well. So you get your dice in the adventure game, you now know the basics so you are ready to expand to 3e, anything else might be too simple?

D&D 3rd edition may be more streamlined than AD&D but it isn't, by far, a easy game to learn by reading. There is virtually no information to the novice. The old basic set was really a killer product. The current Adventure game is a beatiful box, I'm sure that a simplified character generation rules would be a good addition, making easier the path from the Adventure Game to the Core Books.