Basic set for modern D&D

[pedr]

The basic, downloadable rules will be expanded next month to include monsters, encounter building guidelines, etc so that a simple version of the game, up to 20th level, is free. The personality elements are, actually, rules, albeit light and easily ignored rules. One advantage of a PDF is that page count isn't really an issue so I'm glad they included them as they're an integral part of the 5e rules.

The Starter Set and the monsters from the download next month will be a perfect set of low-level rules, I think.

Edit to add: you ask if the download we're pointing you to is based on 5e. For clarity, it's more than that - it is 5e. The Player's Handbook will have additional character options, including feats, but characters created with the basic rules will be playing the same game. In many ways, 5e is designed to be a simpler 3e, though there are interesting elements of other editions - and other games - if you look for them!

 

[delericho]

So he knows the general conept of the game, and the very basic rules. I've given him a copy of the old Moldvay Basic game and a couple of old Basic adventures for reference. I'd rather get him into the 3rd edition of the game, as that is what I consider the best version, (for many reasons). But I think the whole system is too much for him to start with -- 20 levels worth of stuff in 900 pages in 3 volumes. Is there a more basic version of *modern* D&D available?

Others have already mentioned the 5e Basic rules and Starter Set, which are certainly worth considering.

Another option, if you're wanting as close as possible to the old Moldvay set for 3e, would be to go for the Pathfinder Beginner Box. It's a bit more expensive, but it's a very solid product. And as we know, Pathfinder is pretty close to 3e, especially at the lowest levels. (Oh, and it spans levels 1-5.)

 

[Scrivener of Doom]

Others have already mentioned the 5e Basic rules and Starter Set, which are certainly worth considering.

Another option, if you're wanting as close as possible to the old Moldvay set for 3e, would be to go for the Pathfinder Beginner Box. It's a bit more expensive, but it's a very solid product. And as we know, Pathfinder is pretty close to 3e, especially at the lowest levels. (Oh, and it spans levels 1-5.)

[MENTION=31216]Bullgrit[/MENTION], in view of your requirements, I would simply go with the Pathfinder Beginner's Box also.

5E really isn't finished yet with the DMG not due until November (IIRC). So, despite the intention to update the Basic PDF some time in August, we may find that date is stretched further.

That said, the Starter Set adventure, Lost Mine of Phandelver, is a pretty good mini-sandbox which is easy enough to convert to most editions. (I'm actually thinking of running it using 13th Age.)

 

[Bullgrit]

Thanks, everyone. I'll look more into the D&D5 Starter Set and the Pathfinder Beginner's Box. Both/either might be exactly what I'm looking for, and he needs.

Bullgrit