Boxed set versus Hardcover - FIGHT!

[malraux]

I should be noted that when I say boxed set, what I am looking for is something like this.

 

[Ktulu]

Hardcovers. I have no use for giant overland maps that only hang on walls and never get any actual use, and all the extra stuff only gets lost.

 

[Aus_Snow]

Box set, every time.

Done well, it's just the best way a RPG can possibly be presented.

Might I just add, that in my humble estimation, cloth maps are teh rh0xen? Thank you, that is all.

 

[Nai_Calus]

That said, I did wonder if there was scope for doing a "Starter" boxed set that included the hardcover core rulebook (also available separately) as one of the components. (That is, the same hardcover core rulebook as the 'main' game uses.)

They had a starter boxed set for 3.5. Had a softcover(Sweet! I hate hardcover rulebooks for stuff I'm going to use all the time.) player's handbook, a set of ten really ugly dice, a character sheet and three little booklets to help with character creation, rules basics and a solo adventure. Also had a booster of the WotC minis shrinkwrapped to the outside.

Quite a nice little set, really. The booklets are of limited use and I'll never use the minis because I play online mostly, don't DM, and the people I know IRL refuse to play D&D ever, but more dice is always good and of course the softcover PHB is a thing of joy. And the box is useful for storing crap.

Wish they'd do a Player's Kit like that for 4e. Mmm, softcover rulebooks. Mmm, dice. Not that I can't, you know, buy more dice myself, but.

I'm fond of the Planescape boxed set. I like multiple giant fold-out maps, softcover booklets and not having to try to pull anything out of a book.

 

[resistor]

For physical books, I like hardcovers. For digital products, I prefer "boxed set" style, with multiple smaller documents/printable maps/counters/whatnot.

 

[Tinker Gnome]

*Crushes a Boxed Set with the Pathfinder Core Rulebook*

See! Hardcovers are better!

 

[Shroomy]

Wish they'd do a Player's Kit like that for 4e. Mmm, softcover rulebooks. Mmm, dice. Not that I can't, you know, buy more dice myself, but.

[ame=http://www.amazon.com/Dungeons-Dragons-Roleplaying-Starter-Introductory/dp/0786948205/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1252624446&sr=8-1]They did produce one[/ame], I bought it as an Xmas gift for my future brother-in-law.

 

[pawsplay]

Generally, for most purposes, I consider the hardback book to be the pinnacle of game publishing formats. However, for things that benefit from being a box, I definitely prefer a boxed set. If it contains maps, several booklets, and one or more visual aids, counters, or toys, it should be in a box. Starter kits, mega modules, and some campaign settings should come in boxes.

 

[Nai_Calus]

They did produce one, I bought it as an Xmas gift for my future brother-in-law.

No, that's the 4e equivalent of the 3.5 Basic Game sets. The one I'm talking about was a box set with the actual full Player's Handbook and some other stuff to help a single player get started, rather than an introductory rules thing.

I can see a 4e version of what I'm talking about including the following:

Softcover PHB
Set o' Hideous Dice
Booklet with quick rules reference
Booklet with character creation guide
Booklet with a solo adventure (Not really needed, but it's kind of traditional. Damn you, Bargle!)
Character sheet for easy photocopying thereof.
Perhaps a CD with the L1-3 trial version of the Character Builder for the three people in the world without internet access.
Perhaps a random Player's Handbook Heroes pack, or a couple of generic PC minis

Basically a 'here's what you need to get started as a player in a game, without you having to try and figure out what you might need or try to find it seperately if you don't have a FLGS' set.

 

[pawsplay]

Yeah, it's just not a real boxed basic set unless Bargle kills Alena.